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...