24 replies to this topic

[bcjames]

I've changed standard speakers before on the standard wiring, can't see a reason to upgrade the wires, unless you are spending more on the speakers perhaps?

That's how I was looking at it. While it's an upgrade I'm not going for out and out sound quality, just better than what Rover saw fit to provide us with

[Ruckus]

I've changed standard speakers before on the standard wiring, can't see a reason to upgrade the wires, unless you are spending more on the speakers perhaps?

Ok well as you are using an after market headunit I would guess that it produces more power per-channel than the standard headunit.

Which will mean more current is going down the cables to the speakers. The standard wiring was not designed to handle this extra current.
stock Head unit something like 4 to 8 watts RMS (yes really that low)
Most good after market units with a built in amp will claim to do 50watts but this is most likely in RMS going to be no more than 15watts.

But that is at least double the power the stock cabling was design to take. And belive me Rover did EVERYTHING as tight/cheap as possible with the electrics in all there cars.

So want will happen?
At worst is the cable will heat up and might melt and short out!
But what will happen for sure is that the small gauge cable will create extra load and sap power from your headunits already small amp, ergo it will affect sound quality and volume.

I wish I could hear them, £50 is a lot to fork out on an internet description.

Yes its best really to hear speakers before purchase.. do you have any local Car Audio places other than halfords?

What do you have in your parcel shelf Ruckus?

Big Holes.

Edited by Ruckus, 06 September 2011 - 02:05 PM.

[Ruckus]

opps

Edited by Ruckus, 06 September 2011 - 02:04 PM.

[DaveJH]

Big Holes.

Haha, is that so you can hear all the gear you have in the boot better? I'm thinking seriously about this Alpine set after reading some glowing reviews, I just wonder where I can get grills for them as they don't ship with any!

What would you say we should do with our wires then? What type of wire should we use instead?

[Ruckus]

Yes I have my sub in the boot, and the basic point that speakers have no place behind you if your trying to get anything close to how music was recorded.
The build thread for my latest mini is here: http://www.theminifo...howtopic=187782

From a headunit anything over 18/16awg will be fine. Any car place should stock it in small rolls.

or buy it by the meter.
http://www.caraudiod...aker-cable.html

[DaveJH]

Obviously I have read that thread many times, there isn't much I don't drool over inside your mini! Love the alacantra.

Just talked to a mate of mine who's into his cars as well, he says he has some good Bose ones he took out of an Audi that I can have, I'll see how good they are but I expect they are more expensive than I was going to spend. Luckily, he's a VERY good friend, he said I can have them free

[bcjames]

From a headunit anything over 18/16awg will be fine. Any car place should stock it in small rolls.

Given the small cost of upgrading using the cable you linked to, that's good to know!

[DaveJH]

Yep, thanks for the information. Shows how much I (don't) know.

[Ruckus]

Mmm be carefull, they will be part of a complete system. Therefore they might be designed as part of a component set and might be a funny load.
The harman kardon speakers i took out of my BMW were a 3ohm load (not 4) and are all component with no crossovers...

[DaveJH]

Hmm. I'll see what he's got.