Basic music system upgrade

Reamesy

Reamesy

Senior member
 Whitchurch
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Well after reading and watching you tube I decided to upgrade all my mid speakers and install tweeters in Harman Kardon edition in all four corners.

I thought it sounded superb until I fitted the mini amp here

https://amzn.eu/d/bcwKpeI

Apart from getting the glove box out to install the amp after setting it up all smooth.

And have to say I was not ready for the improvement. Well worth the moneyšŸ˜ŽšŸ‘
 
Those amps are a nice little upgrade. I've also just added the vibe 400.1 mono block amp to run the footwell speakers separately, but I don't think the speakers are up to the job now. Another new set of footwell speakers will no doubt be getting ordered.
 
Big Andra said:
Those amps are a nice little upgrade. I've also just added the vibe 400.1 mono block amp to run the footwell speakers separately, but I don't think the speakers are up to the job now. Another new set of footwell speakers will no doubt be getting ordered.
Click to expand...
Would you not be better off installing some upgraded subs in the factory sub enclosures? A fare bit of work but Iā€™m sure it would be worth it.
 
Reamesy said:
Big Andra said:
Those amps are a nice little upgrade. I've also just added the vibe 400.1 mono block amp to run the footwell speakers separately, but I don't think the speakers are up to the job now. Another new set of footwell speakers will no doubt be getting ordered.
Click to expand...
Would you not be better off installing some upgraded subs in the factory sub enclosures? A fare bit of work but Iā€™m sure it would be worth it.
Click to expand...
Iā€™d agree with that, it would be money better spent on some subs behind the seats
 
Both of you are probably right, but I just don't know if I can be arsed with the faff of stripping everything out. I still won't write off the idea, though. Was out a nice run down the west coast today, and there's definitely a marked improvement in sound with just the footwell speakers wired separately.
 
It is a lot of work to get the panels out for the OE subwoofer position. You're basically stripping the whole of the rear cabin area.
I did mine when I did my initial upgrade, and then again when I upgraded it again, but only partially enough to swap them over for the better speakers.
I've attached a few photos I downloaded to help me initially and one of my own once fitted :thumbsup:
 

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ARCS said:
Those amps are a nice little upgrade. I've also just added the vibe 400.1 mono block amp to run the footwell speakers separately, but I don't think the speakers are up to the job now. Another new set of footwell speakers will no doubt be getting ordered.
Click to expand...
This is what I'm planning for my current install; how did you wire the amp in? And is it just a factory head-unit you're using?
 
PhilMGCollins said:
This is what I'm planning for my current install; how did you wire the amp in? And is it just a factory head-unit you're using?
Click to expand...
So, i still have the factory head unit with the vibe powerbox 65.4 running the door and rear speakers. That amp was just plug & play. The vibe powerbox 400.1 is wired using a piggyback fuse straight from the fuse box. I have that running 2 kicker CWRT672 6.75" CompRT subwoofers in the footwells. It is a vast improvement on the poverty spec that the car came with.
 
Thanks, yeah I like the sound of a micro-amp like that, something small just to run my footwell speakers. You say it's plug and play, presumably then it just plugs into the head unit loom? Or do you have to tap into it somewhere and run from the amp output to the speakers on the factory wiring
 
The vibe box has a big quadlock connector - it fits into the back of the existing head unit. They call it plug & play as you don't have to mess with the wiring (no cutting / no joining) - just plug it in.

I've heard a system that had it & was really impressed (even without speaker changes) - it's a big upgrade over standard for sure.

The tricky bit comes if you also want a MMI box (like the Mr 12volt) for adding android auto / apple carplay.

It also fits with a big quadlock connector in the same way - and getting 2x big wiring looms into that small space behind the head unit is really tricky!

One or the other - it's a squeeze but doable. Both - not so much.
 
matsmith749 said:
The vibe box has a big quadlock connector - it fits into the back of the existing head unit. They call it plug & play as you don't have to mess with the wiring (no cutting / no joining) - just plug it in.

I've heard a system that had it & was really impressed (even without speaker changes) - it's a big upgrade over standard for sure.

The tricky bit comes if you also want a MMI box (like the Mr 12volt) for adding android auto / apple carplay.

It also fits with a big quadlock connector in the same way - and getting 2x big wiring looms into that small space behind the head unit is really tricky!

One or the other - it's a squeeze but doable. Both - not so much.
Click to expand...
I've got the Mr12volt and the vibe 65.4 attached to the rear of my glovebox. All the wiring fits down the back of the head unit. The vibe 400.1, I have sitting on top of the prop shaft tunnel at my feet.
 
I fitted Vibe amp top of passenger footwell.
Fitted the some 2nd hand std. subs of ebay not expensive.
The grills for subs are an odd size like 10 inches.
There mono Vibe is next to battery in the boot.

Seem to remember not quite plug and play, something was off.
When first powered up there was a horrible buzzing noise.
 
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