Decent sound quality sound set up without amplifier, possible?

[joms]

^sir pasensya kung medyo makulit ako.newbie po talga ako sa car sounds.^_^ pede ba coax na lang ang ipalit sa front speakers?

Pwedeng coax pre but i do not recommend it at all. Malaking bagay na ang tweeters mo nasa dash/a-pillar or somewhere higher. Generally, it will make your sound stage bigger. The difference is very very prominent. Mas gusto ko pang tumunog ang mediaocre 2-way separates with no amp kaysa sa amped coax na located way down sa doors. Kahit mas mahal pa yung coax unit kaysa sa seps.

In short, get a 2-way seps. Forget about the coax.

For rears naman, don't use coax as the high frequencies will just pull the imaging to the back. Ang habol mo nga magka depth sa fronts mo (windshield area). But if you're into video only, then heck just use what you have for rears, may it be coax or not.

Another reason i can think when to use coax sa rears is if ang habol mo eh mapansin ng tao sa parking lot. Opening your doors and turning the volume up will make all your doors sing...

[jhnkvn]

Sir jhnkvn, could you recommend a decent DSP for me? My setup is a 9887 HU, Mrp f356 flex 5 channel amp & infinity kappa perfect 5.1 seps. TIA.

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Your head unit is more than capable enough. If you find it lacking, sa tuning lang yan

[jhnkvn]

For the definition of my "Decent sound quality", for me it's like a sound quality that will suits my sound preference. ;-)

This piqued my interest actually on what are you running at home? You see, I've been in all branches of audio - from professional studios, home, cars, and head-fi so you see me from Tsikot, to Kotseaudioclub, to Pinoydvd, and Headphiles

Here's the lowdown kasi dito. Unlike in a home where you have relatively fixed walls and in head-fi where your IEM/headphone acts much like your room, the car interior itself shapes the very sound you hear. This is why a speaker that sounds good in your car might sound bad in mine. You could say subjectivity here is off-the-charts compared to the other fields which are more controlled.

This is why a DSP is important is because it gives you the tools to mold your sound to cover for your environment. Through this sound processing, I can make a Focal sound quite like a Dynaudio.. it won't be a pure 100%.. but you can tailor it to something like tonality of Dynaudio.

It's more of the challenge that's why I'm more into car audio than any other field. But I wouldn't consider myself a lightweight in the others either. Haha.

[palonmar]

*jhnkvn, with the knowledge and know how about audio, you cannot be a lesser person than the others. Others may have lots of money to throw to buy expensive equipments for their view of their perfect set-up at home or in their car but they may not be as knowledgeable and helpful as you :-)

As for my audio set- up at home, there is nothing interesting and it's just a budget meal set up of a featherweight audiophile :-D

[jhnkvn]

As for my audio set- up at home, there is nothing interesting and it's just a budget meal set up of a featherweight audiophile :-D

Thanks for the kind words.. I'm just giving back since we're all newbs once

As for the question on what speakers you run will usually give me an idea on what sound signature you're more into. Eventually you'll settle to be either of the three broad sound signatures:
1. Bright
2. Neutral
3. Warm

Personally, I'm running Focal on the car. But I tamed down the tweeters so it isn't as piercing as it is. It's relatively neutral-bright. My personal love is in Dynaudio . That's why I have them at home it's non-fatiguing and it's something that easily lulls me to sleep while playing. It's neutral-warm.

Some tsikoteers are audiophiles din kasi. For example, there's a guy here who's into Sonus Faber and because of that information, I'll probably recommend a speaker set with silk dome tweeters over metal domes.

Hopefully, you know where your tastes lie

The reason why I usually invite people to listen to my car if they have real SQ aspirations is because I showcase on why the most important part of SQ is the DSP whether this be in the form of a capable head unit or a processor. Some people visit me and eventually end up spending their budget on a 16,000php head unit and a 10,000php speaker.

Truth is, in SQ competitions.. I've seen cars using Targa win competitions with a good head unit. I've also seen systems win without subwoofers. But I've never seen a system win without DSP.

[falken]

Your head unit is more than capable enough. If you find it lacking, sa tuning lang yan

Thanks, time for me to start tinkering with it again.

[joms]

Thanks, time for me to start tinkering with it again.

I can still remember the time nung unang lumabas yung 9887.... it was expensive compared to the other units but the SQ was really worth it. Pati yung EQ/TA/xover controls kasi nya ok na.

jhnkvn - into home audio ka din pala. ako ayoko nang pumasok sa home audio kasi sobrang gastos haha. (home video nalang ako) My dad though is into home audio and i just listen to his system if ever (jadis-conradjohnson-b&w801-etc)

Actually one of the reasons why i don't pursue car audio that much anymore is because wala pa din akong naririnig na car audio that can go anywhere near the setup of my dad. Nakaka inis. I tried to get near it pero wala talaga, sobrang layo. Siguro sa tone, transparency and separation pwede pa pero when it comes to depth, imaging, soundstage, extension, wala na. Gusto ko kasi yung singer nasa harap ng windshild mo around 1 full car away. At best, what i've heard is nasa harapan lang ng bumper mo yung singer. (and thats only 1 part of it. yung stage width din sa car audio is limited to the apillars, no extension beyond that, if ever man, very slight lang and shallow)

[palonmar]

*jhnkvn - For the 3 sound signatures, since I used to listen to different music genre, depends on the time of the day. In the morning, I used to listen to some punchy and with lots of beat musics like Dance, RnB's and Pop. At the end of the day, if I have time, usually listening to some blues and warm musics,with the likes of Norah Jones etc. which is truly immersive and relaxing.

As for my planned audio set-up, with kids around during the travel and sometimes alone driving, a bright and neutral setting should be okay for her.

[jhnkvn]

If then so, then go for the Focal Access AS165. It might not be as good as the Flax, but it's still an entry-level Focal JMLab product. Truthfully, there's not much difference with the now and it's predecessor. The main difference is the different cone material and that itself doesn't really differ much (it is still incrementally better)

Pero truthfully, habol mo dyan is Focal's inverted dome tweeter which is wonderful in a car due to its dispersion pattern. At 9,000php, it's still considered high on the bang-per-buck scale. So don't go for the Flax, spend the money on other things if need be.

[palonmar]

If then so, then go for the Focal Access AS165. It might not be as good as the Flax, but it's still an entry-level Focal JMLab product. Truthfully, there's not much difference with the now and it's predecessor. The main difference is the different cone material and that itself doesn't really differ much (it is still incrementally better)

Pero truthfully, habol mo dyan is Focal's inverted dome tweeter which is wonderful in a car due to its dispersion pattern. At 9,000php, it's still considered high on the bang-per-buck scale. So don't go for the Flax, spend the money on other things if need be.

Thanks for the input. Well then, I'll get the Focal Access AS165 like what you suggested. If ever I need a DSP, can you recommend me something if ever, is bang for the buck, or say, not too pricey. Thanks!

[jhnkvn]

Thanks for the input. Well then, I'll get the Focal Access AS165 like what you suggested. If ever I need a DSP, can you recommend me something if ever, is bang for the buck, or say, not too pricey. Thanks!

The cheapest DSP-to-go is still the Alpine 9887 which has been phased out since 2008. It formerly retailed for Php16,000 but you can find its secondhand value at Php7,000 to Php10,000 depending on condition. Truthfully, from a value-perspective, don't expect it to depreciate much since it's still very much in-demand today due to its DSP capability.

Nowadays DSPs are priced in accordance to their features. The more tuning capability you need - the more expensive it gets. If you're going for a basic 2-way, the Pioneer 80PRS at Php16,500 is the 9887's "successor" in terms of filling out the needs of people. Although it is noted that the 80PRS is limited to 2-way unlike sa 9887 na pwede ka mag-3way on a passive-active mode (passives on the mids and highs). Alternatively, 2-way processors are priced at Php16,000 -- these are the likes of BitTen, Mosconi4to6, etc.

For 2DINN head units that can natively support 2-way tuning, closest that comes to mind is Alpine IC8 at 36,000php. It isn't cheap. Har har.. most people go for 2DIN head units plus a processor. So that's usually 16,000php on top of your head unit.

3-way processors on the otherhand.. are expensive. Php30,000 upwards yan like the Alpine H800, Mosconi6to8, BitOne, etc. For head units, the to-go headunit will be the Pioneer P99RS at Php45,000~ (easily found at Php36,000 nowadays) which has everything you really need in a head unit.

[palonmar]

^ I think it's better to buy all the equipments abroad na lang and then pa-install ko na lang pag-uwi ko except for the Focal separates you suggested. It's not only I will get the genuine products, plus, I can also get the higher models with more features and tuning capabilities with only slightly higher price (ok lang) . Always mas mahal kasi satin ang mga electronic products which is sometimes 1.5 times more than abroad.

I will look for the brands like Alpine and Pioneer since they are widely known and heavily mentioned in this forum so I can be sure of their sound quality. Since our market is already flooded with fake items from China, sometimes hard to distinguish from fake or not, If I need an amplifier, I will buy that too abroad.

[jhnkvn]

^ I think it's better to buy all the equipments abroad na lang and then pa-install ko na lang pag-uwi ko except for the Focal separates you suggested. It's not only I will get the genuine products, plus, I can also get the higher models with more features and tuning capabilities with only slightly higher price (ok lang) . Always mas mahal kasi satin ang mga electronic products which is sometimes 1.5 times more than abroad.

I will look for the brands like Alpine and Pioneer since they are widely known and heavily mentioned in this forum so I can be sure of their sound quality. Since our market is already flooded with fake items from China, sometimes hard to distinguish from fake or not, If I need an amplifier, I will buy that too abroad.

That depends on where you plan to buy. In the US, you have a vast array of options. You might want to look at their Kenwood amplifiers - not bad really. However, European imports such as Focal-JMLab, Audison, etc. are quite expensive there. In fact, the Philippines is more price competitive.

I will suggest you spend a lot of time on the planning stage. Parang bahay lang yan - tagalan mo sa planning and make sure that's how you like it. If in the event you'll be changing your mind, it might be costly.

Although our market IS flooded with fake items, ganun din naman sa mga ibang bansa - although some take copyright infringement seriously. In purchasing local, I will advice that you purchase from authorized dealers. Not only do you get original products but you also have a local warranty to boot (which is quite important <3 weeks from purchase in case of any lemons).

If you plan on buying from the US, give Hybrid Audio a chance. Scott Buwalda's speakers are engineered at a good price point. They're rarer than what you find in the Philippines but boy.. their speaker engineering isn't something to scoff at. Bang-per-engineering wise.. truthfully, they're cheaper. Mahal mga brand-name brands

[palonmar]

^ I was thinking about buying there as well sa atin because of the warranty issues if there is any problem with the purchased items. Mostly, they don't have international warranty and no way it can be replaced with new one or being repaired. Maybe you are right na baka mapagastos pa ako lalo sa planned set-up ko sana if I will be planning it for longer time. About Kenwood brand, I was giving a thought about that and I wonder why sa atin, seldomly mentioned them where in the US it's been receiving some good reviews. The quality for me is quite competitive with regards to its price, and actually, I have some Kenwood audio equipments in my old car ( A head unit and a separates ) built for LnC purpose only.

Sa SUV ko naman, di ko na plan i-set up kasi magastos at okay na yung beats pro headphone ko since i usually have short vacation and made some few trips during my leave.

[gygie]

try auditioning Bewith befit speakers with the stock headunit. ganda ng tunog.

[palonmar]

try auditioning Bewith befit speakers with the stock headunit. ganda ng tunog.

Sounds new to me, saan sa atin my retailer nyan? Interesting! :-)

[jhnkvn]

I'll pass on the Bewith BeFit. Bewith is one of Japan's more boutique brands and imported locally by Mike (who also distributes RE Audio, Cadence, and Stinger).

In any case, if you really want it then step up to the Accurate lineup which costs six digits. Because that's where Bewith's magic happens and this is mainly due to the 2-way wideband + midbass configuration that reduces phase shift.

If not, stay away. It's expensive for the performance it gives and that's why I disapprove of it.

[palonmar]

* jhnkvn Thanks for the input, well that's too much for a simple sound set-up that goes beyond 5 digit mark. I better stick with your advice. :-)

[threadstone]

hello mga masters,

I have the Mirage G4 GLS and i want to upgrade yung sound nya. Ang head unit n naka instsll is yung AVT. Gusto ko lang gumanda yung sounds ng kaunti without changing the head unit. Minsan kasi mejo garalgal yung sounds and sabog yung bass kahit low volume. Any suggestion po and budget wise, yun lang po mura sana. Naisip ko if changing the speakers will solve the issue. Thanks


Sent from my iPod

[jhnkvn]

hello mga masters,

I have the Mirage G4 GLS and i want to upgrade yung sound nya. Ang head unit n naka instsll is yung AVT. Gusto ko lang gumanda yung sounds ng kaunti without changing the head unit. Minsan kasi mejo garalgal yung sounds and sabog yung bass kahit low volume. Any suggestion po and budget wise, yun lang po mura sana. Naisip ko if changing the speakers will solve the issue. Thanks


Sent from my iPod

If then so, replacement of your stock speakers to aftermarket ones will be the first step. For budget brands but still have a brand backing them up, JBL and Pioneer are great budget speakers. You might also want to patronize local brands such as Targa, Firland Audio, and Ryan Audio.