Lightweight 182 Audio Upgrade

[mikeh]

I'm looking to upgrade the audio in my 182 Trophy.

I don't want to go through the rigmorale of fitting an amp. I'd ideally like to retain the original stereo, but if that's the best option to upgrade audio without an amp, I'd consider it.

I'm guessing my best option is to spend out on the best front speakers I can afford. Any recommendations?

 

[Robbie Corbett]

Keen to see peoples opinions on this too - I would like to upgrade the speakers in mine without going over the top. Many moons ago Infinity Kappas were what I would normally fit to a new car but perhaps now there are better midrange options?

I've got the list head unit so looks like I can add an aux input?

What is your head unit @mikeh - I think there were 2 or 3 options from new, the list is the better one I believe.

 

[ajracer]

• #32

I have an aftermarket Sony head unit which is great with all the usual Bluetooth, CarPlay etc but the stock speakers were never really up to much with a magnet barely bigger than a pound coin!
Fitted 4 of these this morning and I’m well chuffed as the improvement especially in bass is quite startling.

 

[Robbie Corbett]

Nice, do these have separate crossovers and tweeters?

 

[mikeh]

I've spent some time researching this evening.


I'm currently debating a set of Focal component speakers like these - https://www.caraudiocentre.co.uk/product_m-focal-car-audio-130as_p-32021.htm

Probably with a pair of coaxials to replace the rear speakers.

I'll see how that goes before upgrading the headunit and potentially finding a little underseat active sub if it's no good.

What is your head unit @mikeh - I think there were 2 or 3 options from new, the list is the better one I believe.

Not sure what model it is, but it has an AUX in already

Untitled by mikehhhhhhh, on Flickr

 

[ajracer]

No these are a direct replacement for the OEM driver units. As you can see they marry up perfectly with the original mounting holes and the original tweeters are retained. Honestly the difference in base and clarity is very good.

 

[mikeh]

Well for anyone interested, I ordered the following

These for the front: https://www.caraudiocentre.co.uk/product_m-focal-car-audio-130as_p-32021.htm
These for the rear: https://www.caraudiocentre.co.uk/product_m-focal-car-audio-rcx-130_p-40178.htm

Hopefully they'll improve things a bit

 

[Robbie Corbett]

Nice, could you update this thread with the result please?

 

[mikeh]

Yeah, will do.

 

[frayz]

Only thing with doing these is dicking about running cables to the doors and crossovers. I can’t be arsed these days. Would probably also be worth adding some sound deadening while you’re there.

 

[mikeh]

Only thing with doing these is dicking about running cables to the doors and crossovers. I can’t be arsed these days. Would probably also be worth adding some sound deadening while you’re there.

The last time I fitted components to a Clio, I cut the speaker wiring on the car side of the door shut for the crossover and just reused that.

Where would you put sound deadening?



Also, a slight update - a helpful chap on the Clio Trophy Facebook group put me onto this high-level amp that runs everything in-line on the ISO plug - so totally plug and play, and hopefully will give that extra power I need while retaining the OEM stereo.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00PAQGYKE/?tag=cliospnet01-21

 

[Robbie Corbett]

The last time I fitted components to a Clio, I cut the speaker wiring on the car side of the door shut for the crossover and just reused that.

Where would you put sound deadening?

Yes thats what I would do, crossover under the dash - reuse the rest of the wiring. I will be putting those dynomat sheets on the outer door skin, mostly directly behind the speaker. I'm also going to have the dash out and fix a load of small annoying rattles while I'm at it.

I would like to keep the stock head unit and suspect it is more than powerful enough without an external amp - doesn't seem noisy etc. So you may find a new amplifier doesn't make as much difference as the new speakers - assuming your not hoping for mountains of bass. I'm basically just fixing a rattling speaker and find the stock system fine for the occasional use it gets

 

[mikeh]

Any recommendations on sound deadening? Am I best off just coughing up for dynomat?

 

[Robbie Corbett]

Any recommendations on sound deadening? Am I best off just coughing up for dynomat?

Id imagine that any thing is better than nothing.

Someone recommended this to me but I've not used it - likely what I will use though unless someone has a better recommendation:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07NDHKG5R/?tag=cliospnet01-21

 

[T3gav]

No these are a direct replacement for the OEM driver units. As you can see they marry up perfectly with the original mounting holes and the original tweeters are retained. Honestly the difference in base and clarity is very good.

Got a link to where you got these?

 

[VXR killer]

If keeping the original head unit, recommend one of these

Pioneer GM-D1004 4 Channel Amplifier Class D Car Audio Amplifier 400 watts | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Pioneer GM-D1004 4 Channel Amplifier Class D Car Audio Amplifier 400 watts at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products!

www.ebay.co.uk

Plug and play with the appropriate bluetooth fitting loom.

 

[Robbie Corbett]

@mikeh linked this above for a little less.

Whats the advantage? Take it the headunit speaker output plugs into this? The this is what is driving the speakers?

 

[mikeh]

If keeping the original head unit, recommend one of these

Pioneer GM-D1004 4 Channel Amplifier Class D Car Audio Amplifier 400 watts | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Pioneer GM-D1004 4 Channel Amplifier Class D Car Audio Amplifier 400 watts at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products!

www.ebay.co.uk

Plug and play with the appropriate bluetooth fitting loom.

I've ordered one of these already. What's the bluetooth fitting loom?

 

[Brigsy]

Stock headunit sound quality is pretty dire, if going for a set of good components a good headunit should be first on the list. Im an Alpine fan, and have one in both of my clios. Sound quality improved 100% even on stock speakers.

I have a set of focal components and crossovers to fit, interested to see how it goes. Might stash crossovers behind the cluster if room or somewhere similar, will reuse oem wiring.

 

[Robbie Corbett]

Stock headunit sound quality is pretty dire, if going for a set of good components a good headunit should be first on the list. Im an Alpine fan, and have one in both of my clios. Sound quality improved 100% even on stock speakers.

I have a set of focal components and crossovers to fit, interested to see how it goes. Might stash crossovers behind the cluster if room or somewhere similar, will reuse oem wiring.

I honestly don't find it all that bad? With a noisy car etc. Like its not Mark Levinson... maybe fit for purpose is a better term.

The issue with the inline amplifiers is that if you amplify the output from your head unit you are not only amplifying the signal you want but also all the noise you don't - your amplifying the weaknesses of your basic headunit. So if you looking for the best sound quality I would make the switch as Brigsy has said to a better quality head unit.

Theres a new media only Sony which is top class, but I' sure all the big boys have good offering now. I've had a few Pioneer DEH-P01's in various cars and the DEH-P8400 before that which always sounded great for the day but now tent to just like the look of the original OEM stuff.

 

[Brigsy]

I must admit ive just pulled a Pioneer deh 6600 dab out of mine for the Alpine dab. The sound quality is leagues ahead on the Alpine.

Main issue ive had with clio 2 is the rattly rear door cards when the bass is cranked up a bit, tried fixing them back discreetly but did not have much joy fixing it.

Quite fancy an underseat sub but not sure which one will fit.

 

[Robbie Corbett]

I saw a few nice under-seat subs from Infinity when browsing the other night. Might consider throwing the CD changer in the bin in exchange if I keep the car.... I would say I would like to not add to much weight but that would be a rubbish excuse given the 20kg tool box lives in the boot. Always used to love the infinity speakers.

Older version

In-phase speakers where pretty decent when they launched but no clue what they are like 10+ years later

Alpines offering looks good.

 

[Robbie Corbett]

Also bare in mind my only real experience with car audio is from years back where you were obligated to install a stealth shelf and 6x9's in your RS Turbo together with a 20kg sub. My views have changed a bit since lol

 

[Tim.]

Alpine SWE-1200 is the underseat I bought after hearing @Gus’, fits perfectly 👍

 

[frayz]

Post Cosworth days, I've always put an Alpine HU in all my cars, as i like the way they operate and always sound very good.
Like Rob above, my last dabble with more extensive car audio was a pair of Eclipse 12" subs and Eclipse AMPs in the back of an Escort GTI when i was 19.
I think the Eclipse copper chassis HU at the time was worth more than the car on its own
There is a bit of me that still fancies doing some sound deadening and speaker upgrade in the Clio though.

 

[VXR killer]

I've ordered one of these already. What's the bluetooth fitting loom?

Its just a harness for when fitting after market bluetooth like parrot etc, its basically an extension, with iso plugs/connection halfway down the power cables and speaker cables, and you just plug it all in.

 

[MRBILLYUK]

I honestly don't find it all that bad? With a noisy car etc. Like its not Mark Levinson... maybe fit for purpose is a better term.

The issue with the inline amplifiers is that if you amplify the output from your head unit you are not only amplifying the signal you want but also all the noise you don't - your amplifying the weaknesses of your basic headunit. So if you looking for the best sound quality I would make the switch as Brigsy has said to a better quality head unit.

Theres a new media only Sony which is top class, but I' sure all the big boys have good offering now. I've had a few Pioneer DEH-P01's in various cars and the DEH-P8400 before that which always sounded great for the day but now tent to just like the look of the original OEM stuff.

I'm the same as you. I don't think mine sounds bad at all in my 182.
I've seen alot of people over the years say the head unit and speakers are crap.
I remember years ago one of my front speakers blew in my 172 so I bought one from a 172 cup on ebay. It was alot lighter with a much smaller magnet and the sound wasn't as good as the original.
I know jack s**t about audio. But from what I've read there are 4 different headunits across the 172/182 range.
PH 2 172s had a cabasse auditorium 2 x40w tuner list head unit.
The 172 cup only had a 2x22w tuner list head unit and cheaper, lighter speakers.
182FF's like mine have a 2x40w cabasse auditorium update list head unit, probably top of the range?
182 cups and Trophys also have an update list head unit but less powerful 2x22W. Maybe the speakers are also the cheaper, lighter versions same as they fitted in 172 cups?
Excuse the long winded post.

 

[mikeh]

The more I've thought about it, the more I've had doubts about this extra amp.

This Sony headunit pumps out the same power (4x100w max, 45w RMS) as that add-on amp! https://www.sony.co.uk/electronics/in-car-receivers-players/dsx-gs80#product_details_default

Plus you have the bonus of having bluetooth built in etc.

 

[TheEvilGiraffe]

I would like to keep the stock head unit and suspect it is more than powerful enough without an external amp

IIRC they're max 10W output depending on model .. changing HU and killing anything <200Hz with the HPF/LPF settings makes a huge difference as they just cant cope with low freq. work. That and a sub is all you need, even just an underseat one is infinitely better the the door speakers.

 

[Louis]

Stock headunit sound quality is pretty dire, if going for a set of good components a good headunit should be first on the list. Im an Alpine fan, and have one in both of my clios. Sound quality improved 100% even on stock speakers.

I have a set of focal components and crossovers to fit, interested to see how it goes. Might stash crossovers behind the cluster if room or somewhere similar, will reuse oem wiring.

Plenty of room behind the cluster and also near the glovebox under the dash top!

 

[Robbie Corbett]

IIRC they're max 10W output depending on model .. changing HU and killing anything <200Hz with the HPF/LPF settings makes a huge difference as they just cant cope with low freq. work. That and a sub is all you need, even just an underseat one is infinitely better the the door speakers.

Ahh ok, didn't realise the stock head unit was so puny! The stock tweeter placement seems quite good at least.

 

[mikeh]

I'm currently stuck mid fitting of the crossovers because I can't seem to find a pinout for the car side of the door plug and I broke the battery connector off my multimeter to check it

Managed to fettle the standard tweeter location to get the focal tweeters in nicely, though.

 

[Robbie Corbett]

If your really stuck;

With the stock speaker hooked up you can use a PP3 9V battery across the various pins to find which two belong to the speaker - you should hear the speaker click when you have them. Need to make sure they are the right way round I guess so speaker is in phase with the others.

I don't think there is anything in the door loom that can be fucked up using the PP3 - pretty sure no microcontrollers etc are in the door just wing mirror motors, window motor and door lock stuff.

Have you got the door card off?

Or just fix the multimeter

 

[mikeh]

What a drama that was. I couldn't find any solder anywhere to repair the multimeter. Made quick work of it once I got it going, though.

I've been popping out to work on it in short bursts between meetings and I have one side done front and rear and I think those who suggested a new headunit was required were right, I think the headunit is holding it back. I think I'll return the amp and buy the similarly powered headunit.

Edit: Ordered one of these, anyone know what's needed to retain the steering wheel controls?

https://www.sony.co.uk/electronics/in-car-receivers-players/dsx-gs80#product_details_default

 

[ajracer]

I have the Sony MEX-N7300BD and to be honest it has plenty of power to run the audison speakers without an external amp.
I stand corrected but I’m sure there is not a patch lead available to let us us the original steering wheel controls.

 

[Robbie Corbett]

I think there are a few patch leads that let you keep the stalk controls found this old thread:

Remote control with Head Unit

I've just replaced my standard radio/casette with a sony xplod cd player. The standard remote control behind the steering wheel will not work with the new head unit. Is there anything i can do in order to make the remote control work with my new head unit? Cheers.

cliosport.net

Amazon had a few like:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B004419HU0/?tag=cliospnet01-21

But I have no clue how they plug into a modern head unit unless there is some generic interface they all use.

 

[Brigsy]

Plenty of room behind the cluster and also near the glovebox under the dash top!

Thats good to hear, will crack on with mine soon. Nice discreet install.

 

[mikeh]

I have the Sony MEX-N7300BD and to be honest it has plenty of power to run the audison speakers without an external amp.
I stand corrected but I’m sure there is not a patch lead available to let us us the original steering wheel controls.

That's good to hear. The DSX-GS180 should have plenty with nearly double the power then!

I ended up ordering this for remote control, hopefully it does the trick - http://www.caraudiodirect.co.uk/ctsrn003-stalk-adapter-for-renault-clio-kangoo-megane-twin

 

[ajracer]

I think there are a few patch leads that let you keep the stalk controls found this old thread:

Remote control with Head Unit

I've just replaced my standard radio/casette with a sony xplod cd player. The standard remote control behind the steering wheel will not work with the new head unit. Is there anything i can do in order to make the remote control work with my new head unit? Cheers.

cliosport.net

Amazon had a few like:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B004419HU0/?tag=cliospnet01-21

But I have no clue how they plug into a modern head unit unless there is some generic interface they all use.

Good find mate. I will investigate. It would be good to just adjust volume via steering controls.

 

[Robbie Corbett]

Good find mate. I will investigate. It would be good to just adjust volume via steering controls.

Yes I use the steering wheel buttons all the time for volume I think Mike above has found the full link for adapter and also the secondary lead which you need for each head unit (alpine, pioneer etc).