Afternoon all,

I got a 4th gen iPod Touch for Christmas but just trying to work out which connection method is best. I appologise now as I'm sure my question is fairly common but I've searched and can't find a definitive answer.

I'm thinking of getting the CONNECTS2-CTASKIPOD001 but was wondering if the sound quality would be any good? I'm happy with the CD quality of the standard head unit so if its anything like that its fine with me.

The other option would be to replace the head unit with a new one which would be 'iPod compatible'. The thing is that I'm not too bothered about the other gadgets i.e. bluetooth etc but just think it might be better solution and future proof? Then again, I don't want to throw money away if I don't have to!

Anyway, sorry for the ramble - any help would be apreciated!

Bart

I'd go for a new HU personally. Something like that should be ok I'd guess. http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_720601_langId_-1_categoryId_165474

Just by adding a better HU, you get so much better sound, even with the standard speakers. Or get a cheaper HU with just an AUX input, will do the same as the connects2 then I think.

Edited 22 January, 201115 yr by TriggerFish

I'd go for a new HU personally. Something like that should be ok I'd guess. http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_720601_langId_-1_categoryId_165474

Just by adding a better HU, you get so much better sound, even with the standard speakers. Or get a cheaper HU with just an AUX input, will do the same as the connects2 then I think.

Thanks TriggerFish, I thought that would be the case but still I'm undecided -I'm so indecisive. :S

I'm still interested to find out if anyone uses the Connects2 and see what they think....

The funny thing is that I thought the standard Fabia was great (the car is still fairly new to me) but then my previous car was a 2000 Seat Ibiza with the dashboard standard stereo!!

i've heard fairly good thing about the connects2 and im in the same situation as you, im thinking ill probably go for the connects2 as its only £50 and you still remain the stock look rather than spending £200 on a decent head unit just so you can use your ipod i know it might improve the sound quality but i think its good enough as standard if set up properly, i cant seem to justify spend so much on a new head unit when there something to add on to the standard head unit that will do the same job that you want it to do

Edited 22 January, 201115 yr by Willcox

I was in a similar situation before chrimbo, but I was also keen on bluetooth, so purchased a Kenwood KDC-BT6544U for about £110.

Iphone/pod/pad connects via usb on the face of the unit and tunes are fully controllable via the HU. Good piece of kit, sound quality is better than the standard unit and the built in bluetooth hands free is a blessing

I use Boston components through a symphony HU, with a connects 2 iPod lead......sounds perfect!

Sounded exactly the same as an old Sony unit with an aux in, same speakers.......

I use Boston components through a symphony HU, with a connects 2 iPod lead......sounds perfect!

Sounded exactly the same as an old Sony unit with an aux in, same speakers.......

I went for the connects 2 option and i think it works well the sound is better than in our roomster with the aux in connection. if you do decide to go down the connects 2 idea, get the kit with the power adapter as its only £10 more and costs 20 pounds on its own.

if you just want to connect the ipod, connect is good, the best sound quality from an ipod comes from the port connector

if you want better sound, change the speakers, standard head unit will pull 25 watts (rms) 6 ohm quite nicely, paired with a decent crossover and tweeters and you will have very good sound quality, latter you can add a high-low filter on the rear crossover network and use a sub (this is all with a standart headunit)

dont change the HU if your not going to change the speakers, you will gain no improvement on the sound quality (but will get more functions)

i personaly run a Pioneer DEH3000i with the ipod cable and a 5th gen ipod video and all my songs are 192kbps 48000 and it sounds great (had the install on my felicia and just moved everything when i sold it)

Great, thank you all for your advise.

I think I'll get the Connects2 kit and leave the standard headunit in place. I can see all the benefits of having a new head unit but just can't justify it to myself.

metzyman85, is this the adaptor you mentioned?

I'll be fitting one of these today: Connects 2 aux in

Will let you know what it sounds like later

Great, thank you all for your advise.

I think I'll get the Connects2 kit and leave the standard headunit in place. I can see all the benefits of having a new head unit but just can't justify it to myself.

metzyman85, is this the adaptor you mentioned?

yeah thats the one you can get it as a pack with the box for £60. check here http://tinyurl.com/65ejg4g

this is what i bought and works fine

if any of u guys decide to opt for the new head unit i have one of these http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kenwood-KDC-BT6544U-Bluetooth-Receiver-Control/dp/B001Q73LLG for sale.. perfect working order with the remote control... i've only changed it because i wanted a red one works with iphone/ipod. I have the manual but no box as it was already fitted wheni bought the car :p PM me if interested.

I'll be fitting one of these today: Connects 2 aux in

Will let you know what it sounds like later

All fitted now and it sounds great! I can't tell the difference between CD and the AUX in so if that's the sort of quality you're after it will be fine.

Luke

yeah thats the one you can get it as a pack with the box for £60. check here http://tinyurl.com/65ejg4g

this is what i bought and works fine

Thanks metzyman85 - just bought that set.

All fitted now and it sounds great! I can't tell the difference between CD and the AUX in so if that's the sort of quality you're after it will be fine.

Luke

Great, thanks for the feedback Luke. Can't wait to get mine fitted now! Was it tricky to fit as I've read that there isn't much space behind the head unit?

Great, thanks for the feedback Luke. Can't wait to get mine fitted now! Was it tricky to fit as I've read that there isn't much space behind the head unit?

No problem at all. No, it wasn't Too tricky to fit, just had to find a place for it to sit as like you say there really isnt any space behind the HU.

I took the glovebox out, as I wanted to drill a hole into it anyway, and just rested the connects 2 box on top of it before screwing it all back in.

Connecting it all up is a piece of cake as all you need to do is disconnected the CD changer block & replace it with the connects 2 block.

Theres a guide here for removing the glove box: http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/60114-how-to-fix-noisy-fabia-ventilation-fan/

Let me know if you need any other info

Luke

Edited 23 January, 201115 yr by The_Judderman

No problem at all. No, it wasn't Too tricky to fit, just had to find a place for it to sit as like you say there really isnt any space behind the HU.

I took the glovebox out, as I wanted to drill a hole into it anyway, and just rested the connects 2 box on top of it before screwing it all back in.

Connecting it all up is a piece of cake as all you need to do is disconnected the CD changer block & replace it with the connects 2 block.

Theres a guide here for removing the glove box: http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/60114-how-to-fix-noisy-fabia-ventilation-fan/

Let me know if you need any other info

Luke

Thanks again Luke, thats really useful to know. I'll give it a go this week if I have time or failing that the weekend.

Thanks again Luke, thats really useful to know. I'll give it a go this week if I have time or failing that the weekend.

No worries. Glad I could help you out!

Luke

No worries. Glad I could help you out!

Luke

Is this in relation to a mk1 fabia vrs? I've just bought a '56 plate fabia vRS with standard hu not really wanting to replace it as I want to keep the oe look. I've seen that you can drop the cable down into the space behind the ashtray how is this done? And does the hu need to be removed to connect the connects 2 cable?

Is this in relation to a mk1 fabia vrs? I've just bought a '56 plate fabia vRS with standard hu not really wanting to replace it as I want to keep the oe look. I've seen that you can drop the cable down into the space behind the ashtray how is this done? And does the hu need to be removed to connect the connects 2 cable?

Yes, this is in realation to a Mk1 Fabia vrs. I'm not sure how to route the cable down into the ashtray but I found it a lot easier to feed it into the glove box.

All I did was remove the glovebox and drilled a hole so I could feed one of these: http://www.maplin.co.uk/metal-3.5mm-stereo-coupler-1213 into it. Connected the connects 2 stero cable to the back and just bought another stereo lead so I could unplug it if I wanted.

As for the HU, yes, this does need to be removed as you will find it very difficult to unplug the the CD changer plug and swap to the connects 2 plug.

Hope that makes sense.

Luke

Is this in relation to a mk1 fabia vrs? I've just bought a '56 plate fabia vRS with standard hu not really wanting to replace it as I want to keep the oe look. I've seen that you can drop the cable down into the space behind the ashtray how is this done? And does the hu need to be removed to connect the connects 2 cable?

Yep, for the Mk1 Fabia VRS.

The head unit does need to be removed to attach the cable to the back. I've got the cable fed down the back of the dash and comes out at the bottom just in front of the ashtray. The only difficult bit is to feed the Coonects2 unit in behind the head unit when your putting it back together!

Bart

Is there a 'how to' on here for this? How do I go about removing the oe hu? And is there a need for any drilling or cutting of holes for this for the cable?

Is there a 'how to' on here for this? How do I go about removing the oe hu? And is there a need for any drilling or cutting of holes for this for the cable?

I don't think there is a how to on here, I certainly didn't find one when I was looking, but if you read a few posts back in this thread you will see a link to a guide to removing the glovebox which is required in order to hide the connects 2 box and acts as a starting point.

To remove the OE headunit you need some removal keys, I used these: Kenwood HU Removal Tools. Just pop them in the slots and push, which should release the radio allowing you to grab it and pull it out. Once you have the HU out you just unplug the CD changer block, route the connects 2 wire around the back of the center console to the back of the radio and plug the connects 2 block up. All you need to do then is find a place for the connects 2 box, which I located on top of the glovebox before screwing it back in.

As for drilling holes - I guess there wouldn't be any need as you could just run the cable down into the passenger footwell but it may not be long enough. The only reason I drilled a hole in the glovebox was for easy access and to keep it looking OEM.

Luke

my vrs is a 56 plate with the cd radio oe hu in it, will this connects 2 work with that?

my vrs is a 56 plate with the cd radio oe hu in it, will this connects 2 work with that?

To confirm, this works on a 56 plate.