other Basic sound system for my 2002

[danco_]

What have you done for a sound system in your 2002? I'm getting ready to buy something to install into the 2002, but have never dealt with a working sound system in these cars. I've ripped them out, but never put one in.

 

What I'm after:

-Simple bluetooth receiver headunit powerful enough to handle four speakers.

-6x9" in the rear parcel shelf?

-2 more speakers in the front somewhere, preferably hidden and not visible (not in the front footwells).

 

 

Again, something basic but non-invasive. I will even try to hide the bluetooth head unit. I don't want to see it, but want to be able to access it if necessary. 

 

 

Has this been on someone's agenda recently? I want to budget no more than $500 for components. I would think that today's head units can power the speakers efficiently without the need for a crossover or amp. Or should I add bass under the passenger rear seat a la eurotrash? 

 

 

 

I need guidance. 

 

 

 

Thank you,

Ryan

[Scott Sislane]

IMHO 6x9's in the rear deck is a mistake. 5-6" 2 way speakers is sufficient. Front/lower corner of doors: You can fit 5" speakers, providing decent sound while not being in the way, and not very visible. Head unit options are plentiful. Unless you have AC in the console, making space tight.

Adding a subwoofer means adding an amp. Have you upgraded your alternator?

Good luck-

Scott


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[2002Scoob]

I'm in love with my setup.

I did 6.5 inch components in the rear parcel shelf (took some cutting)



But I ran the tweeters up to the top corners of the dash instead. You can see em in this photo.


I put in a factory Bavaria single speaker dash unit, but that doesn't go to the big speakers, it's just there for looks and hearing local stations all old fashioned sounding.

Instead, I've got a Bluetooth module under the rear seat to wirelessly connect with my phone.
All this is made possible by what's in the trunk- a Focal I-bus 2.1 powered subwoofer that also has a 2 channel built in amp to power the mid-range.



This thing is great... reeaaaallly good sound, tons of adjustment, and quite acceptable bass. It'll quickly point out any rattles you didn't know were there.

The best part- I did the flip up ash-tray charger mod, so I can plug my phone in, keep it charged, and have on-the-dash navigation/music selection.



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[2002Scoob]

As sislane said, I'm also not a fan of 6x9's. I know they pump out allot of sound, but they look out of place and require serious cutting to fit.

Part of why I like my separated components, is there's no need to cut holes in your door panels, or sacrifice footwell space for kick panels. The sound stage is perfectly adequate.


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[GazM3]

I've just ordered a compact blaupunkt subwoofer.  It will go under the passenger front seat.  The old owner put some 6" speakers in the door cards (oh dear) and some 6" in the rear parcel shelf.  I've got a kenwood Bluetooth head unit waiting to go in also so can charge the iPhone and play songs.   Also has a hands free phone which is handy as there are big fines here for using the phone without a handsfree device.  

[Stevenc22]

I have used Woody's custom shop hidden stereos in 2 of my cars.

 

I use this model in my cars but its only 2 channels.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bluetooth-Classic-Car-Glove-Box-Stereo-Hidden-Secret-Audio-System-iPod-iPhone-/361756700330?hash=item543a612eaa:m:mEdEBFCORH0vc68o-9Ym0rw&vxp=mtr

 

 

 

Here is their 4 channel version, but its just a 3.5mm input which you will then have to wire with a $10 blue tooth receiver to 3.5mm adapter.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hidden-Secret-Stealth-iPod-MP3-Classic-Car-Stereo-4-Speaker-Channel-Audio-System-/232108652596?hash=item360ac0f834:m:mg62aY5uPvi_LPZKocIDESQ&vxp=mtr

[dasfrogger]

I can't recommend Jason (eurotrash) rear speaker pods enough. I've got his full setup, but only have the rear speakers and sub hooked up. Saying it sounds great is an understatement.

 

I run clarion EQ as a headunit, has two inputs, one for a bluetooth module, one for a 3.5 aux cord. EQ runs to a 5 chanel amp. Sounds great, pairs instantly, hides pretty well.

 

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_020EQS755/Clarion-EQS755.html?search=clarion_eq&skipvs=T

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_13691126/JL-Audio-MBT-RX.html

[Teelinger]

If keeping a stock appearance and not cutting holes are your goal, what about a smart phone and a Bose Bluetooth speaker? You could do the ashtray mod for the phone that has been posted previously, and even hard wire the speaker behind the stock grill on a shorty center console. I haven't done this myself, but I've thought about it if I ever wanted a stock look.  

 

Also, Retrosound sells modern head units with old school looks and other gear to keep things hidden: https://www.retromanufacturing.com

 

Last, flush mouniting speakers on the parcel shelf and covering them with acoustic fabric is a great way to hide them. The PO on my car did this and it looks completely stealth. I'll take some pics and post them for reference.

 

James

 

Ps. also a big fan of Eurotrash's stuff and the sub is on my wish/todo list.

[M3M3]

I had an electronic sound system in my car. ....then I upgraded to a 2.5in custom exhaust system and am not going back! 

[AceAndrew]

2 hours ago, dasfrogger said:

 

 

I run clarion EQ as a headunit, has two inputs, one for a bluetooth module, one for a 3.5 aux cord. EQ runs to a 5 chanel amp. Sounds great, pairs instantly, hides pretty well.

 

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_020EQS755/Clarion-EQS755.html?search=clarion_eq&skipvs=T

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_13691126/JL-Audio-MBT-RX.html

 

That Clarion EQ is exactly what I am using for my new 2.0 system.  Sent you a message Ryan.

[eurotrash]

Ryan.  There are a slew of guys out your way with the Bolt on Bliss parts in their cars. I am sure you can find someone that can give you a demo. 

 

www.boltonbliss.com, if you need to see more. 

 

Edited October 31, 2016 by eurotrash

[eurotrash]

Here is a system I am working on for a customer.  Becker head unit, with BT/wired input capability, injected into the antenna input on the head unit,  and 4.1 speaker kit..

I am building the wiring from scratch and delivering it as a plug and play system. 

Edited October 31, 2016 by eurotrash

[adawil2002]

I run a 1973 Blaupunkt Frankfurt to a Memphis Audio amp in the trunk and drive 2 6x9s in the back seat kick panel and 4x4s in custom made aluminum under dash panels. Then have a 7 pin plug in the back of the head unit to an aux plug in the glove compartment with an iLive bluetooth receiver plugged into aux power velcroed above the glove box.

 

 

 

[jrhone]

Ryan,

here is some info from my install and other stereo installs. Number one. No hear unit you buy will have enough power to drive the speakers at levels where you will be able to hear music at speeds over 40 mph. "High power" head units are rated at best 50x4 watts. That's 12.5 per speaker. And they have sooo much distortion that it's really more like 7.5 clean watts. That's the important number because after that it's distortion. So yes you will need an amp. The good news is that class D Amps are cheap and have plenty of power.  Some are nice and clean. So I would budget an amp. If you want a clean look I'd actually do a Becker Europa II. Vintage look and it's got an aux in that you can use an iPhone for your music. Connect that to an amp and you are golden. With speakers less is more. So unless you NEED rear speakers don't do it. The thing about rear speakers is simple. The more speakers you have the more problems you have with phase or timing between low and high frequencies. Since high frequencies travel faster than low frequencies you have the problem of the sound arriving at the listener at different times. To the listener this sounds like muddy, poorly defined audio where as properly timed audio is crisp and clear. The more speakers the more exaggerated the timing is. This is why recording studios use 2 way speakers not 3 or 4 or 5 way. They are less accurate the more speakers you add. Also when you have frequencies bouncing around at different times plying the same things they can cancel out leaving holes or gaps where you lose part of the audio spectrum. You can overcome that with more power as well as equalization but that's more money and work to get right. So I would suggest properly placed 2 way speakers preferably separates so you can place the low and high frequency speakers properly and a sub for energy and to fill in the low frequencies that 2 ways won't handle. If you want you can listen to my car. Great sound and lots of power so I can be on the freeway with the windows down and enjoy the music. 

[Ian]

Great post, very helpful! If going with front speakers only, how much power do you recommend, and where would you place the speakers?  It seems quite difficult, as most don't want to cut door panels anymore, yet there isn't really any other place to put speakers that have a fighting chance of getting the music to your ears.  Tweeter pods could be mounted in the dash I guess, but I'm still lost as to where to place the mids.  Is the footwell the only option?

Edited November 1, 2016 by Ian