Technical 100HP Stereo setup

[motsllih]

I've currently got my 100HP on order from Fiat as standard. Firstly I was wondering if anybody got the £150 speaker upgrade with the subwoofer etc, and if it's actually worth all that money (my dealer claims they can do it after I get the car anyway?). Secondly, I've read in other threads that you lose the functionality of the steering wheel controls and the Bluetooth connectivity by changing the head unit, which is a shame as I'd really like to get a different head unit. Since the standard unit is Blaupunkt, do you think it might be possible to retain the controls and Bluetooth by changing to another Blaupunkt head unit, such as this? http://www.blaupunkt.com/uk/7648011310_main.asp

Also, if I were to DIY the speaker system, is there a connection lead for a sub already in place, or would that be expecting a little too much?!

Anyway, very much looking forward to getting my 100HP!! Absolutely fell in love with it on the test drive.

 

[HP]

Funny, my dealer said they couldn't retro fit the stereo upgrade!

Think the optional subwoofer comes with an extra wiring loom bit.

 

[motsllih]

I noticed that Halfords sell that Blaupunkt head unit and on their site it says "Steering wheel remote control compatible" which sounds promising. Unfortunately the head unit is a little more on the expensive side that I'd hoped, plus I'd have to shell out more for an adaptor etc. But maybe it would be worth it. What is the output of the standard head unit? In my Punto I had a Sony player, 4x50w, with 6.5" speakers and tweeters in the front and 6x9s on the parcel shelf. I can't see myself bothering with the 6x9s in the 100HP, but I'd like to achieve a similar amount of sound quality/power in it. Most factory head units I've encountered tend to do a very poor job regardless of how good the speakers are you put in.

 

[ScoobyChris]

I had a look around and found that most aftermarket head units seem to be available with adaptor kits to allow you to keep using the steering wheel controls. I'm not sure where the Bluetooth fits into that - I'm assuming that the Bluetooth currently just hangs off the head unit rather than being an integral part of it and just feeds in a mute signal when the phone is in use?

Chris

 

[motsllih]

Yeah that is one thing I'm wondering - whether the Bluetooth function is internal or external to the head unit. I think it's actually more likely to be internal, but without a manual I can't be sure.

I had a look earlier at the adapters and they seem to be pretty expensive, which doesn't exactly encourage me to change it.

I don't even have the car yet and I'm already thinking of things I want to change in it! I guess it's just the excitement. It's only been a week so far, but it feels like an age!

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

I'm a bit lost. Why do you want to change the HU

 

[b1g1an]

The bluetooth has nothing to do with the headunit, it's a blue box strapped to the bottom of the airbag unit and connects to the head unit in much the same way as most aftermarket systems, the only thing specific to the system is the mini iso plug on the other end but that's only limited by a pair of wire cutters.

You can retrofit the "hifi" upgrade but it will just cost you twice as much.

 

[Stu DemonD]

I'm a bit lost. Why do you want to change the HU

Eh, why not? :chin: A few people on here have done it, with some cracking results - paulbfd, Gary, etc.

 

[motsllih]

I'm a bit lost. Why do you want to change the HU

Mainly because I don't really like the look of the standard one, I prefer the styling of the aftermarket ones and they are generally much better.

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

Eh, why not? :chin: A few people on here have done it, with some cracking results - paulbfd, Gary, etc.

I knowm, but it sounded like it was going to be changed for a same spec one, but now I understand that it's all about looks, it makes perfect sence

 

[motsllih]

Do you think it'd be possible to get something like this http://www.sony.co.uk/product/ica-cd-tuners/mex-bt5100 and still retain use of the steering wheel controls? You can buy adapters, you just have to get two (one Sony HU adapter, and one Fiat to Sony adapter). However I can't seem to find an adapter that specifically says it fits a Panda. Does anybody know if there is a model with the same type of adapter unit, like the Ulysse for example?

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

TBH, I think the best way to get the answer is to go to a car audio specilist, I'm sure it's probably something they're asked day in day out.

Jon.

P.s. Love the look of that Song unit :yum: and I thought mine was the dogs watsits http://www.sony.co.uk/product/ica-cd-tuners/mex-bt2500

 

[motsllih]

Yeah that's true. I've read in some past threads on the forum about the same sort of thing, and people were saying that Autoleads and other manufacturers simply haven't developed an adaptor for the Panda yet. I just wonder if that's because they don't need to as one already exists, which retailers aren't aware of. The Autoleads website is pretty useless as well to be honest, I'm sure they could at least make it a little more vehicle specific.

And yeah that HU is very very pretty, I'm not sure if I need one with Bluetooth though. In other posts people have talked about being able to use the Bluetooth function in the Panda with aftermarket HU's (the Panda manual says so) though I don't know if anyone's had any success doing this.

I think the main reason I want to change is that I really can't see the standard HU being up to my expectations. It's a 4x30W unit, which I guess is reasonable but it's not going to be great. I have a tendency to listen to my music particularly loud, and expect quite high clarity with that. I'll just have to wait and see what I think and take it from there!

 

[paulbfd]

If the likes of Autoleads made one, then they'd say so on their website (maybe not on their site as it's poo, but those who sell them) or if another model was the same, they'd know about it. You can get the facia adapter, so it's not like they're not aware of the car.

If you can get along to Auto Italia at the Heritage Centre in September, come and have a listen to mine to see what's possible to achieve in the Panda.

 

[motsllih]

Yeah I saw the pictures in your thread of the sound system in your Panda. Looks very nice and very well done. I'm tempted to go just so I can hear it!

 

[motsllih]

This is probably a really thick question but anyway...if the power of a HU was 52Wx4 and you decide to put speakers in with a 60W RMS, is this stupid? Would these speakers not be getting the power they need to perform properly? Obviously this might seem like a very silly question to some of you, but I've never really known and just assumed it wouldn't make much sense to have higher RMS speakers than your HU provides.

 

[paulbfd]

In essence, yes. The HU will be doing approx 15-20wrms real world power.

In reality, it won't really matter if you're never planning on amplifying. If that's the case, I'd look for some better quality speakers that have a lesser power handling.

 

[motsllih]

Ok, thanks. I have no plans to install amplifiers at the moment, I'll see how I get on without. I hope to build a system with a new HU and speakers all round, and add a sub underneath the drivers seat. Hopefully that will keep me happy!

Just picked up my 100HP yesterday, it's absolutely brilliant.

 

[Sammyboy]

I've currently got my 100HP on order from Fiat as standard. Firstly I was wondering if anybody got the £150 speaker upgrade with the subwoofer etc, and if it's actually worth all that money (my dealer claims they can do it after I get the car anyway?). Secondly, I've read in other threads that you lose the functionality of the steering wheel controls and the Bluetooth connectivity by changing the head unit, which is a shame as I'd really like to get a different head unit. Since the standard unit is Blaupunkt, do you think it might be possible to retain the controls and Bluetooth by changing to another Blaupunkt head unit, such as this? http://www.blaupunkt.com/uk/7648011310_main.asp

Also, if I were to DIY the speaker system, is there a connection lead for a sub already in place, or would that be expecting a little too much?!

Anyway, very much looking forward to getting my 100HP!! Absolutely fell in love with it on the test drive.

Get it!!!!! It is brilliant! The best stereo i've ever had in a car that's not after market. I've tried the standard Panda stereo and it is SO weak compared to my upgraded stereo. The subwoofer is brilliant - cant rate the whole thing highly enough! :yum: :devil: :slayer: :worship:

 

[Jimrod]

This is probably a really thick question but anyway...if the power of a HU was 52Wx4 and you decide to put speakers in with a 60W RMS, is this stupid? Would these speakers not be getting the power they need to perform properly? Obviously this might seem like a very silly question to some of you, but I've never really known and just assumed it wouldn't make much sense to have higher RMS speakers than your HU provides.

I wouldn't worry too much about matching amp power to speaker power - most figures are fudged and don't count for masses of distortion or how long they can deliver that power for (the old Aiwa mini-systems in catalogues quoting 1000watts etc. come to mind).

Generally you are better off with a more powerful amp regardless as you will be putting less distortion into the speakers - it's not really a problem to run 100watt rated speakers on a 300watt amp. The same speakers would work fine with a 30watt amp too, just turn it down if you hear distortion! Technically the quality of the components is most important and even then a good amp's current delivery has more to do with control of the speaker than the wattage figure, unfortunately few quote this (it's like torque related to cars - a 30 watt amp with a huge power supply is far better than a 100watt one with a weedy supply).

Hmm, waffling, basically don't worry about it!