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Lenagh
08-09-2002, 14:30
Anyone fitted a new head whilst trying to retain the clarion CD changer ? if so what head was compatible + is it one with an mp3 capability.

This is the S14a clarion btw.

Also it says its a six speaker setup is that correct ?

Finally what can you replace the rather farty speakers with which seem to distort easily.
Si T
09-09-2002, 07:04
6 speakers is correct - 2 x door speakers, 2 x tweeters in A-pillar and 2 in the rear deck
See spec for what you can replace `em with;) ;) :D
Maverick
09-09-2002, 10:28
I have replaced the front speakers with some JBL 6.5" components. I haven't replaced the rear speakers, although the fader is now set very far to the front. It sounds much better now.

The standard speakers are very light paper cone Clarion speakers. Also, they have a power handling of only 35W, so if you replace your head unit or get an amp, you will not see much improvement until you change your front speakers.
tDR
09-09-2002, 11:27
http://www.caraudiodirect.com/shop/

http://www.caraudiodiscount.com/acatalog/Product_Special_Offers_92.html

http://www.hendoncarstereo.co.uk/home.htm

http://www.cel-direct.com/shop.asp

Those are the best online places to buy ICE from.

There are some clarion mp3 head units that will let you keep the 6 disc changer in use but personally i'd just disconnect it and leave it. Brands like Kenwood, Alpine, Pioneer, Sony and Panasonic are rated much better than Clarion. A CD with MP3's on it will have 10 normal CD's worth of songs on it anyways so no real need for the changer. That way when you come to sell on ure car in the future you can stick the original head unit back in and connect up the changer again and keep ure expensive mp3 headunit.

I prefer the newest range of Kenwood Mp3 headunits the most cos of the styling but I've heard very good things about the new Alpine CDA-7893R.
tDR
09-09-2002, 11:34
RE: The speakers, anything decent from Pioneer etc will be far superior to most OEM stuff you'll find in most cars. I'd go with 6x9's in the rear and standard size replacements in the front, most likely components as this gives you the two large front speakers with the two seperate tweeters for high frequency stuff. The 6x9's in the rear will most likely require an MDF shelf to be made (as it's a coupe and so prolly a steel parcel shelf) or cutting - get a decent local ICE shop to do this part for you and install the 6x9's to save yourself the hassle. Well worth getting done though because of the superior sound quality and bass handling ability of a 6x9 speaker.
formula
09-09-2002, 15:17
I really wouldnt trouble myself with 6*9's..

(IMHO)

The mounts in the rear shelf are the correct size for 6 1/2 inch speakers.. a reasonable set of coaxials will supply a similar level of bass as a set of 6*9's..

Mounting 6*9's in the rear shelf is generally considered a hifi no-no as it will drag the soundstage to the rear of the car behind the driver.. (usually less pleasing)

The front speaker mounts are also 6 1/2 inch, to which you can fit coaxials or a set of component's (mounting the seperate tweeter in place of the factory standard ones)..

My advice would be to only spend approximately 50-60% of the value of the front speakers on rear speakers as they would normally be used for rear fill..
Si T
09-09-2002, 16:01
My rear deck speakers have been ditched. The two 10" subs are mounted in a sealed box ontop of the fuel tank, with the subs firing through the holes where the original speakers used to be. Works a treat:)
Lenagh
09-09-2002, 17:00
I'm looking basically for same size replacements. I had a look at the shelf last night and the metal bulkhead does rather make mounting anything non-standard somewhat of a bast.

So I will be looking to get beefier 3 way 6.5s all round and then putting a sub in at some point.

But the plan for now is a new head which will play mp3's attached to the existing clarion cd changer and a speaker upgrade all round.

This was the head I am going for

Head unit - Panasonic CQ-DFX972 : £359.99

With some pioneer speakers ?

Any opinions on that combo.
Maverick
09-09-2002, 17:07
I'm afraid you will have to get a Clarion head unit if you want to use the existing changer. As far as I know, no one makes adaptors to let you use different brands of head units and changers (apart from OEM head units.)
tDR
09-09-2002, 18:23
Originally posted by Lenagh
I'm looking basically for same size replacements. I had a look at the shelf last night and the metal bulkhead does rather make mounting anything non-standard somewhat of a bast.

So I will be looking to get beefier 3 way 6.5s all round and then putting a sub in at some point.

But the plan for now is a new head which will play mp3's attached to the existing clarion cd changer and a speaker upgrade all round.

This was the head I am going for

Head unit - Panasonic CQ-DFX972 : £359.99

With some pioneer speakers ?

Any opinions on that combo.

Looks like a good head unit but as Maverick says, unless you go Clarion then you won't be able to connect up the OEM changer. There's no real need for it tho - as I mentioned before you'll fit 10x Audio CD's worth on an MP3 CD.
GrahamB
09-09-2002, 21:00
The new Clarion head units are NOT I repeat are NOT compatable with the existing Changer. I had to buy a separate box £50 to convert the old changer unit to the new Clarion CE-Net signal.

Get a proper set up and junk the whole lot... thats what I plan to do eventually.

Speed mods first sound comes later :D:D:D:D
formula
10-09-2002, 10:32
My rear deck speakers have been ditched. The two 10" subs are mounted in a sealed box ontop of the fuel tank, with the subs firing through the holes where the original speakers used to be. Works a treat

Would love to see a picture..

that was my plan but i didnt think id have enough space a box for a single ten inch.. let alone two..

what's the boxes volume??
Si T
10-09-2002, 11:07
sort of replied to this on another thread aswell.
Phil Leach at SQ Plus did the box, they`re two x 10" Diamond subs (twin voice coil jobbies) I think I remember him saying that the subs work in one cubic foot each (don`t hold me to that tho) You have to be careful not to foul the boot mechanism/tie bar thingies. Will post the pics Thursday or Friday, very happy with the sound though.
RichardM
11-09-2002, 14:30
Sony recently introduced a six disc, mp3 changer,
CDX-T70MX

Features:

Changer system for 6 xCD
MP3 playback capability
Custom File: CD (Disc Memo, Bank)
Advanced ESP 16 Mbit
Loading system: Magazine XA-T7
CD-R/CD-RW Playback capability
Requires compatible headunit to operate


team that with the head unit Munkey Magic has posted under "Nice ICE" and that would be a very interesting installation.
Maverick
11-09-2002, 14:49
I am currently considering getting a CDX-T70MX to replace the standard changer in my car. Debating whether it is £200 better than what I already have (CDX-505RF) or not. Does anyone else have the 505RF in their car? It seems strange that Nissan chose to fit a changer which comes with an RF Modulator (but connected via RCAs!!!) when they had a choice of about 3 other Sony changers.