hi all--

recently purchased an '04 and have spent more time looking at it in my garage than driving it (crappy, snowy weather here in the midwest)...

anyway, would appreciate feedback from owners who have invested in upgrading the car's stock stereo (which, by general consensus, is weak)... there's no doubt that cabin noise in this car is considerable (with top up); for those who've dropped one or two K into an aftermarket sound system--was it worth it? or are you peeing into a stiff headwind?

granted, the car isn't designed or meant to have the solitude of a lexus (or an accord, for that matter), but i enjoy listening to tunes while driving, and the current stereo gets completely drowned out above 3500-4000 RPM...

Also, for those who have installed a hardtop, does this lessen cabin noise and provide a bit more isolation??

Please don't mistake my line of questioning as looking for ways to avoid the "convertible/roadster" experience... on occasion, though, it's nice to tool around town or on the highway without craving an adrenaline rush...

Thanks... this forum has made ownership even more enjoyable...

 

A cheap "fix" is to install Lucid's rear speakers which doubles the outpiut of the system. It's not the same as a lot of power but it's better than a sharp stick in the eye and doesn't cost a lot. Check his site out from the sponsors page. I upgraded the front speakers and used the same model 5 1/4" for the rears for ~$300.

The hardtop makes little difference in overall noise but does change the character some. The lining no doubt attenuates the noise a little but it's the road/tire noise coming through the relatively undamped floor and firewall that remains as the major source of cockpit noise. With either top in place you don't have to crank the volume up as much to hear the tunes but it's far from a cry from anything resembling a quiet environment.

Down the road (I've only owned the car for 4 years so maybe in the next 4) I may upgrade the head unit but only if I keep the dash controls. I'd prefer to add a small subwoofer and possibly amp to the stock head unit to make it more tuneful. The sound of the engine at full chat is still the major goal for enjoyment of the car so I'm in no hurry...

 

I've got a bit invested in better sound - there's a few of us

Click the electronics junkies badge in my signature (should be the last one).

With the right combination: Head Unit, Amp, Components you can hear anything up to 9,000 RPM's in 6th gear - with the top down. Most people are big Alpine fans here, and I prefer an Alpine deck coupled with JL Power and MB Quart sound. Just click that badge to learn tons more.

And yes, a hardtop will help - but it won't be a super huge difference between riding with the top up and having the hardtop on.

However - everyone's ears are different.

 

Zeus;

IMO the hardtop (once I fixed the wind leaks) goes more to quieting the noise from outside the car. Wind noise below 80MPH is cut dramatically.

After 80 the wind whipping arround the mirrors and wiper blades starts to get loud again.

You will still hear engine and exhaust sounds that the S generates especially if you have those items modified.

As for tunes, I highly recommend the headrest speakers. I have the factory ones and think they should be standard equipment. Others have an aftermarket solution that works also. No other stereo mods are needed for my taste.

Regards,
BD

 

How much were those? I think the original poster could better spend his dollars.


Zeus, check out the electronic forums FAQ's - lots of good info there. Yes, if you drop a grand or two you will be able to hear your music over the wind noise with your top down even at highway speeds.

 

i hate having only 2 speakers. i need to get the headrest speakers soon

 

Why would you want more than two speakers? This is not the 70's when quadraphonic sound was all the rage.

Your easiest route is to replace the front speakers with better units, replace the headunit and put an amp in. With the addition of a sub in the trunk you can have a setup that allows you to actually hear the stereo on the highway with the top down.

I personally wanted a stock looking setup and trunk space left over.

I achieved this by mounting the amps on a shelf that swings back to form the rear wall of the trunk and by using the tool space to place a 12" sub.





I found the S2000 to be the easiest car I have ever put a stereo system in.

 

I'm going to move this to the electronics forum.