Professional in-car audio fitter recommendation please?

[hunta]

Apologies if you've seen me ask this before, but it's buried in another thread somewhere and I thought it worth separating out.

Can anyone recommend a good in-car audio fitter in the Herts / North London area? I've explored the Loudlink etc. solutions for iPod integration, but for various reasons can't arrive at an easy fix. So time to call in the pros...

I've found these three from a quick Google, but would be interested to hear any opinions / recommendations:

http://www.audiofile-incar.co.uk
http://www.advanceav.co.uk/index.html
http://www.a1audiodesigns.co.uk/

Many thanks...

 

[phrozen]

Sound Gallery in high wycombe are fantastic they are used to working on ferraris/astons etc...its where mine is going soon!

 

[hunta]

Sound Gallery in high wycombe are fantastic they are used to working on ferraris/astons etc...its where mine is going soon!

Great, thanks for that phrozen. I'm from round there and rate the Sound Gallery but didn't know they had a car division so I'll be paying them a visit.

 

[Palmball]

I'm reading this with interest!

I'd too like to find someone to rip out my Bose system (that doesn't even have Bose speakers ) and fita decent sounding set up in my GT-S. The thing is a lot of car audio places I've ever been to wouldn't know where to start on a Maserati and seem to prefer to just sell big bass boxes rather than a quality and totally invisible system!

I may well give Sound Gallery a call myself even though they're nowhere near me....might be worth the trip!

 

[BennyD]

Palmball, why not fit some decent Bose speakers and see if that lifts the sound. If it doesn't maybe then look to change the system. It might save you a lot of money and hassle. Just a thought.

 

[Palmball]

Thanks BennyD, Yes, I had thought about that but the speakers seem to be very specific to the car and are attached to (well, part of) a 1-2 inch thick spacer bracket.

Also, where to locate aftermarket Bose car audio speakers? They just don't seem to exist other than model-specific ones for other cars on eBay.

 

[BennyD]

Well, I am sure there are other premium speakers that can be persuaded to fit and I sure there are lots of people who can advise you accordingly. I don't know if the ICE head unit in your GT S controls other functions or systems but if it does it could cause endless grief. Perhaps that's why people aren't keen on playing around with them. Good luck in your quest!

 

[Palmball]

Yeah, the head unit is going nowhere as it's part of the car and does Nav, Bluetooth and various settings for the car.

My thoughts are to take the feed from the head that goes to the separate Bose amp and replace it with a better amp and speakers. I just need someone who knows what they're doing to advise me that my idea is actually possible (it must be as lots of people have aftermarket amps and speakers in other cars t cone with factory Bose set-ups).

 

[BennyD]

I am sure that can be done by a competent technician. Let us know how you get o.

 

[dem maser]

I had my ipod loud all day today driving and never enjoyed the car.....i wont spend loads on a sound syten in a maserati ferrari or lambo as the engine is all i want.....

 

[phrozen]

Great, thanks for that phrozen. I'm from round there and rate the Sound Gallery but didn't know they had a car division so I'll be paying them a visit.

Im from High Wycombe Hunta, getting a few bits done to the car -feel free to have a listen and look at the workmanship before taking the plunge?

Got a tube (valve) amp and some components going in

phrozen

 

[phrozen]

Yeah, the head unit is going nowhere as it's part of the car and does Nav, Bluetooth and various settings for the car.

My thoughts are to take the feed from the head that goes to the separate Bose amp and replace it with a better amp and speakers. I just need someone who knows what they're doing to advise me that my idea is actually possible (it must be as lots of people have aftermarket amps and speakers in other cars t cone with factory Bose set-ups).

Its defo possible, something to catch the signal from the headunit (oem interface) retains all your factory functions and then the signal is passed onto a better amp and speakers...MASSIVE improvement in sound quality! I know a sound system in a maserati can be seen as a no no, but when you're in relaxed mode listening to your favourite songs on a superb system..brings a smile to your face!

phrozen

 

[Palmball]

I have spoken with Sound Gallery today and they seem very knowledgable, helpful and, best of all, they've upgraded a Granturismo Bose system before....unbelievable luck that given how rare the car is!

They've recommended replacing the Bose amp for a 5-channel JL one (using the cars original wiring and amp location so all hidden and properly fitted) and upgrading the front and rear speakers and subwoofer to JL components.

The kit they're suggesting is very high end yet the most impressive thing from my point of view is that they seemed to know exactly what they were talking about and what to do on my particular car...and all from experience. They've even contacted the person who they fitted a system for previously for me to see if I can get in touch with them and arrange to listen to their system before I buy it...very impressive service as it means I can be sure the system sounds like I want it to before committing to it.

So, thank you phrozen for this recommendation of the Sound Gallery as at last I do think that I'll be able to get just what I'm looking for....I'll keep you updated!

 

[BennyD]

Result! The forum strikes again with great tips and recommendations. Long may it continue.

 

[phrozen]

Glad to hear that they could help you

Like I said, very professional and skilled guys -post back once its done!

@BennyD the forum seems to be full of lots of great info