Car audio, opinions/advice

[SlinkyMike]

I have recently upgraded my car audio with this Polk Audio split system as well as this JVC media player head unit.

The head unit is a cheapie but I chose it because it plays FLAC files natively from the USB, this turned out to be a bit of a bust since a single DIN is terrible for browsing a 32gb USB flash drive with music on it so I'm just using my iPhone with an AUX cable.

My approach has been to go for clarity first and foremost and then build around that.

I do not currently have an amp in the system.

I'd like some opinions from those in the know on my next move please...

The sound is currently very clear with a very upfront presentation. I think I need to adjust the signal to the tweeters as it hisses a bit on some recordings which is unpleasant. In general though, as you'd expect from a system like this, the sound is a bit thin and lacks sufficient low-end.

I'm planning on adding this matching Polk Audio 6x9 set to the rear (ceiling mount) to even out the mix. Thoughts on that?

Other notes: I'm currently a little suspect of the JVC head unit, it might be a bit of snobbiness because t was so cheap but I have been able to create some overdrive at certain volumes on certain recordings which has me thinking maybe I need an amp in there?

I enjoy clear, crisp sound with as wide a stereo field as possible (in a car) and I will most likely not be adding a sub to this system as volume/bass are not major concerns for me outside of their effect on the overall clarity and richness of the sound. I'm not chasing a decibel trophy.

I'm keen to hear any thoughts that people might have but could you lease indicate your level of experience/expertise as well as the kind of sound you enjoy? The topic is highly subjective.

 

[skeptic_SA]

I'm no audiophile - But using an iPhone via AUX cable as a source is going to negate a lot of what you're trying to achieve. No matter what happens downstream of your install - your source is never going to give you crisp clear loss-less output in the first instance. Just my 5c.

 

[SlinkyMike]

I'm no audiophile - But using an iPhone via AUX cable as a source is going to negate a lot of what you're trying to achieve. No matter what happens downstream of your install - your source is never going to give you crisp clear loss-less output in the first instance. Just my 5c.

Sorry, I ought to have have mentioned: I'm using the Plex app (premium version) which allows for syncing of music from my media centre in the lounge to my device, it's set to sync the full quality and all my music is in FLAC.

It's a long way of saying: I'm not playing back mp3 via the iPhone but rather FLAC.

Are your concerns around the DAC in the iPhone? That might be a very valid point.

 

[skeptic_SA]

I have a slightly ungraded system in my OPC. The car comes standard with a 2.5mm stereo plug for connecting external devices. Same song via my phone versus a CD and the tonal quality is like night and day (to me anyways).

 

[SlinkyMike]

I have a slightly ungraded system in my OPC. The car comes standard with a 2.5mm stereo plug for connecting external devices. Same song via my phone versus a CD and the tonal quality is like night and day (to me anyways).

That is interesting. In theory, once the signal is out of the playback device it's audio and shouldn't be subject to any distortions (I think.)

The version on your phone is ripped from the same CD and isn't compressed at all?

 

[ScottulusMaximus]

Unfortunately you're on a road going nowhere, the car audio market just doesn't cater for "proper" sound, mostly because it's impossible.

As for 6x9's they're probably the worst idea for faithful reproduction, there's a reason hi-fi speakers are separate.

The way a car is built also severely messes up any attempted audiophileness, you simply can't get an unobstructed path between the speakers and your ears, or proper casing for the speakers.

The best sound these days is whatever the car was fitted with, especially on higher models, the people who built it had the equipment and expertise to deal with the issues.

As for your case I would buy a proper head unit, and use a split system of low/mid and highs with a PROPER crossover.

EDIT: just saw the link to the split system, get another set of those and a proper head unit

 

[skeptic_SA]

That is interesting. In theory, once the signal is out of the playback device it's audio and shouldn't be subject to any distortions (I think.)

The version on your phone is ripped from the same CD and isn't compressed at all?

As far as I recall - It was AAC format. It was a while ago that I experimented. In fairness I tether my phone via the blutooth connection. The quality does suffer - but its more convenient than carrying around CD's or connecting a cable.

 

[SykomantiS]

If you are after clarity and quality, stay away from 6x9's. I would rather add a small subwoofer instead.
The split system you have there is a 100w rms rated system, the HU only provides 22w rms, so yeah, get an amp. It's not just about volume and loudness, but being able to drive the speakers properly.

 

[SlinkyMike]

The way a car is built also severely messes up any attempted audiophileness, you simply can't get an unobstructed path between the speakers and your ears, or proper casing for the speakers.

Thanks for chiming in. I'm very aware of this. What I didn't mention is that the car is a Jeep with off road tyres, I really cant hear a a damned thing by about 100kph on the freeway.

Can't hate me for trying though.

As for your case I would buy a proper head unit, and use a split system of low/mid and highs with a PROPER crossover.

EDIT: just saw the link to the split system, get another set of those and a proper head unit

I'm obviously missing something because to my mind, adding more of the same will merely emphasise the current shortfalls? Again: to my mind, I need speakers that 'round out' the sound by supplying a better low frequency response than what the current ones are capable of, what are your thoughts here?

If you are after clarity and quality, stay away from 6x9's. I would rather add a small subwoofer instead.
The split system you have there is a 100w rms rated system, the HU only provides 22w rms, so yeah, get an amp. It's not just about volume and loudness, but being able to drive the speakers properly.

Thanks for your advice. Second person to tell me to avoid the 6x9s - beginning to think you guys are helping me dodge a bullet here because I was literally about to buy them.

So your vote goes for an amp as opposed to more speakers at this stage or both?

 

[ScottulusMaximus]

I'm obviously missing something because to my mind, adding more of the same will merely emphasise the current shortfalls? Again: to my mind, I need speakers that 'round out' the sound by supplying a better low frequency response than what the current ones are capable of, what are your thoughts here?

I'm guessing you've mounted the mids low down in the door and the tweeters up top somewhere?

 

[ost]

To get the optimum out of those splits you will have to amp them.

What vehicle are you using?

My formula for a great sounding system is, a good set of splits, a 4ch amp and a small sub. For true sound quality and staging you have to concentrate on the fronts, I mean who goes to a concert and turns their back to the stage.

My Corsa had a set of Focal Splits, 8" RF Sub and a 4ch JBL amp (60rmsx4). Clarity was great, was tuned so that everything was level (not too much bass)

IMO I'd forego the 6x9's and add in a sub. just to take care of the lower freq, I see that the splits you have do go quite low though. Another big part of a great sounding system is the install, speaker should be firmly mounted onto an solid spacer (MDF Prefered) Sound deadening also improves midbass response.

In terms of source, You will always get the best out of an original CD or DVD, I wasn't a fan of using the aux in, remember the phone output is tuned to drive a set of headphones so it may not be as good as listening direct from usb.

Which area are you and what is your budget?

 

[SlinkyMike]

I'm guessing you've mounted the mids low down in the door and the tweeters up top somewhere?

Correct. Tweeters on the dash but I want to move them up the pillar to provide more separation.

To get the optimum out of those splits you will have to amp them.

What vehicle are you using?

My formula for a great sounding system is, a good set of splits, a 4ch amp and a small sub. For true sound quality and staging you have to concentrate on the fronts, I mean who goes to a concert and turns their back to the stage.

My Corsa had a set of Focal Splits, 8" RF Sub and a 4ch JBL amp (60rmsx4). Clarity was great, was tuned so that everything was level (not too much bass)

IMO I'd forego the 6x9's and add in a sub. just to take care of the lower freq, I see that the splits you have do go quite low though. Another big part of a great sounding system is the install, speaker should be firmly mounted onto an solid spacer (MDF Prefered) Sound deadening also improves midbass response.

In terms of source, You will always get the best out of an original CD or DVD, I wasn't a fan of using the aux in, remember the phone output is tuned to drive a set of headphones so it may not be as good as listening direct from usb.

Which area are you and what is your budget?

Lots of solid advice, thanks!

It's a Jeep (with offroad tyres so very noisy but I have to live with that.)

 

[koogs]

Firstly get an amplifier for those Polk components. Your headunit cannot power them properly. Even a small 60W x 2 RMS amplifier will make a significant difference.

What car is this in? Also proper installation of the speakers will also improve the sound. Mounting them on baffles made of MDF and applying a layer or 2 of sound deadening material to the inner door skin will also make a big difference.

Ditch the 6 x 9s. They will pull your soundstage towards the rear which is not what you want. Your soundstage should be ideally foward. Imagine the band playing on your dash. If the car is properly set up the sound would seem to be coming from somewhere over your bonnet. This is what vehicles competing in Sound Quality competitions strive for.

If you want a little bass then get a small 8" or 10" subwoofer in a properly specced enclosure and maybe then a 4 channel amp to power the whole system.

I have just a set of component speakers in my front doors and a 10" subwoofer in my car. Its set up for sound quality and I placed well in a couple of competitions. But I can also adjust the subwoofer to play in "party mode" if I want to listen to some house music.

Proper installation is a big part of getting decent sound in a car. The most expensive equipment will sound crap if its not installed properly and the basics done right and you can get cheap equipment to sound good if you install properly.

 

[riscbroker]

I'm with SykomantiS and the other guys with a similar opinion. Get an amp to drive the speakers properly, and a small sub just to round it off.

 

[koogs]

Ah, ost beat me to the draw! but its more or less what I posted.

 

[ScottulusMaximus]

Correct. Tweeters on the dash but I want to move them up the pillar to provide more separation.

Well that's why your sound is coloured high, the tweeters are much closer to your ears than the mids... Unfortunately this is the only way to do it in a car as if you mount them lower down the highs just get drowned out or dispersed by legs and seats etc.

You need a head unit with a proper EQ, another split set and an amp to drive the split sets properly. For faithful reproduction stay away from car subs they're ****ing dreadful most of the time.

 

[SykomantiS]

Thanks for your advice. Second person to tell me to avoid the 6x9s - beginning to think you guys are helping me dodge a bullet here because I was literally about to buy them.

So your vote goes for an amp as opposed to more speakers at this stage or both?

Yeah, I would say 4 channel amp and another set of those splits. Once you supply them with enough power, you should see some nice lows and mids, as I think without a decent supply of power, the woofers are under performing (woofers tend to require much, much more power than tweeters). If, after that, you are still not happy with the sound, add a sub.

 

[ost]

+1 Koogs

Being a Jeep with Mud tyres (i'm Guessing ), sound deadening will help

http://www.caraudiofabrication.com/#!sd-frontdoors/czcf

Go through some of their vids on youtube, they have a great channel.

Unfortunately most stock speaker locations suck when it comes to staging, but good plan on moving the tweeters higher up, using the term "Separation" shows you been doing some research and you are on the right track.

 

[Playdot]

I had a decent system a few years ago (Still have most of the components, just in a cupboard and not in my car).


I had a Lightning Audio split system (225W) and 1 set of Lightning Audio 6 x 9 (170W) running through a 1000W 5 channel Lanzar Vibe Amp. The clarity i got was astonishing as it was crisp and clear no matter what volume it was at. I also had 2 x Pioneer 2000W SPL Subs running off a 3000W 2 channel Audiobank Amp. There was enough bass to make give you headaches but you could still hear every single note crispclear.

Having clarity is not about how many speakers you can push in your vehicle but about the quality of your speakers/cabling and headset.

This was in a Opel Astra 1997, I had the installation done professionally though but well worth it. I would suggest going to a reputable installer in your area and asking for a quote. They should have great advice and you can probably use them for ideas.

 

[ost]

Ah, ost beat me to the draw! but its more or less what I posted.

LoL

Yeah - More or less the same. (Great minds think alike )

I'm thinking my cousin bought a set of RE 10" subs off you awhile back