ICE upgrade for, ahem, a Kia

Maser Sod

Maser Sod

Member
Messages
1,965
Hi guys,

Just after some tips, really. My Kia Rio has a horrible built-in OEM stereo. The sonic experience is not just awful, it is unbearable. I'm spending about 4 hrs/day in my eco-motor, I need to somehow inject some enjoyment into the experience. (Before the wisecracks start, turning the stereo off and listening to the engine soundtrack is obviously NOT an option!).

Can anyone give any tips of any description as to where I start? I have no idea. Budget is 1K but maybe I don't need to spend that much? Is it even possible to replace the OEM???

Cheers,
MS

radio.jpg
 
EVOeng

EVOeng

Junior Member
Messages
220
I would start with some Sound Deadening material in the doors etc to reduce the amount of external noise coming into the cabin - then look to add an amp with a subwoofer in the boot so that the sound can be executed better. At the moment I guess the door speakers are tasked with all frequency of sound.
 
Maser Sod

Maser Sod

Member
Messages
1,965
EVOeng said:
I would start with some Sound Deadening material in the doors etc to reduce the amount of external noise coming into the cabin - then look to add an amp with a subwoofer in the boot so that the sound can be executed better. At the moment I guess the door speakers are tasked with all frequency of sound.
Click to expand...

Yeah, they are pretty poor. They (and the rear speakers) manage the bass ok but they really struggle with the upper mid-range. Snare drums grate in particular. It's a shame as the ICE in my missus' cheaper Kia Picanto is actually really good.

Excuse my ignorance, but I assume there is no way to put a new amp inline with the existing head unit? I'm not afraid of upgrading everything (head unit, speakers, new amp + sub) but if I can avoid leaving a gaping hole where the current OEM head unit is then that will help resell and also stop thieves targetting the car!
 
EVOeng

EVOeng

Junior Member
Messages
220
Maser Sod said:
Yeah, they are pretty poor. They (and the rear speakers) manage the bass ok but they really struggle with the upper mid-range. Snare drums grate in particular. It's a shame as the ICE in my missus' cheaper Kia Picanto is actually really good.

Excuse my ignorance, but I assume there is no way to put a new amp inline with the existing head unit? I'm not afraid of upgrading everything (head unit, speakers, new amp + sub) but if I can avoid leaving a gaping hole where the current OEM head unit is then that will help resell and also stop thieves targetting the car!
Click to expand...

It is possible to do the above without replacing the head unit; that way everything looks OEM. I'll dig out the product needed...


ETA: This is what you need in order to use the factory head unit; cheaper alternatives are available. PM me if you want any info etc.
http://caraudiosecurity.com/shop/product/products_id/13247.html
 
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beau

Member
Messages
1,391
to get anywhere, in my opinion you need a new headunit with pre-outs so you can use an amp properly, i tried to save the lovely sat nav cd system on my old alfa romeo, but the sound was never right until i changed the head unit.

id advise looking into a double din stereo and a fascia adapter with like a cubby hole built in so it looks more standard, some of the best sounding stereo's also look the most bland/standard (rather worthless)
 
hodroyd

hodroyd

Member
Messages
14,150
You could always add in some remote mounted tweeters to take the top end, wire them in series and that will maintain the correct impedance.
 
CatmanV2

CatmanV2

Member
Messages
48,796
hodroyd said:
You could always add in some remote mounted tweeters to take the top end, wire them in series and that will maintain the correct impedance.
Click to expand...

Not really. Simplistically, wiring in series will *double* the impedance, wiring in parallel with halve it.

Although impedance is rather more complex than resistance ;)

C
 
M

MAF260

Member
Messages
7,662
Pat, if you're serious about improving the sound and have a £1k budget the answer is simple - rip out all of the factory nonsense and start from scratch. You can do a better job than the Koreans for c.£500 without too much trouble. Head unit change, speaker change, amplifier and subwoofer = job done!
 
EVOeng

EVOeng

Junior Member
Messages
220
Trouble with the above Kia, half the dash needs to be replaced to change the head unit; I'm not sure if any fascia kits even exist for it as the HU is built into the dash.
 
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beau

Member
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1,391
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