3200 extended audio build

[Almichie]

I have been very impressed with my 3200 in the short time I've owned it. And the more I drive it the more I enjoy it. But the audio system is shocking at best. I have no idea what Maserati thought when designing the system but sound was not one of them.

In an attempt to make the best of what was there I fitted a better head unit. This actually made very little difference which was a great surprise, meaning it is the speakers that are the bad link in this system. So I fitted Hertz components in the front, 5x7 Hertz co-axial speakers in the rear door cards and disconnected the parcel shelf. This made an improvement in clarity and with the engine off made a big difference in overall frequency response. But with the engine running a lot of the lower frequencies are lost.

I began to look into the options;

1, fit an all in one subwoofer with built in amp
2, build a subwoofer into the near side alcove
3, build a subwoofer into the wheel well
4, do nothing

I tried to live with 4, but on longer journeys I struggled even with the V8 burble. I love the space of the boot so didn't want to loose that and the largest speaker that would fit in the alcove is 6".

This is my solution;

It's not wired up yet so I can't tell you how it sounds but it can't be any worse than it is now! The front speakers and sub will be powered from the amplifier, and should make a marked improvement from past experience. I hope this inspires someone else as it really wasn't that difficult to make/fit.

Al

 

[alfatwo]

Alm,your audio stuff look's fantastic..wasted on an old bugger like me I'm afraid
the old Becker in my 3200 is fine on Radio 2..

Dave

 

[beau]

looks good, i hope it will be bassy enough though, the boot is well insulated from the cabin.

mine has sub & amp in the boot, iv just bought some hertz front speakers to replace the blown vibe ones currently fitted.

 

[Almichie]

We'll see about its ability to penetrate through the fuel tank and bulkhead, all being well it should improve the sound somewhat. If not I'll look into other options!

 

[MAF260]

What size sub is that? Looks like quite a small diameter.

 

[Almichie]

It is, I actually had everything so I chose to use it all rather than buying new.

The sub is a JL Audio 8w3. It's 8", uses a very compact enclosure. If it isn't enough I'll build a ported enclosure rather than sealed, but IMO sealed gives much cleaner sound, the ported sub enclosures can sound a little wolly!

 

[alfatwo]

To be honest guys as long as my the old Becker blast's out Donna Summer 70's disco, I'm in heaven

 

[adam01]

To be honest guys as long as my the old Becker blast's out Donna Summer 70's disco, I'm in heaven

your unit has a cassette player?

 

[phrozen]

Quick question...what did you do to the threaded pole thats in that space (to lock the spare in place)??

I just got the boot apart on mine to get a sealed 12 installed...had it in the 4200 and it sounded lovely! Having the battery in the boot is a God send

phrozen

 

[NickP]

No pole in the boot of a 3200 unless they did a dodgy bit of building work and you need to dump them off somewhere.

 

[NickP]

Personally I would have gone with a bigger sub and shoved the amp in the recess in the boot opposite the battery. Low frequencies should make it through to the cabin but may cause resonance of things in the rear of your car, a simple solution might be to remove the rear parcel shelf speakers completely to create 2 (6 x 9) ports?

 

[MAF260]

The spare wheel well is a great place for a sub, especially for a 4200/GS where the odd-shaped space isn't very useful. I have a custom built enclosure that fits the spare wheel well, with the sub firing up from the boot floor. I can throw anything in the boot without worrying about damaging the sub as it's covered with a grille and then acoustic carpet. The amp is mounted on the back wall of the boot, effectively against the petrol tank. There's no compromise on boot space and the full width is still usable.

 

[NickP]

What size amp and sub do you have Maf?

 

[MAF260]

I'll dig out the full details, Nick, but the sub is a Focal 10" and the amp is a small 4-channel Genesis which is bridged just to run the sub. I think the amp may be a bit on the small side as the gain is fully turned up, but have a selection at home to swap out when I find some time.

 

[dunnah01]

I'd be surprised if the Genesis amp was on the small size - one Genesis amp is equal to about 50 japanese amps. There was a 4 channel in my 3200 when I bought it and it was a work of art. Sadly I removed it to pass on to a less philistine audio buff who kept nagging me to let him have it.

 

[alfatwo]

The spare wheel well is a great place for a sub, especially for a 4200/GS where the odd-shaped space isn't very useful. I have a custom built enclosure that fits the spare wheel well, with the sub firing up from the boot floor. I can throw anything in the boot without worrying about damaging the sub as it's covered with a grille and then acoustic carpet. The amp is mounted on the back wall of the boot, effectively against the petrol tank. There's no compromise on boot space and the full width is still usable.

Where do you fit your spare wheel then Maf?

 

[phrozen]

I'll dig out the full details, Nick, but the sub is a Focal 10" and the amp is a small 4-channel Genesis which is bridged just to run the sub. I think the amp may be a bit on the small side as the gain is fully turned up, but have a selection at home to swap out when I find some time.

Really? be very careful you may be sending the sub a clipped signal which will kill it quicker than a 4200s clutch.

 

[MAF260]

Really? be very careful you may be sending the sub a clipped signal which will kill it quicker than a 4200s clutch.

Currently, yes. I'm always playing with the system to work out what sounds best to me - hence the need for a review of amp/sub combo. The clipping isn't an issue provided the amp and sub power handling is properly matched.

 

[MAF260]

Where do you fit your spare wheel then Maf?

Compressor and can of plop ftw!

 

[MAF260]

I'd be surprised if the Genesis amp was on the small size - one Genesis amp is equal to about 50 japanese amps. There was a 4 channel in my 3200 when I bought it and it was a work of art. Sadly I removed it to pass on to a less philistine audio buff who kept nagging me to let him have it.

This one is quite small in dimensions and power output. I have plenty of spares in stock, so will find the right combo when I find the time.