Budget ICE Upgrade

[waynechai]

Hi,

I think I have had enugh of the stock unit, and I have decided to upgrade. I drive a e90.
BUT, I am on a budget, a tightly managed one.
$500-$750(max), and maybe at most another $500 nxt yr.
Please don't tell me that is too meagre. I am willing to settle for the maximum quality even if it is not good enough and as long as it improves current stock, at that price.

1) Head Unit
I am reluctant to change as I want the look. Most probably to keep.

2) Amplifier
Read a bit on this forum already.
Seems 4 channel is a good choice.
What brand is good...the mid class ones? Mac? Alpine? Diamond?

Where will this be installed by the way?

3) Speaker
Given the budget constraint, and if I can't get much with it and can only change front OR back speaker...which should I change?

Do I need tweeter in front?

How important is the woofer? And where will that be installed?

4) Cabling
I read that cable is as important if not more important than the rest of the staff. Is that true?
Can the original cable be good enough for the minmila upgrade I make?

Now, for sound quality, I used to have a pretty decent set on my alfa 156.
But it sounds great only when I turn on it loud. At lower volume it is good, but not outstanding.
AND, I seldom turn it up high.

Please in your suggestion take into consideration of my listening habit:
- at a relatively low volume.
- I like clear crisp bass.

Lastly, please suggest a few shops I can go to and do research and get advice.

I did my alfa at Sin Poh Guan (SPG) at balestier.
I did my presea at Hong Guan (HG) when they were at Cheong Chin Nam Rd. Aren't they at Lor Kilat now? I see their shop there now and then.

Having said this, I am less than impressed with both shops.
Problem?

Alfa, left front speaker loss of sound when at low volume. Get sound back when I blast the speaker, and sound remain after that even if I lower volume. On and off, I lose volume again. Problem brought back twice. Not rectified! SPG did not solve problem.

Presea, similar problem, except that the volume doesn't come back. HG didn't manage to solve problem.

Thanks for any advice.

 

[Erert]

Re: Budget ICE Upgrade

Given your budget...I think probably enough to change front speakers(with tweeters) for ard two to three hundred dollars. Hmm then a 2 channell amp...

But really, I think the headunit must go...hahaa....and your budget very low...may cause you to regret later..hhaaa

The first time I changed my system, I tried paying less by getting mediocre ice system....just a few months later...i ended up upgrading it and spent even more.

Amps and headunit and speakers all equally impt...in your case since u might upgrade in future...haa...start with the front speakers ( since u are the one listening...) and then the AMP...4channell(but ur budget...get 2 lor...)

Make sure you check out the good brands in the forums.... it makes the difference...also the installation--> save u alot of trouble... (in case they destroy ur car and sounds it better if they really know how to tune)

My 2 cents...

 

[waynechai]

Re: Budget ICE Upgrade

Thank you.
Keeping the back speaker...you dont think will affect the sound too badly too much?
I think I am keen to go with front speaker, with tweeter, plus a amp.

Amp..good branded 2 channet, or less expensive 4 channel?

Oh, btw, can someone help to explain the big diff about 2 channels and 4 channels.

thanks.

 

[oneHeadlight]

Re: Budget ICE Upgrade

every speaker needs one channel. 2 channel means u can only power 2 channels. 4 channels means can only power 4. HEhe...sorry if i can't put it any better.

if u get a component set, it has a left and a right midbass, and a left and right tweeter. It also comes with 2 crossovers, which link the midbass and the tweeter. So if u are just putting in a component set, u only need a 2 channel amp or u can get a 4 channel amp , bridged into two.

i would remove the rear speakers. Most people would advocate that. But its not necesary if u are not having any staging and imaging anyway...

i've replied to your PM. Hope it helps.

 

[waynechai]

Re: Budget ICE Upgrade

Would it ever be a case that since I am only planning to spend so little, it defeats the purpose, and that I am better off leaving the sound system as it is?

I thought that even with that small budget (which in absolute terms is really not that small..), the system should improve.
Alpine 4 channel, alpine 4-inch front component speaker.....not good enough?

 

[__iceman__]

Re: Budget ICE Upgrade

It will be enough for you to feel the difference already. This is the first major step. It will get you something at least to go on, and a good stepping stone for future upgrades. The audio industry too cannot expect such high entry barriers to demand that anything decent should necessarily cost upwards of 2k.

You won't be disappointed. You'll certainly enjoy it. Looking at the price of other mods you can get for $750... the fun / bang for buck / usable factor of such an audio upgrade ranks very high indeed. Like many things, car audio also follows the law of dimishing returns, meaning the first 500-1000 you spend will probably rope in the biggest difference, and between $15k and 18k... you'd be hard pressed to tell the diff.

So dun be too worried - its not a wrong move at all.

 

[waynechai]

Re: Budget ICE Upgrade

Indeed, I am not expert, but I do believe the first 500-1000 will deliver the most bang for the bucks.
So based on this, what should I be getting? I need recommendations for:
1) Amplifier
2) Front 4 inch component speakers

By the way, does the e90 come with a tweeter in the first place? I was told by the guy at the audio shop that we are supposed to have.
Where is that?

 

[oneHeadlight]

Re: Budget ICE Upgrade

i dont drive an e90 but i guess the tweets is at the door ..somewhere "beside" the mirror.

I liked what iceman said about law of diminishing returns...

anyway, the biggest problem with e90 is the space at the door, from wat i heard, only a 4" incher need apply. I haven't heard how the so-called subwoofer under the seats sound like, but if u are just gonna change the 4" and the tweets, u will be horribly short in midbass.
if u not gonna do surgery on the door, i am not sure the mounting depth allows wat brand... Eton and DLS mabye... or Focal superslim version maybe. These brands are suggested based on mounting depth purely.

as for amp, and your desire to go for best bang for your buck... go for the higest power available. Forget about sexy brands. You should go for used amps, which owners upgrade from. I would suggest Audison LRxs, autotek supersports, erm... they are midpriced amps that deliver most power per dollar i reckon.