Hi folks, I'm new here, finally got rid of the little Corsa I've been driving for the last 7 years and got myself a Fabia VRS, 04' Reg, absolutely loving it!

One thing I'm not loving though is the Symphony CD/Radio in there, plus the speakers are pretty poor.

I was wondering if anyone could recommend a good value for money sound system? I don't want to go overboard (i.e. I don't want half my boot taken up by a sub-woofer) but I enjoy my music and my journey's are pretty long so iPod integration and handsfree is a must really.

Ideally I don't want something that's going to make my dash look any worse than it is to. I got a new head unit fitted on my Corsa and since it was smaller the the original Vauxhall radio they decided to put some ugly bits of trim in to fill the gaps.. rubbish!

I checked Skoda's accessories website thinking maybe they might have a more modern sound system available but my choices were either the one I've already got or a Cassette player... :wonder:

BC,

The speakers will seem miles better once you put a decent new head unit in, so would get a new HU before splashing out on speakers. If you go with a good brand like Alpine, Pioneer, JVC etc you can't really go wrong. A double-din would fit while removing the plastic tray/draw underneath and that would probably look better in terms of flush fitting with the dash.

I've got the JVC KD-R711, about £130, has bluetooth and a USB port in the front (and rear) that i connect my iPod to. It works really well and sounds very good even with the standard speakers - although the iPod navigation could be a bit better.

I installed a Sony MEX-BT3800U a month ago. Cracking piece of kit....

Wireless, USB, Handsfree, AUX, IPOD etc. Really versatile and for the features it costs a lot less than other brands...

http://www.google.co.uk/products/catalog?hl=en&safe=off&q=SONY+MEX&psj=1&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=8413571179145683696&sa=X&ei=qSFuTfS1JJGx8QPI4IiMDw&ved=0CCEQ8wIwAA#

Did anyone find it a little tight when fitting their aftermarket stereo. Tight as in the cage deformed slightly to fit in? Mine was very, very snug

Put in a Sony DSX-S200X, pretty sleak

Edited 2 March, 201115 yr by Higgylicious

Did anyone find it a little tight when fitting their aftermarket stereo. Tight as in the cage deformed slightly to fit in? Mine was very, very snug

Put in a Sony DSX-S200X, pretty sleak

Yup. I had to remove the vents above and the glovebox to be able to get all the connectors to fit behind!!

I had all the wiring and plugs from my Parrot kit back there too.

With the dash drawer and cupholder installed, theres even less room.

I had to remove the glove box as well as the top vents to fit my Sony.

Got it in in the end.

Mine went in (as in the pic) and then months later I bought a cupholder and had to

pull it all out again to fit that.

The wire going in the front was for my mp3player, I use an 8gb mini memory stick now.

So glad to get rid of the standard HU but do miss the TIM feature on the original stereo. :(

Edited 2 March, 201115 yr by grr666

Here's what mine looks like. A Lidl £50 special. Bluetooth, MP3/WMA from SD Card, CD, USB, and AUX in.

Any VAG branded car should have a Sony unit put in it, the speaker are better suited to the sony Built in Amps.

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_774697_langId_-1_categoryId_165474

I have last yrs model of that, half way up and i can get the mirrors shaking with Bass.

and the HU cost £80!

Just swap that and see! the speakers are enough!

I installed a Sony MEX-BT3800U a month ago. Cracking piece of kit....

Wireless, USB, Handsfree, AUX, IPOD etc. Really versatile and for the features it costs a lot less than other brands...

http://www.google.co.uk/products/catalog?hl=en&safe=off&q=SONY+MEX&psj=1&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=8413571179145683696&sa=X&ei=qSFuTfS1JJGx8QPI4IiMDw&ved=0CCEQ8wIwAA#

I really like the look of that one, did you change the speakers as well or like anewman said are they much better with a new HU?

I really like the look of that one, did you change the speakers as well or like anewman said are they much better with a new HU?

Hi mate...

Nope. The HU improved the speakers a fair bit. The HU itself has a number of music settings etc and allows the person to alter the sound as they please..

Great investment for my wife as she commutes a lot, and she can call anyone on the move. Piece of pish to install also...

I've put alpine x001 iPod units in both our cars. Big difference, even with the standard speakers

Double din ftw

Out of interest, how hard is it to change songs with a touch screen? I've got an iPod mimicing interface on my Pioneer (would recommend, but lights up blue so. . .) and it's pretty tricky at times, esp. on a bumpy road surface. Keep missing and turning it up, shuffling etc. :(

If you do get a different HU, you'll need a small plastic bar to fill the gap (see the horizontal bar on Tas's picture under the ASR button?) which is about £2.50 from a dealer, or sometimes pop up on here as a giveaway when people sell up.

I have a jvc kd-r811. Like the r711 but its a bit prettier.... Really happy with it, although when i connect to the USB it does so intermittently, but i think that is because I am using a card reader with an 8gb microSD card, hopefully fine with a memory stick.

Go for Mine hands down the best looking double din unit on the Market, let alone one of the best without spending stupid money on things you'll never use!

I have a jvc kd-r811. Like the r711 but its a bit prettier.... Really happy with it, although when i connect to the USB it does so intermittently, but i think that is because I am using a card reader with an 8gb microSD card, hopefully fine with a memory stick.

If you find yours is compatible with a memory stick.

May I recommend one of THESE

I found using a full size memory stick that I'd catch it where

it sticks out of the headunit whenever my left hand went from gearstick

to indicator stalk. The little knock would often be enough for it to lose

its place as it came out quite easily breaking the connection momentarily.

The one I linked sticks out about an inch or so. Much better IMO.

Decent price too.

I'm getting the impression most of you guys installed these things yourselves, is it a pretty straightforward thing to do?

I only ask because, to be honest, I've never installed anything on a car and probably wouldn't even know where to start... I've built a lot of computers (self-confessed geek), can't be harder than that though right? :S

I'm getting the impression most of you guys installed these things yourselves, is it a pretty straightforward thing to do?

I only ask because, to be honest, I've never installed anything on a car and probably wouldn't even know where to start... I've built a lot of computers (self-confessed geek), can't be harder than that though right? :S

Not difficult, but prepare for some swearing, and to lose some skin from your hands as it's incredibly tight trying to get all of the connectors to fit behind the unit.

have any of you ever used boss audio systems. i've been looking at replacing the standard head unit in mine and these 2 seem ok, but i was wondering on their performance compared to other's as them seem to be a lot cheaper than other examples

Boss Audio

Yeah computers are easy to build and so is installing a headunit, but it is tight. Some pain will be encountered but its worth it

Does anyone know of a head unit with ipod connection which you can still use the 6 disc changer?

Cheers

Does anyone know of a head unit with ipod connection which you can still use the 6 disc changer?

Cheers

not that i know of but if your using your ipod you dont need the 6 disk changer. i sacrificed the cd changer for an ipod head unit and have never looked back

I'll throw my two pence in here having recently got a VRS and changed the head unit. I spent quite a while looking around and in the end decided on this http://www.kenwood-electronics.co.uk/products/car/functions/bluetooth/KDC-BT60U/ It seems pretty good, easy to connect an ipod to and has built in Parrot bluetooth. I think I paid about £150 delivered and haven't looked back. It's pretty easy to get the colours to match the standard green LED's if you're that bothered by it. The only downside being that it doesn't seem to fit quite as flush to the dash as other units but I don't think any do really other than the double dins.

An iPod connector and cd changer my alpine does it honestly it's bloody amazing!! Best head unit ive ever owned'