Date: Sat, 20 Jul 1996 10:42:49 +0000
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From: VWnut@smus.bc.ca
Subject: Re: Westie Audio Woe
> I thought I was prepared to install a nice CD changer/usual inputs
> audio system in my Vanagon Westie, when I discovered I was missing a
> couple pieces, so I visited a high-end auto audio business. Without
> going into the diatribe to which I was subjected, I can say there's a
> well developed body of information/folklore surrounding audio system
> component selection and installation. I'd be very interested to hear
> descriptions of speaker placements that others have found which image
> well and create a satisfactory "sound stage." Apparently the distance
> from each speaker used in a given channel to the driver's ears must be
> nearly identical to avoid screwing up that channel's phase
> relationshiops, unless you install a compensating phase shifter. That's
> where my speaker placement ideas failed to measure up to high-end
> standards and I'm not ready to spend the money required to buy an
> adjustable "phase shifter" to time-align unequally displaced speakers.
> Anyone who's solved this tough dog problem in a Westie or knows anyone
> I could call who has, please let me know.
I've installed 3 different decent quality CD changer setups in
various Jettas, which also have similar problems with front/rear
speaker - listener distances. I've also listened to several very high
end ($15k+) car audio installs (designed for quality, not thumping
bass), and always been surprised at how poor a $15k car audio system
sounds compared to a well chosen $5k home system.
Getting back to the speaker problem - my conclusion with the
different Jetta setups was that the most important difference in
overall sound was the *quality* of the speakers, not their placement.
The Boston Acoustics stock size speakers my Dad got last year sound
*far* better than the 'high end' Pioneer models in his old Jetta.
And the Bostons actually cost less than the Pioneer!
Personally, I don't expect a car system to come close to my home
setup, so I will likely opt for some Bostons in the Westy someday.
Spending much more money on car audio a waste in my opinion - you're talking
about a space with lousy acoustics, and 65-75dB ambient noise
afterall...
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