Sorry if everyone knows this already...
I'm the lucky owner of 3 months of a 1998 C4S. Love it!
It has the factory fitted Hi-Fi option however the audio quality has been bugging me - I couldn't believe that even 14 years ago, a hi-fi optioned car's audio system could sound so poor - flat sound and no bass
I swapped the Sony radio and CD changer that were in the car when I bought it for an Alpine head unit + Bluetooth. Worked OK-ish, problem with FM reception (next on the list) but still no bass.
After much exploration, £10's worth of bits and some soldering the bass problem is now solved.
When the Sony head unit was fitted someone realised that to connect to the in-car amplifier (under the driver's seat on RHD models) an attenuator was needed to lower the signal level from speaker level to line. This was fitted in a little plastic box about 75mm x 35mm x 20mm, with a speaker connector on one end and an 8 pin DIN socket on the other.
This was the culprit - with various resistors and capacitors doing horrible things to the audio.
My new Alpine head unit has line level outputs for connecting to an external amplifier (probably on many higher-end head units as well).
Some components from RS and 1/2hr with a soldering iron and I had a new lead to connect line outputs directly to the OEM amplifier - which made all the difference [
]
Sound is now very good. Not quite like the youngsters with their Astras, but very adequate.
I would be happy to help anyone in a similar position - happy to post details of the lead and components if requested.
Next on the list is the rubbish FM reception.
Best regards
Jim Cook
I'm the lucky owner of 3 months of a 1998 C4S. Love it!
It has the factory fitted Hi-Fi option however the audio quality has been bugging me - I couldn't believe that even 14 years ago, a hi-fi optioned car's audio system could sound so poor - flat sound and no bass
I swapped the Sony radio and CD changer that were in the car when I bought it for an Alpine head unit + Bluetooth. Worked OK-ish, problem with FM reception (next on the list) but still no bass.
After much exploration, £10's worth of bits and some soldering the bass problem is now solved.
When the Sony head unit was fitted someone realised that to connect to the in-car amplifier (under the driver's seat on RHD models) an attenuator was needed to lower the signal level from speaker level to line. This was fitted in a little plastic box about 75mm x 35mm x 20mm, with a speaker connector on one end and an 8 pin DIN socket on the other.
This was the culprit - with various resistors and capacitors doing horrible things to the audio.
My new Alpine head unit has line level outputs for connecting to an external amplifier (probably on many higher-end head units as well).
Some components from RS and 1/2hr with a soldering iron and I had a new lead to connect line outputs directly to the OEM amplifier - which made all the difference [
]Sound is now very good. Not quite like the youngsters with their Astras, but very adequate.
I would be happy to help anyone in a similar position - happy to post details of the lead and components if requested.
Next on the list is the rubbish FM reception.
Best regards
Jim Cook
