I've finally got my I.C.E install finished to a reasonable standard (it's been in for a few weeks but was a mess ) today so I thought I'd post some pictures for everyone to see.

The system uses the standard speakers at present as I've EQ'd it to sound acceptable and don't really want to spend any extra cash at the moment.

Head unit is a Sony CDX-MP80 cd/mp3/tuner........

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The sub is a 12" Pioneer in a box designed and built by me using Autodesk Inventor 3D modelling (perk of my job!)

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Powered from a cheapy 300W Ripspeed amp

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And fed by a Sony 10 disc CD changer (mounted on a custom built ally plate using the original mounting points for the 6 disc stock item.)

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and Sony 6 Disc Minidisc Changer

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There's a few scuffs and scratches on the components as they are all second hand from my previous installs where I wasn't quite as carefull .

Running the cables down the car was a bit of a pain, especially as the CD changer cable is only just 5M and barely reaches the rear left panel (by the tail-lights) where the multi-changer control box is located, other than that I'm fairly pleased with the results.

Audio and changer went down the right hand side, sweeping over the panel above the pedals and then down under the trim, power is a 10mm tri-rated neatly installed through the glovebox grommit with fuse hidden under the battery cover - totally stealth and fed down the left side to a distribution block under the rear seats.

Any comments would be appreciated, just be gentle with me for using Sony .

Regards,

Matt

Aaagghhh Sony!!! lol.

Looks good. The amps mounted out of the way, although I'd probably try and devise some way of covering the connections for neatness, and to limit the possibility of a short. Know its not particularly likely but million to one chances and all that. The other good thing, and what I'm hoping to achieve with my install, is that its just a case of disconnect your sub and you've got your boot space back.

*edit* Although on closer inspection of the terminals, there doesn't look like much chance of a short as you appear to have used heatshrink tube, and the terminals don't leave a lot of bare metal exposed.

Never new of anyone else using inventor before, i use autocad inventor series at work.

Nice install, wouldn't know where to start with one, most ive ever done is changed a head unit which is going to be very soon on my vRS.

I'm sure it sounds better than the original BUT IMHO the original looks far better

There's no chance of a short on the terminals as I've used proper "bootlace ferrules" being an electrician and all that .

Yeah, If I disconnect the sub then the boot space is all reclaimed as the cables come through a small slit in the carpet exactly in the centre in front of the "hump" at the back of the boot (on the rear end side). - although I want to fit "banana plugs" to aid quick removal.

And yes, I agree that the original head unit looks far far better than the Sony but it's what I already owned and I did start another thread recently about different head units controlling my changers but the general concencous was that it wasn't easy without spending money on converter boxes etc.

If the money was no object I'd ditch the Sony gear in an instant and go for something that didn't stick out like a sore thumb :P .

On the plus side for the sony the features it has are just what I need, eg front, rear and sub outputs, selectable filter points (78 & 125Hz), extra input for I-pod etc and customisable EQ settings (which have gone a LONG way to making the stock speakers sound better IMHO), the only negative points for me are the looks and not being able to change CD's without either fitting the steering remote stalk (which I had before but was deemed too ugly by SWMBO) or using the infra-red remote, which has to live in the storage compartment below the head unit.

At the end of the day it sounds pretty good now and will serve the purpose until I feel like changing things - as I already have two 10 disc CD changers (one sat in loft doing nought!) and a 6 disc minidisc changer by sony then unless I want to sell it all or buy adapters that's another load of money I'd have to spend to complement a new (other brand) head unit.

I also have about five spare amplifiers, a twin 8" custom bandpass sub and a minidisc/tuner head unit sat doing nothing in the loft so buying more gear is unlikely at the moment!

Each to their own eh................................

Matt

Personally I say well done. Looks a neet install. And well done for trying something different keeping th estock speakers and using a EQ

Much better using cheap hardware but setting it up correctly then using expensive stuff and setting it up ****e.