Car mod Qs

danjufo · Mar 21, 2006, 08:36 PM

I currently have a poo car and should soon be getting a considerably less poo car and I have some questions i'd like to ask about

1 - I currently have standard front speakers and 2 6x9s in the boot in wooden boxes running off a 300w amp. I will soon be getting a new car and it has sockets in the doors that could hold 6x9s. I'm just wondering if for a better sound quality you'd suggest having the rear speakers in the doors or boxed in the boot. Also i've never had 6x9s in the front, would they work ok or would it be ideal to have something different for front? and finaly on this topic, if i was to install it in-door would i need to use any foam \ materials to hold it in better to avoid unwanted vibrations?

2 - Out of curiousity, has anyone here self installed tinted windows with the film you can buy? i was wondering how simple it is or if it's just worth getting it done proffesionaly, also do you know a rough price they'd charge? i tried looking for some quotes but they all require to call up and i can't be bothered

daedal · Mar 21, 2006, 09:51 PM

1 - Get the largest speakers that your current enclosures can support. I'm not sure on the sound quality but if everything is properly padded down in your doors, there should be no rattling. If there is, you can easily top it with dynamat.

2 - Never ever go and apply cheap Canadian Tire window film to your windows. Take it from a guy who's worked in a body shop and have seen flocks of ricers with shitty home-made window tints. The problem is that the store-bought films not only lack in quality but have a very hard application which will result in air bubbles, therefore deterirating the film in a matter of months. Not only that, but store bought tints are off-colored and warp the view. In short, spend the extra cash and spring for high quality tints and don't even think twice about it.

As far as the price is concerned, you're looking at around 200$. There are allot of factors that will differ that price but that's rougly the going rate for four side and back windows.

[EDIT] Post edited because I can't place two phrases together properly.

BWX · Mar 21, 2006, 10:39 PM

I have done tint myself, I actually did a great job on a friends truck and it lasted for at least 6 years... till he sold it. It is not easy though, and even though I can do it, I paid to have it done to another car later on. You need very good weather or a dust free indoor garage or something.. and a lot of luck.

What kind of car is it?

danjufo · Mar 21, 2006, 11:13 PM

Thanks. i will prob use 4 6x9s front and back, but i dont know how much power my headunit puts out so i'll use amp - presumably if i look at what power the speakers want and times it by 4 and thats less or equal to my amp power im ok to run them all yeah?

ok. maybe no tints

What are the laws on tints in the UK anyway, is there a certain grade you have to stay under for front windows or anything like that?

~~Sanafabich~~ · Mar 22, 2006, 12:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danjufo

I currently have a poo car

niceguyrichy · Mar 22, 2006, 02:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danjufo

ok. maybe no tints

What are the laws on tints in the UK anyway, is there a certain grade you have to stay under for front windows or anything like that?

you're in the UK bud, we have laws governing everything

there is a certain level of tint you're allowed to get to, you'd have to investigate (ask a specialist) to find out how far you could go, but regardless what you did you'd have to be really unlucky to find a bored/pedantic enough cop to pull you for it.
they're far to busy nailing safe drivers for doing a couple mph over the limit on wide straight empty country roads

danjufo · Mar 22, 2006, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by niceguyrichy

you're in the UK bud, we have laws governing everything

there is a certain level of tint you're allowed to get to, you'd have to investigate (ask a specialist) to find out how far you could go, but regardless what you did you'd have to be really unlucky to find a bored/pedantic enough cop to pull you for it.
they're far to busy nailing safe drivers for doing a couple mph over the limit on wide straight empty country roads

Too true.

I tried to find out what level we're allowed last night but couldn't if i find out i'll post it on here.

Sanafabich: How'd you find a pic of my car?

BWX · Mar 22, 2006, 11:39 AM

Man what car has 6x9's in the front doors? That will sound good though.

My advice would be to get an amplifier with an electronic and adjustable high pass crossover so you can tune the very deep frequencies (80hz and below) OUT of the 6x9 coaxial speakers.. or triax whatever you get)..

Then get a small amp and a small sub in a small box and run that off the subwoofer out from the deck, and only allow 60hz and below to that. (12db per octave x-over will still allow some frequencies over the x-over limit to get through on a curve, so adjust to taste)... That would be the best bet to get some nice sounding tunes. Get the bass out of the 6.9's and use them for more of the punchy mid-bass (which they will reproduce very well), and deliver the deeper bass to a small sub. Even if it is an inexpensive small but quality sub it will give the system much more balance. It will sound awesome with all those 6x9's too.

danjufo · Mar 22, 2006, 02:10 PM

Mazda 323F :

Front Door:

Images are from Pioneer. where i belive they are giving a suggested sound set up (you can look at quite a few car set-ups on their site) heres mine :

>LINK<

BWX · Mar 22, 2006, 04:42 PM

Wow that's a lot of places for speakers, that's awesome.

I gotta tell you though, I have had lots and lots of car speakers, really cheap ones, really nice ones, middle of the road ones, etc... I have built lots of subwoofer boxes, custom enclosures etc, many car stereo installations.. (more than 100 easy).. it used to be one of my main hobbies before I got into PC's.

I wouldn't get Pioneer speakers. I have a Pioneer amp that is great, but I'm running Phoenix Gold coaxials. Even for the same price you can get nicer sounding speakers. I have had Pioneer;s and was not happy with them at all. Of course if you have already heard them and like them, that's another story.

You have to watch your back-spacing though.. the speaker depth is very important to get right..

I looked up a 98Mazda 323 on crutchfield because they have a speaker fit guide, but it must be a different car over there. They said nothing about 6x9's. but if you can put them in the doors- definitely do it. You will have much better stereo imaging and overall better sound than if they were only in the back. You want the sound up front in the car, and the back speakers are only for rear fill, basically put the best speakers up front.

danjufo · Mar 22, 2006, 05:14 PM

Ok, thanks for all the info and help BWX. i should get the car next week hopefully, then once i get my days off i'll be seeing what i can install, i'll let you know what i get and how it all goes.

I hope the speakers go in, my mate had a mazda and the holes looked 6x9 shape but slightly smaller, i dont know if they would of fit in it as he never tried. I'll let you know

daedal · Mar 22, 2006, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BWX

You have to watch your back-spacing though.. the speaker depth is very important to get right..

QFT. Do you already have your speakers or are you looking into buying a set?

BWX · Mar 22, 2006, 08:59 PM

Oh they might be 4x8, another pretty popular size.

danjufo · Mar 23, 2006, 09:41 AM

I have 2 lots of 6x9s so if i can fit 6x9s i will be looking to get another set, probably better ones for the front - if so what should i look for?
Then if i can't fit 6x9s and they are 4x8s (although thats different to what it says) i'll buy some 4x8s to go in the front but for the rear, should i keep 6x9s in boxes in the boot, or get 4x8s to put in the rear doors too, which would sound nicer?

Mar 21, 2006, 08:36 PM	#1
danjufo DH.Sig.Maker Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: england Posts: 1,231 Rep Power: 0	Car mod Qs I currently have a poo car and should soon be getting a considerably less poo car and I have some questions i'd like to ask about 1 - I currently have standard front speakers and 2 6x9s in the boot in wooden boxes running off a 300w amp. I will soon be getting a new car and it has sockets in the doors that could hold 6x9s. I'm just wondering if for a better sound quality you'd suggest having the rear speakers in the doors or boxed in the boot. Also i've never had 6x9s in the front, would they work ok or would it be ideal to have something different for front? and finaly on this topic, if i was to install it in-door would i need to use any foam \ materials to hold it in better to avoid unwanted vibrations? 2 - Out of curiousity, has anyone here self installed tinted windows with the film you can buy? i was wondering how simple it is or if it's just worth getting it done proffesionaly, also do you know a rough price they'd charge? i tried looking for some quotes but they all require to call up and i can't be bothered __________________ [COLOR=dimgray]DeviantArt Gallery[/COLOR] [COLOR=silver]How to add your signature image[/COLOR] [COLOR=white]Signature + Avatar Rules[/COLOR]

Mar 21, 2006, 09:51 PM	#2
daedal Uber Coffee Drinker Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Gatineau, Quebec Posts: 2,250 Rep Power: 0	1 - Get the largest speakers that your current enclosures can support. I'm not sure on the sound quality but if everything is properly padded down in your doors, there should be no rattling. If there is, you can easily top it with dynamat. 2 - Never ever go and apply cheap Canadian Tire window film to your windows. Take it from a guy who's worked in a body shop and have seen flocks of ricers with shitty home-made window tints. The problem is that the store-bought films not only lack in quality but have a very hard application which will result in air bubbles, therefore deterirating the film in a matter of months. Not only that, but store bought tints are off-colored and warp the view. In short, spend the extra cash and spring for high quality tints and don't even think twice about it. As far as the price is concerned, you're looking at around 200$. There are allot of factors that will differ that price but that's rougly the going rate for four side and back windows. [EDIT] Post edited because I can't place two phrases together properly. __________________ Last edited by daedal; Mar 21, 2006 at 10:43 PM.

Mar 21, 2006, 10:39 PM	#3
BWX unplugged Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: USNY Posts: 19,669 Rep Power: 110 System Specs	I have done tint myself, I actually did a great job on a friends truck and it lasted for at least 6 years... till he sold it. It is not easy though, and even though I can do it, I paid to have it done to another car later on. You need very good weather or a dust free indoor garage or something.. and a lot of luck. What kind of car is it? __________________

Mar 21, 2006, 11:13 PM	Thread Starter #4
danjufo DH.Sig.Maker Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: england Posts: 1,231 Rep Power: 0	Thanks. i will prob use 4 6x9s front and back, but i dont know how much power my headunit puts out so i'll use amp - presumably if i look at what power the speakers want and times it by 4 and thats less or equal to my amp power im ok to run them all yeah? ok. maybe no tints What are the laws on tints in the UK anyway, is there a certain grade you have to stay under for front windows or anything like that? __________________ [COLOR=dimgray]DeviantArt Gallery[/COLOR] [COLOR=silver]How to add your signature image[/COLOR] [COLOR=white]Signature + Avatar Rules[/COLOR]

Mar 22, 2006, 11:39 AM	#8
BWX unplugged Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: USNY Posts: 19,669 Rep Power: 110 System Specs	Man what car has 6x9's in the front doors? That will sound good though. My advice would be to get an amplifier with an electronic and adjustable high pass crossover so you can tune the very deep frequencies (80hz and below) OUT of the 6x9 coaxial speakers.. or triax whatever you get).. Then get a small amp and a small sub in a small box and run that off the subwoofer out from the deck, and only allow 60hz and below to that. (12db per octave x-over will still allow some frequencies over the x-over limit to get through on a curve, so adjust to taste)... That would be the best bet to get some nice sounding tunes. Get the bass out of the 6.9's and use them for more of the punchy mid-bass (which they will reproduce very well), and deliver the deeper bass to a small sub. Even if it is an inexpensive small but quality sub it will give the system much more balance. It will sound awesome with all those 6x9's too. __________________

Mar 22, 2006, 02:10 PM	Thread Starter #9
danjufo DH.Sig.Maker Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: england Posts: 1,231 Rep Power: 0	Mazda 323F : Front Door: Images are from Pioneer. where i belive they are giving a suggested sound set up (you can look at quite a few car set-ups on their site) heres mine : >LINK< __________________ [COLOR=dimgray]DeviantArt Gallery[/COLOR] [COLOR=silver]How to add your signature image[/COLOR] [COLOR=white]Signature + Avatar Rules[/COLOR]

Mar 22, 2006, 04:42 PM	#10
BWX unplugged Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: USNY Posts: 19,669 Rep Power: 110 System Specs	Wow that's a lot of places for speakers, that's awesome. I gotta tell you though, I have had lots and lots of car speakers, really cheap ones, really nice ones, middle of the road ones, etc... I have built lots of subwoofer boxes, custom enclosures etc, many car stereo installations.. (more than 100 easy).. it used to be one of my main hobbies before I got into PC's. I wouldn't get Pioneer speakers. I have a Pioneer amp that is great, but I'm running Phoenix Gold coaxials. Even for the same price you can get nicer sounding speakers. I have had Pioneer;s and was not happy with them at all. Of course if you have already heard them and like them, that's another story. You have to watch your back-spacing though.. the speaker depth is very important to get right.. I looked up a 98Mazda 323 on crutchfield because they have a speaker fit guide, but it must be a different car over there. They said nothing about 6x9's. but if you can put them in the doors- definitely do it. You will have much better stereo imaging and overall better sound than if they were only in the back. You want the sound up front in the car, and the back speakers are only for rear fill, basically put the best speakers up front. __________________

Mar 22, 2006, 05:14 PM	Thread Starter #11
danjufo DH.Sig.Maker Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: england Posts: 1,231 Rep Power: 0	Ok, thanks for all the info and help BWX. i should get the car next week hopefully, then once i get my days off i'll be seeing what i can install, i'll let you know what i get and how it all goes. I hope the speakers go in, my mate had a mazda and the holes looked 6x9 shape but slightly smaller, i dont know if they would of fit in it as he never tried. I'll let you know __________________ [COLOR=dimgray]DeviantArt Gallery[/COLOR] [COLOR=silver]How to add your signature image[/COLOR] [COLOR=white]Signature + Avatar Rules[/COLOR]

Mar 22, 2006, 08:59 PM	#13
BWX unplugged Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: USNY Posts: 19,669 Rep Power: 110 System Specs	Oh they might be 4x8, another pretty popular size. __________________

Mar 23, 2006, 09:41 AM	Thread Starter #14
danjufo DH.Sig.Maker Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: england Posts: 1,231 Rep Power: 0	I have 2 lots of 6x9s so if i can fit 6x9s i will be looking to get another set, probably better ones for the front - if so what should i look for? Then if i can't fit 6x9s and they are 4x8s (although thats different to what it says) i'll buy some 4x8s to go in the front but for the rear, should i keep 6x9s in boxes in the boot, or get 4x8s to put in the rear doors too, which would sound nicer? __________________ [COLOR=dimgray]DeviantArt Gallery[/COLOR] [COLOR=silver]How to add your signature image[/COLOR] [COLOR=white]Signature + Avatar Rules[/COLOR]