Technical Panda Cross DAB

[markwo]

So did a deal yesterday to trade in my red 2015 Cross TA for a brand new dark grey one.

My car has an aftermarket DAB head unit plus underseat sub-woofer and amp fitted and replacement speakers all round, great sound but quite expensive.

My questions are:

Keep new vehicle 'stock'?

Replace speakers?

Add amp?

Add sub?

Any thoughts / comments / suggestions very welcome.

 

[R1NGA]

Personally, I'd just change speakers again (I went for Audison replacements and they are excellent) and leave the rest as is. That way you keep all the convenience of the wheel controls and the other integrations, but the sound is immeasurably improved. I might consider an under-seat sub (I have a Pioneer somewhere in the garage, but haven't gotten round to fitting it as yet), as that should tap into the HU wiring somewhere convenient, assuming it's easy to locate.

 

[markwo]

Hi Ringa

Thanks for the sound (groan) advice.

I think I went a bit overboard last time but I am going to take the sub out of the old car and look to get it fitted plus some new door speakers. Will check out the Audison ones you recommend.

There were issues hooking up the steering wheel controls so the head unit ended up being independent which was a bit annoying.

I read here that the rear speakers are no longer fitted to new cars, would that be the case on a new Cross with the DAB HU?

 

[Herts Hillhopper]

I think the Cross still has rear speakers (not entirely clear from Fiat configurator). The Lounge spec (and so 'regular' 4x4 too) clearly states 4 speakers, which is two in the front doors and two screen pillar tweeters. (The rear speakers when fitted are fairly small anyway - and to be honest I'd not noticed their absence in terms of sound in my 2018 4x4).

Regarding connections to wheel controls (and voice control too of course), some of that functionality is provided by the second part of the standard-fit uConnect system, which is in a separate unit lower down behind/beneath the heater.

 

[Motorcyclist Colin]

Keep it stock, far less trouble ( says he with 9 motorbikes --all but one modified up to the hilt!!!)