Improving Macintosh

[GHW]

hi All,

I've noticed a number of threads about how to upgrade / improve / change the mac (clarion) that comes standard in the top spec Libertys so I thought I'd offer up some knowledge (as this is my line of work)

Firstly, like all manufacturers, the stock system is built to a price. mac's are Clarions, simple (a Porsche badge on a 924 does not a Porsche make, it's still a VW) so I hope I don't offend anyone who thinks this system is good, imo it's not.

Just because there's 4 speakers in each front door doesn't mean you have to try and find a 3 way system etc. a decent 2 way split from a good manufacturer will crap on the stock speakers from a substantial height, quality over quantity will rule every time.
they will also render the centre speaker irrelevant, it's only there due to poor imaging (ability to decipher where the actual instruments etc are) and staging (height)

If you want stock headunit but not the poor audio quality and want to improve everything, there's a product from Alpine called PXE-H650. It has 30v line in (yes 30, not 3) so can be added post factory amp.It gives you front / rear and sub pre-out with sub level control via remote and an aux input.It will analyze the poor freq response of the mac and use a 175 band "ant-eq" to flatten it. It will then analyze the interior through an external mic (called Audyssey XTpro - the inventers of THX) and auto-eq with another 175 band eq, phase correct and time align all the speakers - automatically off a lap-top with software package.
the system will sound nothing like the factory mac but retain your dash but will hit you about $800.

there's much more basic products from Rockford and JL as well but they dont offer audyssey, ant-eq, 175 band etc etc, they are more like advanced line level converters with an eq but they will enable an upgrade of amp and speakers for a hunge or so less.

Hope this helps somebody, and no, I do not have a retail store so I'm not trying to flog something.

cheers

[loweart]

Thanks for the advice GHW and not to put down the "McIntosh" system in the Liberty, but your assessment about it's limitations are spot on.

I won't go on and on about what I believe the faults are, but having heard and demo'd various McIntosh home Hi Fi amps and dealt with proper Hi Fi for over 15yrs, it seems the creators of this system was trying to emulate McIntosh home Hi Fi sound in a car environment and got it waayyyyy wrong.

Moot point for me anyway as I'm "gutting" the OEM system this weekend and fitting it out with some better kit.

[overl0ad]

would putting in some other squeakers make a difference?

[loweart]

I don't think that putting in different speakers with the McIntosh system would necessarily improve the sound seeing how everything about that system seems to be "tailored" for a specific sound. Once you take one part and change it, the results will be hard to guess.

That said, I have experience with changing the speakers in the standard Liberty sedans and that generally works well as the cheap $2 paper cone speakers that come fitted standard on the car are just rubbish much like any OEM sound gear of most cars.

[overl0ad]

That said, I have experience with changing the speakers in the standard Liberty sedans and that generally works well as the cheap $2 paper cone speakers that come fitted standard on the car are just rubbish much like any OEM sound gear of most cars.

sorry, but which liberty to be exact?

i don't want o rip out the speakers only to find that they are not the cheap paper ones...

[loweart]

I was referring to the standard OEM Clarion system that is fitted in the Liberty sedans ( as in the 2.0 and 2.5 four cyclinder ) that is quoted as having a 6 speaker stereo system, this applies whether you have either the single cd or 6 cd in-dash player.

Although the McIntosh system is considered to be the PREMIUM standard that is supplied in the GT and 3.0, I doubt their speakers would be leaps and bounds above that of the standard system anyway. I guess I'll find out when I remove the door panels tomorrow. Happy to show you what I find.

[overl0ad]

that would be great, cos i didn't get a massive difference from replacing the speakings in my 2.5i...

[loweart]

I guess that also depends what sort of speakers you replaced the stock ones with in your 2.5.

That said, there are still limitations because of the factory Clarion unit and therefore one shouldn't expect a massive difference, but a noticable improvement never the less.

When I had my 2.5 sedan. I replaced the stock speakers with Clarion SRQ1620s 2 way splits in the front doors and a pair of Pioneer TS-G1642Rs in the rear doors. I also made up spacers for these speakers so that they would line up with the door paneling so that the speakers weren't just firing into the underside of the door panels.

These weren't super expensive speakers and improved the sound of the existing Clarion unit somewhat, but the BIGGEST improvement was gained when I fitted my JVC-KD-AVX33 head unit and removed the Clarion unit. See ->



I'll post some pics of my current project with the 3.0R if you would like.

[loweart]

Well, as much as I thought and was quite happy with the way I upgraded my audio system in my previous ride ( Liberty 2.5 sedan seen in photo above), now that I have a 3.0R I was hoping for a more integrated look and finish.

By that I mean, a head unit that has all the features I need/want so that I didn't have to have the portable GPS being mounted off some pod/stalk separately.

As already mentioned in another thread regarding the PIONEER AVIC F900BT I didn't have any luck with my mobile being able to bond with the Pioneer's bluetooth so I had to consider other alternatives to achieve the same outcome. I also didn't want a head unit that had a motorised front panel ( having learnt from install my JVC KD-AVX33 ) because they can't be mounted flush with the AV panel as it needs to allow for the panel to slide and angle outwards.

So, this is what I've selected ->

Kenwood DDX 5032 double DIN head unit
Kenwood KCA-BT200 plugin bluetooth handsfree module
Kenwood KNA-G430 external Navigation box ( Garmin )



Wish me luck !

[smythie]

looks pretty schmick

[loweart]

Thanks Smythie.

Long way to go yet ->

Today it was out with the gear selector trim ring




Then, de-couple the ashtray and surrounding coverplate



Then, undo the screws holding the side moulding/garnish that hides the AV panel set retaining screws



Then out with the McIntoss



Phew, now to heat up the soldering iron and make some new wiring harnesses

[smythie]

Then out with the McIntoss

Spelling mistake? or deliberate?

[Ric]

Phew, now to heat up the soldering iron and make some new wiring harnesses

Are you going to remove the plugs on your loom that went into the back of your McIntosh?
If yes, I'm very interested in getting them

[Turtlez]

hey guys,

I did not have the Macintosh system in mine, but I replaced the RX stock head unit from my 2003 liberty with an alpine cd player, cd9884 and it increased the quality of the speakers and sounds louder then stock.

[loweart]

Then out with the McIntoss

Spelling mistake? or deliberate?

Gee Smythie, I wonder ????? Where's that spell checker ???

Are you going to remove the plugs on your loom that went into the back of your McIntosh? If yes, I'm very interested in getting them

Hi Ric, sorry mate, I normally either use Aerpro connectors that connect onto the existing factory harnesses so that I can re-use most of the existing wiring or make up new wiring looms but leave the factory stuff there in the event that I ever have revert the car back to the factory OEM system.