On shopping...

[cribeiro]

Hi!

I have saved some money for a decent car-audio system, nothing special, I want to listen to my music or radio while I drive. The main problem I got when I installed long ago something cheap in my mother's car was that, when driving, the noise of the car hid all bass sound, though it was not much.
Now, I want to hear everything, but I don't want to blow up my head. Just music.
I want a radio-cd player and 4 speakers. I have a second hand 3-door Mitsubishi Colt, the old rear speakers are placed on the sides of the rear walls (I actually don't know how to call that, I hope you understand what I mean), next to the rear seats. They look pretty big, say 9x6... I don't know. The front ones are the "default" ones, I think. At least, placed there.
I would like to spend around 350 euro, not more that 400. What would you recommend? I have seen a blaupunkt quite nice because it has a remote control to set in the wheel for 160 euro, the model is san remo. I would like to have also the option to upgrade to a cd-charger later. I don't want any extra amp, and my boot is small enough, so no sub.
I hope you will answer soon, I am messed up, as usually before buying!

[Nobber22]

Originally posted by cribeiro
I don't want any extra amp

Pity that. Amps, even small ones, give you a BIG improvement in sound quality and bass response. Even h/u's with 50w x 50w quoted still sing with an external amp added. And they take up very little space too.

Never mind, onwards: get a good quality head unit for around 150-200 euros and then get some replacement speakers for the 4 you have (around 100 euros). Putting these together now will give you a nice improvement in sound with room for upgrading later, particularly to that all-important amp (IMO). Just make sure the h/u you buy has at least one pre-out for an amp. :)

[cribeiro]

Ok, thank you, so I am in the good way. Any recomendation?

[Nobber22]

Originally posted by cribeiro
Ok, thank you, so I am in the good way. Any recomendation?

Well you are quoting Euros and we here in the UK still use Pounds, so direct price comparisons are difficult. However Europe-wide brands and models are similar so try here:

www.caraudiodirect.co.uk

for a huge range of everything. Decide whether you want CD, Minidisk or MP3 h/drive and work from there. Sony, Pioneer, Panasonic, Kenwood, etc are all good. Alpine sounds best IMO, with less of the hard top-end of the the Jap models, but costs a little more.
Speakers - buy the best you can afford, but don't go overboard either - I recommend Pioneer to everyone (I use them in my car) and they are very good for most setups. Come in all sizes too. :)

[cribeiro]

Hi! I think I should inform you that I went for a SONY radio-cd player with mp3, model mp30. It is enough for what I want, I checked with my old speakers, and it is rather good, although I cannot play it really loud. I will wait for new speakers, by now it is enough.
I went for this because of the price, it was a very nice offer (230 euro), though I'd rather prefer a blaupunkt or alpine. The sound quality was not so important, something fair was enough, I do not need high quality in the car, only at home.
Thank you all!

[Nobber22]

Originally posted by cribeiro
cannot play it really loud. I will wait for new speakers, by now it is enough.


Congrats on your new h/u, mate. Just be cautious when you install your new speakers in the future that you don't try to crank up the volume on the Sony too high. You will create distortion and then clipping. This will damage your new speakers. If you do want to go much louder safely, get an amp too. :)

[cribeiro]

Thanks for the advice. Anyway, I do not think I will go much higher than half (which is the distortion limit now), since otherwise I cannot bear it, simply :-)
I suppose that it works like the home hifi systems in that aspects you mention, and I learnt that already in the forum for a/v amplifiers and receivers.
By the way, I found that this radio-cd has an optional remote control like a little joystick, it looks fancy, but... Is it any good?