Technical Well, that explains the rubbish stereo…

[NigelO]

I don’t listen to music or the radio in the Panda very much - it was probably a month after buying it when I first turned it on. The sound quality was so bad, I immediately turned it straight back off again. One for the ‘deal with it another day” list.

seems I’ve discovered the issue…

how is it possible for speakers to get that shabby? They are behind the door card - they should be safe…

 

[koalar]

Leave the door open or windows down in the rain

Just a wild guess

 

[The Panda Nut]

I think the epression ir oooh errr!! Bit past their prime. Or in estate agent speak, ripe for renovation

 

[porta]

I’ve found mould and half eaten/rotted speakers before now on brand new cars

 

[Bonefish Blues]

how is it possible for speakers to get that shabby? They are behind the door card - they should be safe…

The flexible foam used to connect cone and frame degrades over time. Happens on domestic speakers too.

 

[NigelO]

I now have some half-decent Alpine speakers fitted, and music is now quite tolerable! A bit lacking in bass, but I have an old flat sub that I can put in the boot which will add some depth to the sound and allow me to dial out some of the bass from the speakers

it’s also got me thinking about the head unit - what are my options? I’d like a double-din screen that can run Apple CarPlay, but I’m aware that it’s only a single-din unit. I’m no audiophile, so I won’t be spending hundreds, but I’m not a total cheapskate either, so I won’t entertain one of the horrifically slow, laggy Chineses jobbies

any suggestions?

 

[koalar]

There is an I. C. E. section to this forum

A lot of the problems in swapping head units are well known and sorted, including which facia to fit a double din unit

The factory head unit is controlled by CANBUS so if you want the new unit to operate with the ignition you will need to find a switched feed or add an extra adaptor

But I will leave it to the radio heads to point you in the correct direction

 

[atakan123123]

I don’t listen to music or the radio in the Panda very much - it was probably a month after buying it when I first turned it on. The sound quality was so bad, I immediately turned it straight back off again. One for the ‘deal with it another day” list.

seems I’ve discovered the issue…

how is it possible for speakers to get that shabby? They are behind the door card - they should be safe…

Could you please tell me the diameter of the rear speakers? I replaced the front speakers.

I haven't removed the back part yet. I think they are smaller than the front.

 

[NigelO]

I believe they are 6.5” front and rear.

I bought this kit from EBay - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/252161959251

the speakers are available for less money individually, but I didnt want the hassle of finding the spacers - it was much easier to buy it all in one go

 

[porta]

I believe they are 6.5” front and rear.

I bought this kit from EBay - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/252161959251

the speakers are available for less money individually, but I didnt want the hassle of finding the spacers - it was much easier to buy it all in one go

Are they still supplying to UK?
I’ve been caught out before and, even though they’re advertising on eBay UK not all of them will post here anymore!

 

[NigelO]

Yes - I got them from Italy in four or five days - excellent service.

 

[atakan123123]

I believe they are 6.5” front and rear.

I bought this kit from EBay - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/252161959251

the speakers are available for less money individually, but I didnt want the hassle of finding the spacers - it was much easier to buy it all in one go

do the rear speakers look smaller in the photo? am i seeing it wrong?

 

[NigelO]

The mounts / adapters are quite a bit smaller in the rear doors, but the speakers are the same size.

 

[AndyRKett]

I believe they are 6.5” front and rear.

I bought this kit from EBay - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/252161959251

the speakers are available for less money individually, but I didnt want the hassle of finding the spacers - it was much easier to buy it all in one go

Do let us know what the sound quality is like once you have them installed. I appreciate its going to be considerably better than what you had before, but interested to find out.

 

[NigelO]

Do let us know what the sound quality is like once you have them installed. I appreciate its going to be considerably better than what you had before, but interested to find out.

I’m no audiophile, but my youngest son definitely is (he has a Meridian system with about 18 speakers in his Jaguar XJ and several grands worth of home cinema hifi at home). After he had twiddled with the equalizer settings, he declared it to be “quite acceptable”, if lacking a little in bass. With the tweeters that were included in the kit, he says the top end was pretty good.

he has an old Pioneer flat sub that he had in a previous car which I’ll try to fit into the boot (probably fastened to the back of the seat) - that should add some decent bass and allow me to remove some bass from the door speakers, which will help with the clarity.

Same son will probably end up borrowing the Panda on snowy days, simply because a 5+ metre Jag is not that handy in the snow. At least he can listen to some music now.

Overall, I’m pretty pleased with how well it has turned out for a relatively small outlay.

 

[atakan123123]

My speakers were like yours. For now I just changed the fronts. I am quite satisfied with the sound quality. As you said, although the bass is a little lacking, there is no problem in general.

Since I didn't buy it as a set, I used the old plastic ones. You need to have a Dremel Planer to use these. Otherwise it will not fit properly.

When you buy it as a set, you will not have any problems because it is plastic. However, in order for it to reach my country, I have to pay shipping and customs fees as much as the product itself. That's why I didn't buy the set.

 

[NigelO]

And now I’ve fixed the lack of bass…

It’s only 200 watts, but it’s enough to make every body panel vibrate. It means I’ve been able to wind down the bass from the speakers, which has helped with the sound clarity.

just need to find a way of getting music from my phone into the head unit. A Bluetooth FM transmitter is probably the easiest, but I’m not convinced about the sound quality.

 

[NigelO]

Having sorted the rubbish stereo, I decided to have a crack at the even worse radio - lots of interference and often failed to hold on to a station.

I suspect this might have something to do with it….

 

[atakan123123]

I believe they are 6.5” front and rear.

Unfortunately, the rear speakers are not 13cm.

I purchased a set of front speaker size speakers.
So I tried to fit large speakers in the back and I succeeded.

I had to cut out more of the plastic cabinet. I also had to cut the inside height of the door plastic.

As a result, it fit and there are no problems. But I wouldn't bother if I didn't buy big speakers.

 

[stepheninlincolnshire]

Changing the radio for a double din unit is a fairly simple job to do, check on flea bay and you can find a double din adaptor plate for the panda. And it almost a perfect fit, but have a file in your pocket to shave one or two arear that does not fit snugly.
and then fit your double din cage into this,
I have a pioneer head unit working with both android auto and apple play.
But what ever happens don't ask if the connector behind the bumper is suitable to power a reversing camera