Hi.

Firstly, what a great site - I'm impressed!

Secondly, a question...

I've just bought a Fabia - great car, terrible radio. I want a new head unit and I'm very interested in the recently announced ipod interface which Alpine should be selling by Summer. Does anyone know whether this unit will be compatible with existing head units. If so which ones?

Also...

If I had any money left which of the following would you do first?

a) replace the front speakers

add decent rear speakers (doesn't have any at the moment)

c) add a sub

Thanks everyone

From what I've seen of this (ie. everything that follows may well be wrong!), it looks like it will be some interface kit which connects to the Alpine AI-net connection and the I-pod.

Currently the AI-net connection works with Alpine CD changers using a cable. It's also possible to connect a new AI-net changer to an old Alpine head unit (providing it supported to the older CD changer format), using an adapter cable.

Sooooo, what I make of this is that you could buy either a newish design Alpine with an AI-net socket, then wait for the I-pod interface kit to be released and that should plug onto the AI-net.

Or you could buy an older head unit and an AI-net adapter, then connect the interface kit to the AI-net adapter.

Like I say though, I'm no authority, on the matter, it's just what I've made of the various sources I've read...

As regards left-over money - personally I'd add rear speakers.

Rob.

For std speakers, they are not too bad, so you could save the money for other mods, but if you really want to, a sub would be the easuest thing to do.

Jeff - surely putting in rear speakers (as there aren't currently any) would produce a better sound stage than putting in a sub with only front speakers?

Though if the rear speakers were already there I would agree with a sub...

Rob.

I thought Fabias came with 4 speakers as std?

If not than yes rear speakers would be best.

Isn't that 4 speakers made up of 2-mids and 2 tweeters in the front? I know the Octavia is listed as having an 8 speaker system, which is the above with the same in the back as well...

Rob.

I thought it was 4 speakers, with four and four tweeters on the higher fabias.

My fabia (comfort 1.4 16v) has 8 speakers - mids/tweeters front and back...

Oh, yes, there's 8 on the higher Fabias, but I'm guessing if the original poster has a lower spec then the extra speakers might not be included...

Rob.

True, Rob

If they're not there than that would be the obvious move - chuck some rear speakers in! If there's front & back speakers already, then a sub would be an 'easy' add-on which would help things a bit. Use a head unit that has a sub-out and controls, so you can tinker with the setup to avoid strain on the standard speakers, and it should sound pretty good...

"I'm guessing if the original poster has a lower spec then the extra speakers might not be included..."

Yes, mines a Classic so just 4 speakers in the front.

Come to think of it I'm not sure where the rear speakers would go? Anyone got a Fabia Estate with rear speakers?

Not owning a Fabia estate, I guess the tweeters will go in the rear doors, just in front of the door handles, and the mids will sit under the plastic sideshelves...

If you're doing it yourself, I wouldn't bother with the tweeters in the door handles, you might as well get a coaxial speaker for the rear.

Rob.

The current answer about the iPOD control is that we don't know yet !! There are some new units that are replacing the CDA9813 and 9815. If I remember it is going to be these two machines. As for connection to the 'pod', well I don't know yet!! We will have the new units in ASAP, but don't expect the 'pod' ones to be cheap !!!

I will post some more info when I know myself.

Thanks for the info. Cause of the doubt over ipod compatibility with the Alpine I bought a Pioneer head unit in the end. (the nice retro looking one). Ok, I'll admit it, I just preferred the looks... I decided that its not much more hassle just to burn MP3 CDs and then I don't have to remember my iPod every time I get in the car...

I bought it from car audio centre as it happens - the Manchester branch - I found them very friendly & helpful and got a good price. I'll get that fitted next weekend and then think about speakers...