Why has my stereo got no base?

[GazCB]

I've got the standard 4x40W renault head unit and speaker set up in my 172. When I bought the car I thought, "great, higher spec audio, I won't have to upgrade" but I've been disappointed by it. At low volumes there is no real base. It improves when you turn it up loud and the handling at higher volumes is better than most cars.

My GF has a 1.2 Extreme which has the cheaper set-up without any rear speakers. Yet at low volumes, it sounds much bassier. I've compared all the bass/treble settings and the loud function and her's still sounds better at low volumes.

HELP!

Do I need a new head unit? What brand are the standard speakers? Would a new head unit and the standard speakers be much of an improvement? I don't want to spend much money, if any, and don't need something to set car alarms off. I just want a bit more bass. Does my head unit have connectors on the back for if I got a Vibe active enclosed sub? I have the standard 6cd changer fitted.

Cheers guys.

 

[clio-lane]

If you look at the speakers you'll understand why. The fronts are Blaupunkt and the rears, 'cardboard audio' - awful! I chucked in the bottom end alpine coax in the door and removed the rear panel speakers and extended the cables to a pair of 6x9s on the shelf for a quick fix. Much better over standard. Really easy to do on your own. Repalcing the HU would be helpful too.

 

[mike]

No connections I don't think mate, you'll have to get a speaker level RCA adaptor, I'm sure an ICE expert will let you know.

 

[clio-lane]

def no outputs othe std Reno cassette player HU

 

[GazCB]

it's not a standard cassette player. It's the higher spec cd player as found on full-fat 172 and the v6.

 

[MattW]

Suspect you have the same HU as the one currently sitting on my desk!! It is the single CD unit that has controls for changer that is under my front seat. There are no Pre outs on the HU. Just the std ISO audio connectors, one for teh stalk remote, and one for the Changer.

 

[clio-lane]

it's not a standard cassette player. It's the higher spec cd player as found on full-fat 172 and the v6.

Hmmmm not on my full fat 172:S

 

[GazCB]

mine's a phase 2.

Thanks MattW, that sounds right. The disc changer in mine is under the front passenger seat. So definitely no sub with the standard head unit. Sounds like a new head unit would be a good place to start then.

Clio-lane, is "cardboard-audio" a way of saying unbranded or is this really what it's called!?! It's a funny thing to do, having two separate brands of speakers. The head unit is Cabasse I think, god knows. The disc changer is alpine. You'd think they'd get it all to match ffs!

I have a hunch that just changing the head unit may be enough for the standard I need. Then there's the cost of the fascia adapter and the stalk control adapter. Pff. It all adds up.

 

[Dink]

yeah standard hu is poo (no matter what clio you got)

if you get a new hu the changer will not work(not even with a alpine hu)

the stalk controls are nice but not really needed as most hu's are designed to work from the face

a facia adaptor is not needed as the standar hu is ISO sized

 

[clio-lane]

You couldn't make a cheaper set of speakers than the ph1 rears.

 

[MattW]

This is the std HU that my car had in it.

It's not bad as a std unit, but nothing special. My 6+ year old Kenwood (now on it's 4th car!!) has better sound quality with no other changes. Pain to lose the changer and remote, but not the end of the world

You shouldn't need a Facia adaptor. It's a std DIN cut out, and there isn't any surround. There wouldn't be ane space for a facia adaptor in mine.

 

[Dink]

yeah DIN not ISO

 

[GazCB]

OK that's good to hear about the fascia adapter. What a load of rubbish about the disc changer though! Is there no way around it?

//goes to check how much I could sell disc changer for on eBay

 

[MattW]

Still in context though!! ISO being the plug!!!

If you're going to buy a new HU, it really is worth trying to buy one that is as short as possible - and preferably with as few leads as possible coming out the back. Not sure about HUs in the last couple of years, but mine as the Pre-outs and changer plug on fly leads. There really isn't a lot of space in the dash, and makes installation a pain in the a***. Was a doddle to get it into my Saxo and Pug 206.

 

[MattW]

Apparantly not, i enquired when i first got my car, apparantly it's exclusively for Renault.

Yeah i had planned to do that as well, but never really got round to it!!

 

[GazCB]

Damn monopoly merchants! Well there's two 6-disc changers on eBay for £50 +P&P with 2 days still to go. I reckon they're looking at £70 final price. I could pay not much more and get a 10 disc changer with my profits. The head units are getting a bit of cash too, tho they look a bit more complicated with regards to compatability.

 

[muz]

Still in context though!! ISO being the plug!!!

If you're going to buy a new HU, it really is worth trying to buy one that is as short as possible - and preferably with as few leads as possible coming out the back. Not sure about HUs in the last couple of years, but mine as the Pre-outs and changer plug on fly leads. There really isn't a lot of space in the dash, and makes installation a pain in the a***. Was a doddle to get it into my Saxo and Pug 206.

Full Alpine 7898R with 3 sets of RCAs, all stalk adaptors and wires all fitted in mine

There is a gap to the left where you can stuff everything down.

Bass response relates to power, cone diameter and excursion. The standard speakers in a CLio should have a rubber surround in the front? If so then they sound OK with about 20w RMS which a high power H/U would provide. IF you want lots then you need to think of additional compionents.

If you really want to keep the sstandard look you can buy an amp with a High Level input and simply splice the wires from your rears to the amp. This can then power a boxed sub.

 

[137699]

I've got a Sony HU & Changer in my Vee.

The HU is a high powered model, costing just £23 from Ebay (2nd hand). Was top of the range model from 4 years ago, d-bass, dolby, EL display etc.
The CD changer is a CD-Text 6 CD changer, which cost £45 from Ebay (brand new).
I also have the Connects2 cables so I can use the steering wheel control, and also links up the dash display. This again cost £12 off ebay.
In total all this kit came to £80.

I sold my original Renault headunit on ebay for £18.
I sold the Alpine CD changer for £55.

So basically it cost me £7 to upgrade the rubbish Renault stuff, to decent spec Sony instead.

I also bought some 2nd-hand Pioneer woofers & Alpine tweaters to replace the naff Renault rear speakers, for £28.

The overall difference is impressive for such little investment!

 

[GazCB]

137699, now THAT'S the kind of genius I'm after!

Did the new head unit improve the sound somewhat before you changed the rear speakers? (which obviously did improve it!)

Thanks for giving me the eBay idea though. Just a quick look and I've already seen some cheap stuff provided I decide 2nd hand is ok.

BTW, did the sony 6 disc changer fit onto your original tray or did you sell your tray with your disc changer and do a fresh mount for your sony one?

 

[MattW]

muzz, yeah the gap to the left is where i have all the cableing stashed - was still a pain though!!

At one point i measured the HU, and the depth of the space - there really wasn't much spare with that unit. It is longer than the std.

 

[137699]

Gaz, yes changing the HU to a sony did make a lot of difference even without the speakers.

The 6 disk changer does indeed fit onto the original bracket, but only by 2 screws, not 4, as it's a bit narrower than the alpine one, however it's secure enough and does not jump even when going over bumps!

 

[GazCB]

Thanks for your help mate

 

[Avallon]

I wouldn't necessarily get rid of your HU.

I haven't heard the Clio Cabasse, but Cabasse is a mid to high end audio brand. Ironically though they predominantly make speakers. :S http://www.cabasse.com

My advice would be to get the best quality speakers you can afford instead of buying a budget to mid-end HU. Having said that, too many people 'good' quality sound sounds bass-light because many manufacturers (and radio-stations!) actually err on the bassier side of things to give the illusion of 'fuller' sound.

This all IMHO.