My set up

[Jamie89]

Right im new to ICE and wanted some info and help please!

I only just got my car and the first thing I done was change the head unit so I got this Sony one Click Here (http://www.caraudiodirect.co.uk/sony-mexbt2500-p-5819.html?cadid=b17ca1354610b1fb8b7cc86f6f50c0ad)

Then because it sounded so poor with the standard speakers (The car is P reg, 97' with orignal speakers) my dad got me some JBL speakers for front and back very similar to these Click Here (http://www.caraudiodirect.co.uk/jbl-gto527-p-5122.html?cadid=b17ca1354610b1fb8b7cc86f6f50c0ad)

And to me it sounds okay, but nothing special and besides I always wanted a proper system for my car so I have started looking around but become very confussed very quickly :panic:. So this is where I need your experties please.

I just want a sub and amp for the boot, then I found these subs posted by CSVTR on another thread Subs (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BOX-OF-2-JBL-GT4-12-1000W-SUB-SUBWOOFER-BRAND-NEW_W0QQitemZ220126713343QQihZ012QQcategoryZ18805Q QssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem). So now I think im going to buy these subs, but what amp do I choose? Im not on a budget but I haven't got loads of money. I want somthing good and make everything sound good!

Also was putting speakers in the back a waste of time because i've read all of the guides on here and I would seem so... like I said before and help will be very gratefully recived!

[Predator_R32]

first of all the headunit you have are crap sony audio isnt all that good mate

secondly you have coaxial speakers up front, you need an amp and components and a sub, you can either have 2 amps or one amp to run both sub and components, depends on how much you want to spend

put some money aside for some good quality wiring and sound deadining too

[Jamie89]

So what you suggesting change my head unit and speakers before I do any thing else?

[CSVTR]

The subs are definatly worth the money, and as said in the other thread, if you're only looking for 1 sub you could probably sell the other for £30 as they're £39.99 in shops.

You will definatly get more for your money if you go 2nd hand, but I understand not everyone is willing to trust someone else's gear. If you could come back to us with whether you are willing to go 2nd hand or want to stick to brand new that would be great.

Unfortunatly a lot people, (young and old) that are new to audio fall for Sony. They think that it's a house hold name, it must be good, but i'm afraid that's not the case, it was 10 years ago but they've got massivaly down hill over the last few years.

As well as the quality of the head unit being poor i'm afraid I can't see any indication that the unit has any pre-outs, which are needed to install external amps. If it does have atleast 1 pair of pre-outs then the head unit can be used, it doesn't have to be replaced but most people would advise you to do so. You don't need the most expensive head unit, something along the lines of this Alpine unit; (Alpine CDE-9873RB (http://www.caraudiodirect.co.uk/alpine-cde9873rb-p-5640.html?cadid=b17ca1354610b1fb8b7cc86f6f50c0ad)) would be fine. Obviously the larger your budget the better the gear, but members on here will try and get you the best value for your money.

[RedB]

New headunit like the one above :y:
If you can get seperate amps for subs and new components front/rear

You will see a huge difference with better audio equipment, deadening and decent wiring, good luck mate

[Jamie89]

Okay cheers for the advise so far guys, so say I had £250 to £350 at a push do you think I could get a little decent set up with second hand gear? And if so could you point me in the right direction please!

[CSVTR]

Head Unit - £129.99
As in my previous post.

Components - £89.99
Either Rainbow SLX230 (http://www.caraudiodirect.co.uk/rainbow-slx230-p-3855.html?cadid=b17ca1354610b1fb8b7cc86f6f50c0ad) or the Boston Acoustics S50 (http://www.caraudiodirect.co.uk/boston-acoustics-p-4389.html?cadid=b17ca1354610b1fb8b7cc86f6f50c0ad).

Subwoofer - £28.50
Again as above, buy the 2 and sell 1. People have already expressed on here, that if someone buys 2 then they'll buy the 2nd. Either that or put them on Ebay, i'm pretty sure there's a lot of people on Ebay that have seen the deal but can't be bothered buying and then selling quickly. Sell for the same price as you got it and you'll have no problem selling it.

Amplifier - £150.00
Now i'm going on the fact that he still has it, (he may not) but Dave has/had an Audison SRx3 (http://www.saxperience.com/forum/showthread.php?t=86733) for sale, and for that price it's a bargain and as it's been used by an enthusiast it will undoubtably be in great nick.

Here's the amp brand new, Audison SRx3 (http://caraudiosecurity.com/shop/product/products_id/2896.html).

That is a great sounding system for the money. That sort of performance would not be obtainable under your budget if Dave's amp wasn't for sale, snap it up while it's on the market. If you can find either the components or the head unit for less 2nd hand that would be a bonus, if you do find something on Ebay or any other site and are unsure as to whether it is better or worse than what's been recommended so far, post what it is and a link and we'll tell you whether it's worth it or not.

Hope this helps at all, you will have to find a bit of money for wiring etc but it won't be a tremendous amount.

[Jamie89]

Cheers CSVTR, a lot of good help there. Think i'll have a little look around for the things you have said maybe on eBay, as im not botherd about buying second hand, as long as it's in good nick!

[djrem]

damn. that kids good.

[Predator_R32]

could not agree more with that set up CSVTR, will be a pretty low price too, spend some good money on the wiring and sound deadining too :y:

[Jamie89]

Im not really botherd about the sound deadining because this is my first car, and first ever set up, and I only want the car till around January time because I plan to upgrade to a VTR or S if I can get insured!

[Predator_R32]

just do it on the boot lid and stuff the taigate with insulation then, will stop the rattles

[RedB]

£400 odd for that setup is a mint deal matey :y:

You and your deadening pred :p
Should do mine sometime soon

[Predator_R32]

trust me sound deadining makes a hell of a difference :y:

[RedB]

Trusts there ;)

[Jamie89]

Okay, So I have got the JBL subs from eBay and am selling the other to a friend. Not going to bother about components up front, because I only want the car for a short while and after set backs with expenses I can not really afford the new head unit.

So I am just going to get an amp while looking to spend £100 MAX! Don't want any thing amazing just somthing that will run this Sub (GT4-12 (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=012&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWN%3AIT&viewitem=&item=220126713343&rd=1&rd=1)) ok if that is possible for my funds, don't mind second had either?

Don't know if this Amp is any good (GTO75.4 (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/JBL-GTO75-4-Car-Audio-Amplifier-4-Channel-Amp_W0QQitemZ130130469244QQihZ003QQcategoryZ4950QQ rdZ1QQcmdZViewItem))? Worth the money if it stays low?

Also I have been looking around for some wiring, but not really found any thing, any suggestions for some ok stuff please?

[Predator_R32]

so you just want an amp for the sub ie a mono one???

or do you want one so you can add components at a later date

the amp you choose would be ok to run that sub if its bridged and then you will have 2 channels for some components

mono one then this one will be great for it

http://caraudiosecurity.com/shop/product/products_id/2910.html

[Jamie89]

Cheers Pred, nah I don't want to add any components cuz the car is only untill I upgrade! Ye that Amp seems good (for what little I know) and have found it on eBay for £57.99 new, so I think I am going to buy this!

Also because my HU has no pre-outs, how would I go about wiring the Amp up to the HU?

[Predator_R32]

o well even better then :y:

you will need an amp with the plugs on the back mate, actually what make is it, is it the standard one??

[Jamie89]

Is what the standard one? My Head Unit or Amp? The Amp I have just bought is the GTO-75.2 (http://caraudiosecurity.com/shop/product/products_id/2910.html)

[Predator_R32]

the headunit mate??

[Jamie89]

oh, no it's not. It's this Sony one - MEX-BT2500 (http://www.caraudiodirect.co.uk/sony-mexbt2500-p-5819.html?cadid=b17ca1354610b1fb8b7cc86f6f50c0ad)

[Predator_R32]

hmmmm actually doesnt say if it has pre outs on, have you got it already??

if so check the back for a red socket and a white socket

[Jamie89]

Ye I have got it, but it's in the car and the car isn't at my house becuase theres no room for it on the drive while I havn't passed my test yet. But I will have a look next time I go for a drive in it and let you know Pred! Cheers m8 :y:

[Predator_R32]

well even if it has id get rid of it :p

really crap sony are mate, ave had a few units and the cds jump like hell, suppose its ok if you have a mp3 player connected up to it though, but could of got a better unit for less than 100, nevermind you have got it now :)

[Jamie89]

Ye, will just leave it in the car when I come to sell it, or find someone stupid enough to buy it! And I don't plan to listen to CD's ny ways just my iPod & Music off my phone via the bluetooth.