audio set-up for beginners [continued]

[jhnkvn]

*SEALANDER

Roughly all of the stock head units out in the market uses speaker level inputs. In fact, I think ALL of the stock head units out in the market uses speaker level inputs. Which isn't technically bad as speaker level inputs are completely isolated from ground. If you're planning to add in an amplifier, get a LO converter just as userfriendly said or use an amplifier with speaker level inputs (not many out in the market has them)

*nnyar

Most of what Fotonista suggested is good ;) although I find that you're like me.. a pure SQ guy. A SQ car is a car which in its strictest sense has a good soundstage, balanced sound spectrum, detail, timbre, any audio terms you can chuck at it. SQ is flexible.. the only thing it doesn't have is the ability to be heard 3 blocks away. But any excellent SQ setup can accurately reproduce the tight bass lines of Usher or the string plucks of The Eagles.

However, most of us define SQ within our standards. If you haven't heard a pair of good headphones, you'll be amazed on how limited your standard of sound quality is and once you know your standard, you'd probably stop tuning to the FM like how I do and simply download those 30mb FLAC/loseless files over the internet.

Fotonista suggested a separates for your front-stage over the simple fact that it raises your soundstage from your chest to your ears. We're rather sensitive to the human voice and treble range and a tweeter placement in the dash rather than the doors would heighten your soundstage to ear-level for that "stage up front" feeling. But trust me, if you can slap a 6x9 in your A-pillars and won't care about its appearance, it sounds beautiful. One of the finest sound engineers I know in the country uses this setup :D

A proper soundstage is properly defined as a "stage at your front". With the center of the soundstage at the center of the dashboard (some like it in front of them.. but that isn't the center of the stage technically) and the more it "imaginary" extends up to the hood (stage depth), the more points you rack in sound competitions.

If you haven't heard a proper SQ car, I suggest you do. And if you're really into SQ, the biggest change would possibly by changing your head unit to a head unit with time alignment (cheapest is Alpine CDA-9887.. around 12k retail) as time alignment alone is like "magic" getting rid of the need for independent left and right EQ and gain tuning and optimal speaker positions (there's a reason why kickpanels are so popular back in the 1980s). I've heard properly tuned Targa speakers (Php2-3k) sound better than Focal's entry-level 165A1 Access line (9k retail)

Depending on how much your budget is, I'd say you're better off using a amplified headphone at home. I daresay I get the 70% of the sound quality of my 200k ICE setup on my 13k portable hi-fi setup at home. If you're somewhere in Metro Manila, I could always point your to places where you can audition cars with excellent SQ setups, but kung taga La Union ka like what your Tsikot location suggests.... err... I'd have to pass :D

[nnayr]

Wwhhoooaaa...nicely explained, Sir jhnkvn. If only I have limitless money to spare, I would do what you and Sir Fotonista were suggesting. Who wouldn't be? Sad to say but I am stuck with the gadgets I said that I have right now. The only thing that I can do for now is to buy what can be paired with what I already have to improve the listening experience or make it a little closer to that SQ environment.

My place is just a small city. We only have at least 4-5 car shops (I think). They only sell a handful of items and of course, limitations on choices follow. Some shops here only sell. They don't satisfy. And as end-consumers, we often go home scratching our heads . Some even go as far as adding P1,000 to their prices as compared to online prices . Too much, don't you think?

Anyways, I have friends (who have lots of money than I) who have SQ set ups. But I rarely see them because of my work (I'm a male nurse, by the way) . Wide awake in the evening and asleep in the morning. And due to budget constraints (you'll have an idea of how much we earn if you watch the evening news), I tend to get gadgets that are within the boundaries of my savings.

Well then, uhm, before I replied here, I went out awhile ago and decided to buy the 400watt 6x9 Pioneer and had it set up at the back. Also, I decided that I will buy seps and change the front 6" coaxials later if I have saved enough for it. Would that be a good move? I saw a/d/s seps and Ryan Audio seps that will probably fit my budget (costs less than P3k) but I don't know if they will sound that good enough for me. The shop owner told me that he will get some MB Quart seps soon and will know the price. Are those brands fine or can you suggest other budget-friendly brands? Higher priced seps... I can manage but it will take me some time to save for it. Oh, i took my set-up for a spin awhile ago. Sounded nice but I felt there was still something missing. Thought it was just the settings and messed up with it but still lacks the SQ experience.

For now, that's my next project. Hoping I made the right move to buy the 6x9's (though Sir Fotonista don't approve of it. Hehehe. Sorry sir.). And I also hope you won't get bored with all my sad stories and whining here. I'm just excited on giving life back to my sanctuary. Glad to hear from you guys soon.