Car stereo advice needed...

[WWC]

Hello hopefully somebody...

Bought an mk3 MR2 a few months ago and the stereo is awful.

Very cheap aftermarket head unit and, I assume, stock speakers.

Think I’ve found someone local who can fit a new set up if I buy it but what do I buy?

All my recent ‘proper cars’ have had Bose, B&W or B&G so not bothered upgrading.

There’s so much to choice!

The stock stereo was double din so options are vast.

I want a CD player, Bluetooth maybe DAB if a special aerial isn’t too expensive?

Remote control for the steering wheel would be a bonus.

Pioneer look good value, Sony too.

No idea which model though...

Then there’s speakers!

Any recommendations greatly received...

 

[mattr]

Where are you in the country?
You might have a local specialist who could help based on budget/needs/wants.
I know the first couple of times I needed to do it I got fairly good advice and a reasonable price (inc. Install in one case)

These days i know enough about what I'm looking for to DIY it. And it's mostly company cars!

 

[legrandefromage]

Is it a T-bar? If not the space behind the seats provides good spaces for compact subs (if not already factory fitted)

There used to be loads of stuff available about 15 years ago

as for head units, they are all pretty much of a muchness these days, most brand names use the same hardware too

the car is too compact to worry about steering wheel controls and besides these would have to be infrared rather than hardwired - the seating position means everything is to hand

Most BT stereos have big buttons for calls, just make sure the microphone is in the right place otherwise nobody will hear you

If the factory speakers 'sound' bad, their surrounds may have perished so will need replacing.

I cant remember much about mine as I was mostly enjoying ragging the tits off it.

still loads of speaker advice about on the internet

Re: DAB aerial, you will be best off either running one up the passenger side of the windscreen or by the back window, there are some very intrusive looking cheapies but so equally decent ones that dont cost much and wont obscure your view of the road.

You can also replace the existing factory one with a dual band jobbie but it may be difficult, the aerial is on the A-pillar?

 

[legrandefromage]

If you want to go mad

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Toyota-MR2-1 ... SwLIhZggRC

and a general search

https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from ... s&_sacat=0

I miss fitting this stuff!

 

[WWC]

Re:

Cheers dudes, swiftness and depth of reply really appreciated!

Will check out those links and maybe share some potential options!

Here’s the ‘beast’ btw...

 

[WWC]

Re:

P.s. what a reasonable quote for fitting head unit and speakers?

 

[legrandefromage]

oooh, a mk3, didnt have one of those but the aerial is easier to convert to DAB, its a straight swap (shiny laptop screen! missed the MK3 bit!)

As for fitting, I'm cheap!

a few hours work depending on what equipment you want could be £25 to £60 an hour

I'm powered by biscuits and tea.

OEM equipment may have had separate amplification and equalisation. The aftermarket headset may have just been wired in wrong missing half the factory amps and speakers

 

[My_Teenage_Self]

What's your aim, sound quality or volume, is bass important to you?

Honestly, I'd forget CD at this point and transfer your cds to a decent high quality digital format, a cheap usb stick and the you can have hundreds of albums at your fingertips. Flac audio has the same quality data as cds, and a decent MP3 copy will have indistinguishable difference.

What's your budget?

Either way, Pioneer, Alpine, Kenwood for the head unit (avoiding their cheapest models) and a decent set of 6.5" component speakers (helix, Morel, Hertz, JL, focal). An amp WILL get you better quality and volume.

If you want a nice all-round sound, you'll need a sub too, and as LGF said, an under seat sub can get you an alright bump. and a little sound deadening in the doors works more than you'd ever expect. Decent speaker mounting is underestimated, and you want them solidly fitted to as much mass as possible.

I wouldn't expect miracles without dropping at least £3-400 on the lot. if you want a good sound, double that.

I'm currently working my way through an install on my VW polo, and I'm aiming for quality sound - it's another wormhole entirely...

 

[WWC]

Re:

Hey buddy

Appreciate the input!

I digitised back in the early 00’s but my MacBook is now dead and all my iPods are no longer in service.

Moved to Spotify a few years ago but still like to grab a few CD’s off the wall every now and again hence the desire for a CD player.

Priority is a deep and rich enough sound to overcome come (as much as possible) the engine and wind noise.

Not looking for boom boom boom bass.

Budget is ideally a couple of hundred.

Car only owes me £2000 so not looking to invest mega bucks in the stereo.

Just better than what’s in there!

 

[My_Teenage_Self]

Have a think about second hand then.

As a minimum, I'd suggest a good head unit, you'll get much better VFM with a single din. An amp is crucial IMO. Anything over 2x35w RMS from a decent brand; alpine, kenwood, pioneer etc. and some budget components from a decent brand.

For your budget, you'll need to fit them yourself, and again, even the tiniest amount of SilentCoat around and behind the speaker will see massive benefits.

Where are you based?