sound system upgrade

[TheDon]

I'm posting here since no one seems to be helpful in the audio section ..

here is what I've got so far(with some help from the other forum place)

Speakers : Rainbow 4" up front and 5.25" pair in the rear ( priceeeyyyy)

Head unit : JVC-KD-HDR1

Sub : something by rainbow??

Amp : another rainbow product??

(I like keeping the components all one brand.. )(where to get rainbow subs and amps?)

Then I will need to rewire the system.. stupid fader...


opinions? advice? etc

[ascalise]

I was just looking into rainbow speakers. I need to find something to replace the rear speakers that drops right in. I dont want to modify anything. My 240 uses a 5-5.25" speakers with 3 mounting holes. Everything i've seen in stores uses 4. Where did you find these speakers? Do they have the same mounting pattern?

[dieseldan44]

I have been pondering this too...but have been occupied with more pressing automotive issues.

Components completely aside - how are you planning to mount the components is the real issue. None of the speakers have true baffles or enclosures which means no bass, no matter how good the speakers are.

The most promising thing to do would be to mount a sub where the first air kit is, OR, put speakers in the rear door panels.

I'd love to come up with plans to make a nice W123 stereo that everyone can use...its not a trivial task at all. It requires some fabricating.

dd

PS - I talk abut all this with the end goal of a hi fi system - not a hugely loud raging sub driver thing.

[MBeige]

Where did you get those Rainbow speakers? They're not too popular here in the US. Yeah I bet they were pricey!

Sorry not much help here, I only have stock speakers and an Eclipse HU

[DrewGerhan]

I agree with keeping everything the same brand. Mine is all Pioneer. DEH-5800MP deck, 4x6's in the front, 6x9's in the back, 800 watt amp and 2 800 watt subs. I rewired my car too. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. Took all of an hour...

[TheDon]

I haven't gotten them yet..but I did some searching here and found a place online that has fronts for like $120 and rears for $130...

I want to go for a Hi-Fi system... I enjoy my music. and the crappy OG speakers and low quality sony head unit just is not doing any good..

(OG= Original German)


the amp and sub.. I have no idea where to find those.. but.. the sub would go in the trunk in a proper enclosure. A guy in my neighborhood builds them in his spare time.. Not those cheap run of the mill best buy type.. but enclosures built to proper spec.. ported or sealed... etc..

the amp.. would of course be mounted to the bulkhead..(bulkhead removed so a mounting system could be made and not drill into the fuel tank by accident)

I like doing things the right way.. Hi-Fi all the way...



Rainbow 4" and 5.25" are exact drop ins

[PC Dave]

Originally Posted by TheDon

I haven't gotten them yet..but I did some searching here and found a place online that has fronts for like $120 and rears for $130...

Can you post a link to your online source for Rainbows?

Last week I had two-way component Rainbows mounted in my '93 525i (E34), along with a new Pioneer head unit with bluetooth, XM and an iPod connector into the glove box - not a cheap install (probably about 1/3-1/4 the value of the car), but the sound is incredible in contrast to OEM. I got the Rainbows because the installer had them lying around and sold them to me at his cost to get them off his shelf. Unfortunately, he only had the fronts, so I'm thinking about picking up some 5.25's for the rear to complete the setup.

The Rainbows are expensive, but they're well worth it - the sound is awesome.

[TheDon]

http://www.iqcaraudio.com/mercedes/mercedes_W124.htm

these people have them...

although they appear to be 120mm... aww

[BoomInTheTrunk]

OK although i haven't done any business with them and they are out of the country here is a site that I found. I have to say that although you want to keep one brand these subs don't look like the ones you want. they are extremely pricey. you can buy other brands for way cheaper that are way better. PM me if you have any questions on a sub to choose.

http://caraudiosecurity.com/shop/product_list.php?manufacturers_id=70

[TheDon]

yea.. extremly pricey.. then add the weak as hell dollar vs british pound.. ha.. forget that!



I just want a good hi fi system... and it seems with the lack of rainbows this side of the pond .. I'm SOL

I don't want to expose the speakers.. factory grills have to cover them.. MB quarts are an option.. but... I don't want those..

[BoomInTheTrunk]

well look into these Im sure you can find a decent deal on ebay.

http://www.alpine-usa.com/US-en/products/product.php?model=SPS-13C2&lang=en&tab=F

[TheDon]

do those stupid looking grills come off?

[TylerH860]

I just upgraded my system with all poineer speakers. They all have tweeters, great sound. The only drawback is my factory speaker covers on the dash stick out a tiny bit because of them. Its probably only noticable to myself and some discering eyes on this forum, but I guess it was worth it. Bybassed the Amp, still using the fader. Not much bass though. I don't want a subwoofer in the trunk so I guess I'm up a creek with that.

[BoomInTheTrunk]

yes the grills can come off they just get screwed down with the speaker so you can just option to keep them off. the only problem you might have is that the tweeter is sticking up a little but it may be no problem at all

[TheDon]

hurray... life goes on..

I Can probably find some alpine 4" speakers and a good 10 or 12" sub with amp by them...

ill research more tomorrow.. I need some of that sleep stuff.. Its something new I'm trying