2 car audio questions..

[rfzd]

So the first question is can I get the steering wheel controls to work with an ipod? If so how as not being able to change songs is getting troublesome.

Also looking at getting a aftermarket amp and sub put in under the front seats if possible. Anyone out there have any idea if it is achieveable or will it be a waste of time?

Not sure on what amp / sub I would run. The sub I guess would have to be a small one to fit under the seat..

[mymps3]

I had the Bose sound system in my Mazda 3 MPS Gen1. Removed all the Bose S%&T amp and speakers and put in Response 4ch amp (4x50w rms) a Jaycar Electronics brand (good amps and fairly cheap), and replaced the Bose speakers with proper Alpine ones. Also put a kicker 12" sub in the boot and powered it up with a Response BIG amp. Sounds great. No doof doof sound that the horribe Bose made!! Im not sure what the standard head deck has in the way of preamp outputs etc.. (the head deck needs connectors to connect to a seperate amplifier).

The ipod thing... Ive seen a device somewhere that will send infrared codes in response to the controls on the steering wheel. Its kinda a learning remote control like you would use on a tv/stereo system. Not sure if your ipod works with a remote control.

Hope this helps, Greg.

[rfzd]

Trying to aviod putting the sub in the boot as it has stuff put in and taken out all the time and that space is needed. Hence why I am looking to hiding it away down there. So will I need to change the head deck as well to do that?

[blackbetty]

I have an ipod adapter that I have connected straight into the aux input at the back of my stereo through the glove box, u can move up and down songs in a playlist on the ipod through the steering wheel.

[MPS III]

you wont have to change the head unit to run a sub, you can use a high level input on the amp, not quite as good but still works just fine.
as for a sub under the seat, there is not a great amount of room down there so i'm not sure it will fit a sub, amp yeah fine.perhaps a 'ute' sub in the boot, they are a slimline so you will keep a lot of boot space.

[A Pirate]

The ipod issue; I had similar and it came down to an actual issue in the ipod...settings... BUT what kit/ipod adapter are you using? is it the mazda one or another brand? it could be a conflict between the unit and car.

there is a clarion under seat sub which is allot better than the bose one as with the door speakers they are actually ok...(a friend won a few audio clarity comps with them) but the secret to getting the best out of them actually out of any speakers is have your doors dynamatted. Once the doors are sound insulated the speakers sound and work allot better.

Have a talk to marty at FHRX in sydney town he is the only guy/company id let play with my car electronics. Marty has a done a bit over time to my car and did a huge install in a mates M3 which included a new head unit, speakers sub amp and the audio system entirely rewired with high quality wires. His workmanship is second to none.

Fhrx Studios - Audio / Visual Specialists

[mymps3]

I found this on Ebay...............

PAC SWI-X SWIX Steering Wheel Controller Interface New : eBay Motors (item 130359515992 end time Jan-18-10 07:46:19 PST)

[rfzd]

Just using the aux cable at the moment.

I should of worded my question better, what options is there to get my steering controls to work for the ipod.

Going to have to visit some car audio places and see what they say, then give FHRX a call and see what they say

[Dark Authority]

I put a sub under my passenger seat. Its an 8in Pioneer Active Subwoofer... does an ok job.. not the best... but stil okay.

I'd probably go for a custom enclosure on the side of the boot so no space is wasted.

okay.. so this is what the SP23 sub looks like hidden under the seat



Another pic of it taken out


Replacement


Oh YES.. JUST fits

[A Pirate]

i have the genuine mazda Ipod adapter and it works a treat...picked it up for 70 2nd hand and took all of 5min to install. I have full operation of my ipod via dash and steering wheel as well as recharging the ipod while using it... it is pretty good and im happy!

[armthehomeless]

Just using the aux cable at the moment.

I should of worded my question better, what options is there to get my steering controls to work for the ipod.

Going to have to visit some car audio places and see what they say, then give FHRX a call and see what they say

Alpine used to make steering wheel modules to work with their head units. I.e. you require your existing one to work with the Alpine head unit.

Or you also have this option.

[Jmac]

Or.. look into an audio processor.. Like a rockford three sixty..
ROCKFORD FOSGATE 3 SIXTY : Maroochy Car Sound

This is the best way to intergrate with stock components.

[Treadgold]

You might have got it sorted but if anyone reads this...

I got an ipod/iphone adapter which plugs into the back of my head unit from Neo Car Audio :: The leader in OEM integration. Used it in my sp23 and i have now installed it in my 3MPS and it works a treat, charges my phone to.

Looking at your phone to change the track while driving is dangerous.