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MG TD TF 1500 - Sound system for TD

I've got all the components and have started work building the sound system for my MG. First things first: its very small and underpowered; without Jay Leno's wallet you have to go with what more or less fits...
I decided early on that I did not want to install a "head unit" - a stereo or CD player etc in the dash or glove compartment. Instead, I wanted to stream music to the system directly from my phone via Bluetooth.
Given the very limited space, I went small. The amplifier is a Pyle Hydra marine amplifier, which although not water proof is certainly water resistant and fairly well armored, so I mounted it on the underside of the rear tie bar, directly behind the driver's seat. The unit is only about 5x4x1 so there was plenty of room.
I installed a (small) subwoofer in the rear ply floor, sacrificing space with others have used for tools etc by putting in a stainless steel restaurant style tray. You can mount two, one on other side of the differential, but I only put in one; on the drivers side I installed a three quart stainless steel dog bowl about 8.5 inches in diameter($5) which houses a 6.5 inch subwoofer.
I have built two headrests that mount into my rollbar, and each holds two 3.5 inch speakers, projecting stereo sound directly behind the occupants heads. Not only should the stereo placement be excellent, but the close proximity to the ears means you can get away with far less power; although my system like all cheap sound systems advertises large power figures (800 watts for the amp, 600 watts for the subwoofer and 120 watts for the speakers), in truth they lie like dishonest dogs... the figures are much more like 10W for the speakers, maybe 60 for the subwoofer and at best 50w per channel for the amp (perhaps 25 might be more accurate). So even though the power usage is low, it's optimally placed to get the most out of the system.
Directly above where I mounted the amplifier I also wired in and mounted the Bluetooth dongle, which is also marine rated.
In short, this system takes up just about zero actual room in car interior! The main components are either hidden beneath the floor, mounted into the rear floor, or mounted into the headrests. The only visible sign of a sound system at all will be the control switch and the volume control which I will mount under the dash.
I'll take pictures of the headrests when they get closer to completion (I still need to get fabric and foam to cover them) and hope to report on the quality of the sound in the new year. I don't expect it to be stellar - but it should be better than an aftermarket stereo with speakers up under the dash at any rate!
So far, the subwoofer enclosure is complete, the amp and Bluetooth dongle are wired and mounted, the headrest speaker frames are built and all I need to do is wire it to power, connect the speakers, install the volume.on.off switch and I'm done.


Geoffrey M Baker

Here's the subwoofer enclosure built into the rear floor. It can be removed to access the brake lines etc.

Geoffrey M Baker

I'll probably work on it tomorrow but will not complete it; after that its off to visit family for ten days. I'll complete this sometime in the new year and hope to have much better pictures then. Merry Christmas one and all!
Geoffrey M Baker

You not only have one of the very few MG T-Types with a stereo installed, but probably the only one with a subwoofer!

My sound system in bolted underneath the car, with the sound exiting in the rear. It only plays one song. It's called Vroom Vroom. ;)
Steve S

Geof,
Sooo I guess you don't plan onb carrying anything in the rear compartment??

SPW
Steve Wincze

Sure Steve, I do. That's why I installed a strong metal grill over the subwoofer, to protect it when carrying stuff. Subwoofer sound being at the very low end of the spectrum, is omnidirectional (and some of it carried via vibration through the car frame) and while packing stuff on top of it will reduce some of the sound, some of it will still carry through the car. And as the majority of the sound you can actually hear will be coming through the headrest speakers right behind my head, I don't anticipate a problem, no matter how much I pack in the rear.
Today I wired it in; I ran power and acc and volume control wiring, all beneath the frame, following and ziptied to the existing wiring loom from the engine compartment to the rear; so no holes had to be drilled for wiring, at all. I ran the main power line to the battery (well, the right side of the starter switch) and the acc line to the A3 junction on the fusebox. There is a 10A inline fuse for the amp anyway, so additional fusing was not necessary. I powered it up, turned the ignition key, and heard a pleasant chirp as the Bluetooth searched out and paired with my phone; a few seconds later the music came on. Flawless! That was just with the sound coming from the subwoofer, it should be much better when all five speakers are working together.
When I get back from vacation, I'll mount the volume control and the stereo on.off switch under the dash, and wire the headrest speakers in and it will be complete.
Geoffrey M Baker

T Types come with a built in sound system. It's called an engine. And an exhaust. And a gearbox. Etc.

Are you guys serious, or do you plan on listening while parked up in a romantic spot with the engine off?

Merry Xmas, David
D A Provan

David, I am with you. I cannot think of any car in our club that is a TD,TF or TC with a radio in it. come of us carry boomboxes. Driving with the top down, wind in your hair and listening to that engine and exhaust is all the music I need.
Tom Maine

I can't imagine driving a T-Series while listening to music, but there are those who can't imagine driving anything at all without music to keep them occupied. But I'm the guy with no radio in his daily driver. Different folks and all that...
Steve S

Would you prefer an MX5!!!(lol)

Rob Grantham
Perth
Western Australia
R GRANTHAM

Hey, no fair, Rob - I have a TD *and* an MX5!

(no radio in the TD, really nice one in the MX5!)
Kevin McLemore

I installed a fairly expensive radio in the wifes MGB. It took a lot of looking to get one that fit without any modifications to the original hole in the console. Two high tech speakers in the doors. To me, it was a waste of money! To listen to it while driving you need to crank it up so high people a mile away can hear it, but I/we like soft music and that's impossible while driving. This car is well insulated and even has a Mohair top, which itself deadens a lot of outside noise. So, the TF gets no radio! Be ok if you and your sweetie pie wants to park for a while, but for me, those days were gone a long time ago, if you get my meaning! LOL. But that's just me, grin. PJ
Paul S Jennings

IMHO, I’ve got to agree with Tom, David, Steve and Paul. To be able to hear the raido over the sweet exhaust, wind and engine noises would require a lot of volume,,, I think it will sound just like the big motorcycles that have radios that can be heard for miles around. Especially annoying at stop lights,,,,

Just my thoughts,
Steve
Steve Wincze

I'm happy no matter what folks want to do to their own cars - add a radio or not - but for me I tend to go with what was 'period correct'... so, for a TD that means if I want a radio to listen to once we've arrived somewhere, I bring along a small portable radio. And actually, since I also restore and collect Gramophones and Victrola record players, my wife and I have even brought our small portable Electrola with some records on a picnic... great fun!

Kevin McLemore

That being said, the MGTD did have an optional radio - as most of you probably know it resided in the glove box - so I suppose it was even 'period correct' to have a radio, though like many here I prefer listening to 'engine music' in that car.
Kevin McLemore

For me, music greatly enhances the driving experience. I haven't gone freeway speeds yet, but around town I don't find much of a conflict between engine and stereo. I think good panel deadening and insulation greatly help in getting rid of the kind of noise that interferes with the stereo. High quality components also help.

Cruising the beach listening to Paul Desmond, hauling-A down the boulevard at night catching Clapton's solos in "Crossroads": having music in the TD can be just wonderful.

Jim
J Barry

Jim; I agree
For round town driving I don't see myself using the stereo much but on long road trips there is nothing better than being able to have some tunes when you want them. I will probably NEVER go freeway speeds (no 4.3 diff, no 5 speed gearbox, no engine improvements) but on the back roads at 55 mph there is nothing better than listening to your favorite music as you wind through the turns. I'm not a fan of loud music or huge bass, either; I just like it to have a good "space" without compression of high or lows - natural, not the narrow bandwidth you get on most FM radio or cheap stereo systems. The subwoofer will add back in a little of the low end and the headrest speakers I hope, will do the rest.
As far as most of the rest of the postings here... each to his own, my friends; and while I love the sound of my car, I also love to know I can turn up Aretha and add to the pleasure!
Period correct? Well, as Kevin says, they came with optional radios, so a "sound system" is NOT verboten... mine being both invisible and decent quality just makes it all the better.
Geoffrey M Baker

I can see music adding something to the experience of traveling, but I've never been able to comprehend how it could possibly add to the experience of operating a vintage sports car. The enjoyment for me is the interaction of man and machine to achieve a goal (traveling along a road). Listening to the radio, for me, takes away from that experience and makes it more like taking a train. It distances me from the whole point of driving. Maybe if it was a big automatic American cruiser, but not a vintage sports car. Funny how people's outlooks on a particular action can vary so widely.
Steve S

Here is the final step: I wired speakers into the rollbars by making headrests, covering them with foam (with cutouts for the speakers) and wrapping in black speaker cloth. Quite comfortable as well as sounding good.
Total speaker project came in around $120. (Cheap amp, cheap speakers, and I had most of the materials I needed otherwise).
I look forward to enjoying it!

Geoffrey M Baker

Now what you need is "born to be wild" on the next ride. That might add well to the driving experience, in contrary to what Steve thinks ;-)
Other songs may be fitting as well - just thinking of the scene in Top Gun with Tom Cruise on the bike with "danger zone" playing...

That could certainly give me an extra kick

Rgds, Mike
Mike Fritsch

Endless loop of "Rain drops keep falling on my head"?
David Sheward 55 TF1500 # 7427

That's what the convertible top is for, David; if they make a song that goes "Rain keeps dripping in from the sidecurtains" I'll definitely play that!!!
Geoffrey M Baker

Here is the perfect stereo period piece solution ! Keeps your hair neat too !

K. McKenzie

Genuine RCAF WWII 1944 flying helmet and MKVIII flying goggles. The ear phones still work ,so I wired them up to my iPod. 71 years old and they still work great !
Windshield down this summer , Yahooo !
K. McKenzie

Good choice Kyle, I love it! Guess you're still going for that look girls kill for... BUGS IN THE TEETH :)
Geoffrey M Baker

Yup. That is a hazard when you have the TD grin on while driving and channeling Nigel Shiftright ;~)
P.S. I am looking for a white silk scarf.... Cheers, Keith
K. McKenzie

Geoff,
A question about the headrest speakers,, Are there two in each headrest (for stereo R and L) or just one?
SPW
Steve Wincze

Steve, there are two, for stereo sound for both driver and passenger. I read up on Miata headrest speakers before starting. So you have to parallel the speakers and it cuts the ohms in half. Mine ends up as 2 ohms and the amp is rated for that. Similarly, I paralleled the dual voice coils on the subwoofer to match 2 ohms.
Geoffrey M Baker

This thread was discussed between 23/12/2014 and 19/01/2015

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