Stereo Soundbar
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,389
Likes: 9
From: Seabrook Texas
St. Jude Donor '05
Last edited by swtato; Mar 11, 2008 at 10:52 PM.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,458
Likes: 1
From: Collinsville MS
St. Jude Donor '08
looks good. I am thinking about doing something similiar, I keep hearing the stock setup doesnt sound right, not enough bass, not that I ride around thumping but I do want my VH and Boston CD's to sound good inside!
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
If you want good sound, and I mean quality to your brain AND ears, then you want a pair of 6.5" coaxial speakers in the kick panels, and a small 2 channel amp to power them.
Putting speakers in the back only confuses your brain. The stage being behind you messes it all up. I mean, when you go to a concert do you sit backwards to enjoy it?
I have installed many Corvette stereos, replacing everything from stock systems to speaker bars, and failed attempted to put speakers in places that don't do well for imaging.
Putting speakers in the back only confuses your brain. The stage being behind you messes it all up. I mean, when you go to a concert do you sit backwards to enjoy it?
I have installed many Corvette stereos, replacing everything from stock systems to speaker bars, and failed attempted to put speakers in places that don't do well for imaging.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 465
Likes: 0
Speakers everywhere ? Help us Durango !
Need input Durango....
I'm waiting for my new dash to come in.
I've taken the old rotten dried up speakers out and planing to replace them with same size and hopefully with better quality....
I have taken your advice on the kick panels.....
Are the ones on top of dash worth it ? Or should I simply leave it empty and covered up with the speaker grills ?
Phil
I'm waiting for my new dash to come in.
I've taken the old rotten dried up speakers out and planing to replace them with same size and hopefully with better quality....
I have taken your advice on the kick panels.....
Are the ones on top of dash worth it ? Or should I simply leave it empty and covered up with the speaker grills ?
Phil
Racer
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 465
Likes: 0
L82Shark check with IrishJoker !
Shark....
Check with Joker. He's got the SOUND BAR installed and it looks great. He's got a thread with pictures in here somewhere !!!!
As for sound, I believe he mentioned that it was "limited" quality...
Your call bud !
Phil
Check with Joker. He's got the SOUND BAR installed and it looks great. He's got a thread with pictures in here somewhere !!!!
As for sound, I believe he mentioned that it was "limited" quality...
Your call bud !
Phil
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Forget the dash speakers. In a cabin as small as a C3, you really only need two speakers. The kick panels are a great location for some 6.5" speakers that not only provide a bit of mid-bass but they provide the highs. However, running anything but a low watt stock speaker off of a head unit is going to limit you volume-wise.
For the best quality, the speakers need to be amped. A small amp can be mounted in the passenger side storage bin, or in the back of the storage area. Both are close to the battery so the install is easy, and you just have to run some wires to the front.
An after market head unit is best for this setup because it will have RCA outputs to the amp, and it will have built in filters and EQ functions.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,389
Likes: 9
From: Seabrook Texas
St. Jude Donor '05
If you want good sound, and I mean quality to your brain AND ears, then you want a pair of 6.5" coaxial speakers in the kick panels, and a small 2 channel amp to power them.
Putting speakers in the back only confuses your brain. The stage being behind you messes it all up. I mean, when you go to a concert do you sit backwards to enjoy it?
I have installed many Corvette stereos, replacing everything from stock systems to speaker bars, and failed attempted to put speakers in places that don't do well for imaging.
Putting speakers in the back only confuses your brain. The stage being behind you messes it all up. I mean, when you go to a concert do you sit backwards to enjoy it?
I have installed many Corvette stereos, replacing everything from stock systems to speaker bars, and failed attempted to put speakers in places that don't do well for imaging.
I guess my brain is confused but the set up I have sounds good to me?
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Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Well it really all comes down to personal preference, but let me put it this way. Once you have driven a C3 with a proper stereo system installed, you won't go back to anything less. Trust me, I have been there. My red and blue Vettes both had stock systems. My black one came with an after market head unit, and stock speakers.
I did all the usual stuff. I replaced stock speakers with after market speakers. I tried adding speakers to the back. I tried speakers in the side panels...it all sounded better than what I had before.
Then I got serious into car audio and started learning the basics and fundamentals of how it all works and sounds and why. I did a proper install, using a few of the things I learned, and applied it. The difference was amazing. Since then I have made it even better.
No one has to spend $500, but it's nice to be able to. Generally a good system can be installed for half that, if not less, when there is no sub planned in the system.
If someone wants to spend even less for a low grade audio system, that's fine. It's all personal preference. However, if you;re going to spend any money at all for a car audio system, I feel it's wiser spent if it's going to actually get you good sound.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,458
Likes: 1
From: Collinsville MS
St. Jude Donor '08
I was hoping you would jump in here DB. I am going to try the soundbar in the rear since its not costing anything. But as Phil7755 said, I am also waiting on my new dash to show up. You recommend not putting the speakers back in there but putting them down in the kick panels correct? What speakers have the correct backspacing so I dont have to cut steel behind them?
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
I was hoping you would jump in here DB. I am going to try the soundbar in the rear since its not costing anything. But as Phil7755 said, I am also waiting on my new dash to show up. You recommend not putting the speakers back in there but putting them down in the kick panels correct? What speakers have the correct backspacing so I dont have to cut steel behind them?
Yeah forget the dash speakers. Most 6.5" speakers will fit without birdcage modifications. Here is a set of speakers I recommend to most people doing this. They fit fine, and sound very good.
http://item.express.ebay.com/Polk-Au...mdZExpressItem
Not only are they cheap, but good quality.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,458
Likes: 1
From: Collinsville MS
St. Jude Donor '08
DB,
didnt you have a thread on here a couple weeks back on installing these? I went ahead and ordered them a few minutes ago. Gotta cut out the kick panel is all right?
didnt you have a thread on here a couple weeks back on installing these? I went ahead and ordered them a few minutes ago. Gotta cut out the kick panel is all right?
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Yeah you use the grills to locate your up and down height so they fit on the kick panel to your liking, and center it in the perforated vent section. Mark the screw holes, cross the lines to find center, and use a large hole saw or scroll saw to cut the center out. Then drill the screw holes, install U-clips, and stick the speaker in. It's not hard at all, but if you need me to post the pics again I can.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 465
Likes: 0
THANKS DB ! Give us more bud !
Durango !
At 45yrs of age, I'm going back to my late teens and havin' fun !
I like the AC/DC stuff !
TRIUMPH and BOSTON and PINK FLOYD
I want the BASE sound and would like to include a speaker box to do that....
COMMENTS ?
Give it all you got man !
Phil
At 45yrs of age, I'm going back to my late teens and havin' fun !
I like the AC/DC stuff !
TRIUMPH and BOSTON and PINK FLOYD
I want the BASE sound and would like to include a speaker box to do that....
COMMENTS ?
Give it all you got man !
Phil
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Phil...for bass, you just add a sub to the system above, and you get a larger 4 channel amp instead of a 2 channel amp. You run the front speakers off of channels 1 and 2 and bridge channels 3 and 4 to power the sub. You may have to mount the amp to the back wall as the 4 channels are bigger, and you'll need a small sealed enclosure for the sub. You WILL be able to have the amp and sub / box in the back and STILL have room for your T-tops.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
You'll end up spending a lot more through a stereo shop. I would suggest online purchasing. If you need helping picking components just let me know and I'll link you to some good stuff that has been tried and used with great success in C3s.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 8,721
Likes: 1,898
From: LONG ISLAND
2025 C3 ('68-'73) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
If you want good sound, and I mean quality to your brain AND ears, then you want a pair of 6.5" coaxial speakers in the kick panels, and a small 2 channel amp to power them.
Putting speakers in the back only confuses your brain. The stage being behind you messes it all up. I mean, when you go to a concert do you sit backwards to enjoy it?
I have installed many Corvette stereos, replacing everything from stock systems to speaker bars, and failed attempted to put speakers in places that don't do well for imaging.
Putting speakers in the back only confuses your brain. The stage being behind you messes it all up. I mean, when you go to a concert do you sit backwards to enjoy it?
I have installed many Corvette stereos, replacing everything from stock systems to speaker bars, and failed attempted to put speakers in places that don't do well for imaging.
Question ?
re: stereos.......... i need tunes in my car, but i have to keep my factory stock radio as my car is NCRS correct & all 100% factory. Car has only a 32 amp alt. Can i build an all in one box that can hold / mount a c/d player or changer & speakers all in one with a handle i can take in & out with ease ? Maybe power connect direct to a seperate optima yellow or red top & then just put the battery on a charger as needed ? would that work ? would the battery not connected to an alt last the a full day of a car show or cruising or a few ?
Racer
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 465
Likes: 0
True BUT....
Gonna get hit at customs
I like known brand names, the good stuff
I'm reluctant when it comes to second brand stuff. I agree that they are better prices but rather spend the extra $30 and have the best...
What do you suggest I can get online ?
Phil
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Can i build an all in one box that can hold / mount a c/d player or changer & speakers all in one with a handle i can take in & out with ease ? Maybe power connect direct to a seperate optima yellow or red top & then just put the battery on a charger as needed ? would that work ? would the battery not connected to an alt last the a full day of a car show or cruising or a few ?[/B]
Yes, it's possible, and a battery would last most of the day without a charge, but you might as well just buy a portable CD / MP3 player that plugs into your cig lighter, and save some time and money.
I reside in Ottawa Canada....
Gonna get hit at customs
I like known brand names, the good stuff
I'm reluctant when it comes to second brand stuff. I agree that they are better prices but rather spend the extra $30 and have the best...
What do you suggest I can get online ?
Phil
Gonna get hit at customs
I like known brand names, the good stuff
I'm reluctant when it comes to second brand stuff. I agree that they are better prices but rather spend the extra $30 and have the best...
What do you suggest I can get online ?
Phil
I'm not talking about buying second brand stuff, I'm talking about premium brands, better than the ones you find at car audio shops. Names like CDT, Cadence, MB Quart, Fi, RE, DD, AA...to name a few. These items are not found in most audio shops because they are not marketed to consumers like patrons of Wal-Mart or Best Buy. The names you see in their stores are common and thought of as high quality...but this is not the case. Take Kenwood for instance. I won't buy ANY of their stuff with the exception of head units. Their speakers and subs suck, and their amps are good but over-priced.
I can put together a list of things to get, mostly online, and the price would be less after shipped than the stuff marked up at an audio store, and you still have to buy within the brands then recommend.