fudger

I have a standard 430 with an Audio 10 radio/cassette and 6 stack cd changer but I am considering upgrading the speakers. However, I am not sure if the 430 has different speakers to the other models (320/230K etc).

Also, is it good to upgrade speakers whilst leaving the Audio 10 unit in-place.

My goal is high quality sound, not load sound!

Thanks guys.

mmgrad

everything plays a role in good audio.

changing the speakers will give you a little tighter sound. they won't 'bottom-out' when there is heavy bass, etc. basically being able to reproduce the sound more accurate and being able to handle higher volumes.

i would recommend changing the headunit first. the speakers that come on the 430 in the US are Bose speakers. they aren't the greatest, but they are ok. i think you'll notice a bigger change if u put in an aftermarket headunit versus speakers.

however, if you want 'high quality' audio, you want to change everything. it doesn't matter if u have the nicest speakers, if the source that is powering it is not up to par, then the sound that comes out of those $1,000 speakers are only going to be marginally better than the stock speakers.

and i think 430 coupes share the same speaker setup with the other coupe models. at least they are here in the US.

Arnee

Most of the high-end audio places here in the Bay Area uses a/d/s speakers for their installs and McIntosh amps. You may want to research those. Good luck!

fudger

Thanks for the replies gents; it gives me food for thought.

What I don't want to do is put in an aftermarket head unit however and loose steering wheel functionality. I also like the fact the Audio 10 sits flush and is black (matches the black interior) and without an additional clip on panel covering the fixing slots which, IMHO, looks cheap.

Don't want too much do I?

As I have a UK spec car, perhaps my best option would be an Audio30APS (with navigation) but then again, I would imagine the sound quality would be similar to the Audio10 and then I may have wiring issues although I would like navigation.

For your info, i asked the local dealer about audio upgrades including the possibility of an Audio30APS upgrade. They provided no information and activly discouraged an upgrade option without explaining why. The final statement was "if I were you mate I would go down the road to that car audio dealer".

chicagopizza

The best upgrade and the most simple is to add a sub woofer....that will make your car sound so much better cause the deeper and tighter bass from the sub will make your mid and high sound clearer and tighter....u don't have to change out your head unit just have a good installer add a sub in the trunk thru the output of your rear speaker....

sungulent

ok my man leave the stock speakers

all u will need is nice 4 chanel amp one 12 inch sub and 2 focal tweeter infront

you will see the diference

recomend 2 focal tweeter

1 10 or 12 jl w7
and 800 watt amp

mmgrad

sungulent: did you change your amp or install a 2nd amp?

if i replace the stock amp with a PPI amp, will i lose any features? ie., speed sensitive volume thing...

sungulent

i left everything in its place i dint change anything i dint even know it had stcok amp

i added a new amp rockofrd fosgate with adjustble knob

here is older link to my car and the set up check it out

https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...&threadid=8147

mmgrad

i think the system comes stock with a amp to power the speakers in the cabin.

your amp is used to power your sub. i want to use a clean, 800watt amp to power my front/rear channel speakers.

byip25

my set up
headunit/source: alpine iva-c800
alpine dvd-5205
alpine 12-disc changer
alpine mobile vcr
rockford amps 400&200 watts
Mbquart 6.5 three-way component
Mbquart 6.5 two-way coaxial
Kicker isobaric 15" sub

if you dont want to change the headunit, in order to preserve the steering wheel vol control, replace all the stock speakers and add a sub and sufficient amp power. you will probably be happy with that.

just my two cents

b

fudger

Thanks for the replies guys!!

I have an Audio 30 APS on order (as it is easier to fit than
command) and will look to do the speakers/amp in due course.

That should be more than good enough for my needs.

Thank you.

Jonathan