Car Sound System Upgrade

[ahoudet]

Thanks. Enjoying it a lot.

Gees man, you sure they gone? Their web page is still up. I mailed them. But their product inventory looked rather bare so possible that they gonners.

I'd ask the dealer I purchased the car from for a referral but I'm not trusting of these guys.

Almost certain. Last I heard Julian moved to the UK

 

[sand_man]

Almost certain. Last I heard Julian moved to the UK

Damn man, that's a shame!!

Oh well, shopping for an installer via google for now. Rivoniacarsound seems like an option. I've mailed them. Let's see their response.

I've already got a quote from Soundwaves in Highlands North mind you, but there a few technical aspects I'd not considered and neither have they judging by the correspondence I've had with them. IE I requested Kicker CSS65 tweeter, woofer combo but the woofers are 160mm where the Megane's default woofer spec is 130mm. Now, I'm no expert but I would assume the CSS65's are therefore not compatible IE too big for the current moulds on the Megane?

 

[bromster]

Thread necro, just got a Megane 3 GT Coupe 2015 model 162kw, nice car but the sound system is a disgrace!!!

Looking to upgrade, budget is around R12k. Won't replace the head unit as the design and shape isn't going to be replicated by a 3rd party head unit but definitely the 4 130mm woofers (2 front 2 rear) and 4 tweeters (2 front 2 rear) must go, but with what should they be replaced?

Will install a 4 channel amp, possibly Kicker CXA300.4 and need a sub of some description, one that won't completely cannibalize the already modest boot. Was thinking Kicker CompRT12 12"?

Anyone else got feedback re Tremor audio?

TIA

That amp should be fine. Amplifying the door speakers is the most important part. The brand of speakers don't matter too much as long as it's a reputable brand. Get digital splits for the front. Assuming there's no space for tweeters in the back, normal 3 or 4 way coaxials should be fine.

As for the sub, you'll need a second Monoblock amp. Once again, the brand of amp and sub is up to your preference. Just make sure that the amp is strong enough to run the sub easily at 4 ohm. Sealed boxes are usually better than ported boxes for sound quality.

One last important thing if your stock head unit doesn't have RCA output, is to buy a good quality line out convertor. Do not skimp on a wiring kit. Buy the best quality that you can and ensure that the power and speaker wires don't run along the same side of the car. This will avoid interference and speaker whine later on.

Good luck.

 

[ChrisThomas]

Damn man, that's a shame!!

Oh well, shopping for an installer via google for now. Rivoniacarsound seems like an option. I've mailed them. Let's see their response.

I have had a few experiences with Craighall car radio, they aren’t cheap but the job they did on my ex’s beetle and mine was professionalism on another level. If it’s the same owners I’m sure you’ll have the same experience. I remember back in 2011 I had a different beetle and rivonia car sound quoted me R2400 just to wire up my head unit I had already put in the car to the default speaker hole right next to the speedo, I was so dumbfounded I never went back and with this beetle I did most of the work myself because it’s really easy on the old cars not so much new ones. Hope you have better luck.

 

[sand_man]

That amp should be fine. Amplifying the door speakers is the most important part. The brand of speakers don't matter too much as long as it's a reputable brand. Get digital splits for the front. Assuming there's no space for tweeters in the back, normal 3 or 4 way coaxials should be fine.

As for the sub, you'll need a second Monoblock amp. Once again, the brand of amp and sub is up to your preference. Just make sure that the amp is strong enough to run the sub easily at 4 ohm. Sealed boxes are usually better than ported boxes for sound quality.

One last important thing if your stock head unit doesn't have RCA output, is to buy a good quality line out convertor. Do not skimp on a wiring kit. Buy the best quality that you can and ensure that the power and speaker wires don't run along the same side of the car. This will avoid interference and speaker whine later on.

Good luck.

Yeah, thanks. There tweeter and woofer moulds in the back and front. Just need to make sure of the size speakers. The 160mm Kicker's I'm keen on are likely too big.

The sub is boxed yeah. Look, I don't intend to install any of this myself! Not a chance! But I'm hoping the installers know what they doing! These French cars are a little finnicky and unconventional in certain areas. I would hate for them to butcher the install and I end up with rattling panels and loose fitting speakers grills and damaged panels etc etc etc The car is mint (2015 model with 14500km on the clock). I would want to keep it that way.

I have had a few experiences with Craighall car radio, they aren’t cheap but the job they did on my ex’s beetle and mine was professionalism on another level. If it’s the same owners I’m sure you’ll have the same experience. I remember back in 2011 I had a different beetle and rivonia car sound quoted me R2400 just to wire up my head unit I had already put in the car to the default speaker hole right next to the speedo, I was so dumbfounded I never went back and with this beetle I did most of the work myself because it’s really easy on the old cars not so much new ones. Hope you have better luck.

Yeah, I seen Craighall car radio online. Might send the same email I send the others and see what they have to offer.

R2400 to wire the head unit is insanity!!! Geeeeeee!!!

I'll get quotes beforehand for sure!! Soundwaves quoted R2200 for installation which isn't cheap but provided they do a decent job, is acceptable. That's amp, boxed 12" sub, 4 woofers, 4 tweeters, sound deadening mats and Amp wiring kit. R11.5k all in... Not cheap but you get what you pay for I guess...

 

[ChrisThomas]

Yeah I think if you compare you can also maybe bargain them off each other as well. I would stick with Kicker if I were in your shoes as well. I replaced the speakers in my E46 that had perished after all the years with Kickers and they were extremely clear. That was about 6 years ago now so I’m sure they’ve got better stuff out there now.

 

[infscrtyrisk]

Never in my life have I come across a car with good stock audio. The Burmester system in my step-dad's Range Rover Sport isn't even that good.

I recommend all people get an aftermarket audio place to hook them up with decent sound if they haven't already. Don't ever pay for 'premium' audio when buying a car. There is literally nothing at any price that won't be annihilated by a similarly priced aftermarket solution.

^^^ there's a man talking.

 

[bromster]

Yeah, thanks. There tweeter and woofer moulds in the back and front. Just need to make sure of the size speakers. The 160mm Kicker's I'm keen on are likely too big.

The sub is boxed yeah. Look, I don't intend to install any of this myself! Not a chance! But I'm hoping the installers know what they doing! These French cars are a little finnicky and unconventional in certain areas. I would hate for them to butcher the install and I end up with rattling panels and loose fitting speakers grills and damaged panels etc etc etc The car is mint (2015 model with 14500km on the clock). I would want to keep it that way.



Yeah, I seen Craighall car radio online. Might send the same email I send the others and see what they have to offer.

R2400 to wire the head unit is insanity!!! Geeeeeee!!!

I'll get quotes beforehand for sure!! Soundwaves quoted R2200 for installation which isn't cheap but provided they do a decent job, is acceptable. That's amp, boxed 12" sub, 4 woofers, 4 tweeters, sound deadening mats and Amp wiring kit. R11.5k all in... Not cheap but you get what you pay for I guess...

Ok great. Then get splits for front and back. Just phone Renault and ask if they have any approved installers. Wouldn't want to void any remaining warranty.

 

[SykomantiS]

Thread necro, just got a Megane 3 GT Coupe 2015 model 162kw, nice car but the sound system is a disgrace!!!

Looking to upgrade, budget is around R12k. Won't replace the head unit as the design and shape isn't going to be replicated by a 3rd party head unit but definitely the 4 130mm woofers (2 front 2 rear) and 4 tweeters (2 front 2 rear) must go, but with what should they be replaced?

Will install a 4 channel amp, possibly Kicker CXA300.4 and need a sub of some description, one that won't completely cannibalize the already modest boot. Was thinking Kicker CompRT12 12"?

Anyone else got feedback re Tremor audio?

TIA

I hope your Megane does not suffer the same issue as the Honda I have. In my car, the head unit is the weakest point in the system- just swapping out the head unit makes a bigger difference than swapping out the speakers and powering the new speakers from said oem head unit.

It's a real ball-ache though to do that and you already said you don't want to, which leads me to comment I wish to add. I was lucky enough to find a solution to enable me to swap out my head unit. But if I didn't, and I knew what I know now back when I bought the stuff for my car, I would have looked at something like this (there may be other brands that are better, or more preferred, if you have a favourite)- AudioControl D-4.800. I'm not familiar with this brand myself, but I stumbled upon it while watching quite a lot of videos on the CarAudioFabrication channel on youtube- and the handiwork of the guy almost made me wish I did what he did for a living. I think though that the stuff he uses is fairly decent- might even be great, but I'm not an expert.

I'm mentioning this because I'm not sure how good a source the Megane oem head unit is- and if it's crappy like mine was, then aftermarket amps, speakers and subs will only get you so far- garbage in, garbage out, and all that.

So I would suggest at least looking at a similar product to get the best out of any new equipment you add to the car.

 

[A3@MBB]

Thread necro, just got a Megane 3 GT Coupe 2015 model 162kw, nice car but the sound system is a disgrace!!!

Looking to upgrade, budget is around R12k. Won't replace the head unit as the design and shape isn't going to be replicated by a 3rd party head unit but definitely the 4 130mm woofers (2 front 2 rear) and 4 tweeters (2 front 2 rear) must go, but with what should they be replaced?

Will install a 4 channel amp, possibly Kicker CXA300.4 and need a sub of some description, one that won't completely cannibalize the already modest boot. Was thinking Kicker CompRT12 12"?

Anyone else got feedback re Tremor audio?

TIA

You sure your Meg got tweeters? Mine does not. (phase 1 2009 model)
Was rudely surprised when I popped open the grill one day. Agree on the downgrade on sound quality, my old Megane 2 sounded better.

The Meg 3 door liners does leave a bit more space for upgrades (compared to the Meg 2), but sound proofing in the doors is dysmal due to this.

I played with the idea to add a slimline sub underneath the seat, but never followed through.
Will keep an eye on this thread.

Enjoy the car, and good luck with keeping the white interior clean ;-)

 

[ahoudet]

I hope your Megane does not suffer the same issue as the Honda I have. In my car, the head unit is the weakest point in the system- just swapping out the head unit makes a bigger difference than swapping out the speakers and powering the new speakers from said oem head unit.

It's a real ball-ache though to do that and you already said you don't want to, which leads me to comment I wish to add. I was lucky enough to find a solution to enable me to swap out my head unit. But if I didn't, and I knew what I know now back when I bought the stuff for my car, I would have looked at something like this (there may be other brands that are better, or more preferred, if you have a favourite)- AudioControl D-4.800. I'm not familiar with this brand myself, but I stumbled upon it while watching quite a lot of videos on the CarAudioFabrication channel on youtube- and the handiwork of the guy almost made me wish I did what he did for a living. I think though that the stuff he uses is fairly decent- might even be great, but I'm not an expert.

I'm mentioning this because I'm not sure how good a source the Megane oem head unit is- and if it's crappy like mine was, then aftermarket amps, speakers and subs will only get you so far- garbage in, garbage out, and all that.

So I would suggest at least looking at a similar product to get the best out of any new equipment you add to the car.

Megane head unit is decent. Swapping speakers will make a difference. Did it on my Meg 1, Meg 2 RS and Clio 3 RS. All made a substantial difference.

Looking at the stock speakers in the car (I haven't changed the ones I had in both Meg 3s), they are very bad. The worst by far was in the Megane 2 RS.

You sure your Meg got tweeters? Mine does not. (phase 1 2009 model)
Was rudely surprised when I popped open the grill one day. Agree on the downgrade on sound quality, my old Megane 2 sounded better.

The Meg 3 door liners does leave a bit more space for upgrades (compared to the Meg 2), but sound proofing in the doors is dysmal due to this.

I played with the idea to add a slimline sub underneath the seat, but never followed through.
Will keep an eye on this thread.

Enjoy the car, and good luck with keeping the white interior clean ;-)

All RSs I had definitely had tweeters. I know my Meg 1 had as well. I think Renault only fits them on their higher-end cars, of which the GT should be included.

 

[EasyUp Web Hosting]

I can highly recommend this place: BOOMED Alive

He deals with kicker as well and I have seen his work (my friends new Haval H6C). Will be taking my car to him, as soon as I have [-]money[/-] time.

 

[sand_man]

Ok great. Then get splits for front and back. Just phone Renault and ask if they have any approved installers. Wouldn't want to void any remaining warranty.

Yeah, that's something else to consider...

I hope your Megane does not suffer the same issue as the Honda I have. In my car, the head unit is the weakest point in the system- just swapping out the head unit makes a bigger difference than swapping out the speakers and powering the new speakers from said oem head unit.

Head unit seems reasonable. I like the design, it obviously ties in with the vehicle ergonomically. Quality of materials used seems reasonable too. I'm not blown away by it but I'm coming from an Audi A6 so am used to premium.

You sure your Meg got tweeters?

The Meg 3 door liners does leave a bit more space for upgrades (compared to the Meg 2), but sound proofing in the doors is dysmal due to this.

I played with the idea to add a slimline sub underneath the seat, but never followed through.
Will keep an eye on this thread.

Enjoy the car, and good luck with keeping the white interior clean ;-)

Yeah, they got for sure. Just not particularly good quality. So Soundwaves reckon they'll use the Kicker 5" as opposed to the 6". Same wattage apparently. Mmmmm... Sub we looking at 12" boxed in the boot but I much prefer the idea of a slimline sub underneath the seat.

So far the interior is immaculate! Really enjoying the vehicle! Suspension is very stiff though and the roads around Norwood are SHOCKING!! Also the clutch take is short and low so that took a bit of getting used to. 162kw on a fwd vehicle means torque steer and there seems a lot of it. Again coming from a Quattro Audi, the levels of grip and traction are chalk and cheese!

Megane head unit is decent. Swapping speakers will make a difference. Did it on my Meg 1, Meg 2 RS and Clio 3 RS. All made a substantial difference.

Looking at the stock speakers in the car (I haven't changed the ones I had in both Meg 3s), they are very bad. The worst by far was in the Megane 2 RS.All RSs I had definitely had tweeters. I know my Meg 1 had as well. I think Renault only fits them on their higher-end cars, of which the GT should be included.

Yeah, I'm not overly concerned about the quality of the head unit. Some decent speakers, a sub and amp and we good to go...

I can highly recommend this place: BOOMED Alive

He deals with kicker as well and I have seen his work (my friends new Haval H6C). Will be taking my car to him, as soon as I have [-]money[/-] time.

Will mail them thanks. PTA means a bit of a trip though but if they good....

 

[EasyUp Web Hosting]

Will mail them thanks. PTA means a bit of a trip though but if they good....

I will make the same trip from Alberton. Really worth it. But lets see, maybe you can find someone closer, whom you will be able to recommend one day.

 

[c3n0byt3]

Why not check with Hygrade first.
At least get some good info from them.

 

[sand_man]

Why not check with Hygrade first.
At least get some good info from them.

Who?

 

[c3n0byt3]

Who?

https://www.facebook.com/HygradeMobileAudio/

 

[sand_man]

https://www.facebook.com/HygradeMobileAudio/

Gees, some amazing looking installs!

 

[sand_man]

So I got a quote back from Tremor Audio. Seems reasonable. Pretty much in line with the quote from Soundwaves but R400 less on installation costs. Sujeeth is the guy who sent me the quote. Those of you familiar with Tremor Audio spoke about Julian leaving and Julian being one of the main techies/partners. How's Sujeeth though? Competent? Reliable?

 

[koogs]

So I got a quote back from Tremor Audio. Seems reasonable. Pretty much in line with the quote from Soundwaves but R400 less on installation costs. Sujeeth is the guy who sent me the quote. Those of you familiar with Tremor Audio spoke about Julian leaving and Julian being one of the main techies/partners. How's Sujeeth though? Competent? Reliable?

Jules was the owner of Tremor and Sujeeth used to work for him. Jules emigrated to UK over a year ago and Sujeeth took over the business. He has been with Tremor for a number of years and is competent.