[Doc]

Ok as the mods continue I turn my attention to the ICE and would welcome some suggestions from all you experts, along the following lines[]:

- want to lose as little boot space as possible

- want the sound to have greater "weight". The standard set-up is clear but so "weak" if you know what I mean?

- would rather not change the head unit unless absolutely necessary

- would rather not spend more than say ?1000 but could be convinced to do so

- not bothered if the upgrade stays with the car when I subsequently sell it?

If there is a previous thread on this topic then just direct me to it...

Thanks muchly...........[]

 

[Martyn]

Well doc I sent you my photos...

I would go for the following...

Keep the standard HU

1) Genesis 4 channel amp - ?500

2) diamond audio - or Focal components - ?250

3) Focal or Diamond sub - ?250

Thats a 1k system that will sound awesome!

 

[marriedblonde]

The biggest improvement would be to ditch the standard head unit, it is pants!!!! Ditch that get a decent named brand head unit and take it from there.

 

[asgh4r]

Agree, you would be amazed about the power a pioneer HU can produce. Crips, loud and quality music! Boom!

 

[Doc]

Great and thanks[]

Martyn: yours looks the mutts nuts and I am sure sounds even better.....ta for the direction I'll start making enquiries

MarriedBlonde/asgh4r: The reason for not wanting to change the head unit is simply to not increase the risk of a break-in or add more things to consider like having to carry the "face" of the unit everywhere etc etc....A covert system seems to make sense[?]

 

[officedog]

the boot space is the issue. TBH, i eventually gave up trying to do what I wanted and still have a fairly useable boot. In the end, i have approx 1/2-1/3 of the boot left, but im sure with future plans this is going to decrease. But then again, i suppose thats what you get when you install 4 amps, a big sub box and lots of cabling in the boot.

The way I did it was this. Build a shallow, but wide sub box. The box is a triple chamber relfex box. Its internally ported, but externally sealed. This gives an excellent match of SQ and lowend bass. I then built a 2 level amp rack. The 2 smaller amps are mounted on the bottom level which uses the spare wheel well and then a hinged try above this for the 2 larger amps.

The dizzy block/processor are mounted to the back of the sub box. Even though this is not completely finished yet, i already have new plans as it was a case or trial and error to get it all fitted and have learnt what to do next time. The cable routing is not so good at the moment as all the cables including power come out of a single area at the back of the sub box. This will be sorted in the next install. Will post pics later to show.

 

[officedog]

and here we go, a few pics. There is still some changes need to be made to it to get the cabling better, but on the whole, the plan is nearly done. there will be some side panels and top cover (alcantara) and some other bits to go in. But i need to get all the wood recut (cnc'd) before i do this.

 

[Josh_PoloGTi]

Officedog:

Your sub box an EFMAX design perchance?

 

[Josh_PoloGTi]

Bejesus - YOUR INSTALL IS AMAZING!!!

Didn't see the pics when I just posted then!

Proper impressed!

 

[officedog]

yup, its an efmax box. Very very good sq and very good low end response, all from a little 10 inch sub.

needs some minor mods to tidy up the cabling, but once done should look very nice. Then onto the front speakers (again)

 

[Tom R32]

I went dow the aftermarket HU route - then my car gor broken into because of it, so I then sourced through this site the older Gamma which is fat better quality that the one that came in mine.

I am chuffed to bits with it now, sounds better than the ?400 Alpine did that got stolen!

Its just the crappy recent Gamma HU that is the problem. Replacing the HU just got me a scratched door frame, broken window and knackered glovebox.

My advice would be to replace the Gamma with the older Bluapunkt one, and just do new components and amps/sub etc etc - stealth all the way - dont give them a reaosn to to even attempt to get into the car, wish I hadnt.

 

[Josh_PoloGTi]

Heheheh

I've got an Efmax designed box and I love it to bits...

12" JL Audio in a 3-Chamber Dual Reflex internally ported, externally sealed box!

lol

Sounds really nice and the box isn't that big either.

 

[Josh_PoloGTi]

Oh, and the older Blaupunkt Gamma's (from around yr2000) are pretty good. Better than Sony etc, but not as good as a decent Pioneer HU imho.

But, very good for the stealth aspect.

 

[tylerama]

Quote: posted by Tom R32 on 09/08/2004 10:11:11

I went dow the aftermarket HU route - then my car gor broken into because of it, so I then sourced through this site the older Gamma which is fat better quality that the one that came in mine.

I am chuffed to bits with it now, sounds better than the ?400 Alpine did that got stolen!

Its just the crappy recent Gamma HU that is the problem. Replacing the HU just got me a scratched door frame, broken window and knackered glovebox.

My advice would be to replace the Gamma with the older Bluapunkt one, and just do new components and amps/sub etc etc - stealth all the way - dont give them a reaosn to to even attempt to get into the car, wish I hadnt.

If my car is an S reg.. With a Gamma HU, I guess I have an older Blaupunkt model ? Who makes the newer ones.. what's crappy about them ?

 

[Tom R32]

I had a GT TDI in 98 and that had the Bluapunkt one so I guess yours has mate.

 

[thechief]

What about a oem sat nav unit for around 500? Has very good SQ and is quite powerful.

 

[sdesailly]

Guys wats an EFMAX box?

 

[officedog]

efmax is a guy from the talkaudio forum who designs boxes based on your requirements/tastes/equipment. For me it was a pure SQ box that dropped low and I got what i wanted. take a trip over to www.talkaudio.co.uk. His username is 'EF MAX'

 

[Josh_PoloGTi]

He is a demi-god!

 

[robo-toda]

Certainly recommended by a lot of people.