Car Audio basics

I want the Molvo to have a decent audio system. At the moment, what I have is the original 1991 Miata head with speakers in the headrest. Having never messed with audio in my life, I need to learn-up a bit on what if anything I should know when tacking this task.

Keeping the Miata head unit is tempting because it is there and plugs in. All I would need is speakers jammed in somewhere. No idea what speakers or where to jam them or how to prep the speaker location. Downside is that I cant plug in an ipod or other digital input.

Are there aftermarket stereo kits that would take care of the whole job. Good forum where you can dip a toe in the water?

Pete

Over on Miata.net there is (at least was) a guy who would install an auxiliary input on the old stock head units and clean up the outputs some. 

Stock speaker locations were the doors and head rests, I'm not sure what's been done to the molvo doors though that could change that. If I remember they're basic 6.5" rounds with a "weather proof" ring. If they will be hiding behind door cards, you could take the boat speakers route I did to handle weather proofing. 

I've never had a need for it, but a little dynamat astound the openings could cut down on rattle or vibrations. 

The head rest speakers are tricky. In the garage section on Miata.net is a really good write up explaining their bizarre wiring and replacement options. 

Exit: Audio writeup on m.net

In reply to RevRico :

I seem to recall that I liked the headrest speakers when I bought a Miata way back in 1990. As I don't expect a 1973 Volvo to be whisper quiet when it comes to wind-noise, they might play out well in the Molvo.

Good suggestion on Miata.net. Had not considered they might have an audio section.

Pete

I wanted aux in one of my older cars, so I Gutted some old PC speakers that ran on 12vdc.  Installed under the dash and ran mp3s off my phone.  Didn't have to mess with the stock setup, left it as is. Doesn't sound half bad.  Crutchfield used to be the go-to mail order guys for the tradition car stereo setup, I think they still are.  They should be able to sell you a kit with everything including wiring adapters.

I went and read the bit on the headrest speakers. Good thing I did

First, cause there is some good wiring advice.

Second, because the notes reminded me that aftermarket seat covers don't have a zipper, and I had better get the new speakers sooner rather than later.

Pete

When the speakers blew out in my '87 civic, I bought a power inverter and used old PC speakers that I stuck under the seats. Worked pretty well, even if it was kinda low rent. This was before phones and MP3 players, but worked quite well for the "Discman" that I had (remember those?). 

what is your musical taste?

what is the best sounding car youve ever been in, and what did you like about it?

ill help you design the audio experience youre looking for. kinda a kink i have, having fantastic audio in vintage cars that dont appear to have fantastic audio. 

In reply to NOHOME :

Hopefully i didn't offend you with my offer.

Headrest speakers are great, and an odd class. I run them iff the "rear" channels so i can fade them out for good soundstage.  I also run the 2 inch full range drivers from parts express for like 5 bucks each. Essentially i use them for fill in so i dont have to crank the volume to hear my music at interstate speed. If i could find a way to implement tjem in cars with a movable headrest, all my cars would have them.

Id be more than willing to discuss options via phone, but i don't know if that would be an international call and cost more than the stereo....

828-260-1254

In reply to Dusterbd13 :

Wont offend me at all.

Given my druthers I would listen to Blues, ( like the old stuff from the 40s) and then skip to dinosaur rock from the 60's up to to the late 70s.

Reasons for keeping the Miata head unit:

I have it and its paid for

It fits my OEM theme for the project.

What I have no experience with is installing any sort of a sound system in a blank canvas. Always just rolled with what came in the car when I bought it.

What speakers to buy

What if any additional amplifiers to buy

What should I consider when tucking a speaker into a space?

I don't have to keep the Miata head, but there is such a thing as financial exhaustion towards the end of any project, plus in some kind of response to my lack of education, I tend to overbuy when I go into a store that sells electronics, I really should not be allowed in without adult supervision.

Pete

A decent ~$100 gead unit will do all you need. Reason i suggest that is for audio quality and inputs/outputs.  The factory miata head unit is a single din, which is what 99% if the aftermarket parts are. Additionally, they offer adapter plugs to mate to the factory wiring fpr no hack installation.  Id suggest a pioneer or kebwood based on my preference, but jvc would be a good choice as well. Perfect would be a used kenwood ez500 if you can find one, although it doesn't have usb ability. Incredible units though, and what i prefer for vintage installs when i can get them as they look right at home.

Speakers: hedrest speakers. Run them if at all possible.  Ill try to link the parts express stuff i use for mine. It'll take a minute though...

For dull range drivers in custom locations, its hard to beat a 6.5 round speaker. Choose an area up front where they will be the furthest from the front seats and still have a straight shot to the occupants heads. I like kick panel installs for this reason, but in a miata footwell there isn't much room. So that leaves the front lower corner of the doors. Due to that, id go with a budget 6.5 component system withpassive crossovers. Any of the greater than 50 and less than125 options other than pioneer will do just fine. I prefer blaupunkt or infinty stuff myself. For your musical tastes, and will do fine. Put the 6.5 driver in the lower edge of the door, and the tweeter in the upper door. Use a solid baffle behind it.

Rear speakers, with headrest speakers, are completely optional. Does this thing have a back seat? Other option would be a pair of 5x7 infinity refrence in the back hatch. Again, with a solid baffle. 

I would heavily reccomend an 8 inch subwoofer in a small sealed enclosure. Fiberglass box made into the miata spare tire well would be perfect. Run a 3 channel amp (most 4 channels can be set up this way) of around 50rms per channel. 2 channels running the components, third powering sub. Run headrest speakers off the head unit per factory.  

Mcmaster carr mastic instead of dynamat. 75%coverage. Foil backed jute under the carpets, factory miata dash sound deadeningsheet over mastic on the firewall. The more "dead" the airspace, and the panel resonance, better the driving experience and audio quality.

Ill see what i can link.

NOHOME, there are a lot of ways to waste money on car audio. I think you've got a good offer there that someone who is passionate about it wants to help you.

Set a budget and I'm sure he will come through. (I also used to be a car audio nerd, so I know what he's feeling)

Craigslist is good for car audio on a budget, once you know what to search for.

kenwood ez500 so cheap i should buy it for a spare

[URL=http://s54.photobucket.com/user/dusterbd13/media/2000%20miata/20170323_202848_zpsrf8drgmw.jpg.html][/URL]

reciept for the 2.5 headrest speakers i run in my miata

i would stcokpile these if i could. INCREDIBLE for the price

youre a bad influence

finally something i dont hear the voices telling me to add to cart

baffles

amp wiring kit

low rent dynamat

foil backed jute

In reply to Dusterbd13 :

This is exactly what I needed. Thank you so much for the help.   Going to digest and start looking for components.

Pete

Well, here i learned that Dusterbd13 will probably enjoy and relate with any car audio content i post here. We seem to have a lot in common when it comes to making audio work by inserting more brainpower than dollars. 

In my opinion it is possible to build things that sound very good at a low price if you understand what's going on in an audio system. One of the main things i would say is that an informed decision on a head unit can make all the difference in the world for very little difference in cost if you are aware of and know how to use all the various crossover and 'sound stage' settings that can be found in some head units. It's easy to find head units with a ton of functionality for the same price as another one that has very little. Unfortunately, it's the kind of stuff that so few buyers know about that it's barely even mentioned in the brief specs/description you'll see on a retail website, so it almost requires you to go looking into the manual PDF to find out what the thing can really do. It's time-intensive, as things done both well AND cheaply usually are. 

Seriously ho pe my suggestions work. I linked the exact products that i would spec if i were building for a customer or myself. Devil will be in the fine tuning of it, but with a little guidance it'll be one of the best car systems youve heard for your preffered music.