61 replies to this topic

[JamesC]

I dont want to go overboard by adding speakers etc but would simply changing the head unit and speakers make a difference to the sound quality. I am keen to change the head unit for something that will accept a USB/iPhone but curious if changing the speakers for something of similar size will make a real difference?

[Mangham54]

Depends on what you have already. There are improvements to be had, but there is a real limit to what you can achieve with just upgrading the pre-existing parts. A pair of front speakers actually is the item that makes the most considerable difference.

[LY_Scott]

A pair of front speakers actually is the item that makes the most considerable difference.

[Mangham54]

A pair of front speakers actually is the item that makes the most considerable difference.

My grammar may be poor, but the point is bang on.

[wantsum]

As mangham says , front speakers make a hugh difference, cheap and easy to do.

[Steelic]

And an active sub in the passenger footwell would finish it off.

[D3YMO]

List of things you could do: Upgrade headunit and rear speakers Add some speakers up front Amp rear speakers Upgrade (gauge of) speaker wire Add a sub You'll never get amazing sound from the VX, but its possible to get louder and clearer than standard, its just too much work for no/little real gain going any firther than the above

[Zuber]

Hi All, Got me thinking. I've already upgraded the stereo (from the last car...). But still struggle to understand Radio 4 at motorway speeds. So it sounds like (pun intended) I'm better off adding cheap fronts rather than upgrading rears. How/where do you mount them ? What size speakers would be a good fit ? Thanks

[LY_Scott]

How/where do you mount them ?
What size speakers would be a good fit ?

Thanks

Side air vents
10cm

[Harry0075]

This is one option, looks smart..not mine just something I bookmarked from fezzasus

http://www.vx220.org...ts-35-speakers/

[turbobob]

Standard head unit and speakers are fcuking shite. Easiest job is to replace those then decide of you are happy. Then I would progress to front speakers (I don't have front speakers. I'm happy with my replacement standards and replacement head unit)

[Crazyfrog (Fab)]

Fit some ITB,s and a decent zost ......best music I have ever heard

[Zuber]

Standard head unit and speakers are fcuking shite. Easiest job is to replace those then decide of you are happy. Then I would progress to front speakers (I don't have front speakers. I'm happy with my replacement standards and replacement head unit)

Got a decent Sony head unit already. But got the impression from above posts rear speaker change was of limited benefit.

Don't fancy blocking off front vents, so I'll try better rears first. Not being an audiophile, how do I determine what would be 'better' speakers than the current ones. Just don't buy the cheapest thing in the store, buy something I've actually heard of ?

Edited by Zuber, 01 May 2013 - 12:42 PM.

[JamesC]

Thanks for your replies. Im in the same boat as Zuber I dont really fancy loosing a couple of vents unless really necessary. I have never bought car audio components and just curious as to whether people found an improvement over the standard items by changing them for an aftermarket option. Sounds like this is the case to a degree so will give it a whirl and I guess can take it from there.

[TazN]

If you have the standard headunit then worth upgrading for ipod connection etc. Rear speakers are probably knackered if originals so will help. Then you can see if you are happy with the setup. If not then go for front speakers in the side air vents. Most people close them off as the air is forced through the middle and helps demist the screen quicker than with all 4 open. I dont see the point adding subs and stuff under/behind pax seat or parcel shelf. As long as you can hear it over the wind and ratles then thats good enough.

[D3YMO]

You can mount 4"/10cm speakers under the dash in the VX if you make up some mdf plates/holders, a quick search on the forum should bring up the thread ive read - was it techies car? When looking for a headunit and speakers: 1. As a rule, you cant go wrong with pioneer or alpine stuff 2. You want a headunit with an output of atleast 50W x4 - most decent ones do these days 3. Dont go for speakers with massive RMS unless you are adding an external amp 4. You dont need to spend mega money (and i wouldnt in the VX) For these cars, Id pick a good brand name, look at there range, see one with a design you like, and opt for them To get the best sound out of your speakers an external amplifier would work best. Amps in car stereo head units are often too small and the power is not clean enough to maximize the sound quality of your speakers. Its the RMS rating thats important, go for some speakers that are between 45 - 85 RMS if your not adding an amp - under-powering speakers and subwoofers is more harmful in most cases than over-powering them. Next step is decent head/earphones...

Edited by D3YMO, 01 May 2013 - 01:20 PM.

[turbobob]

You can mount 4"/10cm speakers under the dash in the VX if you make up some mdf plates/holders, a quick search on the forum should bring up the thread ive read - was it techies car?

When looking for a headunit and speakers:
1. As a rule, you cant go wrong with pioneer or alpine stuff
2. You want a headunit with an output of atleast 50W x4 - most decent ones do these days
3. Dont go for speakers with massive RMS unless you are adding an external amp
4. You dont need to spend mega money (and i wouldnt in the VX)

For these cars, Id pick a good brand name, look at there range, see one with a design you like, and opt for them

To get the best sound out of your speakers an external amplifier would work best. Amps in car stereo head units are often too small and the power is not clean enough to maximize the sound quality of your speakers.

Its the RMS rating thats important, go for some speakers that are between 45 - 85 RMS if your not adding an amp - under-powering speakers and subwoofers is more harmful in most cases than over-powering them.

Next step is decent head/earphones...

Curious post and a bit misleading. Under powering speakers being harmful? How can that possibly be harmful? If you have your volume level set to 1, how is that going to damage your speaker?

You are right ref the RMS comments. Max power, PMPO and comments like that are just giving you bloated values. RMS is the value to look for. And the power range you have indicated is also about right. You are going to have quite limited range of power with 6.5 inch speakers though.

Lets face it, the VX does not lend itself to high fidelity audio, so there is very little point going to town on an expensive audio set up. External amps and subwoofers is just going to make it loud *

* - corresponding neons required.

I have 50w rms Kenwood speakers, and it is plenty loud enough for me. The drivers speaker is less than 12 inches away, so you really don't need any more power IMHO.

[D3YMO]

im not suggesting pairing something like a 1000w RMS amp with some 50w RMS speakers, but a little more power than rated is not a bad thing my comment applies more when adding amps into the mix, overpowering is fine as long as you are careful with the gains... your less likely to stress amps and send clipping signals to speakers/subs, which causes distrotion please take back the misleading comment, or you may be flamed for misleading

Edited by D3YMO, 01 May 2013 - 01:45 PM.

[D3YMO]

for those who are interest, this may help clarify: http://www.talkaudio...h-is-dangerous/

also a good site to ask questions on James and Zuber if your in doubt...a bit like this site, sometimes you find extremely helpful people, sometimes you dont

Edited by D3YMO, 01 May 2013 - 01:51 PM.

[Andrew aka Stuwy]

RMS is still rubbish as they are rated at 14v and cars use 12v.. but yes it is still the most accurate way of looking (not taking ohms into count) I hate speakers