The Audio Files

[El Presidente]

Let us know your home or vehicle setups. Photo's, builds, questions from gumbies such as myself.....anything audio that members are into 

[Derboesekoenig]

I use Focal 3-way system in my GT-R with the stock head unit, JL 8" sub, JL Class D amp, and an Audison Bit One. Great setup and can handle any range of music I throw at it.

[El Presidente]

Di has a new car coming along in the next month or so  and while it ticks almost all the boxes, stereo isn't one of those boxes. We are both lovers of music and so an upgrade to the manufacturers unit is required.  I have used FOCAL in the past (speakers and sub) with an Alpine Amp.  That was a decade ago and just wondering what car audiophile members are recommending as stand out (but not stupid $) equipment.  Many thanks! 

 

[Cayman17]

When I was much younger I had a kenwood receiver, speakers and tube subwoofer in the back. Cannot recall the amp. It sounded great and was midrange, price-wise. 

[GasGuy82]

There was a time in my life where I had things like a pair of Soundstream 170’s, a pair of Soundstream Mules, JL w6 12’s with a PPI 2350 amp, MB Quart components. I don’t miss laying on my side in the trunk or backseat anymore. ? 

[Hypersomniac]

I don't have anything special in the new truck yet, but I pulled out the speakers before I got rid of my car.

Hertz Mille MLK 165, Hertz ESK 130, JL 12w3v3

Hertz amp running the Mille's, Alpine amp running the ESK's, Alpine amp running the sub. Alpine head unit.

 

[OZCUBAN]

Just the stock standard bose in my car does the job ?

[Sutton]

Look at some Blam gear it’s Guy Bonneville the original focal/JM lab creator that went on his own path. It’s a lot more affordable than Focal.

Blam has amps & subs

JL has always made nice subs and have a wide range of amps too.

i would stick with factory head unit and maybe some Audi Controll EQs (DM-608), they can do phenomenal things to factory decks

in car audio I still run focal utopia 7” in my car with micro dimension amps with a Nakamichi CD700 deck but 

in my Farm truck I have a 6/4 tweet in focal polyglass with micro dimensions class A amp and a old school clarion deck. A 13” polyglass focal ported sub .

Still running a old nakamichi AV-10 received.

home theatre I switched from crystal audio center channel(Athens ??) to Klipsch RF64 III Center channel and a PBS/2 SVS sub ( dual 12) with the Crystal Audio Sieries 8 towers.

A strong center channel and deep bass is awesome for movies and rocking out to old music like Fleetwood Mac

[gweilgi]

6 hours ago, El Presidente said:

Di has a new car coming along in the next month or so  and while it ticks almost all the boxes, stereo isn't one of those boxes. We are both lovers of music and so an upgrade to the manufacturers unit is required.  I have used FOCAL in the past (speakers and sub) with an Alpine Amp.  That was a decade ago and just wondering what car audiophile members are recommending as stand out (but not stupid $) equipment.  Many thanks! 

 

What exactly did not tick your box?  A car interior is a very well defined and measurable space, so audio manufacturers can tweak and optimise their products for specific vehicle models to a degree that I would have thought impossible for aftermarket replacements.  Especially as cars are not like audio rigs at home which can be changed at will without having to un- and rewire everything....

 

 

[Wailbait]

I also had focal speakers in my car about a decade ago.  I was always happy with them.  I had focal utopia speakers in the house as well and was also happy with them.  I think they make good stuff and it seems to last.  

 

That said, having heard some of their more recent stuff (since the last decade or so) the beryllium tweeters are a bit more “detailed” but I sort of read it as “harsh.”  Just my $.02. 

[BrightonCorgi]

I use to be in the whole home audio thing.  Had a B&O system, then had mix of Cal Audio Labs and Def. Technology...  Then went to nothing in the house for years except a Bose Acoustic Wave radio.  Now, the home is fitted with Sonos stuff throughout.  I find it to be a great balance of sound, ease of use, and technology.   Buy what you need for each room, the phone calibrates the sound and everything just works so seamless. Their subwoofer is must, don't skimp on that if going the Sonos route.  I'd rather go for smaller speakers to afford the sub if that is a concern.   

[Zigatoh]

B&W nautilus 805 stand mounters

QED silver 12 biwire speaker cable

Densen dm10 amp

Nordost blue heaven interconnects

Rotel rcd991 cd player

Sonus Faber Gravis sub

After trialling ridiculous amounts of gear a couple of decades ago the one thing that stood out is to set aside a lot more of your budget for cables than you might expect,  interconnects especially, any issues between the source and the amplifier,  unsurprisingly,  get amplified.

 

Also a Sonos sound Base under the telly that does a remarkably good job! 

[BuzzArd]

My ‘37 Plymouth and ‘70 Beetle have radio block off plates.  

Thinking that doesn’t count....  

[zyxwvu44]

Back when I was young I was more into the SPL thing for cars. Had an RE XXX 18 inch woofer with a home built box running off 2500 watts rms. Hit 146 decibels on a termlab meter...Good times (and tinnitus)

My father had an amazing setup in his car. Focal 3 ways in the doors, Brax amplifiers, and 2 JL 8's in the rear deck of this Carerra. 

Then for the home setup he had some smaller tube amp putting out 6 watts RMS, and a lovely pair of Avantgarde Duo's in the living room. Just an amazing sound...so open and clear, I have never heard anything like them.

[El Presidente]

14 hours ago, gweilgi said:

What exactly did not tick your box?  A car interior is a very well defined and measurable space, so audio manufacturers can tweak and optimise their products for specific vehicle models to a degree that I would have thought impossible for aftermarket replacements.  Especially as cars are not like audio rigs at home which can be changed at will without having to un- and rewire everything....

 

 

This car is built for performance but shortcuts have been taken in areas such as sound. This is to keep the price below a critical marker. There are no manufacturer upgrades available. 

The final result is crank it loud and you get first an unbalanced delivery and then distortion. 

I turned the Jeep JK wrangler from an Audio desert to a magnificent music wonderland.  Taking the rook off, cranking it up and heading on the sand along the ocean are still some of my happiest weekend memories. 

[Fuzz]

But Rob, didn't you once tell me you couldn't hear the music over Di's singing?

[El Presidente]

19 minutes ago, Fuzz said:

But Rob, didn't you once tell me you couldn't hear the music over Di's singing?

If only the "cone of silence" was available as an optional extra. 

[El Presidente]

Just now, El Presidente said:

If only the "cone of silence" was available as an optional extra. 

forgot the smiley face ""........I CANT BELIEVE I FORGOT THE SMILEY FACE!!!!!  

[WarriorPrincess]

4 minutes ago, El Presidente said:

forgot the smiley face ""........I CANT BELIEVE I FORGOT THE SMILEY FACE!!!!!  

Hmmm the silence will certainly be happening in the car from now on I can assure you ....oops forgot the smiley face here it is 

[El Presidente]

Just now, WarriorPrincess said:

Hmmm the silence will certainly be happening in the car from now on I can assure you ....oops forgot the smiley face here it is 

[Siberian Bear]

Polk MC80 in-ceiling speakers, JBL in-wall subs, Sonos Connects + Audio Source AMP 100s,Yamaha RX-V681 receivers throughout the house. Polk Atrium 6 speakers driven by Sonos Connect + AMP 100 for outside.

[gweilgi]

2 hours ago, El Presidente said:

This car is built for performance but shortcuts have been taken in areas such as sound. This is to keep the price below a critical marker. There are no manufacturer upgrades available. 

If it's a genuine performance car, then the sound quality of the music shouldn't really be a priority --when you go round Brands Hatch, Bathurst or Brands Hatch, are you really interested in the accurate undistorted sound reproduction of Placido Domingo's breathing technique?

I'd start trawling the internet forums for the make and model in question.  Chances are that there are plenty of other folk out there who have posted their experiences and recommendations for all the possible solutions already...

 

2 hours ago, El Presidente said:

The final result is crank it loud and you get first an unbalanced delivery and then distortion. 

Referring strictly to the music and not to any other occupants, I take it?

Me, I am happy to plug in my iPod and accept its shortcomings when I am driving.  I reserve serious listening for the home ... I'm old-school.  No digital file can beat a proper set-up, IMO.  

 

[Fuzz]

2 hours ago, gweilgi said:

If it's a genuine performance car, then the sound quality of the music shouldn't really be a priority --when you go round Brands Hatch, Bathurst or Brands Hatch, are you really interested in the accurate undistorted sound reproduction of Placido Domingo's breathing technique?

 

If Di is driving, Rob will be focusing on his own breathing technique. Much like Lisa, Di has no feelings in her right foot, and considers the brake pedal an unnecessary optional extra.

[El Presidente]

Just now, Fuzz said:

If Di is driving, Rob will be focusing on his own breathing technique. Much like Lisa, Di has no feelings in her right foot, and considers the brake pedal an unnecessary optional extra.

.....the music is only cranked up in order to drown out the screaming. 

 

Mine   

 

 

[gweilgi]

2 minutes ago, El Presidente said:

.....the music is only cranked up in order to drown out the screaming. 

 

Mine   

 

 

WHat's the old joke?

"I want to die like my grandfather, in my sleep.  Not screaming like his passengers."