Need recommendation/advice for CarAudio system V2

As we all know that the majority of our ICE market/exposure in Malaysia is very shallow, and often results in really bad cut-throat incidents, or many unsatisfied installations;This thread serves as a Q&A section for all new/existing ICErs seeking advice on their ICE'ing journey.

The "rules" are simple:
no flaming/bashing and try not to spam (posting irrelevant post).
You may ask us any ICE related question, and we will gladly assist you. Don't be shy regardless of "noob questions"!
Do note that it is also best to refer to this first post before proceeding as your questions may have been answered already and that will save us all a lot of time

When asking, please remember to STATE YOUR BUDGET.
Better if you give exact numbers (or range, eg: rm1000-rm2000)
"not so expensive la" is not considered a budget

also do state clearly if you're willing to buy used items/equipment (be it 2nd/3rd hand and so forth) and if you're able/willing to DIY

that GREATLY reduces your cost and could most likely allow you to go for decent/good reputable brands while spending around the price point of non-reputable brand (chicken/duck/cow brands)

Other info such as the following will also be helpful to get faster and more accurate responses:
- Your ride (Proton saga, perodua myvi etc)
- Prefer SQ/SPL/SQL (SQ being sound quality, SPL being sound pressure level, and lastly SQL being a mix of both SQ/SPL)
- File format/medium used in your source (flac, mp3 or ipod/CD/USB etc)
- Genre of music you listen to (classical, jazz, metal, etc)
- Setup type preferences (3 way, 2 way, active or passive etc)
- Other requirements (if any) (want to retain steering controls/original HU, new car dont want to void warranty, need to entertain rear passengers as well etc)

...or you can just copy and paste the following format when posting:


Do note that while it is not required for you to follow the above format, and you can ask pretty much ANY questions pertaining to ICE in this thread, (eg: "is focal a good brand?") it is recommended for new ICErs to follow the format so that the veterans can easily assist/answer your inquiries

Best of luck on your ICE'ing!

Useful links:


Previous threads for reference:
http://forum.lowyat.net/topic/184622

Some audio terms used in this thread and their meaning:

SQ/SPL/SQL:
Sound Quality/Sound pressure Level/Mix of both

Sound quality setups emphasizes with sound quality and typically do not emphasize much on bass reproduction/"blasting" music.

Sound pressure level setups on the other hand, as the name may implies: sound volume/decibels is the utmost priority, typically associated to bass reproduction/"blasting" music, cars that you can hear thumping as they close in.

SQL is merely a mix of both, wanting the best of both worlds.


Source/Reference links:
http://bcae1.com/ (do read up if you have the time)

Note: If there's anything you think I should add, send me a PM.
sifu maybe can start pm me what general FAQ you'd like posted on first page so no need to keep answering the same Q's over and over again

Contributions:
- MrJinggles & mADmAN from the Audiophile Sub-forum for first post layout/template

This post has been edited by Quazacolt: Nov 19 2012, 05:40 PM

reserved

You know anyone with the utopia setup that's willing to TT?

Ok la poor fags don't get to audition Lo

so nice can provide audition? demo unit or something?
where you did your installation btw?

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Added on April 4, 2012, 10:32 pmTechnically you "cant" upgrade out of a utopia BE right? since you know, focal flagship and all, and cost in the 5 digits for just the component set alone.

This post has been edited by Quazacolt: Apr 4 2012, 10:32 PM

tired to keep walkin' man

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Added on April 4, 2012, 10:50 pmto be honest, zero. hell, not just the utopia line, i dont even know ANYONE who has focal brand in their cars lol.

this brand is just totally dark for me which is something i'd like to shed some light on

This post has been edited by Quazacolt: Apr 4 2012, 10:50 PM

haha i see, thanks for the infos.
and thats what i am aiming for, shoot for the good stuffs so i wont have the constant urge/need to upgrade

same reasons why i spent quite a lot for my first ICE going with reputable brands instead of chicken brands and i really hope the rest of the newbies venturing into this can see why.

for HU and requiring dvd (viewing videos and double din HU i assume?) you will need at least rm3-4k++ for a good pioneer/alpine. Else i would suggest just sticking with single din and skip DVD/video.

Also for immediate improvements, typically doing with a good entry-mid range component set would be ideal. your budget should be enough to cover that requirement easily. though most mid range component sets could cost around/more than RM2k and beyond

btw, ICE (in car entertainment), not sure what you meant by IEC, i would assume its ICE

for reputable brand, 2k can be a bit difficult.

3k on the other hand you can most likely get the most basic entry level
eg: boston acoustics lowest level/basic 4 channel + woofer is already ~2k, without box/installation/cabling and typically monoblocks are more expensive than 4channels

if you're not aiming for reputable brands (chicken brand, maybe "local reputable brand", or i guess in house brands?) then shouldnt be a problem

bluetooth, EQ tuning, usb etc (features, basically. lol.)

SQ shouldnt be the highest concern when it comes to picking an entry level HU, besides, its kind of a toss up between alpine pioneer and its really up to preference.

if you can audit, go ahead, else, probably just go for features/looks/design when it comes to selecting HU especially an entry level one

it would be biased to my own experience and preference and that wouldn't be nice

myself and other members has made common recommendations time to time and i believe that would be enough

problem: he mentioned that its not dynamat, its "dayana"

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Added on April 14, 2012, 7:33 pmLOL i had that experience before also, i just laugh at them from the inside

for the IEM/headphone segment: its like the beats spenders vs your typical audiophile brands, except the beats guys spend MORE than your typical brand (unless you're talking bout the highend/flagship lineups) LOL!

This post has been edited by Quazacolt: Apr 14 2012, 07:33 PM

none of the package you mentioned. however if you cant stretch your budget, or willing to do it stage by stage/used equipment, then do as you like.

This post has been edited by Quazacolt: Apr 14 2012, 09:56 PM

chicken brand, so for my opinion, personally i wont go for any of the listed packages, i would save more. however its your money so if you dont want to spend more for reputable brands, then by all means go ahead.

no idea.

however a better alternative i would suggest is a good single din HU, and use AUX in to the HU and you can still use your android phone/tablet to control.

rm500 for amp you will most likely get chicken brands. even reputable branded used amps i am not sure you can get for rm500.

it's your money, your choice

can't comment since i never used (and never will) chicken brands. their clarity/accuracy is enough of a turn off for me to go for them

AFAIK soundstream/etone arent chicken, though AFAIK soundstream are more into amps, and etone kinda have a niche market.

alpine/pioneer are pretty much HU/processors only. their low end speakers are a lost cause and their high ends (like the discontinued alpine F#1) are not worth it

JL Audio subs are among the more popular subwoofers for SQ folks. So yeah, with a well made sealed box, they can do SQ setups pretty well.