Stereo - any point?

[chopthebass]

I see many builders install a nice head unit in the dash and a couple of speakers behind them. And these are on cars with sidepipes. I love music but I wonder if theres any point? Can you hear much with those exhausts bellowing?

[68GT500MAN]

I do not have a stereo in my roadster (there will be one in the 33) but you may be surprised at the noise level when cruising at highway speeds. I get more noise from the wind and tires than the exhaust, I can even have a decent conversation with a passenger when present.
Doug

[MPTech]

Many will tell you no, but I like a little tunes as I'm driving.
I have 2 5" speakers below the doors and 2 6x9" speakers behind the rear bulkhead, with a 720w amp. I don't plan on it being high-fidelity and won't play it loud, but it will be nice on a drive longer than to the market. No head-unit, I'll use a blue-tooth adapter connected directly to the amp and use my iPhone for the source.
Hooking them up before I drive to London! :cool:

[Gumball]

I decided that since ear plugs are often a necessity for long road trips, I'd just get some really nice moulded ones what have speakers in them for use with an ipod.

[chopthebass]

Many will tell you no, but I like a little tunes as I'm driving.
I have 2 5" speakers below the doors and 2 6x9" speakers behind the rear bulkhead, with a 720w amp. I don't plan on it being high-fidelity and won't play it loud, but it will be nice on a drive longer than to the market. No head-unit, I'll use a blue-tooth adapter connected directly to the amp and use my iPhone for the source.
Hooking them up before I drive to London! :cool:

MPT,
Thats interesting. So you have no visible stereo system (other than speakers). Not sure what a blu-tooth adaptor is, but are you saying this can connect directly to a power amplifier? How do you control volume?

[chopthebass]

I decided that since ear plugs are often a necessity for long road trips, I'd just get some really nice moulded ones what have speakers in them for use with an ipod.

That is a good option too. So being moulded you won't have wind noise seeping in. And probably good sound quality.

[Avalanche325]

I think it really depends on your engine and pipe combo. I have a 347 with about 500hp, aggressive cam, 4 into 4s, and stainless pipes. I HAVE to wear earplugs, even on a short drive. My car is as loud as 2 or 3 other Cobras that I have been around put together. (NOT bragging, it is too loud, I may fork out some $$$ for quieter pipes) A stereo for me would be useless. A 4.6L, Coyote, or a milder Windsor are quieter. Add J pipes or cats, and it is even quieter. Then there are other pipes that are quiet also.

What is your combination?

[chopthebass]

I think it really depends on your engine and pipe combo. I have a 347 with about 500hp, aggressive cam, 4 into 4s, and stainless pipes. I HAVE to wear earplugs, even on a short drive. My car is as loud as 2 or 3 other Cobras that I have been around put together. (NOT bragging, it is too loud, I may fork out some $$$ for quieter pipes) A stereo for me would be useless. A 4.6L, Coyote, or a milder Windsor are quieter. Add J pipes or cats, and it is even quieter. Then there are other pipes that are quiet also.

What is your combination?

Haven't started the build yet, but I am having a 351W 427CI engine being built, FFR stainless pipes and FFR ceramic headers.

[billjr212]

I had a similar setup to what MPTech mentions. Worked great up to around 50 or 60, then it was pretty useless due to noise (remember, you get lots of extra tire noise from those around you at highway speeds too). Definitely nice to have on short/medium distance trips around town though.

You control the volume using the buttons on the side of your phone/ipod. As a side note, my phone fit great in the little loop on the end of the 5 point should harness to keep it secure and within easy reach.

The stainless pipes from FFR are decently quiet, so I imagine you would be able to hear a basic system around town without an issue.

[OVCobra]

I am considering the "Secretaudio" from Custom Autosound...essentially a remote head unit with remote control. Like yourself, just wondering if it is worth it, will find out this summer.

[Jeff Kleiner]

No desire for tunes in mine but I agree that at highway speeds it's not the exhaust, it's the wind. Around town or cruising at moderate speeds I'm sure you would be able to hear a sound system---and so would everyone around you.

Jeff

[edwardb]

For my Mk4 build, just completed a stereo install last weekend. Found an Infinity head unit that fits in the Alex glovebox. Has AM, FM, Bluetooth, Aux (MP3 player) and USB. Have speakers on the cockpit wall and footwells, and a small Alpine amp. It may or may not be usable while driving. Do spend a lot time parked while on various activities, shows, cruises, etc. Will be nice to have tunes, listen to a ball game, whatever. Is there any point? I won't know for awhile. One thing I do know it would have been way harder to install when the car was done, so did it now.

http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab234/edwardb123/Factory%20Five%20Mark%204%20Roadster%20Build/Update%2004202014/th_IMG_2543_zps0bf6dd4c.jpg (http://s867.photobucket.com/user/edwardb123/media/Factory%20Five%20Mark%204%20Roadster%20Build/Update%2004202014/IMG_2543_zps0bf6dd4c.jpg.html)

Also agree that wind noise and other traffic is as noisy if not more so than the exhaust especially while on the highway. We use soft musicians ear plugs that reduce the db level to make it comfortable and save the hearing. But can still hear reasonably well for safety, etc. I would be concerned about wearing ear phones with music. Not safe and illegal most everywhere.

[DaleG]

Nice install, edward, as is everything you do to the car.

[skullandbones]

I guess I just miss the point. I'm spending time listening to the sound of the car. Maybe it's the newness that hasn't worn off yet but I don't think so. I love the sound of running thru the gears and not always WOT but just like you're teasing it a little. And then there is gearing back down thru the gears which is a totally different but a fun thing.

I like the idea of the Blue Tooth working with the phone or MP3 if I was going to do a sound system at all. Keep it portable and light. To each his own. WEK.

[CraigS]

My pipes a fairly quiet and I always have the hardtop on which helps w/ the wind beating the side of my head even w/o the windows. I still have no use for a stereo. If I really wanted music I could listen to a radio station or to stored music from my phone w/ a set of ear buds.

[Jester]

I installed a stereo with a 400 watt amp during my Mk4 Coyote build. Initially I found that you could hear it fine up to about 60 mi per hour. Any faster than the that and the exhaust noise was far too loud to hear anything (could still hear the stereo but the volume needed to be so loud to he heard over the exhaust that it hurts the ears). Since then I installed Cats and turned the tips of the SS side pipes 60 deg to the ground which significantly reduces exhaust noise. Now Hearing the stereo at all speeds is not an issue and for me the car is even more pleasurable to drive - no ear plugs required now.

After the 2nd season of driving I am finding that the stereo is very nice to have but I am finding my self driving more frequently without the stereo on - just enjoying the experience and with all senses enguaged. These cars really do not need a stereo especially if the exhaust is loud (stock) but I really like having the option. If I were to build another, I would definitely build in a stereo as my recent build but I would either hide the stereo or fab a more complete console (good future project for me - may change the dash layout as well) - personal choice and gets down to what you are used to.

One draw back of having a stereo in a roadster is when you are driving in the country then enter the city, the stereo is typically quite loud and if you forget to turn the stereo down you can draw even more attention than usual (not necessarily a good thing). These cars draw enough attention without a loud stereo. Remember to be respectful and turn the stereo down when in the city unless you want to be that guy (the a** h**e in the roadster). IMHO

[Dave O]

If I was too do it again, I would forget the stereo. Useless unless you are parked. Besides, I prefer listening to folks holler, "Nice Ride!" and the honking when I drive by.

[JJ'snakepit]

I have thought about this from the very beginning.. My guess is that the first year of the car being on the road I will love pipes and the attention and won't listen to the stereo except when she's parked or at a show. At some point I will become very irritated with noise of the engine. Then I will quiet her down. Planning for the future I have always wanted a modern day version of a Cobra with some creature comforts. I love a great stereo in a car. My nephew got me such a great deal on this I just had to go for it. My stereo has all the bells and whistles. Will I be able to use them? Probably Not. Mine will have a total of 6 speakers, right and left speakers next to each shoulder for the Driver and the Passenger along with one in each door. The pair in the doors will be the only ones visible and a tuned and ported, to the cab Sub Woofer. A five channel amp. It is probably mostly for show but I am trying to make it sound as good as I can. Did I mention I will be able to watch a build DVD on the touch screen. You gotta love the technology even if you can't use it all. It's kind of like the car it's self.. JJ
http://i537.photobucket.com/albums/ff334/JOHNSNAKEPIT/IMG_0519.jpg (http://s537.photobucket.com/user/JOHNSNAKEPIT/media/IMG_0519.jpg.html)

[Avalanche325]

haven't started the build yet, but i am having a 351w 427ci engine being built, ffr stainless pipes and ffr ceramic headers.

what?

[Tocoti]

The car is my music.

[chopthebass]

what?

Can you elaborate what you meant by 'WHAT'. I was asked what engine/pipe combination I was using.

[OCCPete]

I had a setup like MPTech mentioned in my roadster. No head unit, used a graphic equilzer to control the volume and to plug my iPhone into, then connected the equilizer to the amp. It was nice to have tunes when driving around town. On the highway, it's not the exhaust, it's the wind and road noise. The stereo was pretty useless above 50mph.

For bluetooth, I just bought one of these for my daily driver that didn't have factory bluetooth: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GJFGE3W/ref=oh_details_o07_s00_i01?ie=UTF8&psc=1 It works great and I plan to use one in my SLC. Of course, in a roadster, the hands-free phone function would not be useable.

[chopthebass]

Pete,

I was just concerned that i'd need some kind of pre-amp before the main amp, but it seems like the ipod will drive the amp ok.

[montyals]

Installed 4 250watt speakers in the bulkhead of a Mark IV with an amp in the trunk. You'll love it, even at highway speed.

[montyals]

Installed 4 250watt speakers in the bulkhead of a Mark IV with an amp in the trunk. You'll love it, even at highway speed.
http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?13737-Titled-2013-Mark-IV-Blue-White-47K-Northern-NJ&p=144583#post144583

[67Cobra]

I have the Secretaudio SST with Miata seats that have speakers mounted in the headrest, and Gas-n sidepipes. Very discrete, sounds good at speed, and its really nice when sitting in traffic on the way to work.

[chopthebass]

Think I found something that works.... http://www.kicker.com/pxi502

Even has a small panel of buttons that can be mounted anywhere. Also has its own amps built in, but these aren't very powerful - but you can add more amps. I think this is it.

[Tyler Wayne]

You will need an amp, anyone that says the stereo cannot be heard, didn't put together a system meant to be in a car like this. I can hear mine at 80MPH with NO issue. I use a pair of Alpine type S 6 x 9's driven by an Alpine PDX F6 amp. I use a clarion Bluetooth headunit and use my Iphone to control songs and volume. It is perfect and is louder than you could ever want. No boredom form highway cruising and drowning noise from exhaust against k-rails, etc

[Jester]

You will need an amp, anyone that says the stereo cannot be heard, didn't put together a system meant to be in a car like this. I can hear mine at 80MPH with NO issue. I use a pair of Alpine type S 6 x 9's driven by an Alpine PDX F6 amp. I use a clarion Bluetooth headunit and use my Iphone to control songs and volume. It is perfect and is louder than you could ever want. No boredom form highway cruising and drowning noise from exhaust against k-rails, etc

X2 - I can hear the stereo fine at any speed - 4 high quality 6.5 inch Alpine speakers (2 in trans tunnel and 2 in rear bulk hear between the seats), good head unit (Clarion) and good amp (Clarion XC6410 - 600W).

Clean sound at any speed.

[fireman2343]

I love that dash!!!!!

[montyals]

You will need an amp, anyone that says the stereo cannot be heard, didn't put together a system meant to be in a car like this. I can hear mine at 80MPH with NO issue. I use a pair of Alpine type S 6 x 9's driven by an Alpine PDX F6 amp. I use a clarion Bluetooth headunit and use my Iphone to control songs and volume. It is perfect and is louder than you could ever want. No boredom form highway cruising and drowning noise from exhaust against k-rails, etc

X3...

[Arch]

I have a Sony head unit, 3 Sony amps and 10 speakers (including 2 6" subs). I regularly take long trips and enjoy having the system.
Arch

[bucketlist]

jbl wi-fi wireless speaker, uses any mp3 type player, high quality the size of a soda can, mount it on small loop hangers (easy to remove), remote volume control from ipod or mp3 player.