Audio for dummies - advice required.

[loweart]

I don't mean to rain on the Lok parade here but there's some elements that's missing in this very complex puzzle. I can agree with most of what Lok is saying but have to disagree on his approach for the MY07 GT-B range.

No dramas there cpitts and actually I'm quite relieved that you've hopped onboard with the additional advice as it has highlighted to me that in my eagerness to offer the advice of my experience on MY04 and MY05 Libertys, as I failed to see that in OzSTi's signature it quotes his Liberty as being an MY07 model !

So, thanks for saving my bacon !

[cpitts]

<snip>
Important things to remember with sound deadening is that you are trying to effectively create a sealed enclosure with the speaker face being the only avenue for sound to escape the enclosure. I'm not sure if the second photo is your finished product, but I would personally be placing the deadening all the way to the edge of each speaker and make sure there are no holes in the door at all.

In addition to the deadening a diffuser panel/sheet directly behind the driver is also a very important step (to help control the bouncing sound wave behind the speaker/sound cancellation etc.).

The second photo doesn't have the cover plate I made for the rather large hole in the door (you'll see soft foam around the edge of the hole ready for placing the cover/access plate onto it).

And yes, I haven't done around the speaker area yet as I haven't decided if I'll be fitting my current Alpine DDDrive 6.5" 2-way splits or moving to a 3-way set of speakers and may require the large gap there to form up some type of speaker cabinet for the mid driver.

I agree that deadening helps with clarity but its greatest benefit is in the mid bass/bass frequencies, not so much in the vocal frequencies.

Oh the choices!

And yes, cabling is also important.

I would still be suggesting speakers as a starting point - but as in any modification every person has there preferences.

Good to hear some alternatives/preferences!

Yeah, agree. Speakers are possibly the 'easiest' upgrade, but I'd still pick deadening for the cheapest upgrade and it improves not only the audio, but lowers the noise floor so the car is superb to live with on a daily basis. Given my daily commute in peak hour, this is a great upgrade.

But agree, horses for courses. It's all about options, just happy to present yet another view for consumption.

[cpitts]

I don't mean to rain on the Lok parade here but there's some elements that's missing in this very complex puzzle. I can agree with most of what Lok is saying but have to disagree on his approach for the MY07 GT-B range.

No dramas there cpitts and actually I'm quite relieved that you've hopped onboard with the additional advice as it has highlighted to me that in my eagerness to offer the advice of my experience on MY04 and MY05 Libertys, as I failed to see that in OzSTi's signature it quotes his Liberty as being an MY07 model !

So, thanks for saving my bacon !

No stress. I remember how excited I was after my first few killer installs. Helps you realise what others are missing!

[RAN94A]

hey guys.. just wondering for MY06 does that fall into the "complicated amp" or whether its fairly simple to replace.

Also what do you guys do about the "subwoofer" on the rear tray? do you replace that also.. leave it or just disconect it?

[cpitts]

From memory, the '06's didn't have the full face plate for the McIntosh, just the double din version (could be completely wrong here, feel free to advise). This is perfect as you can simply upgrade/change the HU to a much higher quality after-market unit. Makes the upgrade process a lot easier.

[smythie]

not certain what you mean by full face plate but this is a pic of loweart's MY05 3R. My MY06 has the same



Hope that is of some help

[loweart]

Yes, quite simple to remove the OEM headunit and under seat amp for a better quality unit. Pickup up the Double DIN AV Panel kit from a place like Japanparts and fit the headunit of your choice.

My new system with a speaker upgrade to Focal drivers meant that I no longer required the OEM subwoofer, so I've simply disconnected it.