Draco: Mahindra XUV5000 W8 Now ICE'd

[singh890]

^^6 tweeters how is the output now?

should be more sparkling now than it ever was.

Naa it does not, actually I didn't wanted the guys to touch the stock tweeters as they are in the dash.
So the guy has tweeted everything in a very good way hence you don't feel too much of sparkling sound.

 

[Iron Rock]

Congrats Singh sir, are you intending to put up a lcd/led display too ?

 

[singh890]

Congrats Singh sir, are you intending to put up a lcd/led display too ?

Thanks IR buddy and regarding lcd/led I asked my parents since they sit in the back seat but they were not interested, so don't want to install it.

But i am thinking to install a fender mirror since it will make city driving more easy, especially in Delhi

 

[bhvm]

Re: DRACO -XUV 5OO W8: NOW ICED.

I don't know the power rating of the RCA's.
The woofers are Pioneer TS-W201. It is an old set I used a couple years back. Still in good condition.
The dimension of the box is 400(L) x 300(W) x 150(H). These are the outside measurements.

RCA's dont have any power ratings. They provide Un-Amplified signal source. They will support any amp you install the power rating will be the power rating for respective Amp.

 

[Speedo-TroN]

Can the thread starter put up pics of the final product. Please!
Or if anyone else who owns an xuv and modded the ICE - please feel free to put up pictures and details if its not too much trouble.

I'm planning to upgrade the ICE on mine but I'm still confused as to put a new HU or install a overhead player.

The guys who got the speakers done --- did they drill holes in the door for the speakers?

 

[ice_wise]

Hey buddy.

I am not an XUV owner but I would like to tell you that spacer rings are used for fitting speakers to doors, which means that the holes are drilled on the wooden spacer and not the car body.

Regarding the HU, I have heard that it is a very capable and sophisticated unit and owners prefer to keep it stock and focus on other parts of ICE (Speakers, amps). Do let us know your requirements in detail so that we can suggest accordingly. And most importantly, the Budget!

 

[Speedo-TroN]

Hey buddy.

I am not an XUV owner but I would like to tell you that spacer rings are used for fitting speakers to doors, which means that the holes are drilled on the wooden spacer and not the car body.

Regarding the HU, I have heard that it is a very capable and sophisticated unit and owners prefer to keep it stock and focus on other parts of ICE (Speakers, amps). Do let us know your requirements in detail so that we can suggest accordingly. And most importantly, the Budget!

Hey Ice

So if you get spacers n they drill the holes on them, then how do they screw it in to hold? They have to drill the door card for that right?
Yes, me too - a lot of people - have told me to not mess with the HU of Xuv cuz its proven to be a very big headache. I have the W6 so i have an Infotainment display.
I like that as is - I have 2 plans in mind.
1). I'd like to replace stock speakers given by mahindra to my choice of components and coaxials and maybe a 4 channel amp.
2).If its doable without too much trouble - Overhead display.

Budget for plan 1 is 15k.

 

[ice_wise]

Hey Ice

So if u get spacers n they drill the holes on them, then how do they screw it in to hold? They have to drill the door card for that right?
Yes, me too - a lot of people - have told me to not mess with the HU of Xuv cuz its proven to be a very big headache. I have the W6 so i have an Infotainment display.
I like that as is - I have 2 plans in mind.
1). I'd like to replace stock speakers given by mahindra to my choice of components and coaxials and maybe a 4 channel amp.
2).If its doable without too much trouble - Overhead display.

Budget for plan 1 is 15k.

Suppose the door has 3 holes for OEM speakers at specific points. You take a spacer ring (which is around 3/4" thick) and mark holes at those points and drill the spacer. Then attach (screw) the spacer on the door location and make other smaller holes on the spacer as per the aftermarket speaker you get. This way the original car body remains intact and you can experiment with slightly different speaker sizes (and provides added flexibility of mounting speakers as holes have to be drilled based ob the requirement). Hope it is clear now.

I do not have any idea about the feasibility and cost of overhead display. But I can help with the speaker part. Divide your budget like this -
4 channel amplifier - 5k
6.5" components - 4k
6.5" components - 4k
Amplifier wiring - 2k

I would say get components both at the front and back as 6x9 coaxials (which produce considerable bass) would look odd in the XUV. Getting components both at front and back (same brand and model) would at least solve your problem a bit by giving clear and distinct SQ oriented soundstage. Go for coaxials (door) at the back only if you plan to add a subwoofer at a later stage. Otherwise the soundstage would be front biased (and very poor at the rear 2 rows). If you are okay with the 2 components + 4 channel amplifier idea, revert back and we can start discussing the sizes and options.

 

[Speedo-TroN]

Yeah now that you mention it, makes more sense. Because I'd like to keep all the drilling & extra fittings to a minimum if possible.
And i do like the idea of 4 components + 4 ch Amplifier - Same make & Brand.
I don't think ill be adding a sub - 4 compos + Amp is plenty of sound for that car.
What do you think about polk audio?

 

[ice_wise]

Yeah now that u mention it, makes more sense. Because I'd like to keep all the drilling & extra fittings to a minimum if possible.
And i do like the idea of 4 components + 4 ch Amplifier - Same make & Brand.
I don't think ill be adding a sub - 4 compos + Amp is plenty of sound for that car.
What do you think about polk audio?

Polk audio components are good. Polk DB6501 has great reviews but I doubt it will be in your budget. Better to look at JBL, Pioneer, Hertz or Infinity.

Regarding amplifier, JBL GXA644SI and Blaupunkt EMA455 are good. Kenwood KAC8501 (Not sure avout the model no.) is also a good 4 channel amp from a not-so-common brand. If you are okay with 55w RMS with Blaupunkt (as opposed to 60w RMS in JBL), it would be great if you order it from Snapdeal, at around 4200 bucks. It is coming with brand warranty and 4200 is okay. JBL is available for 5k on Snapdeal which is also right as compared to market price (same, 5k). I would say go for Blaupunkt as you are only getting speakers and not a power-hungry subwoofer.

If you go for grey market components, you can get more options and better prices. Look out for these speakers - JBL GTO649C, Polk DB6501, Pioneer TS series, Hertz DSK165.3 and 170.3, Infinity 6502ix and Primus series (I can remember these only). What are your listening preferences? Loud music, calm music, type of songs, examples of some song and categories? Hard hitting bass, or more clear vocals?

 

[Speedo-TroN]

Wow ICe you really know your stuff. Nice.

Yeah Polk audio is what I'm aiming for - If the component speakers are combined with the Polk audio pa660 something 4 channel Amp. then would it be a good setup??

I can probably stretch my budget to 20k but i think that still wont be enough for a Polk setup[thinking]
Checked online and saw 4 components will cost me 14-15k and the amp is 25k so ill have to reconsider this. Would the 4 polk components sync well with the JBL/Kenwood/Blaupunkt amplifier? I'm looking at clear sound and if not great but good bass when there's thumping music. An all rounder basically.

Coming to music I listen all sorts mate, no particular genre as such but mostly electro/Trance/Rock/Classical. I checked the Kenwood KAC-8501 is 4800 online price here. JBL & Blaupunkt around 5000-5400, I don't get why Polk is charging so frikking much - is it because of the material they use?
As much as I know that adding a sub Woofer would just complete the setup, my budget doesn't allow it so maybe at another time.

 

[ice_wise]

Wow ICe you really know your stuff. Nice.

Yeah Polk audio is what I'm aiming for - If the component speakers are combined with the Polk audio pa660 something 4 channel Amp. then would it be a good setup??

I can probably stretch my budget to 20k but i think that still wont be enough for a Polk setup[thinking]
Checked online and saw 4 components will cost me 14-15k and the amp is 25k so ill have to reconsider this. Would the 4 polk components sync well with the JBL/Kenwood/Blaupunkt amplifier? I'm looking at clear sound and if not great but good bass when there's thumping music. An all rounder basically.

Coming to music I listen all sorts mate, no particular genre as such but mostly electro/Trance/Rock/Classical. I checked the Kenwood KAC-8501 is 4800 online price here. JBL & Blaupunkt around 5000-5400, I don't get why Polk is charging so frikking much - is it because of the material they use?
As much as I know that adding a sub Woofer would just complete the setup, my budget doesn't allow it so maybe at another time.

I think you misunderstood me here. I had suggested same brand and model for speakers only and the amplifier can be any brand, just sufficient to power up your speakers nicely. This is because if you get Pioneers at front (which are bass heavy) and JBL at the back (which are sweeter and vocal friendly), then you'd be having excess bass at the front and excess loudness (vocals) at the rear. This screws up the soundstage. Unless you are an audiophile and can distinguish and judge speakers from different brands correctly, it is recommended to go for the same brand (as a brand has similar sound signature in its products) to have a uniform and consistent sound setup.

And no, you don't need to go to that level on amplifiers. Polk 660.4 is 75w RMS and you don't really require the power. A 55w-65w RMS would be enough. See, equipment should be planned carefully. The front stage should cost slightly lesser than the 4 channel amplifier and thecrear stage should cost slightly lesser/equal to the front stage. This is how you get it correct. Otherwise too expensive amplifier paired with cheap speakers (speakers not cabable for that power) and too expensive speakers paired with cheap amplifier (not enough power to speakers) is a waste of money.

Get a 4 channel JBL or Kenwood or Blaupunkt. All are fine for 4k to 5k range (Blau is 4.2k on Snapdeal, check again). Polk DB6501 is the set of components for you then. They are around 6.7k on Snapdeal and you might get for a bit lesser in the shops. Other good speakers are Hertz DSK160.3, JBL GTO649C, Pioneer D1720C, and Infinity Primus 6500CS. Infinity, Hertz and Polk have an edge over quality and engineering when compared with entry level brands like JBL and Pioneer. Infinity speakers go really loud and Hertz are good for vocals, Polk is a good mix of these two though more on the sweeter laid-back side.

So, your setup should cost 13.5k for speakers and 5k for JBL amplifier, plus 2.5k for wiring and spacers. If you want to get in the budget, go for grey market speakers which would cost 10k for DB6501. At the end of the day, it is the speakers which will produce the sound, an amplifier just has to power them well (an amplifier is just an equipment for power, it can't be bass heavy heavy or treble heavy, only speakers have these characteristics as they are the ones which finally produce the sound). So, any amplifier can go with any set of speakers if the RMS power figures are not much different.

 

[bhvm]

Can the thread starter put up pics of the final product. Please!
Or if anyone else who owns an xuv and modded the ICE - please feel free to put up pictures and details if its not too much trouble.

I'm planning to upgrade the ICE on mine but I'm still confused as to put a new HU or install a overhead player.

The guys who got the speakers done --- did they drill holes in the door for the speakers?

I'm on ice wise on this one.
xuv hu is more complicated than a NASA Rover and ID suggest you absolutely and completely leave it alone.
the best option would be to add an amp and upgrade speakers and adding subwoofers.

here's my guide-
http://www.instructables.com/id/DIY-Dual-woofer-setup-Hidden-and-Underseat/

there are further details on my xuv thunderbolt thread.

 

[Speedo-TroN]

I'm on ice wise on this one.
xuv hu is more complicated than a NASA Rover and ID suggest you absolutely and completely leave it alone.
the best option would be to add an amp and upgrade speakers and adding subwoofers.

here's my guide-
DIY Dual woofer setup (Hidden and Underseat)

there are further details on my xuv thunderbolt thread.

Wow, that is one crazy thread you got there bhvm. Nice XUV!
Looking at all the trouble you have been through, I am now thinking of keeping all interior mods to a minimum. lol

Hey so just to add the amplifier and 4 speakers, would they take out all the main panels? like hu/gear panel etc. And was it a days work to complete everything?
I mean installing the speakers part.. how long did that take? I might add subwoofer later but for now I'd like to change the speakers and add an Amplifier.

I think you misunderstood me here. I had suggested same brand and model for speakers only and the amplifier can be any brand, just sufficient to power up your speakers nicely. This is because if you get Pioneers at front (which are bass heavy) and JBL at the back (which are sweeter and vocal friendly), then you'd be having excess bass at the front and excess loudness (vocals) at the rear. This screws up the soundstage. Unless you are an audiophile and can distinguish and judge speakers from different brands correctly, it is recommended to go for the same brand (as a brand has similar sound signature in its products) to have a uniform and consistent sound setup.

And no, you don't need to go to that level on amplifiers. Polk 660.4 is 75w RMS and you don't really require the power. A 55w-65w RMS would be enough. See, equipment should be planned carefully. The front stage should cost slightly lesser than the 4 channel amplifier and thecrear stage should cost slightly lesser/equal to the front stage. This is how you get it correct. Otherwise too expensive amplifier paired with cheap speakers (speakers not cabable for that power) and too expensive speakers paired with cheap amplifier (not enough power to speakers) is a waste of money.

Get a 4 channel JBL or Kenwood or Blaupunkt. All are fine for 4k to 5k range (Blau is 4.2k on Snapdeal, check again). Polk DB6501 is the set of components for you then. They are around 6.7k on Snapdeal and you might get for a bit lesser in the shops. Other good speakers are Hertz DSK160.3, JBL GTO649C, Pioneer D1720C, and Infinity Primus 6500CS. Infinity, Hertz and Polk have an edge over quality and engineering when compared with entry level brands like JBL and Pioneer. Infinity speakers go really loud and Hertz are good for vocals, Polk is a good mix of these two though more on the sweeter laid-back side.

So, your setup should cost 13.5k for speakers and 5k for JBL amplifier, plus 2.5k for wiring and spacers. If you want to get in the budget, go for grey market speakers which would cost 10k for DB6501. At the end of the day, it is the speakers which will produce the sound, an amplifier just has to power them well (an amplifier is just an equipment for power, it can't be bass heavy heavy or treble heavy, only speakers have these characteristics as they are the ones which finally produce the sound). So, any amplifier can go with any set of speakers if the RMS power figures are not much different.

Yeah, you've really narrowed down my options ice_wise.

I've got Polk Audio coaxials in my Etios Liva and they sound really good for coaxials So
I think ill be going with the 4 Polk Audio DB components[I'm set on the speakers, won't be changing my mind about them] and maybe pair them with a JBL or Kenwood Amp. Still not sure of the 2. It might come down to looks lol Kidding!
+ wiring + spacers and labour roundabout 22k? Would that be enough?

Hope so these fall under that budget.
BTW how come you decided to push your ICE stuff? Planning to put a new setup?

 

[ice_wise]

Yeah, you've really narrowed down my options ice_wise.

I've got Polk Audio coaxials in my Etios Liva and they sound really good for coaxials So
I think ill be going with the 4 Polk Audio DB components[I'm set on the speakers, won't be changing my mind about them] and maybe pair them with a JBL or Kenwood Amp. Still not sure of the 2. It might come down to looks lol Kidding!
+ wiring + spacers and labour roundabout 22k? Would that be enough?

Hope so these fall under that budget.
BTW how come u decided to push your ICE stuff? Planning to put a new setup?

If you are set on the speakers (Polk DB6501), then set aside 13k for them. See, DB6501 are 100w RMS and powering them via JBL/Kenwood 4 channel amp (gives out 60w RMS) would not let them perform to their full capacity. Instead, invest 1k more on the amplifier and get this Blaupunkt GTA460SF amplifier (http://m.snapdeal.com/product/blaupunkt-gta-470-sf-amplifier/651044?tag=) available at 6k on Snapdeal. This one puts out 70w RMS and would be enough (or better) for your components.

You can search the offline shops for their quotes and if you get these at a lower price, go for it. Otherwise, ordering from Snapdeal is not a bad option. A small approx breakup of price -

13k - Polk DB6501 Components
6k - Blaupunkt GTA470SF
1.5k - Wiring (Fusion kit would be enough)
1k - Labour + Spacers (You can get labour waived off after negotiation and bring this down to 500 bucks)

Total - Rs. 21k. Start ordering/shopping for the equipments as Snapdeal prices are rising rapidly. Blaupunkt 55w RMS amp was for 4.2k day before yesterday and now it is 4.6k.

OT - I have sold my ICE setup as I am looking for a move to more SQ from SQL stage. It went for 72k (original cost 80k) and I have sourced the items already for the new setup, which is costing around 85k. I will get the install done next Monday. And yeah, I remembered you are a Polk fan, I have Polk MM1240 DVC also this time!