Aren't there any (decent) car audio review sites?

[GranteedEV]

I've always wanted to get into car audio TBQH but for whatever reasons I've rocked stock.

I think next summer one of the things I'm going to spend on is car audio. I think the only component I've definitely decided on would be a JBL MS-8... AFAIK it's like a DEQX

I've found plenty of good car audio forums out there but forums are just that - forums and many of these can be as purely subjective as it gets. I know I could probably wade through 1000s of threads in forums but there's definitely a divide between a forum and a proper review with 3rd party measurements etc.

I guess I'm asking if there's a I.C.E. website with articles as... useful as the ones here.

 

[GO-NAD!]

I've always wanted to get into car audio TBQH but for whatever reasons I've rocked stock.

I think next summer one of the things I'm going to spend on is car audio. I think the only component I've definitely decided on would be a JBL MS-8... AFAIK it's like a DEQX

I've found plenty of good car audio forums out there but forums are just that - forums and many of these can be as purely subjective as it gets. I know I could probably wade through 1000s of threads in forums but there's definitely a divide between a forum and a proper review with 3rd party measurements etc.

I guess I'm asking if there's a I.C.E. website with articles as... useful as the ones here.

I kinda cynical when it comes to after market car audio. I figure that if I chuck out significant dollaros for it, some low-rent, a**hole will come along and steal it. I stick with stock audio.

I guess that doesn't really address your question, does it? Sorry.

 

[Alex2507]

Even as a newcomer to audio it was obvious that most of the info out there was marketing hype fed to unaware consumers who quickly swore to defend to the death whatever it was they bought into so the consumer opinion is useless. Reviewers either buy into the marketing misinformation or are in the pocket of manufacturers so there seems to be little of value in the way of reviews out there.

I know that there are at least a couple of guys on AH that have dabbled with car audio and know stuff. You could use this thread like 3db uses the Vinyl News Thread and periodically post pertinent info in it for discussion. Call it Car Audio News. (this is all minusthebear's idea IIRC)

The radio in my truck has been out of commission for about five years now.
... so yeah, I need a head unit. I have a CD changer in there for tunes so there hasn't been a rush to get it sorted out but I've had my eye on a JVC HD radio. Way back I compared some spec's and thought it might have really good FM reception and I'm pretty sure it is a controller for a CD changer.

What was it that you were interested in in particular?

GN, I have a book called The Car Stereo Cookbook. The most important thing I got from it was that the biggest bang for your buck upgrade was getting better speakers. So for not a lot of money your Ranger can have a better sound that is not a flight risk.

 

[Warpdrv]

the problem with cars these days is that most if not all of the decent cars have this whole system of integration built right into it, so the nav is linked in with the stereo - and the 6 dics changer is all integrated into the dash, so getting something aftermarket is kinda touchy without going to whole custom route....

I looked at it for my new Honda Accord, but its got all the NAV and everything in a cluster, even trying to go with different speakers is a serious pain as you have to get outboard crossovers, and amps and likely an EQ system to straighten things out. I just said - ahhhh its good enough for my car...

 

[GranteedEV]

the problem with cars these days is that most if not all of the decent cars have this whole system of integration built right into it, so the nav is linked in with the stereo - and the 6 dics changer is all integrated into the dash, so getting something aftermarket is kinda touchy without going to whole custom route....

I looked at it for my new Honda Accord, but its got all the NAV and everything in a cluster, even trying to go with different speakers is a serious pain as you have to get outboard crossovers, and amps and likely an EQ system to straighten things out. I just said - ahhhh its good enough for my car...

I'm pretty sure the JBL MS-8 would let you work that out... that's one of the reasons its such a valuable processor.

You could use your stock CD Player and wire its RCA outs straight to the JBL Processor which you can install in your trunk or underneath your seat or wherever else AFAIK if the dash isn't the right spot for it.


1) Active Crossover - It's an outbound crossover that sets everything up for itself with a microphone.. REALLY WELL. It can do as much as a 4-way (T/M/W/SW) and people I've seen have been more impressed with its auto-crossover than even tuning it themselves for long times with their Audison Bit-Ones

2) EQ - It uses Harman/Kardon's logic7 room EQ system for your car but also has lots of GEQ (and IIRC PEQ) resolution. Many people have been very impressed with their results, from what i've seen moreso than car implementations of Audessey (Alpine's imprint).

3) Surround sound - in order to get good stereo imaging in car given seating restrictions, it allows you to use a center channel IIRC. It's not necssary, and you can stick with 2 channels in the front and a sub in the back but people have had very good results with this as well.

It really seems to be a Harman version of the DEQX... and while we may think $800 MSRP is expensive.. it's really chump change next to the HT equivalents for all its functions.

Yes you (er.. I) would need to get amps, 6 or 8 channels worth most likely. And drivers and install it all. That's where I'd like to see actual.. ya know.. measurements, results, etc on the right amplifiers.

The other most important thing would be deadening to eliminate rattles.

 

[GO-NAD!]

GN, I have a book called The Car Stereo Cookbook. The most important thing I got from it was that the biggest bang for your buck upgrade was getting better speakers. So for not a lot of money your Ranger can have a better sound that is not a flight risk.

That makes sense, but as a 2001 model, I'll be investing as little as possible in 'ol Betsy. Maybe I'll put a monstrous subwoofer in the back of the wifes Nissan X-Trail as a Christmas gift. I'm sure she'd love it. Well, maybe not...

Just to de-rail this thread , I'll ask how your brake job is going/went and how your carcass is holding up, since you had mentioned you weren't feeling well.

 

[krzywica]

I'm pretty sure the JBL MS-8 would let you work that out... that's one of the reasons its such a valuable processor.

You could use your stock CD Player and wire its RCA outs straight to the JBL Processor which you can install in your trunk or underneath your seat or wherever else AFAIK if the dash isn't the right spot for it.


1) Active Crossover - It's an outbound crossover that sets everything up for itself with a microphone.. REALLY WELL. It can do as much as a 4-way (T/M/W/SW) and people I've seen have been more impressed with its auto-crossover than even tuning it themselves for long times with their Audison Bit-Ones

2) EQ - It uses Harman/Kardon's logic7 room EQ system for your car but also has lots of GEQ (and IIRC PEQ) resolution. Many people have been very impressed with their results, from what i've seen moreso than car implementations of Audessey (Alpine's imprint).

3) Surround sound - in order to get good stereo imaging in car given seating restrictions, it allows you to use a center channel IIRC. It's not necssary, and you can stick with 2 channels in the front and a sub in the back but people have had very good results with this as well.

It really seems to be a Harman version of the DEQX... and while we may think $800 MSRP is expensive.. it's really chump change next to the HT equivalents for all its functions.

Yes you (er.. I) would need to get amps, 6 or 8 channels worth most likely. And drivers and install it all. That's where I'd like to see actual.. ya know.. measurements, results, etc on the right amplifiers.

The other most important thing would be deadening to eliminate rattles.

For most vehicles its a PITA getting clean noise free pre-outs from a stock headunit, not to mention voiding a bunch of warranties in the process. I used to be big into car audio and the newer the cars got the harder it was to do a proper custom install. I'm planning on upgrading the speakers in the 2008 Civic that I just got as well as Dynamat'ing the doors, ceiling, and hood, and possibly floor. I'll probably go with BA stuff as it has served me well in the past.

 

[Alex2507]

I'm planning on upgrading the speakers in the 2008 Civic that I just got as well as Dynamat'ing the doors, ceiling, and hood, and possibly floor. I'll probably go with BA stuff as it has served me well in the past.

There's that speaker swap thing again.

When I swapped out my rear shocks in my fofo I layered the trunk and spare tire well with Peal & Seal (cheaper alternative to Dynamat). It seemed like the right thing to since I had all the carpeting out and I had been storing a few rolls of the damping material for too long. I like the results. Now you have me thinking about putting Peal & Seal on the floor. I bet that would be about the most effective place for reducing road noise.

 

[krzywica]

There's that speaker swap thing again.

When I swapped out my rear shocks in my fofo I layered the trunk and spare tire well with Peal & Seal (cheaper alternative to Dynamat). It seemed like the right thing to since I had all the carpeting out and I had been storing a few rolls of the damping material for too long. I like the results. Now you have me thinking about putting Peal & Seal on the floor. I bet that would be about the most effective place for reducing road noise.

That and the doors, if you've ever taken apart a door on an economy car you know how pathetically insulated it is....as in there is no insulation only a thin plastic dust layer.

 

[lsiberian]

There's that speaker swap thing again.

When I swapped out my rear shocks in my fofo I layered the trunk and spare tire well with Peal & Seal (cheaper alternative to Dynamat). It seemed like the right thing to since I had all the carpeting out and I had been storing a few rolls of the damping material for too long. I like the results. Now you have me thinking about putting Peal & Seal on the floor. I bet that would be about the most effective place for reducing road noise.

I've heard peel & seal is a nightmare in the heat though from some car audio guys I know. I think I want to try it though. I only I knew enough about cars to do it right.

for Car Audio I'd probably stick with JBL and Infinity stuff. I trust them, but I've never been in a car with great audio. It is normally terrible.

 

[Alex2507]

if you've ever taken apart a door on an economy car you know how pathetically insulated it is...

I wouldn't be so quick to put Peal & Seal into a door because ...

I've heard peel & seal is a nightmare in the heat

... and I hesitate to risk something coming apart in there due to like maybe cold and getting into the regulator. However in the trunk and on the floor under the carpet ... who cares what it does?

for Car Audio I'd probably stick with JBL and Infinity stuff.

I bought some Infinity stuff from eBay and really regretted it. I'm not saying to go Crutchfield at full price but there are reputable online places and they do have sales ... unless you live in Canada ... then there are no sales and everything is x3 the normal price ... but the weather is nice.

 

[krzywica]

I wouldn't be so quick to put Peal & Seal into a door because ...



... and I hesitate to risk something coming apart in there due to like maybe cold and getting into the regulator. However in the trunk and on the floor under the carpet ... who cares what it does?



I bought some Infinity stuff from eBay and really regretted it. I'm not saying to go Crutchfield at full price but there are reputable online places and they do have sales ... unless you live in Canada ... then there are no sales and everything is x3 the normal price ... but the weather is nice.

The insulation in the doors would be an added perk for me especially in the winter....

I installed Dynamat in my Altima EVERYWHERE when I was in Florida for 4 years and never had an issue....maybe your reluctance to using Peal & Seal on your doors is a product of getting what you pay for?

 

[Alex2507]

...maybe your reluctance to using Peal & Seal on your doors is a product of getting what you pay for?

Absolutely. I'm reluctant to pay and I'm reluctant to work. Cheap and lazy ... guilty as charged. Paying top dollar for Dynamat only to have to spend hours yanking door panels (which is a black art in itself) ain't gonna happen. However the trunk deal while still a fair bit of work was already stripped of carpet and I had bought 4 rolls of Peal & Seal for like 60 bucks long before and was looking for a useful way to rid myself of it.

It's funny that there is only so much I am willing to do to my vehicles because they are old but our new '08 Malibu ain't gonna get nothin' cause the girl drives it and she doesn't care about music enough to even take a CD into the car ... so ... not much going on in the way of car audio for me.

 

[krzywica]

Absolutely. I'm reluctant to pay and I'm reluctant to work. Cheap and lazy ... guilty as charged. Paying top dollar for Dynamat only to have to spend hours yanking door panels (which is a black art in itself) ain't gonna happen. However the trunk deal while still a fair bit of work was already stripped of carpet and I had bought 4 rolls of Peal & Seal for like 60 bucks long before and was looking for a useful way to rid myself of it.

It's funny that there is only so much I am willing to do to my vehicles because they are old but our new '08 Malibu ain't gonna get nothin' cause the girl drives it and she doesn't care about music enough to even take a CD into the car ... so ... not much going on in the way of car audio for me.

Yeah I hear ya.....eventually I will get bored one day and start a little weekend project.....hey I don't use CD's either, I stream everything on my phone over 3G from my server at home, Ampache FTW!.

I'm not in any rush to do the car especially now that winter is upon us.....

 

[Davemcc]

... unless you live in Canada ... then there are no sales and everything is x3 the normal price ... but the weather is nice.

Twist that knife a little deeper, why don't you?

I've got decent systems in a couple of my vehicles. My kid reads at least one car audio mag, Performance Auto & Sound, IIRC. From what I see from looking at them, they like every product they review. For the most part, I just pick what looks good off the shelf at the local big box retailer. I think it's worked out just fine. In fact, I prefer the big box retailers over the local custom shop that charges for custom work and delivers the same product as the big box.

I'm quite happy with my Rockford stuff that's been installed first in my Crown Vic, then my Lincoln and is now in my wife's Mustang convertible. I prefer JVC head units for features and ease of use. The Ranger is a special case due to the limited size of the regular cab. In that, I use a space saving Alpine PDA-5 behind the pass. seat and a Rockford shallow P3 behind the driver's seat. I tried an Alpine head unit in the Ranger and I'm not entirely happy with it in terms of features and ease of use. When I upgraded the head unit for the Mustang, I went back to JVC.

 

[zumbo]

JL Audio OEM Interface for using stock HU:
http://mobile.jlaudio.com/products_cleansweep_pages.php?page_id=94

JL audio subs. They also make vehicle specific units:
http://mobile.jlaudio.com/products_stealthbox_pages.php?page_id=168

JL Audio amps: I recommend the Slashv2 line:
http://mobile.jlaudio.com/products_amps_pages.php?page_id=10

German Maestro high-end. Used to be MB Quart:
http://www.german-maestro.de/US/strada.htm

Focal high-end:
http://www.focal-america.com/

Replacing HU. Alpine, Eclipse, Clarion. Pioneer is also one to consider. They are making some pretty nice head units these days.

 

[Alex2507]

I stream everything on my phone over 3G from my server at home, Ampache FTW!.

With my phone I call people on their phone. Then those people say 'hi'. Sometimes people use their phones to call me on my phone. In those instances it is I that says 'hi'. Can your phone be used like that?

 

[TLS Guy]

I've always wanted to get into car audio TBQH but for whatever reasons I've rocked stock.

I think next summer one of the things I'm going to spend on is car audio. I think the only component I've definitely decided on would be a JBL MS-8... AFAIK it's like a DEQX

I've found plenty of good car audio forums out there but forums are just that - forums and many of these can be as purely subjective as it gets. I know I could probably wade through 1000s of threads in forums but there's definitely a divide between a forum and a proper review with 3rd party measurements etc.

I guess I'm asking if there's a I.C.E. website with articles as... useful as the ones here.

I think custom car audio is problematic from now on.

We got talking about this at last weeks AES meeting in Minneapolis. The discussion was about how fabulous a lot of the stock car audio systems are these days.

The Pioneer system in my Chevy Equinox is first class. I'm certain that did not happen by accident but by committing mega resources to the problem.

It presents a really believable sound stage, with a very smooth response. Excellent voice clarity without a trace of shout. The sub has been well integrated and not overdone. I have used the system felt and have felt not inclination to meddle. The power available would do most AV receivers proud.

It has a 10 gig hard drive you can rip CDs to and download any digital media. There is also a USB input.

I can't imagine any custom installer improving on it. To be honest is sounds better than most of my auditions at Hi-Fi dealers over the last few years.

I suspect the senior engineers recruited away from KEF because of their dissatisfaction with the Chinese owners has paid big dividends here.

Other members said that the sound systems in a lot of Audi vehicles are fabulous. Audi have committed mega resources to improving car audio in recent years.

On the other hand the sound systems in the other vehicles I tested were not very good and the Subaru sound system was particularly dreadful.

However sound quality did not get the lions share of the weighting in decision to purchase. I was just lucky that vehicle come out on top for numerous reasons. I think the audio is also helped by the fact that that vehicle is about the quietest I have ever been in.

 

[lsiberian]

I think custom car audio is problematic from now on.

We got talking about this at last weeks AES meeting in Minneapolis. The discussion was about how fabulous a lot of the stock car audio systems are these days.

The Pioneer system in my Chevy Equinox is first class. I'm certain that did not happen by accident but by committing mega resources to the problem.

It presents a really believable sound stage, with a very smooth response. Excellent voice clarity without a trace of shout. The sub has been well integrated and not overdone. I have used the system felt and have felt not inclination to meddle. The power available would do most AV receivers proud.

It has a 10 gig hard drive you can rip CDs to and download any digital media. There is also a USB input.

I can't imagine any custom installer improving on it. To be honest is sounds better than most of my auditions at Hi-Fi dealers over the last few years.

I suspect the senior engineers recruited away from KEF because of their dissatisfaction with the Chinese owners has paid big dividends here.

Other members said that the sound systems in a lot of Audi vehicles are fabulous. Audi have committed mega resources to improving car audio in recent years.

On the other hand the sound systems in the other vehicles I tested were not very good and the Subaru sound system was particularly dreadful.

However sound quality did not get the lions share of the weighting in decision to purchase. I was just lucky that vehicle come out on top for numerous reasons. I think the audio is also helped by the fact that that vehicle is about the quietest I have ever been in.

There is a lot of room for improvement in the LFE range, but in the mid and upper range I agree with you. I personally see subs in a car as a waste of a good sub though.

The OP might check out 12volt. I think I know the guy who runs it and he's a very sharp guy.

 

[dkane360]

Other members said that the sound systems in a lot of Audi vehicles are fabulous. Audi have committed mega resources to improving car audio in recent years.

I know a lot of car companies have relatively high-end audio upgrades you can do besides the typical Bose. Audi has Bang and Olufsen, Lexus has Mark Levinson, Volvo has Dynaudio and Jaguar has Bowers and Wilkins. I personally wouldn't want to try and upgrade the audio in my car unless I knew I was keeping it for a long time, but under that circumstance I would probably be buying a new car and would pay to have a nicer system upfront (except the aforementioned Bose).