Sound vs Noise

[Cameron Parsons]

OK, here is a different kind of question.

What experiences have any of you had with putting sound systems in your cars, and what are the recommendations?

- Can you hear it over the engine/wind noise?
- Does the CD player cope with the ‘sporty’ ride?
- Is it hidden, if so where?
- What sort of speakers were used and where did you fit them?

Any brilliant insights would be appreciated.

Thanks

Cameron

[luke-44]

the stereo was the first thing I yanked out when I got my car home....

[750hp]

An entirely hidden system - operated by a small remote control - won't upset the purists, but the sound quality is only any good when you're tinkering with the car in the garage, or sitting at traffic lights. On the move, the only thing you'll hear (feel), is the bass... A lot of guys are talking about different marine remotes http://www.ffcobra.com/ubb/ultimateb...c;f=1;t=039808

[Aussie Mike]

I was all for putting a decent stereo in the Cobra when i started the project. After riding in Garretts car I've given the idea away. There's just too much wind noise, exhaust noise and passenger screaming to let you appreciate the mellow tones of Pink Floyd or wailing guitars of AC/DC.

My plan now is to just have a power jack under the dash so I can keep my MP3 player and headphones charged on a trip. I reckon a set of decent headphones will keep a bit of the wind noise and engine out so I can enjoy my music.

No stereo in the car means I can worry a little less when I leave it parked some place.

Cheers

[Cameron Parsons]

Thanks for the replys to date. I agree regarding the noise if you have operating side pipes, been there.

But I will be going the Roadster route, under car exhaust. This is the config I have now and a conversation at Highway speed is comfortable, so I am assuming that I will be able to hear music, if not the subtlety of Floyd's Dark Side.

Mike, did you do any research? I know Garrett has a music source.. do I gather it's just operating as ballast

Still happy to hear ideas... this will be a daily driver, every day, so I think eventually I will want to tune into something.

Just a thought... I thought it was illegal to drive with headphones on? But thinking about it, it's not much different to having a phone earpiece in.

Thanks again

Cameron

[DonC]

Secret Audio mounted in the trunk along with the 10 disk cd changer and 140W 4Ch amp. JBL 6.5" speakers, 2 pair mounted behind the seats and in the footbox. Remote control for the radio/cd is about the size of a pager.
Don't have it in yet but more than enough power to be heard above almost anything other than WOT.
DonC

[Back in Black]

Or the 2 midrange and 2 tweeters, and the 8 inch subwoofer under the passenger's seat

16 CDs in trunk (Eclipse) and an in dash Eclipse cassette for originality.

But there's no problem hearing the stereo unless you are at freeway speed and you want to hear "The finer notes". (You can still hear the stereo at speed, especially with the hard top on)

You can see the amp in my newly detailed trunk. I also installed a polished aluminum billet battery hold down, encased all wires in sheathing and replaced all screws and bolts with polished stainless stuff

[flipper35]

A pair of BA sats inthe dash and 6x9s between the seats attached to a Blaupunkt 40x4 CD player. Sats give good highs and separation and the 6x9s give decent mid/low range. I can hear it OK tooling down the highway but I don't think you could in spirited driving. But who would want to anyway? I can't have it playing loud enough to hear it and converse with a passenger at the same time, it is one or the other.

I am sure others like DonC and BiB can hear thiers much better, but I mostly wanted something for putzing along by myself down a long stretch of boring road.

[Sloth]

I have a fairly standard Clarion Head unit/amp with 2 x 2 way speakers in the foot wells. Sound is just fine below 80km/h, and o.k. above. Also have a Clarion 6 disc changer in the boot, however after puchasing an iPod with FM transmitter, would NEVER wast my money on a CD changer again. The iPod is the grouse.

I am sure I could improve drmatically with decent set of 3-ways in the wells instead.

PS - Side pipes are working and loud!

[CowtownCobra]

Don't forget the cruise control

[Cameron Parsons]

Cruise control was easy, I already have that sorted

[xlr8or]

But there is already a stereo on each car.. Left and Right channels. They are those tube looking things that run right under your doors.

[Cobra.au]

I am about to install my Alpine stereo out of my last daily driver and I think it should be loud enough.

2 x 12" 1000W subs
2 x 6" splits for the front
2 x 6" 3 ways for fill in behined seats
1 x 1000w 2 channel amp for subs
1 x 200w 4 channel amp for speakers
1 x compitition head unit

That should be loud enough to drown out the sidepipes and make the young so called ricer petrolheads look a second time.

Also a bit more balist over the rear tyres won't hurt.

Craig W

[jasonnichols]

Stereos in cobras are a joke 60 kms is about it for hearing anything personally i have 2 tweeters 2 midrange 4"
2 6" mids and 2 6* 9 pwered by 4 8 200w amp Id miss it because most driving I do is at 60 kms