sti-chris

I think this is the same unit but has the CD drive?

http://www.caraudiodirect.co.uk/alpine-cde-178bt

sti-chris

Think I will go with this.

http://www.caraudiodirect.co.uk/head...-bluetooth-dab

I will order this with Iso connection and also the dash pod so it fits.

sti-chris

Okay so an update, I have ordered the UTE-93DAB with the wiring harness to suit.

I need to get a single din pocket to fill out the space when the double din is removed.
The standard black pockets are on eBay and such like however I think I may have seen a silver one which would be the same colour as my dash which rather than a pocket had a close over lid cubie hole type ? Cant seem to find those any idea's if they can still be got?

TECHNOPUG

iTrader: (1)

Not sure about the pockets. Usually the ones with the flip up fronts can be found from the usual suspects.

I haven't got round to fitting anything yet as I'm still planning to fit some gauges there instead. Just a low priority for me given teh cost of the SPA units.

https://www.importcarparts.co.uk/par...y=&searchPart=

sti-chris

Super thanks, Looks factory I think that will be fine, My gauges are up on top of the dash. however as the HU is mechless the pocket will be ideal for an ipod or such like.

So next...... those front speakers and some tweeters.

Whats the recommendations ? 6"

TECHNOPUG

iTrader: (1)

Definitetly try and fit 6.5" in the doors.

Focal are a good bet if you like clean and crisp, although some people find them a bit too bright and un-natural. Very much a personal choice speakers. If you can audition some, that would be best.

In no particular order:

Hertz
Focal
Rainbow
JL Audio
Rockford Fosgate
Audison

Are all ones to consider. £170 to £250 is the most competitive price band, so will be lots to choose from.

Bear in mind that most, if not all will be designed to run from a dedicated amp with at least a true 50w RMS. Running them just from the little HU amp may not produce such impressive results. Try looking for high sensitivity ratings if not planning dedictaed amps. I think you may struggle to find suitable tweeters to fit in the stock loactions though. You'll have to get measuring!

See here for reviews and classifieds: https://www.talkstuff.net/ipb/

TECHNOPUG

iTrader: (1)

It is factory.

sti-chris

So what do you think of these , both on sale and a good deal to be had by the looks of it ?

https://www.caraudiocentre.co.uk/pro...as_p-32022.htm

https://www.caraudiocentre.co.uk/pro...fx_p-32015.htm

TECHNOPUG

iTrader: (1)

Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps.....not heard them so can't really comment. If you can't audtion any then you'll have to research some reviews.

sti-chris

closed thing we have to a car audio shop is in Falkirk I will give them a call and see if they have a range of speakers for a listen into.

https://www.skidz.co.uk/site/

So the only speakers they have on display to have a listen at is either Kenwood or Alpine.

TECHNOPUG

iTrader: (1)

Worth a go. Looks like a limited stock of brands though.

Have a search through the forums for reviews https://www.talkstuff.net/ipb/index....m/3-car-audio/

Any decent ~£200 speaker will sound good if it's properly installed, fed with a decent signal and set up properly. Equally it will sound **** if not. Some brands have different traits to others; either in volume or bass, brightness or warmth. But it's all down to personal preference. There isn't really a right or worng speaker. Providing of course it fits in your install and you match the right amp to it.

sti-chris

So that's another thing, what should I power the fronts with? Id like to use 1 amp for the fronts and then another dedicated for the sub.

TECHNOPUG

iTrader: (1)

That depends upon what speakers you choose and vice versa.

sti-chris

I will do some more research on the speakers, the deal with the Focal ones are very good money wise, Might take out a door card and measure up the space for the tweeters.

Can you send me a pic of your tweeter set up so I can get an Idea what the look like out of the doors.

TECHNOPUG

iTrader: (1)

I have mine double-side taped onto the dash because they came with a selection of mounts but mainly because I'm lazy. However, when I get a break in work, I plan to build some A-Pillar pods for them. They are pretty easy to do:

https://www.talkstuff.net/index.php/...eter-builds-r8

sti-chris

I have a problem fitting the dash pocket, I just noticed the picture shows this dash having drinks holder, my 2005 has no drinks holder and Im struggling to fit the dash pocket under the stereo, no mounts line up regardless of which way it goes. Have I got the wrong pocket for my dash?

https://www.importcarparts.co.uk/par...y=&searchPart=

LoganS

iTrader: (1)

This is how I fitted mine.. bit of a bodge but it held up fine.

https://www.scoobynet.com/interior-1...n-impreza.html

sti-chris

Okay I see, bit gutted as its a factory part that It doesn't just fit right in. feels like Im missing something or using the wrong part

LoganS

iTrader: (1)

Yeah that's how I felt, I just couldn't figure it so i just made do.

sti-chris

So, after more fiddling, I think Im going to drill a few holes in the bracket that actually line up. I see this same pocket for sale but it says modification may be required.

sti-chris

Okay, well so much for plug and play with the dash Pocket.
Anyways no matter what way you turn and twist these don't fit right it out the box.

What I had to do Is shave off a few raised plastic round tab's with the dremel, I should have taken a picture but If your reading this they you most likely have come across them and thought WTF ?

Nothing lines up and no holes to mount this although there is 2 screw holes each side they correspond with not a thing.

So I held it all in place where it should sit marked up a few holes and drilled them out.
By a bit of luck they landed in the right place, I did use an oversized hole to give some slight adjustment which worked out very well.

Anyways i screwed the Single din stereo and the pocket back to the Original stereo brackets, fitted the whole lot back and and job done.

What I will say is for the 10 minutes playing around with the new stereo I am super impressed by already how much better it all sound's I cant wait to get a decent set of speakers installed to take advantage of this new unit.

TECHNOPUG

iTrader: (1)

Looks like a good job.

The biggest problem with the stock HU is that it is woefully under-powered. Can't even drive the stock speakers properly. So you should see a big improvement straight away.

sti-chris

Has made a big difference but those standard speakers are so small they don't push much air, I'm still stuck on what speakers to go for, I can travel to hear a set of alpine but that's about it. I spoke to the place I bought the stereo and they say that the Focal range are very clean sounding where the alpine have a warm sound.

This has kind of stopped me in my tracks, Need some inspiration

TECHNOPUG

iTrader: (1)

What sort of music do you mostly listen to?

sti-chris

I like vocal music, and the 2000+ era trance music.

TECHNOPUG

iTrader: (1)

Try the Focals then.

sti-chris

Think I will try out these

https://www.caraudiocentre.co.uk/pro...fx_p-32015.htm

sti-chris

Actualy I dont think these will fit, Was just about to order them and noticed the depth of the speaker to be 90mm

Sure the recommended size was 69mm

High power handling
Very low deep bass
All the last high technologies
BI AMP system (special crossover)
Unic and patented FLAX cone (N°1350116)
A new sound for a new 100% Focal signature
Technical Specifications:
Nominal power 80W
Maximum power 160W
Sensitivity (2,83V/1m) 91,3dB
Cone Flax
Surround Butyl
Nom. impedance 4 Ohms
DC resistance 3 Ohms
VC diameter 32mm 11/4"
VC height 15mm
Former Kapton
Layers 2
Wire Alu
Inductance
Xmax 5mm 03/16"
Magnet d x h 90mm x 17mm 39/16 x 02/3"
Magnet weight 400g 0.88 lb
Flux density -
Gap height 5mm 03/16"
Net weight 1350g 2.98 lb

TECHNOPUG

iTrader: (1)

90mm is the magnet diameter.

​​​​​​The depth is 77mm though, so you're going to struggle getting them to fit and the door cards on.

sti-chris

Bugger

where can you tell 77mm, I missed that, I thought it was 90?

Okay I see it now on this spec sheet.

https://www.focal.com/sites/www.foca...ical_sheet.pdf

I take it even with a spacer taken into consideration those are still too big. Saying that how big a spacer should be used ? 10mm ?

Those looked like a nice set of trumpets too.

Back to the drawing board.