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Cuthbert



Member Since: 26 Oct 2013
Location: Up North
Posts: 1535
2014 Model Year Radio/CD Fitting Options
Doing my basic research and trust someone with the expertise/experience can advise me.

If I buy a new Defender should I save myself some cash and not bother with a radio/CD Player on the basis that putting a decent sound system into a Defender with all its other background noise and vibration is a waste of time? Then I can just focus on the driving experience.

Or should I just stick a cheap non-factory fit radio into the slot and fit a pair of cheapo speakers? Other posts on the forum suggest this is an easy job to undertake.

Or do I just try and link an I-Pod up to a speaker or two?

Oh I should have added - I don't want an expensive sound system that attracts thieves when the vehicle is parked up.
Post #279911 5th Nov 2013 10:59pm
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RobKeay



Member Since: 19 Jul 2009
Location: Stafford
Posts: 1582
United Kingdom 2014 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 USW Corris Grey
If your not bothered I wouldn't have one fitted. County and xs come with radio as standard.

If your specing up a base one, it's a costly option since you can pop down halfords and grab a radio and speakers for just over £100.

I have taken mine out and replaced it so it was money wasted.
Post #279919 5th Nov 2013 11:10pm
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CEEGEE



Member Since: 02 Oct 2013
Location: Yorkshire
Posts: 135
United Kingdom 2006 Defender 90 Td5 HT Cairns Blue
I suppose it depends what you want from your Land Rover - I know others wont agree with me, but IMHO a Defender is never going to be the perfect environment to get the best out of an expensive system.

I have a basic spec '06 TD5 and spent circa £100 on a second hand Land Rover HU (radio/CD/Aux-in), speakers and the bits I needed to fit it - it does the job fine Thumbs Up
Post #279926 5th Nov 2013 11:36pm
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Cheshire110



Member Since: 26 Jul 2013
Location: Cheshire/London
Posts: 2760
United Kingdom 
Don't they all come with 'radio preparation' anyway?

Does that include speakers, does anyone know?

Either way, head unit is easy to get and it's standard DIN and only a cheap connector required so that's easy, and the factory fit speakers are seriously bad so you may as well replace them or if they aren't fitted as standard then you can start a fresh with some better ones.

Either way I'd say you'd probably get a better setup for less from halfords, but obviously a factory fit stereo and speakers is quick & convenient. And resale value for the head unit isn't bad really if you want to replace it. Cheers, David
Land Rovers of all shapes S3 onwards… Daily is a 110 V8.
Post #279930 6th Nov 2013 12:18am
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bpman



Member Since: 21 May 2008
Location: Oslo
Posts: 8069
2008 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 SVX Station Wagon Santorini Black
some head units now have parrot phone connectivity built in, this may or may not be on your wishlist.
Post #279941 6th Nov 2013 7:15am
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Kitoper



Member Since: 07 Dec 2012
Location: Geneva
Posts: 204
Switzerland 
You may be able to find cheaper and better radios than the Land Rover supplied one, but a comment about internal noise on the MY2013 forward vehicles.

My 2013 Defender is used primarily for hunting trips, which can be anywhere from 1.5 hours to 8 hours from home (8 hours because my Defender forces me to respect speed limits Laughing ).

I along with everyone else thought that a Defender for long trips was going to be a painful experience. Now, by no means am I stating that driving a Defender is as comfy as a Merc, BMW or the likes, but I have no issues listening to my favourite CD's, traffic advisories, news etc and I actually see more of what I drive by.

The new sound proofing does work and the interior noise at "cruising" (120kmh) speed is more than acceptable.
Post #279955 6th Nov 2013 8:32am
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RobKeay



Member Since: 19 Jul 2009
Location: Stafford
Posts: 1582
United Kingdom 2014 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 USW Corris Grey
At 80 mph my defender is 2db quieter than my wife's renault twingo.
Post #280093 6th Nov 2013 5:35pm
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Byronavitch



Member Since: 26 Oct 2013
Location: NE
Posts: 115
England 2011 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 HT Stornoway Grey
Kitoper wrote:
You may be able to find cheaper and better radios than the Land Rover supplied one, but a comment about internal noise on the MY2013 forward vehicles.

My 2013 Defender is used primarily for hunting trips, which can be anywhere from 1.5 hours to 8 hours from home (8 hours because my Defender forces me to respect speed limits Laughing ).

I along with everyone else thought that a Defender for long trips was going to be a painful experience. Now, by no means am I stating that driving a Defender is as comfy as a Merc, BMW or the likes, but I have no issues listening to my favourite CD's, traffic advisories, news etc and I actually see more of what I drive by.

The new sound proofing does work and the interior noise at "cruising" (120kmh) speed is more than
acceptable.


Totally agree with the above but it all comes down to do you want quality sound because if you do you can have it but it will cost
Post #280096 6th Nov 2013 5:49pm
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jimbob7



Member Since: 06 Jul 2013
Location: uk
Posts: 2055
The standard LR H.U used to be made by VDO (Siemens),which are about the worst H.U in the world,they don't last in DAF trucks they don't last in Vauxhalls and mine was already broke when I bought mi Defender,the speakers are equally poor.
For £50 you can get a Sony HU from Halfords,with a sound quality 5x better than the standard LR HU,another £10 gets you equally better speakers.
As for soundproofing I used 1.5mm rubber sheet and foam camping mats and has made a massive difference.
You may need an iso connector for the HU (£15 Halfords) other than that it's plug and play. Pov.spec,ftw. 2006, 110,TD5.
Post #280122 6th Nov 2013 7:02pm
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barbel jim



Member Since: 12 Dec 2012
Location: Northants
Posts: 1423
United Kingdom 2005 Defender 90 Td5 HT Tonga Green
An expensive sound system will not attract thieves to your defender Rolling with laughter Rolling with laughter Rolling with laughter It will be the last thing they suspect. Your bonnet will attract them first for sure Thumbs Up
Post #280124 6th Nov 2013 7:07pm
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custom90



Member Since: 21 Jan 2010
Location: South West, England.
Posts: 20444
United Kingdom 
Let's face it the cheapest aftermarket equipment will be better than LR's standard most of the time. Never the less I'd prefer a budget model from a premium brand than I'd get some foreign thing.
If your not that bothered then I wouldn't bother at all but I agree if you only want something just to listen to without going into audiophile territory then just get some cheaper items. Might be worth looking on ebay for second hand higher spec though for the same price, you might be lucky to find some items that have been fitted but barely used. No Guts, No Glory.
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Post #280135 6th Nov 2013 7:38pm
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Byronavitch



Member Since: 26 Oct 2013
Location: NE
Posts: 115
England 2011 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 HT Stornoway Grey
barbel jim wrote:
An expensive sound system will not attract thieves to your defender Rolling with laughter Rolling with laughter Rolling with laughter It will be the last thing they suspect. Your bonnet will attract them first for sure Thumbs Up


I can definitely agree with this as well just happened to me Big Cry
Post #280151 6th Nov 2013 8:17pm
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Cuthbert



Member Since: 26 Oct 2013
Location: Up North
Posts: 1535
Thanks for sharing your thoughts - most informative.
Post #280175 6th Nov 2013 9:18pm
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Cuthbert



Member Since: 26 Oct 2013
Location: Up North
Posts: 1535
Still doing my homework and struggling as ICE is all a mystery to a blacksmith.

If I order up a new Defender with no ICE fitted, would someone with a bit of knowledge/experience kindly point me in the direction of a basic (but not nasty or fragile) radio that would plug into that blanked off hole with minimal hassle?

I'm thinking I might like to listen to the news and a bit of music but have zero idea about what to buy. Just had a look at Halfords website - lots of product from £50 upwards but I'm now totally confused as I don't know what half the technobabble actually means in real life. I don't need all sorts of connectivity with phone systems and my ears won't be able to detect the finer notes of a concerto against road noise and transmission whine.

So if anyone wants to tell or suggest to me what to buy - I'm both receptive and appreciative.
Post #282053 13th Nov 2013 11:18pm
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JSG



Member Since: 12 Jul 2007
Location: Berkshire
Posts: 2412
United Kingdom 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Stornoway Grey
The standard stereo that was fitted to the 2.4 XS Puma's is very good as a radio, CD player and has an aux input for iPod or similar.

They come up for sale on here and eBay for about £60 so if you want to save money from the dealer look for one these. John

http://www.hampshire4x4response.co.uk

2011 Tdci 110 CSW XS
Post #282118 14th Nov 2013 1:14pm
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