OEM CD player improvement

[Tewje]

Hi All.

Has any of you improvement his stereo using original cd player with aftermarket amplifier and speakers?
Is it possible? I love the 90's look of original unit so I don't want to change. Same time I want to improve sound quality - have you heard about such solutions?

[gazza1286]

Yes - I've retained the original unit. Added a simple Yatour mp3 adapter plus a Kinivo btc450 Bluetooth via a hidden 12v socket (for wireless music from my phone).

 An under dash subwoofer powered by an amp in the rear bin. The feed to that through a RCA adapter stitched into the original speaker loom.
I'm very happy with the look and sound (kept the original speakers - they're not bad). Planning to sound proof the doors when the temperature allows.

As the OEM radio doesn't have any RCA outs you'll need one of these:-


 m http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.vi ... 95&alt=web m

[1979scotte]

Good luck to you but i will never understand why people want to keep the stock head unit.
Looks awful and is 14 year old tech.

[Tewje]

Thank you gazza1286!

I thought that speakers were the weakest part of oem stereo, not the power shortage. So I just need this RCA conventer - plug in the amplifier and that is it?

1979scotte - I like this 90's design. I know that I can buy a lot better unit but staying with stock look has a great value for me.

[gazza1286]

Not exactly - the RCA adapter will covert the signal to a low level input to an amplifier. On my set up the amplifier has a out feed to drive a a single subwoofer. All other speakers remain connected to the original wiring and are driven by the stock Head Unit.


See

 l viewtopic.php?f=31&t=55709 l

[shnazzle]

Doesn't the OEM harness have the wiring for 2 rear speakers? I seem to remember that there was a (totally disgusting) option to have 2 speakers in the behind-seat bin doors.
So those channels could be used to drive an active amp like the In-Phase USW-10 I've got, cleverly hidden under the steering wheel.

The front channels can indeed go through a small amp. Optionally then replace the stock speakers for more powerful units.
So that'd be a small active sub (100-120 GBP), a small 2-channel amp (50-75 GBP) and optionally some better speakers (50-100 GBP)

All of which can be hidden away from sight. A small enough amp can be mounted behind the head unit or around there

[Tewje]

Doesn't the OEM harness have the wiring for 2 rear speakers? I seem to remember that there was a (totally disgusting) option to have 2 speakers in the behind-seat bin doors.
So those channels could be used to drive an active amp like the In-Phase USW-10 I've got, cleverly hidden under the steering wheel.

The front channels can indeed go through a small amp. Optionally then replace the stock speakers for more powerful units.
So that'd be a small active sub (100-120 GBP), a small 2-channel amp (50-75 GBP) and optionally some better speakers (50-100 GBP)

All of which can be hidden away from sight. A small enough amp can be mounted behind the head unit or around there

Speakers in bin doors are awfull. I'll stay just with the doors speakers. +/- 200£ sounds reasonably.
Could you post names or ref numbers of your sound system components?

Thanks

[kiril89]

Same as Tewje, I really like the retro/original look of the head unit, but that might be just us Eastern Europeans (I'm from Lithuania)   s:D s:D  

So would a little amp and some better door speakers make a difference? I don't want to have anything in the rear bins (retaining an OEM look).

[shnazzle]

I wasn't saying that you should get speakers in the bins. I was saying that it was an option when the car came out, so the wiring should be there in the harness. Which means you can use the rear channel to power a small active amp

[Tewje]

So I've bought Hertz ESK165 speakers. And still waiting for proper amplifier. So I'll stay with 2x2 speakers and amp - just as Shnazzle said.
Kiril89 - yes! It must be iron courtain style!

[Jock]

Not iron curtain style - just classic style   s:bounce: :bounce: s:bounce:  
How long do you spend in the car admiring the look of the head unit   s:? :? s:?  
Anyway, I turn mine on to check the aerial and off again to listen to classic Cobra    s:lol: :lol: s:lol:

[Tewje]

One more question.
My dash lights are amber but head unit is green as grass. Is there any way to change a HU lights colour?

[1979scotte]

Most modern head units are colour changeable just look in your settings menu

[Tewje]

Unfortunately - it's not a modern one. It's green and you can't change it from setting menu.
I was wondering if it is possible to change bulbs or sth inside the unit

[Jock]

Mine's original and amber light - must be the model between red and green   s:lol: :lol: s:lol:  
Cannot imagine they were made with different lighting so possibly a previous owner made a change. I've not seen a manual for the unit   s:? :? s:?

[Tewje]

Yours is FL one mine is pre FL. That is the difference...

[Jock]

Plenty on here have changed the head unit.  Maybe try a wanted post for a FL head unit   s:bowdown: :bowdown: s:bowdown:

[Tewje]

Yes! I should do this

[Jock]

Confession.

Don't ask why but I swapped the FL head unit to try a new Pioneer.  Swapping back without having moved the car I could not believe the sound difference and the radio reception.  A quick double check and oops I've been soooooooooooooo wrong   s:bowdown: :bowdown: s:bowdown:    s:bowdown: :bowdown: s:bowdown:  

Humble pie by the bucket-load   s:scared: :scared: s:scared:  .   Have to say Scotte and Shnazzle the old unit is timed-out   s:( s:(  

So I'm installing a single din Pioneer DEH-4800DAB and feeling better for coming out   s:) s:)

[1979scotte]

Good choice Jock.
I rate pioneer kit.

[shnazzle]

Welcome to the present  s:) s:)  
Enjoy your tunes

[Jock]

I thought Tunes were a thing of the past or is that Spangles   s:? :? s:?   ?