For those who have/have not upgraded the audio equipment in their Evos yet, do you feel that purchasing very high end audio equipment is worth the money for this car? Im not saying the evo is a bad car, but from the factory when you compare it to other "more civilized" cars, it is very loud. There is a LOT of engine, road, and exhaust noise....which I dont mind one bit.

However, I fell like adding a high end system to this car is gonna be like listening to a really nice home audio system in a steel mill. What do you guys think?

I realize you can add sound deadening pads to the car, but I feel like you would have to toally tear out the entire interior to add pads and replace the hood with a sealed unit to get a decent outcome. This is not going to happen to my car. Maybe some pads in the doors, but thats about it.

My friend is willing to part with CDT CL 61 components for about 100 bucks unused in the box. I know there are better speakers out there, but for the money, I don't know if I will be getting what I pay for. Have a new alpine HU and obviously would get a suitable amp, rear speakers, etc.

I would like a good sounding system, but I don't consider myself an audiophile. Quality is much more important to me than dB's, however. Not gonna do shows or competitions or anything close to that.

I realize people are going to have different opinions but let me hear what you guys think about using the Evo as a base vehicle for a really good system. Opinions?

 

Let me get a crack at it.

I have 04' RS which has less insulation and none it the trunk plus I have a turbo back exhaust with a "quieter" unit - Esplier GT. Even then at times, myself and my passengers do get tired of the exhaust noise. My "only" solution is to raise the sound level of my aftermarket audio system, I have the following installed:

- Eclipse 8403(?) HU
- JL component front speakers
- 12" Alpine sub
- 55wx4 Eclipse amp
- 600wx1 JBL amp
- XM Delphi receiver

Combination does nice job of masking all the mechanical noise, specially the bumping from the sub. In terms of adding weight, I would estimate about + 50lbs but deleting the spare tire evens things out.

GL

 

"Really good system", as in many thousands of dollars? No, of course not. But a medium-priced upgrade is a worthwhile investment. Get rid of the Advans and a lot of the interior noise goes away. The Evo's transmission still whines, and you hear a lot of mechancial noises, but overall the Evo isn't as noisy inside as people would have you believe.

 

In my opinion, you bought this car to go fast, no to listen to music, so therefore no one should consider any of those high end fiberglass enclosures or 20 subs. I would think a new head unit and a few ugraded mids would already be enough for the car.

 

I used dynamat extrememe in the doors and it masks alot of sound.
Amplifier and upgraded speakers does sound good in the car and is worth it.
You will never have the best sound all the time because of the road noise, but I agree it is because of the advans. What is a fast, cool looking ride that sounds like an AM radio. Put in your system and turn it up.

You can put in the OEM sub or put in a small sub if you are creative. I estimated
my whole install added 50lb - Wiring, dynamat, subs, speakers, amplifiers.

 

Maybe I just wanna have my cake and eat it too, but I'm all for doing some upgrades to the factory sound system. I love music, and I want it to sound as good in my car as it possibly can! Withing reason of course. Not like thousands of dollars good, as pointed out earlier, but you know, if you can afford some better speakers all the way around and a nice head unit, I say hell yeah!

 

i love when people think their reasons apply to all people.


Maybe some people like having custom sub enclosures ?

 

no I don't think it's worth it. If the noise of the car gets to me on long drives, I use earplugs.

 

After putting a really high-end system in one car, and being somewhat of a home audio buff, I'd say a LOT of money is not well spent here on the stereo. I'm not saying the people that do are foolish, but I think that with the noise of the car (and the advans are a part, but definitely not all of it), a good mid-range system is the way to go. I'm planning to probably have about 2K in my stereo for the Evo, and that's pushing it a bit (part of that was the AI setup for my iPod...not sound quality issue, convenience issue.) So, if a friend of mine had an Evo and aske me, I'd tell him to stay reasonable...but you get to define "reasonable". For me that's nice mids, good power, and a sub. Not the best of anything, but I'm not cutting any major corners either. I want to be able to open the sunroof, put the windows down, heading down the road at 100mph and be able to listen to the stereo...if I can do that and not hear a lot of distortion and junk, I'm happy.

 

My exhaust and BOV is my music......

 

Thanks for the input everyone.

I definitly bought the evo becasue it was fast, noise and a sound system was hardly a huge concern when I bought it. But I don't plan on doing any power mods for quite some time. Ive only had the car 3 months and I want to shake it down for about a year to make sure eveything is working alright.

I forgot to mention that 50% of the miles I do in this car are highway rush hour commute miles...and I know I would definitely enjoy a good system for all the time I am stuck in traffic. So I guess while the powertrain stays stock, I think Ill spend just a little money to enjoy my highway drives a little more

 

There is a reason it says "IN MY OPINION" before my statement. If you don't like, no need to be a duesch and waste a post by saying that I'm making a generalization you don't like. Do you have a custom enclousure? If so, whopty freakin' do for you.

Maybe most don't?

 

i do

 

I spent about $800 for a decent stereo in my RS. It sucked when I had the greddy TI on the car. I have the Fujitsubo on there now and its nice and quiet and stereo sounds good. As long as your mods don't make your car too loud than I would say that it is worth it.

 

Hmmm, how ironic