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jonnyboy



Member Since: 15 Oct 2014
Location: Wiltshire
Posts: 161
United Kingdom 2005 Defender 90 Td5 XS CSW Tonga Green
ICE Upgrade - Alpine IDE178BT, Focal Speakers and Focal Sub
After lots of research on here, settled on the following

Alpine IDE-178BT head unit as it's mechless and allows my iPhone 4 to play through the USB connection whilst charging on the Brodit cradle. Being on the cradle has the advantages of using the Google Maps for satnav, seeing headline messages as they arrive when driving and the phones charged when I get there


Click image to enlarge

Front speakers replaced with Focal ISN 100 kit including two tweeters. The 4" units are not a great fit below the LR grills. Need to have a look at tidying them up maybe


Click image to enlarge

Tweeters are a lovely fit for the factory standards


Click image to enlarge

Rear speakers replaced with Focal 100AC speakers


Click image to enlarge

Add finally the subwoofer is a Focal Sub 2.1 which, after much head scratching, mounted under the rear seat


Click image to enlarge

That's what is all looks like. The key is how does it sound. Well, BLOODY LOVELY. Obviously a long way off what can be achieved in cars these days but considering the working canvas that is the defender and what was there out of the factory, I'm chuffed to bits.
Post #468640 2nd Nov 2015 3:12pm
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K9F



Member Since: 12 Nov 2009
Location: Bournemouth
Posts: 9610
United Kingdom 2008 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Stornoway Grey
Just an observation with certain speakers such as the Focal ISN 100s and for example the Alpine SPG10C2 they contain their own tweeters and the recommendation is to disconnect any other tweeters to avoid damage.
I am no expert but that was certainly the case with the Alpines.

Thumbs Up If you go through life with your head in the sand....all people will see is an ar5e!!

Treat every day as if it is your last....one day you will be right!!
Post #468644 2nd Nov 2015 3:21pm
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jonnyboy



Member Since: 15 Oct 2014
Location: Wiltshire
Posts: 161
United Kingdom 2005 Defender 90 Td5 XS CSW Tonga Green
The ISN 100s come with the separate tweeters and a crossover cable to install behind the dash which I think does the job.

I'm no expert either Laughing
Post #468646 2nd Nov 2015 3:31pm
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DG123



Member Since: 29 Aug 2015
Location: North West
Posts: 133
United Kingdom 2012 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Orkney Grey
Great system
I've been dithering about upgrading my 2012 Puma as sound is fairly tinny. Good idea putting the sub under the seat rather than on back of cubby (would get kicked to pieces by kids).
How was the installation - did the head unit go straight in (I've got the LR branded CD/Radio)? How much hassle is it fitting the sub (any drilling of holes/faff with cables etc? 2012 110 XS SW Orkney Grey
2003 D2 Td5 Black [SOLD]
Post #468655 2nd Nov 2015 3:59pm
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mk1collector



Member Since: 17 Sep 2009
Location: West Yorkshire
Posts: 6769
England 2004 Defender 110 Td5 CSW Bonatti Grey
The head unit is great (I have the cd version cde178bt) Bluetooth is also good and phone calls can be heard clearly. I might have to get a couple of those subs as I like my music bassy but I'm going a different direction with the front speakers. Your setup looks great. Ray
My build thread
http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic17615.html
Post #468683 2nd Nov 2015 4:53pm
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jonnyboy



Member Since: 15 Oct 2014
Location: Wiltshire
Posts: 161
United Kingdom 2005 Defender 90 Td5 XS CSW Tonga Green
DG,

Fairly simple install - it had to be for me....

Head unit was a clean swap. Made a couple of extraction tools from coat hangers to get the LR one out, cabling behind was pretty much plug and play to the new unit. Mic for the phone is fixed to the top of the A pillar trim, cable run along the base of the windscreen out of sight

Speakers used all existing cables

Sub is fixed to the floor with self-tappers (its too big for the back of the cubby). The front edge overhangs the floor a couple of inches so got some simple 2" brackets from B&Q to fix that. Cable is then run to the head unit under mats and carpets.
Post #468691 2nd Nov 2015 5:05pm
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DG123



Member Since: 29 Aug 2015
Location: North West
Posts: 133
United Kingdom 2012 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Orkney Grey
Thanks jonnyboy Thumbs Up
I can feel the credit card taking a hit here... 2012 110 XS SW Orkney Grey
2003 D2 Td5 Black [SOLD]
Post #468720 2nd Nov 2015 5:41pm
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Go Beyond



Member Since: 30 Jan 2012
Location: Headcorn, Kent
Posts: 6678
United Kingdom 
jonnyboy, you've installed the front speakers incorrectly.

The speakers sit behind the dash with the grilles in front of the dash Thumbs Up
Post #468725 2nd Nov 2015 5:50pm
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jonnyboy



Member Since: 15 Oct 2014
Location: Wiltshire
Posts: 161
United Kingdom 2005 Defender 90 Td5 XS CSW Tonga Green
Like I said, I'm no expert Rolling with laughter

Thanks for that. That makes absolute sense....
Post #468728 2nd Nov 2015 5:57pm
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jackg



Member Since: 22 Jun 2015
Location: west sussex
Posts: 24
2015 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 Heritage Edition SW Grasmere Green
Hi Johnnyboy

Can I ask where you bought it all from?
ta
Jx
Post #469008 3rd Nov 2015 11:41am
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jonnyboy



Member Since: 15 Oct 2014
Location: Wiltshire
Posts: 161
United Kingdom 2005 Defender 90 Td5 XS CSW Tonga Green
Hi Jack

The focal speakers and head unit came from Car Audio Centre online. The Sub was off a shop on Ebay as Car Audio Centre didn't do them. Brodit brackets off Amazon

John
Post #469839 5th Nov 2015 6:24pm
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Vmesch



Member Since: 06 Dec 2014
Location: Antwerp - Lier
Posts: 47
Belgium 
jonnyboy wrote:
DG,

Fairly simple install - it had to be for me....

Head unit was a clean swap. Made a couple of extraction tools from coat hangers to get the LR one out, cabling behind was pretty much plug and play to the new unit. Mic for the phone is fixed to the top of the A pillar trim, cable run along the base of the windscreen out of sight

Speakers used all existing cables

Sub is fixed to the floor with self-tappers (its too big for the back of the cubby). The front edge overhangs the floor a couple of inches so got some simple 2" brackets from B&Q to fix that. Cable is then run to the head unit under mats and carpets.


I've just bought a Focal Sub as yours and I'm planning to install it myself. I was looking for the best way to get the 12V supply to the unit... Where did you take the 12V from? If it's including some cutting of existing wiring, how did you fix it? puma 2.2 MY2013
[:O]===[O:]
Post #472411 14th Nov 2015 9:35am
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jonnyboy



Member Since: 15 Oct 2014
Location: Wiltshire
Posts: 161
United Kingdom 2005 Defender 90 Td5 XS CSW Tonga Green
Vmesch

12V supply was straight from the battery. The supplied cable had a terminated end that fit straight to the +ve connection on the battery. Didn't trim the wire, left it coiled loosely under the cubby as I refitted it. Routing was then under the carpet/mats to the sub. -ve fixed straight to a chair bolt

This is all temporary pending second battery install that I'll get round to one day...

John
Post #472613 15th Nov 2015 7:58am
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Vmesch



Member Since: 06 Dec 2014
Location: Antwerp - Lier
Posts: 47
Belgium 
Hi John,
That means that it permanently stays on the 12v battery supply... The blue/white cable has to be connected then to turn the unit off when the radio is turned off, I guess? No fears that it will drain your battery? puma 2.2 MY2013
[:O]===[O:]
Post #472723 15th Nov 2015 5:00pm
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jonnyboy



Member Since: 15 Oct 2014
Location: Wiltshire
Posts: 161
United Kingdom 2005 Defender 90 Td5 XS CSW Tonga Green
There's a blue lead as well that's the remote. That., I think, together with the auto-off setting seams to switch it with the radio.

Honestly cant remember it being too difficult so must of being pretty clear in the manual for me to get right Laughing
Post #472985 16th Nov 2015 9:44am
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