Hi Max. I've not gone too mad with the system in my BX, as I've tried to install systems that are "appropriate" IYSWIM, and as my BX is an 87, it did well to get a CD headunitmaxgreenwood wrote:yeah i want to get a decent sound set up in mine, nothing too fancy, the doors might need some deadening reinforcement for anything speaker wise from the side, which i'd prefer as opposed to the parcel shelf route, although i've never heard that set up, I'd prefer some stereo image to extend down beyond tweeter range. I got some great mid and tweeter speakers for the Saab, they all go in the top of the dash, although it really needs some kind of sub under the seat or something as the dash holes are only 4", and the bass is, well.. i think my imagination is working hard.
The 2 CX's have appropriate systems for their age too, but the XM is the one with the fairly serious system in it, and I've learned a few things along the way, some of which will apply even more to the BX.Dash tweeters - definitely. Some people put 2 or 3 way 6x9's on the parcel shelf, and expect that will be ok. It isn't, as by the time the treble gets to your ears it is muddied by everything else going on.
Door speakers - the best way is to get a component system with matched tweeter/woofer. A real crossover is much better than the cheap serial electrolytic to strip the bass way of doing things.
Rear speakers - the tiny grilles on some BX's are too small for anything useful. Parcel shelf is the way to go, in my case a pair of 6" 2 way coaxials. They make a lot of difference.
Amp - if you're going down the road of having something semi-serious, I'd get an amp that will do 4 channels and has a filter to strip the bass from the other speakers - especially the door speakers. This will help preserve the stereo down below tweeters by stopping the bass flapping them around and making the doors buzz and fart. As you said, some deadening in the doors is essential - they drum like crazy.
Sub - no need to have some huge chav monstrosity shaking your kidneys loose (unless that's your thing...
). Blaupunkt do some lovely small active subs that have a good reinforcing sound, plenty of controls for level, phase and cutoff to get everything in the system in tune. They won't fill the boot or empty your wallet. If you are going to have quite a big system I can't recommend a power cap highly enough. It tightens the bass no end, whilst smoothing things out for the battery. Well worth the £30ish (though you can spend mental money, if you want.. )
I hope some of my rambling helps
... does everything jobbie. I bought this because of the timeless, classy design. I think Alpines look good, without being to 'blingy' and flashing.
