Newbie with 190E car audio question

[106diablogti]

Hi there thought I would introduce myself, my names Rich & Im a proud owner of a merc 190E 1.8.

I want to install an SQ system in to my car but need some advice on installation.

With regards to sound deadening, will I need to do the interior, doors & boot or does the interior cope well with resonance?

The main problem is I notice the speakers are in the dass board rather than the door cards. I want to install 6.5 inch component speakers, are there any easy fixs to get around this ie door cards off a different version which will fit and allow this size? Has anyone got any pictures please?

The system will consist of a component set run actively at the front and a sub in the boot.

Do you think this set-up will produce a good sound image?

[aka$h]

I had a 190E a few years ago, spent around $ grand on an install, still wasnt happy with it, so I gave up. The car is not the right car to install a sound system into. Accoustics are really bad.
If you must, you will have to get some door pods made for the front door (there were not 190E's wth door speakers. If you go down this route think about a 3 ways front end, as the dash will take a set of 4" mids easily.
As for bass, this is where is gets even worse, the car has a vertical fuel tank between the rear seat and the boot. So the passanger compartment and the boot do not share the same air space. This means for you that, when you play a sub the boot lid will rattle even after soundproofing, but the results in the car will be very dissapointing. The only way i managed to overcome this was by using a band-pass enclosure with the port firing through the back shelf, by removing the first aid kit.

If you need any more halp feel free to send me a pm.

[pluggers]

Do they still do subs that fit under the seats.I used to have one years ago and have still got it.Not very powerful but still gives you that intestine curdling feel under your backside.

[fuzzer]

Do they still do subs that fit under the seats.I used to have one years ago and have still got it.Not very powerful but still gives you that intestine curdling feel under your backside.


yes , the harman kardon systems ive seen have all had subs under the front seats :)

[Will]

106 Diablo,

Do a google for audioscape. They make custom door pods for a 190E that fit where the door pockets currently are. IIRC this will take a 6.5" woofer, and as Akash mentioned, there is a 4" aperture in the top of the dash for mids. You can mount the tweeters pretty much where you would like them!

190E's are pretty well sound-deadened for most people, but it depends what you are looking for I suppose. The boot is not good, however.

Again, as already mentioned, they first aid kit can be removed, but it is not an easy car to bring low-frequency sound from the rear to the front.

Routing of cables is quite easy though, nice trunking in the floor, and a handy grommet near the battery on the passenger side firewall.

Best to take the front/rear seats out to install the equipment - takes about 20 minutes and saves hours of messing around!


Good Luck,

Will

[106diablogti]

Thanks for the replies,

The audioscape door cards I have already look at, thing is they are only for electric window versions. As I have manual windows they won't fit, accoustically do you think it will sound better than my previous car a series 1 renalut clio lol

I guess I will have to source a second set of door cards and build the pods myself. How much do you think 2nd hand ones should cost and where can I source them from?

Thanks

Rich

[106diablogti]

Has anyone got any pictures of custom builds on 190E door cards?

[Shude]

...thing is they are only for electric window versions. As I have manual windows they won't fit...
Two birds, one stone? :) Upgrade your windows at the same time! :)

[jaymanek]

you can buy electric window conversion kits from euro car parts, about 100-120 quid

[Will]

Hmm...I've got a set of 190E doors in the garage. Came off a cosworth model, and I have the electric window motors and door cards too.
My door cards are black, but a friend of mine is breaking a 190E with electric front windows, and has a grey interior.

Could be a good mod!

Willl

[106diablogti]

Hi Will, Im after black door cards so the cosworth ones would be ideal, have you got any pictures & how much do you want for the front ones? How easy would it be to wire them up?

[Will]

Hi 106,

I'll have to check them out to see what sort of condition they are in - no pictures at the moment.

What do you mean about wiring them up? There are no wires in the door cards at all, or do you mean the electric windows?

Cheers,

Will

[bazza]

I have a set of audioscape doorpods for the 190 I might be selling
;)

Bazza

[106diablogti]

How much do you want for them Bazza & what condition are they in?

[106diablogti]

Will,

I meant the wiring of the electric windows? I assume I need to get the switchs and wiring associated with the electric windows?

[106diablogti]

bump :rolleyes:

[stwat]

You will also need the centre console(around the gear selecter)with the window switches. I think the wireing should be there already.

[Cossie 2.5]

Hi 106..
I've had a couple of 190s with systems in them and currently I've an on going project in my 190 Cosworth.... what's been said is true... You HAVE to build door pods for the front to get any decent sound up there and I would highly recommend that you dynamat inside the front doors... a couple of cans is the easy way to do it of the spray on type. You say you want a SQ system so placing 4inch speakers in the dashboard is a waste of time, all it will do is mess up the sound stage and imaging. I have found that with good tweeters they work well in the dash board as the sound reflects off the windscreen nicely but you'll have to try it and see. I had some door pods made for me by Huets Car audio in Brighton and they are superb but pricey, if you have the time and tools (and the skill) then I'd recommend you do it yourself. The sub is a problem because of the fule tank but the only way to combat that is to port it through the rear shelf and get it as big as you can! I placed dynamat in the boot (all round) and it is fine, the sound is now not louder out of the car!! The number plate needs to be sorted (to stop rattleing) but that's easy.
I've tried having rear fill speakers but they were a complete waste of time... all they did was block two holes in the shelf that the bass could've come through! Concentrate on the front sound stage and the bass will simply fill in the gaps, I've done it and it works. After all it is a SQ setup you want after all. In my car I get to listen to the music, not the people on the side of the road! Oh, and you definately need at least 6.5" up front, if you can afford it (and the amps) then get a three way system up front. I think they are great cars for a system... let me know how you get on. (I've no pics of the door pods I'm afraid but I'll see if I can get some).

[V12]

I could write essays about systems in 190's...
And the acoustics of them.

If you have msn messenger add me : ricky@mercman.net and we'll chat...

[106diablogti]

Thanks for that reply.

My current system comprises of

Alpine 7894RB
Alpine 634 mp3 6 disk changer
CDT 3 Ways cl641
Genesis Profile Ultra 4
Jl 500/1
RE SE 10 v4

Im not sure where to mount the tweeters, should I put them in the door with the 6.5inch mid bass drivers (Im making custom door pods) and put the 4 inch mid range in the dash where the original one was? Or should I put the tweeters up on the dash with the 4 inch?

Im considering buying a dynamat Extreme bulk pack, should I do this and do the whole car?

Cheers

Rich

[V12]

What kind of sound do you like? As a general rule, tweeters aimed at the screen will disperse the sound and it will sound very laid back, putting tweeters on the dash aiming straight at you will be more detailed and controlled, but personally gives me a headache set-up like this.

Putting them in door pods/tweets, gives it a very low sound stage and i didnt like them there, so easily blocked by legs etc

My preference is on the dash at the screen, but i would say try it in different places, with some bluetack or something and see what u prefer...

Dynamat extreme is good stuff if a little pricey for what it is.
The actual cabin floor etc is deadened well, but the boot needs sound deadening and if you have speakers in the front doors, do them too...

The RE SE is very capable for an entry level sub (i ran a 12" V1 for a while) but may get lost unless you build it firing straight through the rear shelf...

[106diablogti]

Thankyou for your response.

I was thinking of putting the tweeters and mids in the dash as the current coxials seem to produce good imaging from there. Do you have any other sound deadening products in mind which would be up to the job then? The only reason I chose Dynamat Extreme was due to its quality and reputation.

Im looking for a very laid back warm sound, tweeters not giving me a headache lol. Nice extremely clean sound with plenty of reponse.

The RE SE isn't really an entry level sub retailing at £240 (good all round sq / spl and rated highly at the talk audio website). I must admit I would of prefered something a little more sq but it should be up to the job. I was looking at other subs ie Phase Linear ALIANTE 12Si but Im not sure it would have enough presense with the current boot format and bass venting issues.

[V12]

That's what i would personally do.
Ask around the talkaudio forum about bodyline sound deadening, almost as good for a fraction of the price...obviously not as cheap as marley flashing tape.

Wasn't meaning to offend, but the SE was the entry level sub when i bought it, i know they have released the 'RE' line since. I agree the SE is a very capable sub.

I run a XXX at the moment and couldn't be happier. but do have a HC15 sitting here ready to take over.

Good Luck.

[106diablogti]

Sorry if I gave the impression I was offended, I wasn't. I tried bodyline stuff before in my Clio and it did a good job. Not sure its on par with Dynamat Extreme though.

[V12]

I would agree it is not quite as good as dynamat extreme, but i doubt you will notice a difference overall, and your wallet will certainly be happier!!! If you are not satisfied, you could apply a few layers for the same price...