My take on a great audio system in your Defender does not follow the normal procedure of replacing the stock speakers and adding a sub on the back of the cubby box. It is an improvement but also lacks a great deal. You still have a “gap” in the sound from the bottom end of “mid range” through to the top end of “sub bass”. there is also no separation from the sub and it feels as if everything is hitting you at the same time. The active sub often drowns out the speakers as it has more power and it all just sounds a little dissapointing.
I start with the source and use a competition grade Pioneer cd/Tuner, I use this particular Pioneer unit as it has a greater facility to manipulate the sound and also has time alignment. This is important in your Defender as the speaker placements are pretty poor and the time alignment allows me to “move” the sound to a better listening position.
The front 6 speakers (yes 6) are powered through a Hertz 2 channel amplifier which is installed into one of the under seat boxes so there is a minimal loss of useable space. This produces an impressive 400 watts of power, the rear 2 speakers are powered directly via the Pioneer unit. The difference in power between the front and rear,immediately “pulls” the sound forwards within the cabin.
The speakers I use are from Rainbow Audio and the front speakers comprise of 2 x”6.5 mid bass drivers which are fitted into the underseat boxes ( the underseat boxes are fully sound deadened to create a chamber for the speakerswhich allows for added depth of sound), 2x “4 inch mid range drivers fitted in the factory under dash positions and 2 x tweeters installed in the factory positions (on Puma dash or cut into the top of the dash panel on pre 2007 Defenders) and all 6 are powered through the Hertz amplifier and run through a dedicated crossover network.
the rear speakers are “4 rainbow co-axial speakers in the factory positions.
Because the”6 mid bass units are in a chamber (under seat) they will perform as well as the usual Alpine sub behind the cubby box which negates the need for this.
I have used this format now on over 50 vehicles and the results always speak for themselves
Although the system is easier to install into the Puma it can also be installed to most older Defenders ( my last install was a 1990 ex MOD defender).
Prices start at £1500.00 fully installed.
For more information please e-mail mobileincar@hotmail.com