Car Audio newb needs some help

[Erik@MIL.SPEC]

I hate not being able to listen to my iPod, or use the Bluetooth on my iPhone...so here's my dilemma...

I have a home audio beginner audiophile background...Vandersteen speakers...I like a warmer sound...don't need to hear über-crisp tweeters. But I want to keep things simple. Here's a list of do's and don'ts:

• Don't want to get an amp
• Don't want to spend too much on speakers
• Do want Bluetooth and Iphone/iPod useability
• Do want to improve sound for a minimal cost

So, with a headunit like the sony mex-bt 3700, do I even need to worry about upgrading speakers? Or are the stockers enough at this point? Also, was thinking about Dynamating the trunk area. How much will this cut down on road noise/exhaust drone..or do I need to do the doors too? THanks.

Opinions welcome

[AWD OWNZ U]

I have a Pioneer DEH-P5000UB with a PnP EVO harness that I'll sell you for $75 (or trade for a cat ) and I live in LA. It matches the dash great (except it lights up blue). You'll need the bluetooth adapter and ipod cable though. I just replaced it with a double-din so I could have Navi.

http://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-DEH-P5.../dp/B0011MRCT8

It will make a big difference in sound quality, so you can throw it in and see if you are happy. I'd still be looking for an amp plus new front speakers if I were you though. I've never used it but I hear the Boss BASS600 works well if you just want a little more bass without losing trunk space.

http://www.amazon.com/Boss-BASS600-L...9437320&sr=8-1

My cabin floor is covered with B-Quiet Ultimate. It's a little quieter but still an EVO, you are welcome to take a ride and see if you think it's quieter. You can try using a sound absorber like Ensolite, it would probably work better. It'll go in my car eventually when I get around to it.

http://www.raamaudio.com/index.php?o...hk=1&Itemid=60

[biggie5252]

Definitely get a pioneer headunit if you don't want an amp. They have the highest rms ratings. You can also actually wire up the rear channels to run small low power sub(s); ie Tang Band 6 1/2" subs. You can also use your ipod/bluetooth. Some have the bluetooth built in. You definitely going to need to upgrade the front speakers if you don't want harsh tweeters.

Can't say much about sound deadening.

[FJF]

Originally Posted by Erik@MIL.SPEC

So, with a headunit like the sony mex-bt 3700, do I even need to worry about upgrading speakers? Or are the stockers enough at this point?

I'd keep the stock speakers...

Also, was thinking about Dynamating the trunk area. How much will this cut down on road noise/exhaust drone...

Sound deadening is designed to reduce the vibrations in the panels. Its effect on road/drivetrain noise is minimal. Noise reduction requires mass. Mass loaded vinyl can be laid end-on-end - edges glued - forming a sound barrier. This is a very effective noise reduction technique, but it's very heavy.

...or do I need to do the doors too?

If you were going to use aftermarket speakers, I'd strongly suggest doing the doors - deadening the panel, sealing the outer door skin, and dampening the door card. Without an amp, I wouldn't consider a speaker upgrade. The stock speakers would improve with some door work, but it's not a necessity. Good luck.

[btownsoccer22]

not to hijack a thread but if i don't dynamat my doors for speakers will it rattle and just sound like a hoopty car?

And mentioned earlier PIoneer has the highest RMS ratings, but my other friend with an Evo has a Alpine Deck, his deck at 10 sounds as loud as mine at 20-25. Did i Install wrong?

[FJF]

Originally Posted by btownsoccer22

not to hijack a thread but if i don't dynamat my doors for speakers will it rattle and just sound like a hoopty car?

This is impossible to answer without knowing more about the system and its install, as well as one's listening habits. Too, exactly what ratting are you asking about?

And mentioned earlier PIoneer has the highest RMS ratings, but my other friend with an Evo has a Alpine Deck, his deck at 10 sounds as loud as mine at 20-25. Did i Install wrong?

The numbers are essentially meaningless; there's no correlation between manufacturers with respect to the scaling of the volume knob. It's just that your friend's deck's attenuation has a different gain structure.

[btownsoccer22]

This is impossible to answer without knowing more about the system and its install, as well as one's listening habits. Too, exactly what ratting are you asking about?

Well ahead you said he should seal the door skin etc. If i didn't do that what exactly would happen?
I listen to all types of music, rap, rock, R&B, Pop etc. and I'm getting Alpine Type R components with a pdx-1.400

[FJF]

Originally Posted by btownsoccer22

Well ahead you said he should seal the door skin etc. If i didn't do that what exactly would happen?

The sound would lack extension, articulation, and punch. Simply put, it will be missing a good deal of fullness and definition.

I listen to all types of music, rap, rock, R&B, Pop etc. and I'm getting Alpine Type R components with a pdx-1.400

The 400 is a mono amp meant for a sub. Perhaps you had something else in mind.

[Erik@MIL.SPEC]

Thanks everyone for the input.

We obviously have tweeters in the a-pillars. However, the low front speakers in the front doors...are they 1-ways with no tweeters? That would be my assumption.

[btownsoccer22]

The 400 is a mono amp meant for a sub. Perhaps you had something else in mind.

Sorry I meant the 4.100

The sound would lack extension, articulation, and punch. Simply put, it will be missing a good deal of fullness and definition.

So pretty much your saying without dynamating the doors it won't be as accurate and sound tight?

[FJF]

Originally Posted by btownsoccer22

So pretty much your saying without dynamating the doors it won't be as accurate and sound tight?

It'll sound much like a speaker without an enclosure. To clarify, by sealing the doors I'm talking about covering the part of the door directly behind the door card.

Originally Posted by Erik@MIL.SPEC

However, the low front speakers in the front doors...are they 1-ways with no tweeters? That would be my assumption.

They're full-range speakers with wizzler cones to extend their frequency response.

[btownsoccer22]

you think it would be a good idea to do components in the front and rear and custom mount a tweeter in the rear?

Also will aftermarket tweets fit int he stock location in the a pillar?

[FJF]

Originally Posted by btownsoccer22

you think it would be a good idea to do components in the front and rear and custom mount a tweeter in the rear?

Also will aftermarket tweets fit int he stock location in the a pillar?

There's room behind the A-pillar cover to mount most small-frame tweeters. You're much better off with just the front speakers, no rears. If you set on the amp, you can bridge the 4.100 into a 2ch and push more power into the fronts. Or, if you prefer Alpine PDXs, you can opt for the 2.150 instead.

Have you looked at these:

http://www.woofersetc.com/p8135/PRSD...-Amplifier.htm

http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_...RS-D2200T.html

The circuit is very similar to PDX amps; they're small and cost-effective. Just something to consider.

Keep one thing in mind. The Evo is loud. Really loud. To hear any semblance of (musical) detail, the system has to overpower the noise created by the car and the environment.

[btownsoccer22]

lol, no joke, i have to have my headunit at 30 or the only thing i hear is my greddy titanium exhaust

Originally Posted by FJF

There's room behind the A-pillar cover to mount most small-frame tweeters. You're much better off with just the front speakers, no rears. If you set on the amp, you can bridge the 4.100 into a 2ch and push more power into the fronts. Or, if you prefer Alpine PDXs, you can opt for the 2.150 instead.

Have you looked at these:

http://www.woofersetc.com/p8135/PRSD...-Amplifier.htm

http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_...RS-D2200T.html

The circuit is very similar to PDX amps; they're small and cost-effective. Just something to consider.

Keep one thing in mind. The Evo is loud. Really loud. To hear any semblance of (musical) detail, the system has to overpower the noise created by the car and the environment.

[David24]

Alpine makes great head units to utilize ipod functions. If I'm not mistaken Alpine has a patent with Apple, that's why you don't see the ipod logo on other brand head units. I am a die hard Alpine fan and I'm running the IDA-X305 deck, 6 3/4 Type R component set up front, and 6 1/2 type r's in the rears and they sound awesome! For the price and being such small speakers, they bump but of course you need an amp to get the full potential out of them. I'm also running a Type R 12, no dynamat needed for me. Everything sounds clean with no rattling.