C4 Jbl System

[skaramanga]

I would love to know exactly what way the jbl system is connected up. Can't seem to find any info/instructions on it anywhere. Recommended upgrades etc would be great too. The user manual that came with the car doesn't give any information worth talking about. :D

[wozza]

Not sure on the way its connected but i would guess headunit goes to amp then amp powers the speakers not sure if the sub is powered from the amp or if its an active sub with a built in amp. I would need to get a look at one and have a play with it.

 

Upgrade wise can start by changing the front speakers for some new components there 17cm components in the front and changing to some better speakers may help. Or putting some sound proofing in the door as most people with the JBL thing say they get too many rattles with it at any half decent volume.

 

Just depends how much you want to spend on an upgrade.

[skaramanga]

Thanks for the info wozza!

 

Hopefully I can get a look at the amp under the seat (if thats where it is), and get the door panels off to see what the speakers are like.

 

If the head unit was changed, would it still use the amp or would it be better to power the speakers from the built in amp on the head unit?

 

Cheers

[wozza]

Its always better to use an external amp as the headunit amps usually are a max of 60w thats not RMS most of them have about 25w x 4 RMS. RMS is the value you want to look at not the max figures.

 

Amp under the door may still be suitable depends on the inputs.

 

Think the door speakrs are JBL but they are likely to be budget ones. The JBL system is good as an all in 1 system but sub amp and uprated speakers for £300 or so they really do have to be budget versions.

 

Keep in mind changing the headunit if you have the cd changer it might not work depends on headunit and even then just getting the same make can still sometimes not work as there often designed to interface with the factory systems only. But after market changers are fairly cheap to be fair. Alpines MP3 6 disc changer is £160 at retail prices and you can get it cheaper with a bit of haggling usually so if you go into a shop to buy a headunit etc haggle with them. And dont buy from Halfords whatever you do.

[skaramanga]

Thanks for all your help wozza.

 

I might find out about just replacing the front door speakers for now. As for the head unit, luckily I don't have the CD changer, should make it easier to change it if I go ahead with that.

 

Thanks :D

[idlerobbo]

Be sure to let us know what you buy...

 

im thinking of buing some new speakers with the same setup as you have...

[wozza]

How much you wanting to spend as I would recommend the Rainbow speakers. Brilliant SQ for the money and plenty loud enough should you want them to be.

 

The sub £100 speakers are possibly the best speakers under £100 money can buy. And the £170 ones are great as well. Its after that the prices start jumping but there one of the best manufacturers around. You also have DLS, RE and infinity. All make very nice speakers most have some more budget type speakers as well which will be much better than the JBL's currently in the car.