Custom double din console for my05 156 + audio install

[costie007]

Hey guys, Im obviously a noob to this forum but also to alfa's as of last week. I just picked up a my05 156 v6 and it's great, apart from the engine light coming on randomly but I don't miss my 200wkw liberty one bit although its factory sound system was rather good as it turns.

As the title suggests im after some help locating someone, preferably in Melbourne, who can fabricate a custom double din console by moving the AC controls down. I've researched this for 2 weeks now and all I know is it can be done but there are no off the shelf kits available, just a shite load of double din fascia's available online which are useless without a suitable console.

Can somebody point me in the right direction of someone who has done this before or a shop who is capable of doing it.
Also interested to know what path you guys have taken with regards to speaker upgrades.

Thanks.

[Davidm1600]

Welcome to Alfas, they certainly are different from Soobies.  Not sure what music system you previously had in the Soobie, but all I can say is that the factory Bose system in my JTS 156 is excellent.  What exactly is a double din console.  No idea what the din reference is to or why you would want two of them  .  However, regardless, would have thought that the custom audio guys might have been able to help out, but perhaps not so.

[costie007]

I want to put a 7 inch touch screen display that incorporates sat nav,tv,dvd,bluetooth and HDD conectivity for movies and music

Here is an example of what Im on about,
http://www.mereuta.com/temp/carpc/2din-156-console.jpg

It appears you have forgotten
http://www.alfaclubvic.org.au/forum/index.php?topic=7541.0

Told you I did my research   

[Davidm1600]

    ah yes, I do indeed remember now the previous discussion re this, forgive my oldtimer status. Not something I am that familiar with obviously given I have apparently asked the same question now twice !!!  Oh well I might learn eventually.

Would be pretty impressive if you can sort it all out.  Hopefully someone far more knowledgeable than I can help with advice. Out of curiosity have you tried the UK based 156.com forum.  Perhaps someone there might have an idea.

[shiny_car]

Melbourne's premier install guys are Phatt Audio Concepts, in Braeside. You can go and see Brett, Sam, and Jay. They specialise in custom work, and do a lot of the premium demo cars. Honestly, you won't find a better qualified team in Vic, if not Australia.

http://www.phattaudio.com.au/index.html
Unit 1, 11 Heland Place, Braeside.
Phone 03 9580 1282

Friendly, enthusiastic guys. Tell them I (Richard) sent you.

When I had a TS 156, I modified the doors. I fitted Dynaudio System240 7" 2-way splits in the front. Also ran Alpine's F1 CDA-7990R headunit + PXA-H900 processor, feeding Audison VRx amplifiers. I built a geniune 5.1 setup with a centre channel and rear speakers (Morel Hybrid4 rears and centre). Doors were fully sound deadened. Upgraded the electrics with an Optima Blue Top deep cycle battery, upgraded underbonnet groundwires, new terminals, 0awg to the boot for the amps. That was all a long time ago now, but the car won SQ comps consistantly, and Nationals. Pic galleries down the bottom: http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/listing/user/shiny_car

[costie007]

Thanks for the help, will defiantly be in touch with PAC

That's an impressive set up you had.

Sitting around at the moment I've got some good quality 2-way pioneer components in the box, old 4 channel sony 500w amp and a ebay touch screen with more features than my PC. Ultimately I want a balanced system but with no shortage of bass if I want it. So I was thinking of getting a 8-10  shallow/slim sub instead of rear door  speakers to make use of the amps other 2 channels which can be bridged and has a LPF. I noticed the rear parcel tray is hollow but how much space is in there im not sure yet. These subs are only 7.5cm in depth which if they could be fitted would have a great OEM finish.

Hopefully its do-able without a ridiculous budget because there isn't one of those.

[shiny_car]

Unsure what you consider "ridiculous", but I would expect the dash work alone to be $500~1000, with the result of it looking 'like factory' (heater knobs relocated, dash fascia rebuilt, custom mounting the 2-DIN headunit, finishing the fascia in factory colour).

A conventional 10~12" sub in a box will be superior to any smaller door or parcel shelf mounted 'sub'. Loud, low subbass depends on cone surface area, cone excursion, box design (typically, larger and ported is louder/lower), and amplifier power.

The PAC guys will do their best to tailor the installation and system to your car, budget, and aims.