ICE Help (Total newbie)

Well now most of the mechanical faults on my 156 are sorted I need to sort out the terrible ICE.

I am currently using a Blaupunkt Woodstock DAB 52 HU with Infinity reference speakers which I took out of my Rover coupe before I sold it.

Now in the Coupe these sounded pretty good, but in the Alfa they sound 'small'.

Can someone advise me what I would need to buy to make this sound better as I have never done any ICE apart from replacing HU and speakers before.

depends how much you want to spend, but perhaps a good system-design would include:

*CD headunit: blau
*2-way 6.5" components speakers: are the infinity's components or coaxial speakers?
*4-channel amplifier: channels 1-2 powering front speakers, ch.3-4 'bridged' to power sub
*single 10~12" sub
*sound deadener: cover the front doors and seal over the large service holes to help create an 'enclosure' for the speakers; loose fitting speakers with air leaks = 'thin' sound (no midbass)

The infinity's are components but I haven't installed the tweeters, I am still using the existing ones in the doors.

hmm. well, start with installing the complete set (!), and ensure the midwoofers are solidly mounted, with no air leaks around the speakers. then consider adding sound deadener and sealing over the service holes.

as an idea, here's pics of what i did with my 156. i happened to replace the factory plastic speaker baffles with angled mdf wood 'pods', and went all-out with sound deadener and panels. you don't have to go to such extremes, but it should give you the general idea.

*stripped rear door: note big open service holes (= bad for audio)
http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL97/...4/12783104.jpg

*sound deadener on front door: self adhesive Dynamat Xtreme, applied to inner/outer skins
http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL97/...4/15165385.jpg

*service holes sealed over: mdf panels cut to shape, sound deadened, then screwed to door, with closed-cell foam rubber edging for gasket; midwoofer mounted on mdf pod
http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL97/...4/15363285.jpg

Well I think I'll keep my existing HU, and install an amp and sub. Can you recommend anything good for £250ish?

What other stuff will I need to get (wires, sub boxes etc)?

cos i'm from australia, i don't know exactly what your money will buy you.

but yes, you will need:
*sub + amp
*subbox to suit sub: every model sub differs in box requirements, so seek advice from the retailer as to what suits; subbox design is as important as the sub itself, so get it right
*powerwiring + fuse: wire gauge depends upon current draw (ampere) of amp
*RCA audio cables
*remote trigger wire: from headunit to amp, to trigger it on/off
*speakerwiring
*securing subbox into car: L-brackets, velcro, straps, other

perhaps something like:
*alpine type-S SWS-1043D 10" sub
*prefab 1.0cuft 'sealed' subbox (as opposed to 'ported')
*alpine MRP-M450 amplifier

i can too recommend the alpine amplifiers, i use an alpine MRV-F345 digital amp and the sound clarity is superb.

hey iam a ice nut!!! lol

a good set up i think would be 1st of and this is going in capitals DONT GO TO HALFORDS!!!

once that has been done i think a good set up all depending on teh type of music u listen to ie metal or bass?? iam into both so i have in mine

3x ten inch west coast customs subs (they are good)
running on a 2500 watt amp (directed d2400)
exile mids, tweaters(daddys)
with a directed amp running them cannot remember the watts soz.
and a tv head unit kenwood.

i would suggest that you go for an all round upgrade
defantly look at going for directed or exile they are a bit expensive but soooooo worth it.

if you have a look at Brian Car Sounds Security he is sutton based sounds alarm and electric guy he is cheap and wont muck up and electrics on the alfa lol

all depending on what you want you will be looking at if all directed stuff from standed about 300/400 quid but it all depends on what you want and what you have got.

hope this helps

let us no

rich.