9 replies to this topic

[bangermadness08]

Evening folks

A problem which I’m sure occurs each time but for me I have not got the foggiest of clues. I’m currently running
Pioneer feh 150mp 50w x4 power head unit, with
2 vibe slick 6inch 80 watt rms
2 4inch speakers

This sound is far from ideal often quiet and lacks any depth to the sound almost tinny. Is my head unit too low of power? I’m fairly sure I have all the speaker cables matching the relevant pos/neg but im so thick when it comes to car sound systems i have not a clue. I am on a budget but would expect a little oompah from them!!

Any tips/advice or help would be more than welcome! Or if anyone lives near littlehampton and would like beer tokens to help fix the issues!!

[IronmanG]

Traditionally head units on there own won't give enough power for a decent set of speakers. Are the 6s on the rear parcel shelf? Again you won't get huge amounts of bass from them. If I were you the most cost effective way of getting bass would be a box you can fit possibly thin enough to go under the seat that has its own amplifier within it. That way you won't need to crank up the 6s and 4s and overload them

[bangermadness08]

Ah yes should of said the speakers are up at the front the fours in the dash and the 6s under the lower dash
Traditionally head units on their own won't give enough power for a decent set of speakers. Are the 6s on the rear parcel shelf? Again you won't get huge amounts of bass from them. If I were you the most cost effective way of getting bass would be a box you can fit possibly thin enough to go under the seat that has its own amplifier within it. That way you won't need to crank up the 6s and 4s and overload them

[bangermadness08]

Ah yes should of said the speakers are up at the front the fours in the dash and the 6s under the lower dash

[IronmanG]

Ah ok so no rear speakers? I would move the 6s to the back and put a box under the seat. Depends on your budget really. I went with 10x 7s in the back with extra amp but it starts taking room in the boot. The boot is a really good space to help the speakers move more air so definitely fit the speakers in the back. Then by adding the box under your seat you get a load of feel. I'm not saying this is brilliant or anything but on a budget you will notice a big difference

https://www.halfords...wE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Edited by IronmanG, 25 June 2024 - 06:24 PM.

[bangermadness08]

And how did you connect the underseat speaker? RCA cables. My head unit is a non fancy pioneer one

Ah ok so no rear speakers? I would move the 6s to the back and put a box under the seat. Depends on your budget really. I went with 10x 7s in the back with extra amp but it starts taking room in the boot. The boot is a really good space to help the speakers move more air so definitely fit the speakers in the back. Then by adding the box under your seat you get a load of feel. I'm not saying this is brilliant or anything but on a budget you will notice a big difference

https://www.halfords...wE&gclsrc=aw.ds

[IronmanG]

Looks like you have 2 options. An rca cable, or you take a positive from a left and a positive from the right. As an active speaker it takes 2 positives I believe

Edited by IronmanG, 25 June 2024 - 07:01 PM.

[stuart bowes]

Don't forget it's not just wattage it's also ohms. That 4x50w might be for example the maximum rating at 8ohms but your speakers might be for example 16ohm in which case you've halved the output capability of the head unit

Getting the right ohm rating speakers in that case would make some difference

But at the end of the day if what you're missing is 'kick' you won't get that from 6" speakers whatever you do with them, what you want is bigger diameter and ideally powered through an external amp

I'll be putting 6x9s in the back of mine and possibly a little amp under the back shelf to run them but even still it'll only ever be a little easy listening setup.

For a proper kick you can feel the only real solution is a subwoofer, ideally anything 12" and up but the question is where to put it. You have to get a bit creative in a mini

Edited by stuart bowes, 25 June 2024 - 08:00 PM.

[roblightbody]

I only have a 2 speaker rear shelf setup, no separate amp but a good head unit and good speakers. I think it sounds absolutely lovely, not far off a modern car in fact, until, that is, you start the engine and start moving! The bass seems to just evaporate and really high volumes (far higher than in a modern car) are required to hear properly. Combination of noise, vibration and rattles. I'm happy with it like that, as I can swap to my modern for hifi sounds on the move

[slidehammer]

I am sure the 4 x 50 watts quoted for the head unit will be music power not 50 watts RMS to get real power you need a separate amp getting it's signal from the RCA sockets on the back of the head unit. The thing is with a Mini they are noisy cars and trying to drown that out with music is a very difficult task.

I think the best thing is to enjoy the car for what it is and accept the music will take second place by a long way.

I have a decent set up in my MG TF but it is fine parked on the drive or at moderate speeds but as soon as you have to compete with wind noise you are wasting your time.