ICE Explain!!

[Clio1400]

Hi guys,

Ok... basic explaination needed really. Im really into home audio / AV installs, but have always been happy with the standard radio/cd player system in my cars.

Its not quite to do with the Clio, but I figure its generic to any car... so here goes!

I want to install a decent ICE system in my next car, which is likely to be a big solid Volvo 850 saloon (which has acres of room in the boot). I do not wish to go boy-racerish and be able to shake the ground 5 miles away, just be able to play music (a variety of!) loud, without it distorting... and some decent bass too.

What do i need? I have not much idea, Im thinking head unit, amp, different speakers to the OEM Volvo ones, a sub? and various wires etc...

No idea where to start, so any help is much appreciated!!! Oh, and budget is anything really, lol. Prob no more than £500 if thats possible, but cheaper if it is! I could go to a grand or more, but I want to do other stuff too...

help! what do i need? what would you go for?

oh, and if I went for an estate rather than a saloon, would that effect what I would need? different sound area etc???

you can tell i know nothing! enlighten me

 

[Djw John]

I would defo reccomend a sub, best thing you can do to improve sq. Then the best head unit (I like Alpine) and speakers and amp you can afford.

For the sub a VIBE active sub is very good for a nice simple install as the amp is part of the box.

 

[Lagerlout]

Yeah, best head unit you can get for the money. That said components are an excellent way of improving the soundstage (dont flame me if thats the wrong terminology!) and youll struggle to get a decent amp, head unit and speakers all for less than £500!!

 

[Clio1400]

Cheers guys,

In home AV setups, the best thing you can do is to add an active sub, so I figured thatd be a good start.

Im not sure if the standard Volvo speakers would be any good. The Volvo premium system is actually pretty good as standard...

Im confused with the need for an amp? whats the benifits of an external amp over the inbuilt HU one?

 

[DAVE_RSi]

Hed need external amp for the sub m8

basically decent HU £150-250 really
upgrades speakers prob £50-100ish
Sub and Amp, u could getin sumin fairly gd for £200
Wiring £20

so basically its looking like guna b about 500ish

get a nice HU with pre-outs so u can run RCA wires to the amp
ud prob want a 10" or 12" sub i would have thought, personally id go for a 12"

U can pick up sub and amp combo deals 4 quite gd prices, i take it ur not 2 bothered about makes and stuff really, just want sum quality at low price and a nice bit of bass

.Dave.

 

[h3lter]

kenwood do the mask for 110 now! and u cant complain at the stuff it does!

get a built in sub and amp! less room to take up in boot seein tho u dont want a complete install

components are a deffinate!

 

[spirez]

componenets and a vibe active sub i reckon. essexlad it comes with a built in amp on the box. sounds good as well, especially if you want an easyand smart looking solution

 

[Roamer]

ICE comes in cubes and coming from a little plastic tray in my freezer, no more explanation of ICE necessary

 

[chrisba]

For pure SQ try and stretch a bit and go for a proper SQ headunit like a Nakamichi. Can be expensive (£350 ish for the cheapest model) but will be outstanding sound quality. Then go for something like Diamond components. If your going for sound quality you need to spend that little bit extra to make the difference.

 

[chrisba]

If your after a bit of bass maybe think along the lines of a crystal 12" sub in a sealed enclosure again a pricey piece of kit but awesome SQ.