New radio.. which front speakers?
Posted: Wed Dec 20, 2017 12:43 pm
Today I took the plunge and scored a radio for my Plus 2. On my shopping list of features:-
The wiring was straightforward. I took an old DIN adapter I had lying around for Fords, cut off the Ford plugs and wired it into the existing connections in the Elan. Then fitted the microphone on the A pillar, running the cable invisibly down the inside of the door trim and along the underside of the driver's dash (over the handbrake and steering column), then up behind the radio opening.
I used a flexible grabber to poke a way though the dashboard loom like this one: https://images-eu.ssl-images-amazon.com ... 1KeaUL.jpg then grabbed the cable and drew it back out through the radio slot.
I wired the parcel shelf speakers using some decent hi-fi type cable - none of that bell wire rubbish - by getting it into the floorwells on either side, then tucking it under the centre trim. When it reaches the back seats, it just lies on the felt, over the seat back and to the parcel shelf speakers (already fitted, good quality Pioneer units, coaxial 150W). Just a matter of replacing the rear seats and it's all hidden.
It sounds pretty good (but I have not been able to try it on the road, front suspension is in pieces still), with decent well rounded bass which I attribute to the boot being used as a sort of sound box. It is all well lined with felt and carpet, even the parcel shelf has felt on its underside.
I had a bit of a problem with the Siri and hands free calling. Could not hear Siri or any calls, despite the unit recognising a call is in progress and muting the music. I went back to Halfords to talk to their installer and we found his phone does the same, on all Pioneer and Sony units but not on a JVC unit. Most odd and I didn't exchange the unit as it is obviously something other than a defective radio.
I upgraded my phone to iOS 11 (had been putting that off!) and while it was doing this I called Pioneer and spoke to someone in tech support. Turns out the phone call and Siri audio only comes out of the front speakers, so because I have rear speakers only, I cannot hear anything! What a pity it doesn't explain this in the manual...
Back in the Elan, quick swap of the cables, wiring the rear speakers to the outputs for the fronts and we are in business. Hooray!
It doesn't look too bad, either.
The good thing about this radio is it is equipped with the "Siri Eyes-free" feature. This is a button on the front of the unit that, when pressed and held, activates Siri and mutes the music audio. So in effect, you can - while driving along - press this key and then ask it to do something (for example "Text Karen", and it will prompt you for the text, which you dictate, then send the message without you touching the phone or taking your eyes off the road). Neat.
- Able to fit the available space behind the dash with no modification.
- Good quality sound with punchy bass and good power output.
- Bluetooth streaming, hands free, Siri interaction.
- Must have a remote microphone for the voice control
- Old world looks, nothing too wacky to fit in with the existing dashboard.
- Capable of changing display colours.
- Not hugely expensive, because I probably won't be able to hear it anyway.
The wiring was straightforward. I took an old DIN adapter I had lying around for Fords, cut off the Ford plugs and wired it into the existing connections in the Elan. Then fitted the microphone on the A pillar, running the cable invisibly down the inside of the door trim and along the underside of the driver's dash (over the handbrake and steering column), then up behind the radio opening.
I used a flexible grabber to poke a way though the dashboard loom like this one: https://images-eu.ssl-images-amazon.com ... 1KeaUL.jpg then grabbed the cable and drew it back out through the radio slot.
I wired the parcel shelf speakers using some decent hi-fi type cable - none of that bell wire rubbish - by getting it into the floorwells on either side, then tucking it under the centre trim. When it reaches the back seats, it just lies on the felt, over the seat back and to the parcel shelf speakers (already fitted, good quality Pioneer units, coaxial 150W). Just a matter of replacing the rear seats and it's all hidden.
It sounds pretty good (but I have not been able to try it on the road, front suspension is in pieces still), with decent well rounded bass which I attribute to the boot being used as a sort of sound box. It is all well lined with felt and carpet, even the parcel shelf has felt on its underside.
I had a bit of a problem with the Siri and hands free calling. Could not hear Siri or any calls, despite the unit recognising a call is in progress and muting the music. I went back to Halfords to talk to their installer and we found his phone does the same, on all Pioneer and Sony units but not on a JVC unit. Most odd and I didn't exchange the unit as it is obviously something other than a defective radio.
I upgraded my phone to iOS 11 (had been putting that off!) and while it was doing this I called Pioneer and spoke to someone in tech support. Turns out the phone call and Siri audio only comes out of the front speakers, so because I have rear speakers only, I cannot hear anything! What a pity it doesn't explain this in the manual...
Back in the Elan, quick swap of the cables, wiring the rear speakers to the outputs for the fronts and we are in business. Hooray!
It doesn't look too bad, either.
The good thing about this radio is it is equipped with the "Siri Eyes-free" feature. This is a button on the front of the unit that, when pressed and held, activates Siri and mutes the music audio. So in effect, you can - while driving along - press this key and then ask it to do something (for example "Text Karen", and it will prompt you for the text, which you dictate, then send the message without you touching the phone or taking your eyes off the road). Neat.