Where's the bass ?

[DavidA]

I've just bought a cheap 306 Meridian Diesel to cover my 600 miles of commuting each week, and I'm dumbstruck by how poor the bass is through the standard speakers - my Mondeo estate in comparison is fantastic.

Kicking around in the garage/at my parents are a couple of Phoenix Gold 12" subs, 4 channel PG amp and some Polk 6.5" component speakers that I had in my old-man-beige Rover 400 back in the very late 90s. I'm assuming that it would all still work - it's not been in a car for about 11 or 12 years.

Are PG and Polk still available in the UK or am I better starting again from scratch and what would people recommend - it's only a cheap car so I don't want to spend a fortune if I can help it, but I spend 3 hours a day in the car so I want to be able to hear the music - whatever it is that I am listening to at the time whether drum & bass or Radio 2...

[DeeTurbo]

I would say stick all your old kit back in your 306.

I replaced the standard system near enough straight away 14 years ago.

[DavidA]

Sounds like a plan, and it's a shame to have all the kit lying around unused.

Is there anything else I'm going to need aside from a wiring kit ? I've got the front components and subs (may only use one so I can run it all off the one amp) and the 4 channel amp. Not bothered with rear fill as it's usually only me in the car - unless my 5 year old is riding shotgun. I've got a Longmill crossover that was in my brother's Nova too.

Head unit is a Sony with pre-outs.

Anything missing ?

[DeeTurbo]

You might need the little aerial converter and some speaker wire.

I would also recommend a stage one remap from one of the tunners on the site. The car drives so much nicer with it and you get slightly more MPG if you drive sensibly.

[Kwik]

I would stick that kit in but even after that mid bass response is shocking until you sound proof. Would put a few small butyl tiles on outer skin to stop ringing. Some vinyl to cover holes on inner skin and then butyl the inner skin. Also you'll need some auto leads ring spacers and a Peugeot plug adaptor.

[DavidA]

Can always do with more mpg covering the mileage I do so a remap makes sense.

[DavidA]

I've now got my Polk speakers (although I can't find the crossovers and tweeters as yet) but after a trial fit the doors are going to need a little surgery to allow them to fit. Is this worthwhile or would I be better off - and get a similar sound - by getting something like the FLI speakers that you can get and which drop straight in ? I've still got the subs and amp to fill the empty space in the boot...

[Kwik]

spacer rings to get extra depth and you probably have to cut door card to fit magnets in

[DavidA]

Thanks Kwik, Bass Junkies is a blast from the past...not heard the name since I used to read Max Power !

[Kwik]

Yup they still about which is good for us lol

[DavidA]

How much modification is it safe to carry out on the door panel ?

[Kwik]

Yea depending on how big the magnets on your polks are may need to take out a layer on the card

[DavidA]

On the trial fit last night it appeared the plastic basket was intruding on the speaker. Can this be trimmed without weakening the door card ?

[Kwik]

Yea but only cut as much as needed or it won't re-attach by the screws which will make the speaker unstable which will destroy the mid bass your trying to improve

[DavidA]

Ok, cheers. I guess I'm better waiting until I've found the tweeters otherwise I'm going to lose all my top end too..