Sony CDX-MP40 Output

enc · Post by **enc** » Mon Nov 10, 2003 5:13 pm

A couple of months back I had a Sony CDX-MP40 fit into my MKIV Polo. If you're not familiar with the unit it's as below..

Problem I'm having, although not really a problem just a bit of an annoyance is the output I'm getting. Is anyone else familiar with the Sony units? The output just appears to be a little "tinny". While tinkering in shops displays with different units I did get the impression that the Sony unit didn't appear to have as good bass as similiar range Pioneer units etc.

My Polo currently just has it's traditional manufacturer built speakers towards the front of the vehicle, no extras have been fitted. Will fitting additional / new speakers in the car make that much difference? You reckon it's worthwhile doing? Reccomendations on makes / models of speakers if you will please.

Final question, when fitting custom speakers, how much are you likely to be devalue-ing the car?

Cheers!

Speedlaw · Post by **Speedlaw** » Mon Nov 10, 2003 6:40 pm

(Moved this topic to the ICE section)

Allthough not very scientific, I can second the comments on the sound quality of Sony head units. I just replaced a Clarion HU with a Sony one (both quite upper-end models) and the Sony just isn't as good as the Clarion was. Less clarity, but also less punch and warmth. Again, it's not exactly science here, but I do recognise the effect you described.

I'm sure adding more speakers (or a sub woofer) would solve the problem. If you go about it reasonably, I don't see why it would effect your resale value too much. I'd advise against hacking up the parcel shelf though. Replacing the front speakers with something more beefy will have no impact on resale value for sure - you can always take them out again and no one would know.

Since our cars don't have any room for rear speakers as standard, perhaps this is an option:

The rear parcel shelf - holder up thingies on the side, but then with speakers attached. They look nearly OE too.

Pic:

Now I can not vouch for the quality or fitment as I haven't bought these yet. It does, however, look pretty neat.

enc · Post by **enc** » Mon Nov 10, 2003 6:49 pm

I wouldn't be interesting with tampering with the parcel shelf for the initial reason of resale value and the second reason of them being an instant attraction for thieves.

I have thought about the introduction of a sub-woofer, where would be the ideal place to put this and would it be able to work alongside the existing speakers? How much would a good quality unit cost?

Finally, good alternatives to the manufacturer front panel speakers would be great. Best manufacturers / prices? Any idea what the default speaker size is?

KarlM · Post by **KarlM** » Mon Nov 10, 2003 6:50 pm

have you got contact details for the guy that sells these?

zahir_213 · Post by **zahir_213** » Mon Nov 10, 2003 10:14 pm

how about using a stealth shelf for the parcel shelf, that way you can keep your old one intact, I also have the cdx-mp40 in my mk V polo, im fitting new component speakers in the front doors and 6x9's all powered by and amp. I find the sony isnt the best headunit, but at 125 quid u cant go wrong really, and the lights match my dash very nicely.

Check this
http://www.autoacoustics.com

Speedlaw · Post by **Speedlaw** » Mon Nov 10, 2003 11:15 pm

Karl mate, check his auctions on German eBay; he ships anywhere and even appears to speak a few words other than German. With 2000 positive comments, I think he's ok.

http://cgi.ebay.de/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie ... gory=38768

I don't expect the speakers themselves to be much good, but as rear fill they'll do. And I'm sure they can be replaced with something more substantial.

Enc,

A subwoofer would work fine alongside the current speakers to give more bass. However, you do (nearly always) need an amplifier to run the subwoofer correctly. I assume the Sony has pre-outs to feed the amp, so that would do. OTOH, you need to sacrifice a bit of boot space to have a box + sub + amp in there.

Do you have speakers in the doors as well as on top of the dash?

david burton · Post by **david burton** » Mon Nov 10, 2003 11:49 pm

I fitted my last Sony unit into my girlfriend's mkiv a few months ago and found the same problem. Fortunately by adjusting the equilizer and putting the bass to it's maximum level (both on the equilizer and on the "sound" menu bass level) and turning down the treble a bit it sounds a heck of a lot better. I think the sony unit is OK, but if you're getting a sub then a head unit with a sub-out is going to be more adjustable if you need more bass. The sub in my last car working with my sony head unit just seemed to lack any decent punch - Rockford's should kick ass really.

Try adjusting it to the extremes and see if it helps. I've also just finished taking out my door speakers and trying my 3-way pioneers for the second time (see the post before) and I can recommend steering clear from Pioneer units or anything other than component speakers as replacements.

The VW standard door speakers shake the trim, and the Pioneers don't come close. I think I'm going to have to be spending 100 - 150 quid on component speakers to get anything that is going to please me

. I reckon that putting the money into a quality sub and amp first is better than fiddling with 6x9's and much less nickable as they're out of sight from thieving lowlifes...

enc · Post by **enc** » Tue Nov 11, 2003 12:09 am

Cheers guys. I think I need alot of information on amps and subs as I'm not 100% of either of them and how they work alongside each other with head units and speakers. I really am a novice to ICE but its good to learn this sort of stuff from people who have the know-how obviously.

Speedlaw, yes I do have the speakers in the doors as well as the dash.

Speedlaw · Post by **Speedlaw** » Tue Nov 11, 2003 10:56 am

Ok, in that case the dash accepts 10 cm (or 4,5 inch?) speakers and the doors allow for 16,5 cm (or 6,5 inch?) speakers. Most set ups I've seen have component type speakers installed. So that means the bass is in the door, and the treble (the tweeter) is on top of the dash. The hole in the dash is too big, and VW use a spacer disc to fit their tweeters, but so can you. I cut out a circle (wood) and installed the tweeter in there, so it doesn't fall into the hole in the dash.

What also helps is reading car hifi magazins. It will be a bit overwhelming at first, but you'll gain a lot from reading through the various install stories and product testing. Get a proper mag though, not the Max Power ICE section.

A basic (but good) set up would be this, IMO:

Decent head unit that focusses on sound quality, not gadgets and features.

Two 6,5 inch components up front (or 'seperates') with the tweeters mounted seperately on the dash. This isn't the best position, but stealth is more important than imaging for now.

One 10 or 12 inch subwoofer in a small sealed box in the boot. Stay clear of any dodgy brands that claim massive power figures but don't deliver.

One four-channel amplifier to run the three channels of the system. You then have: Front Left, Front Right, Rear left + right bridged (to run the sub). You could have two amps so one is dedicated for the sub, but it's likely to be more expensive, and it usually takes up more room in the boot too.

I do not believe in the use of rear speakers, but I did consider the above rear speaker thingies as an alternative to a sub. Not nearly as much bass of course, but it could be enough for me. In any case, I'd filter out the highs to avoid distorting the audio imaging.

KarlM · Post by **KarlM** » Tue Nov 11, 2003 2:33 pm

when buying a sub always make sure you check the RMS power rating of the sub, the figure they normal quote is the MAX power. The sub will only run at this power for a fraction of a second.

so match the RMS with the power of the amp for a sweet sounding system.

david burton · Post by **david burton** » Tue Nov 11, 2003 2:50 pm

...and also look at the sealed box dimensions that most sub manufacturers give. My 12" is in a huge box (

oo errr) whereas some of them can make do with a much smaller one, which is more practical for a polo. It all depends on the Thiele-small parameters of the speaker. You can get some free box design packages on the web if you're interested. whatever you do don't get a weak amp as underpowering a speaker is more dangerous than overpowering (within reason). The system Speedlaw mentions is one I am just about to fit into my mkiv (except I may have 2 amps but that's only because I've expanded from one amp). I'll let you know how it sounds....

KarlM · Post by **KarlM** » Tue Nov 11, 2003 3:41 pm

david burton wrote:whatever you do don't get a weak amp as underpowering a speaker is more dangerous than overpowering (within reason)

correct. you can always turn the amp down so its set up right for the sub. doing this will give you a very sweet sounding system.

As for boxes, a ported one will give you deeper bass notes but wont be a 'punchy' as a sealed box. it all depends what type of music your into, music with long rolling bass (like rap, hip hop, r&b etc) go for ported. Dance and rock etc... go for a sealed box

the place you buy it from should be able to supply the right sized box for you so that shouldnt be a major concern (unless your building your own boot build!)

hope that helps.