My ICE plans

[Derektvy]

Skip Lanzar Skip Lanzar Skip Lanzar !!!!!

For subs...consider the Image Dynamics ..IDMAx..and for novice IDQ will do. Good transparent sub, used by most competitors. Xtant also another good brand.

as e46sg mentioned, get higher RMS amps..the higher the better. Get components and sub first, then get the amps, not the other way round.

goodluck

This seems like going against what you are saying but still need some advise :

Saw this offer:
The following are installed for $2200 in a BMW car last July with receipt to proof. condition almost brand new:

1. Lanzer Heritage HTG424 Power Amplifier- 1000w 4 channel.$250
2. Lanzer Heritage HTG234 Power Amplifier- 800w 2 channel.$200
3. Lanzer AS6.1 Component Speaker (no grill, both tweeter dust cover dented, 1 woofer slight dented but no effect to sound quality.$50
4.Lanzer VX50 Coaxial Speaker $120
5. Lanzer HRW 104 800w Subwoofer.

Selling full set $700 (neg).

Also got the following:
1. PPI EQP Parametric Equaliser (mint condition)$140
2. MB Quart 6 inch component speaker (sorry, don't know which model but in mint condition except slight dent on 1 tweeter grill).$80

Me thinking that the amps are still savagable. The components aren't much but it's dirt cheap so can use for 'experiment'. Woofer? hafta consider cos only 1 piece. So what you guys think. Should I get the whole system to try out? or just get the amps? or just skip this whole offer?

BTW, is anione here the previous owner of this set of lanzar ICE? Iceman, the seller said the stuff was recently stripped from a coupe. isit yours?

 

[jaskin]

The guys is a BMW owner I'm interested in his 234 amp but he wants to sell it in a set. If you want maybe you can buy the 424 and I'll buy the 234?
BTW Derek sorry today had to work.

 

[__iceman__]

I just got my car 3 days ago leh. My car is stock.

Bear in mind these amp ratings are MAX power, not RMS.

The PPI preamp and MQ Quart (depending which model) sounds reasonably priced.

 

[Derektvy]

The guys is a BMW owner I'm interested in his 234 amp but he wants to sell it in a set. If you want maybe you can buy the 424 and I'll buy the 234?
BTW Derek sorry today had to work.

Met up and offloaded the whole set from him today. He's driving a Mazda but selling off the stuff on behalf of an angmoh. The angmoh drove a 330Ci and done the lanzar system from Tye (where else?)....

There a few dents to one of the components and both the tweeters. I think I'll be trying out the entire set. But question now is which installer to goto... :thinking:

Tried out Tye this afternoon. Quoted $1k+ for the installation.
a. $500 labour :shock:
b. $130 Amp rack,
c. $140 Woofer enclosure (box),
d. $80 for speaker rear deck baffles :ehhh: (just nice wrapping I guess),
e. $85 for the 1-din plastic bracket (this is ex!),
f. $130 for RCA + lanzar cables.

Alberts sounds like he's having enuf business and not willing to lower the costs... he also admits that he's quote is high... but explained that it's a Beemer and $500 is for the risk of damage to the car. I heard this phrase so often after I bought a beemer. So familiar. I wonder why, every businessman dealing in BMW has to use this explanation to jack-up their price. But I hafta admit, Tye's workshop is well equiped. Also, the stuff all came from Tye and so it's good to go back to him... BUT... do I really haf to? what you guys think?

I guess I'll try out Darren of Autotrend next. He seems to be able to give good, 'economical' qoutes. Any other recommendations?

 

[Derektvy]

I just got my car 3 days ago leh. My car is stock.

Bear in mind these amp ratings are MAX power, not RMS.

The PPI preamp and MQ Quart (depending which model) sounds reasonably priced.

Okay, so you din buy from a angmoh rite?

Anyway, I did check out the specs before dealing.. The 424 is a 4x125W RMS amp while the 234 is a 2x200W RMS amp. I guess this should be sufficient.

On the preamp and MQq, the fella is still considering whether to let them go.

 

[__iceman__]

No lah, my car previous owner was local.

Anyway, shop around different installers and go with the best quote/service you can find.

 

[oneHeadlight]

Derektvy,

Tye price is high, but some would argue its value for money. $500 for labour is way too high i think. I dont quite understand that "risk of damage to the car". What kinda damage can possibly happen other than a lack of expertise. Ironic considering he's a so-proclaimed expert in bmw ICe.

$100 can get u a customised sub box. Amp rack, if just a piece of wood, u can get in for $40 if i remember correctly.

i wud rather go pinliang or dynasty...
Darren should be cheaper but he has his critics also...but who doesnt haha...

 

[Ghostrider]

IMHO, every installer will have their praises and curses...if he has either...he has not done enuff cars yet.

How to justify "high" workmanship....if using oneheadlight's eg of a sub box....a dedicated installer will measure an builld the sub enclosuer with the proper dimension etc while the "cheaper" workmanship installer may take the easy way out of buying ready made box and just lup the sub in. end of the day....customer still get the item that they want.

A cheap installer will just tie the lose of the wires together and use PVC tape to secure it....a good installer will use crimps to secure the lose ends.

I cannot say that Pin Liang is better than Tye or Dynasty is poorer than Pin Liang....all I can is...know what you are getting into. More $$ does not mean a good install while lesser $$ does not mean you are getting bang for buck.

Just my humble view...

 

[Derektvy]

Need a few more pointers from your guys....

1. How many cubic-feet woofer box should I get for my 10' Lanzar sub? Besides cu-ft, anything else in particular to look out for?

2. Besides the housekeeping stuff (neatness of cables, end cable crimps), what other stuff to look out for?

I must admit that Tye has good workmanship. He says that the wrapping around the rear speakers and the custom amp board w/ nice housing is a must. Else he wouldn't do the job. I would like those but I really think his labour is too steep.

 

[Ghostrider]

Another point to look out for...

Aftersales services.

There are some who no aftersales service...dun make sense if you blew a few K there but when something goes wrong after a year or two...they leave you high and dry.

Regarding to labour too steep....hard to put a finger on it Derek....why ? The installer may have a reputation to uphold....workmanship is really good cos he pays his "tau chiu" good salary so that he dun jump ship on him....its like comparing Seiko watch with Rolex...both tell time...but why Rolex so expensive ?

 

[oneHeadlight]

Derektvy,

source for the manual, it should indicate the ideal size of the sub box.
There have been arguments about whether it should be totally cubic or it should have some angles/slopes to it. The argument is based on wavelengths and there is still no conclusion. I cant say much cos i m not technical.

there's also discussion on whether size does matter Many enthusiasts figured that a 1cubic ft box may not differ from a 1.25cubic ft box, or that our ears may not be able to tell the difference. These are the people who wins awards, so u decide whether to trust them.

I think ghostrider said it right. Its not apple to apple so hard to compare. I do know of one very cheap one-man show who should settle for easy installation and no tuning. FOr sub box, if u are uncertain , then stay there the whole day and make sure its customised.

i recommened pin liang cos i think the boss is good in service. His prices are all in the website, as transparent as it can be. The Quality check is good also. VEry helpful person.

 

[Derektvy]

Thanks for the pointers guys...

but apparently, I do not have the manual as I bought the stuff 2nd hand. it's okay, I'll go search the net den...

Understand abt the cost vs service thingy. Hey, even apples can't be compared now... recently lotsa china ones selling at Giant at 10pcs for $2.95? well... it's just a matter of choice...

 

[oneHeadlight]

haha.... i guess go to the reputable ones..but do homework b4 u go. For instance, some may quote u twice the amount for normal rca cables... or Hi-lo converters etc...

 

[littleblackalfa]

Re: My ICE plans

1. Headunit - I'm intending to get a Alpine CDA-9835. $700? Also comtemplating a Sony CDX-M9900 ($1k?) for the fancy screen. Wan to have a HU that plays MP3 on CDRs.

2. 1-din Housing adaptor - Need a adaptor for the BMW dash. Found them on UK websites at ard £15. Too bad it looks kinda plain and doesn't have the 'alucube' design to match. Searching for local shops that have this and the $$. Darren from Autotrend is able to get the norm plain black one but I haven't got back to him. Anyone noes any other places that have this or shops that are able to fabricate a chio one??? One fella in E46fanatics custom made and sold them.

3. Steering Wheel control adaptor - found some adaptors (wires+ connectors) available in uk (again). £30 for a Sony HU adaptor, £45 for a Sony HU adaptor. Darren says have to order in. I'm still searching ard locally.

Er... professional plug here... Sorry if I'm a bit late... These 3 units you're looking for are all available from Blaupunkt. And in May, an iPod connector with full control capabilities will be available...

Er... Yes, I do work in Blaupunkt. Those who want to check out what a cheap setup from Blaupunkt can do, let me know. I'll be more than happy to show you. Just bear with it that it's in an Alfa. :laughlik:

 

[Ghostrider]

Hi Blackalfa...you mean Italian and German dun mix ? Ha ha ha ha...

Hey...would like to check out Blaupunkt...last time we saw a launch was at Selegie....were you there then ? Quite sometime back.

 

[littleblackalfa]

Launch at Selegie? Nah... that was a bit far back. If German and Italian don't mix, I'm driving an abomination... :uhhh: The engine in Alfas is 70% German anyways... BOSCH parts. Heh. :screwedu:

Let me know how you want to take a look.

 

[Ghostrider]

Far back....well...that is how long never receive invites to launchs liao....ha ha ha haha.....

 

[__iceman__]

Gui, did you attend the one at Mt Faber? I think it was Blaupunkt. And do you remember another one at the former Rex theatre?

Anyway, the steering control interface, coupled with the DAB series HUs are not a bad solution. The DAB54 even can record DAB radio and 'rewind' for you in case you miss any sexy words from Vernetta Lopez.

 

[Derektvy]

littleblackalfa, I guess it's too late cos I just did up my ICE yesterday at Autotrend.

Here's the config:
1. Lanzar Heritage HTG424 Power Amplifier- 4ch x 125W RMS
2. Lanzar Heritage HTG234 Power Amplifier- 2ch
3. Front - Lanzar AS6.1 Component Speaker
4. Rear - Lanzar VX50S Coaxial Speaker
5. Sub - 10" Lanzar HRW 104 woofer.
Bought the above 2nd hand stuff for $750.

6. Alpine CDA-9835 Hu - $750
7. Alpine 6-Discs MP3 changer - $390 (didn't expect this as I orig thot that the BMW OEM changer could work with the HU).
8. Phoenix Gold 'quicksilver series' 16 guage speaker wires - $60
9. Streetwires Musica 200 RCA cables. Gold plated + Double shielding - $240 (ex!)
10. HU bezel adaptor for 3-series - $90 (ex! us only US$15!)
11. Amp board + custom housing - $150
12. Woofer box - $100
13. EvoAudio Capacitor - $160 (din expect this in the beginning too..)
14. Fuse box - $50
15. Labour $100

Overall, the installation is rather neat and they know what to do. The custom amp board is done up nicely too. The system is setup to Frt/Rear/Sub rather than 3-way (High, Mid, Low).

The big problem is on the sound. :verysad: I'm thinking that it needs some serious expert tuning. There's an inherent 'Sssssssssss' background noise and the overall sound is rather sharp. The worker said he lowered the AMP gains to the lowest but can't get rid of the problem. The noise is audible from all speakers, so I guess the spks are okay. At first I tot the components/tweeters are the prob but Darren said that the problems lies in the AMP. He said that Lanzar Amps more suited for SPL setup and that the amp is 'not clean'. The cables + wires are pretty good so I don't think that's the prob. I'll be going back to troubleshoot but now I'm trying to gather any other probs.

There was a brand new Honda Integra next to my beemer during installation. The owner got a new Alpine CDA-9831 + a separate DSP, Helix components + coaxials + amp, bazooka active sub. His simple system sounded great after that. I wonder why mine doesn't do it.

Need some serious guru help here to pinpoint the underlying problem.... Hope you guys can help. Coffee + nuggets/beer + chicken wings on me. Thanks in advance. :wavey:

 

[jaskin]

Did you test the amps before your purchased it from the previous owner? I'm getting a hiss when the HU is off but I think the source of mine is because of the stock HU.