What would you do on a budget of $500 or less

Flyinace2000 · #1 11-15-2009, 04:40 PM

So i opted to not get the HiFi system when i ordered by 09 MCS. My 07 had the HiFi and i thought i could do better for the money.

So with a budget $500 or less what would give me the biggest bang for my buck? I a comfortable doing all the work myself and i want to keep it close to stock looking as possible. Do i just replace the speakers in the doors and do the rear/front channel swap? Do I bite the bullet and swap out the rear 6x9s? What brand speakers?

Thanks All.

miniSQ · #2 11-15-2009, 05:29 PM

replace the fronts with these:
http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_...PPI+356CS.html

find them on ebay with free shipping.

Leave the 6x9's alone...

Throw in a powered sub...maybe the infinity basslink 2.

done.

Flyinace2000 · #3 11-15-2009, 05:37 PM

Where would i put the infinity basslink 2? Trunk? How do i get the audio to the sub? Does it simply take one of the speaker feeds and filter our the high end?

Flyinace2000 · #4 11-15-2009, 05:44 PM

Also, if i get those Precision Power PPI 356CS do they just replace the one speaker in the door leaving the other one stock or are the precision speakers enough to not have to worry about the other door speaker?

miniSQ · #5 11-15-2009, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flyinace2000

Where would i put the infinity basslink 2? Trunk? How do i get the audio to the sub? Does it simply take one of the speaker feeds and filter our the high end?

yes, it ( or any other powered sub) would be anchored int he boot and pick up signal wires thru the front speaker leads. You can search for how to do this in a million places here.

miniSQ · #6 11-15-2009, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flyinace2000

Also, if i get those Precision Power PPI 356CS do they just replace the one speaker in the door leaving the other one stock or are the precision speakers enough to not have to worry about the other door speaker?

they are component speakers...you would pull both speakers out of the front doors and replace them with the components...and the crossover owuld mount in the armrest...

But i am confused...you say you have no problems doing all this yourself..but yet you seem pretty new to car audio? Are you sure you can dig into this car??

Here is a nice build to look at some of what you will be up against...
http://www.diymobileaudio.com/forum/...ooper-r56.html

Flyinace2000 · #7 11-15-2009, 07:59 PM

I re-did my old car with new speakers and a head unit a few years back. So yes, i am somewhat new but i am a fairly technical guy so i should be able to handle it with the proper research.

Robin Casady · #8 11-15-2009, 08:12 PM

I don't know anything about the PPI 356CS speakers, so can't comment on those.

For picking up signal for the powered sub, see this thread on the Bass600. However, I'd refine how the connection is done, and for the standard audio, use the high-level inputs (if you end up with the Bass600).

The cleanest way to do it is to buy both halves of the X9331 connector (and all the pins and sockets) then make a pass-through connector that has eight wires going to the sub. Shielded data cable (CAT6, I think) works well. There are a number of threads on the X9331. Check them out for part numbers, etc.

Flyinace2000 · #9 11-15-2009, 08:24 PM

So basically you would make a man in the middle attack on the audio signal sending all channels to the sub for processing while still sending the audio to all the speakers in the car.

Robin Casady · #10 11-15-2009, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flyinace2000

So basically you would make a man in the middle attack on the audio signal sending all channels to the sub for processing while still sending the audio to all the speakers in the car.

With the standard audio, I might just send the front channels to the sub, but otherwise, yes.

miniSQ · #11 11-16-2009, 03:29 PM

Correct....just the front speakers go to the sub. And he is going to have a tough time keeping his budget to $500 if he spends $100 just on the plug connectors...no reason he can't tap in front of the harness if he is neat and clean. You can then just disconnect when you trade it in and wrap hockey tape around the wires.

PS those PPI speakers are very good comps

Robin Casady · #12 11-16-2009, 03:36 PM

Speakers $140
Sub $100-$200
X9331 connector $70 (or less)
That leaves $90 for tax, shipping, and misc. and he will be able to take his car back to stock if needed.

pilotart · #13 11-16-2009, 04:14 PM

How about that front/rear channel swap for free,
there is a long thread here on that mod for the base MINI Sound System.

10Zero · #14 11-16-2009, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pilotart

How about that front/rear channel swap for free,
there is a long thread here on that mod for the base MINI Sound System.

Works wonders too I might add...

Robin Casady · #15 11-16-2009, 09:42 PM

Yea, but how are you going to spend $500 just doing the channel swap?

Flyinace2000 · #16 11-24-2009, 08:47 AM

I would imagine the channel swap + front new speakers. I could spend 200 on new fronts as a start then move on to a sub/rear speakers if i feel so inclined. Honestly i am just looking for a little better sound w/o to much hassle. So the channel swap and new fronts sound like a good idea.

From what i read the channel swap will but the bluetooth audio to the rear speakers. Has that been much of an issue for hearing callers?