Have lived with the poor Bose system for 10 months but now due to colder, damper weather until car warms up CD just skips...very annoying. Went to Tweeter after reading a lot of info here...this is what I got it down to: MB Quartz speakers, Boston Rear Speaker, Alpine Amp, Alpine HU, Alpine Changer and they would try and work with the Sub. I m no audiophile but if I'm going to do something I might as well do it decently. My main reasons for doing anything of this type is very poor, tinny sound with overboosted base, hissing amp and now CD changer I can only use after 15-20 minutes. With labor....around $1700. And no, I can't do this myself. Like I said, I can do less and probably improve the sound enough but since I tend to keep my cars for a VERY long time (4000 miles/year) I figure might as well fix up everything.

Any thoughts? Headed in the right direction? I did visit other audio shops and the labor was less as were some of the items but they did not offer the lifetime warranty on installation and free removal/reinstall of old equipment if I want when I sell the car. This made sense to me.

 

not sure

 

Ill just pick one and reply I guess...

Everything sounds good but skip the rear speakers, you dont need them. Trust me

 

Sorry about the triple posting...computer kept shutting off. Can I ask....why no rear speakers? And is it OK to skip a new sub and work with what I have? Thank you!

 

If you are on a limited budget, I guess skipping the rear speakers are okay...

BUT to me, I like full sound. Sometimes I want to be encompased, enveloped by the sound. In my case, rear speakers must be implemented.

My biggest gripe about the Bose setup was the absolute horrendous hissing. I heard it every single day and now after my great upgrade, no more hiss (just slightly if you listen for it... but that's to be expected from amps). Just turn the gain down a bit.

I doubt they can do much with the sub. It'll still sound like ****. But if that is what you can afford, try it out. With the Bose system, there is a sub-amp for the subwoofer. It's about palm-sized.

 

I have rear Focals and they rock. They actually are louder than my Kickers up front, however, I turn the gain down and they rock!

 

I agree with Ahsmo... ditch the rears... it will be earpitching (too close to ears)... unless you adjust it to some low level... As long as you have some good Fronts... you are good to go...

 

Rear fill can never take the place of solid imaging from a good set of front speakers. I had a pretty much the best set of coxails possible in the rear and hated it. The rear fill in a two seater got to be annoying. Its just my personal experience and money that tells me to tell everyone possible to shy away from rear speakers.

The stock blose sucks like everything else in that system.

The new sub is a must.

 

OK..not necessarily on a limited budget....you are SO right..that hissing is still driving me crazy. I like the total, rich sound...guess I will go with R speaker...any other thoughts? I'm in the Chgo area so I'm guessing you can't recommend anyone???

 

For your components, stick with the same brand. I'd rather you spend money on your front components and run without the rears than get an average front and ok rear. Skip the CD changer, you can get an MP3 HU and use that money for your rears.

 

OK..see where you are going....I'm old (51) don't do MP3.. and with the cold, damp weather for a month now and a month in the spring doing without CD's....put my money in better front and skip rear for now??? Keep HU? and see what happens? PS: assume you are actually based in Hawaii...we are in Chgo area...have spent last 17 vacations in Hawaii...could have bought not only a PERFECT audio system but also a condominium or two...Your thoughts are appreciated. First car I've had with more than one CD...it would be kinda hard to switch back from 6 to 1 disk but since all my trips are fairly short (except during the summer when after a cocktail when I actually allow my husband to drive my Z) U guess having a 6-disk changer doesn't matter all that much??? Funny...you would think that with the money we spent for this car an audio system would simply be an aftethought...who knew?

 

Have you given these guys a look?

http://www.abtelectronics.com/

Heard some good things about them, but no first hand experience. From their website, looks like they have a good selection of equipment and a nice installation setup.

Personally, I like the option of using rear fill speakers. If I'm listening to live recordings, it's just doesn't sound as realistic without alittle sound coming from the back, like the crowd all around you.

Stick with your idea of a 6 disk CD changer if you got a nice collection to listen to. That's what I did and wouldn't even consider only having a single CD deck.

Make sure you like the MB Quartz speakers. I find their tweeters too bright, even harsh. Let your ears be the judge. My favorites components are: ADS, DLS, and CDT.

If you can live without some of the storage room in the hatch, seriously consider a subwoofer. A single 8 or 10 firing towards the rear hatch is really all you need for a good SQ system.

Any more questions, fire away!

Good luck.

 

Ah...so put more money into front, maybe for now live with rear but I must have a new sub? Any one in particular? This will be my Christmas present from my husband so trying to be nice...

(PS: Z was my gift last year)

 

Wow, 17 vacations in Hawaii. That's a lot of money. My friends are going to Boston in Feb. I liked Boston for the brief time I was there. Got to see a Sox game which made my day.

A lot of people say that rears are not needed. A good example would be a live concert. All the sound comes from in front of you, never from behind. The movies, on the other hand, surrounds you.

The best advice I could give would be for you to bring your favorite CD to the stereo shop. Pop it in and listen to the different speakers they offer. That will give you a very good idea on what you like. Hope it all works out.

 

What type of music do you listen to? Favorite group/songs? Different subs and sizes produce different types of bass. All depends on the application.

 

Thank you SO much! With a roadster...anything you take away in the trunk is a BIG thing. I'm just trying to get an idea of what would work and my next step is to listen to the MB's. ABT is a great choice however I'm out in So. Elgin so Glenview is just not going to work! Installer talked about rear-fill and also tinny tweeters which is so not what I want. There has to be a compromise somewhere and I am determined to drive everyone nuts until I find it (Or until Christmas as this audio upgrade will be my husband's present to me, and he's very generous) Any other ideas....fire away to me!

 

Classic rock, all time, all ways. Eric Clapton a big favorite..."Layla" I could listen to a few hours at a time...does that help?

 

Yeah, well...what can I say? We are totally landlocked here and the Z was so much fun this summer we skipped Hawaii and Duke's...we'll be back next summer! I am taking your very good advice and bringing a CD...time for me to listen and judge for myself...I don't need much but I know I need better! Mahalo for your advice!

 

Wendy,

I also have a roadster and space was what I was most concerned with. Since I'm guessing you want full, rich sound but not ear-blazing volume and the full range, I'd recommend this:

- Quality fronts and decent rears (MB Quarts/Focals are great)
- Subwoofer in an custom fiberglass box
- Alpine head unit
- Amplifier for the sub.

The Alpine head unit will power all speakers. Get a good Alpine head unit. Put the Amplifier for the sub under either the driver or passenger seat. Put the subwoofer and box in the SAME place where the stock Bose sub is.

This will sound great. What will make it sound better is adding an amplifier for all four of your speakers under the other seat.

The thing about Focals is how clear they are. Classic rock will sound absolutely breathtaking (as in sounding like the performer is right there next to you). Those speakers truly are very revealing. Guitars sound incredible with revealing speakers. MB Quarts are great as well.

This will make your Roadster keep all of the cubby spaces and loose no trunk space. The only sub you need is something that will cover the low-end. JL Audio 10W0 paired with Rockford Fosgate P2002 is perfect (fits under the seat).

That's basically my setup. Focals 165CA for fronts, Focals 165A for rears, Rockford Fosgate P4004 amp for all four speakers, and a custom fiberglass box. (I went with Kenwood DDX7015 because I wanted touchscreen/mp3/nav/movies/etc)

With the top down, there is enough power to bring your own party anywhere. I'll post pics of my setup soon.

 

Funny, Ive started listening to classical and jazz now because of that reason. I have the 165W3 and the staging is awesome and every note is clear. Focal speakers I think feel a bit warmer compared to lets say MB or Diamond audio.

If you like the MB's then definately check out the Diamond Audio M6 and Hex, they are nice as well.