Need for a Stealth Shelf

[djc123]

Hi guys, new to the forum. Looks amazing!!

I have recently got a 1.1 Ski. Not the sportiest model or anything. Im not after big mods to it. At the moment im just looking at ICE but you never know, i may get drawn into it more :)

Im wanting to replace the front speakers with nicer ones. Possibly with Sony XS-F1331's. I cant see any problem in doing that.

But im also wanting to add some 6x9's into the rear parcel shelf. Ive had a look at the Sony XS-F6931R's, they seem alright.

Quite a lot of threads here mention using a stealth shelf though? Is its only advantage just being a bit heavier to provide better acoustics? Im not sure whether i want to purchase one or not if i can achieve the same effect with the standard one and adding some wood underneath it.

Thanks for the help guys!

[Chris S]

i think most people on this forum would not recommend getting 6x9's at all and just getting really good door speakers - as music sounds better coming from infront of you, not behind.
I have 6x9's in my car, came as standard. If youre adamant on getting 6x9's, make sure the shelf is really solid, plywood etc. Steath shelf's also hide the speakers of course, making sure dirty chav scum wont try and rob em! :)

[djc123]

Hahha fair shout! I guess i could just get front speakers, but that means wiring the amp for it too.

I think its one of those things i want to try out!

Actually on the audio note... The tiny dash area just below the right hand side air vent, i noticed it has what appears to be a 1/4" audio jack. Has anyone else seen this before? Thought it was quite a random thing to see.

thanks.

[hartmj]

Welcome to the forum :D Yea hell no 6x9s mate, all you need is a decent set of comps and a sub and try and steer clear of sony aswell most of it is crap unless you spend loads of money
Matt

[Fuzzy Orange]

That audio jack connection thing will actually most likely be an immobiliser mate

[djc123]

Ah okay, would you be able to recommend any component speakers. Not really sure what my price range is. But i guess if its worth paying the extra dolla, its worth it in the long run.

If i can get the front speakers sorted out i'll be alright. I'll be able to do the amp & sub when i've got some spare time (i.e. after exams etc)

cheers matt!

[hartmj]

Well id spend around £200 on the comps, ask Luke at Plush automotive, hes a member on here hes a top bloke, he'll steer u in the right direction, got his own company doing car audio, he sorted my sounds out and, WOW! thats all i will say :D http://www.106owners.co.uk/forums/member.php?u=36
Matt

[Edamski]

i had some vibe's in my 1.1 and i must say i had no complaints from them, but with audio you useually get what you pay for. From what ive heard aswell sony isn't upto much, head units seem ok though actually

[djc123]

Had a bit of an update. I was going to buy some speakers off www.alphacaraudio.co.uk (http://www.106owners.co.uk/forums/www.alphacaraudio.co.uk) but as i was filling out the details i noticed it didnt have the https (secure) in the address bar, made me slightly weary. Seems like an alright site. Has anyone got past experience of this site?

Anyway, the two speakers i was thinking about getting were:

Infinity Kappa 52.5i (http://www.alphacaraudio.co.uk/ViewProdDetails.asp?prod_code=414&Prod_name=Infinity+Kappa+52%2E5i+13cm+165watts&CAT_CODE=31&SUBCAT_CODE=67) £59.99
- Attracted to them by the half price thing (RRP £119.99)

Vibe SA 50 (http://www.alphacaraudio.co.uk/ViewProdDetails.asp?prod_code=1889&Prod_name=Vibe+SA50+%2D+13cm+components&CAT_CODE=31&SUBCAT_CODE=67) £49.99
- Attracted to these by recommendations and good value


Im still leaning towards the Vibes. Whats everyone elses stand on this?

[Edamski]

i cant remeber what my vibes where called, the ones with the silver and black weave cone, almost like carbon fibre, cost me £70 from halfords 90W RMS components, i loved em. i had a stelth shelf in mine and it saved my whole system when my car got broken into, coz my head unit looked like a tape player and looked like there was no 6x9's in the back

[Chris S]

ive got vibe 6x9's in my car, theyre shite tbh, the actually components inside are solid as hell but the speaker cones are low quality. i dont know about door speakers though.
i would take em out but it leaves two gaping hopes in my shelf :(

[djc123]

Cheers guys!

Im leaning towards the vibes. Im not entirely sure about the infinitys. And when it comes down to it, im not a real audiophile. I just want something 'better' - not 'the best'.

Shall be buying myself some of those babies tommorow i reckon! Fingers crossed i can install them myself easilly enough!

I'll just leave it there, see how it all goes. Maybe post some pics, depends how happy im feeling!

[*l3ah06*]

in view u cant go wrong with infinity, and the kappa range has just come out (ish). Have a look on flea bay though, i've just bought some infinity comps from there for 42 quid. The infinity reference and kappa speakers give the same watts and reference are cheaper, have a look. The only problem i've heard about them is the bass is a bit crap at low volumes. I'll never have that problem tho :)

[*l3ah06*]

oh, and a stealth shelf is a really good investment, its really nice n secure n i got mine with pre cut holes in so no messin about!! it can seem like a lot of money, just depends how long you're gonna keep your car for.

[djc123]

Alrite guys, last week my vibes turned up. Nice and easy install. They sound great!!!

On a side note now... my head unit says 4x35W but I'm only using 2 of those. Is there some way i could 'bridge' the outputs together to get 2x70W? just connect the outputs together or something? Or is that totally not going to work?

cheers guys.

[mechsman]

You could bridge them but I would check first that the amp in the head unit will take kindly to being bridged. If not it will fry pretty quickly.

Alternative is do the bridge and then see if the head unit fires up :D (note: this approach is strictly for some1 who isn't bothered if they kill the head unit :D)

[djc123]

Hahah, well im not too sure about putting it to the frying test. Its some dension thing, 40gig disk in it. I'll try and do some searching around on the net for what amp is in there.