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Original Post (Thread Starter)
#834188 11/23/2025 10:34 AM
by ScotiaSteve
ScotiaSteve
So I have my second 4/4 now, a 2015 wonderful and well looked after car from a fellow forum member and I am planning a few personalised upgrades.

One thing I was looking to do was remove the original Alpine single din stereo, which is truly dated, and replace this with a modern, main brand DAB and Android auto unit, a simple job. I'm looking for on with a remote control as it's too tricky to change any settings when driving, volume being the main one.

For the speakers I was going to replace the stock Clarion with Focals or similar, same size.

I also am considering a subwoofer, possibly the footwell, but that may overkill in such a car and out of kilter with the aesthetic, and I really want to preserve the rear parcel shelf for any trips I do as luggage space as you know is minimal.

Would anyone recommend any particular model of head-unit, and speaker combo, I'm also planning to run some decent speaker cable which I already have at home in volume.
Liked Replies
#835538 Dec 21st a 10:09 AM
by ScotiaSteve
ScotiaSteve
So I decided to crack on and do the upgrade, which was very simple. The 4/4 has a standard loom, so a matter of plug and play, and the hand built nature makes it very easy to upgrade the stereo.

I picked up a new Pioneer 580 DAB unit, with no CD, wireless bluetooth and hands free call capability (retails around the £150 mark presently). The speaker chosen were a direct fit Focal Access 100 (10cm), a little deeper than the original Clarion but much better and a steal at under £100. Surprisingly the Alpine unit was of good quality, just not up to spec with recent tech, the Pioneer was a 2017 launch so period to some extent but with modern functionality. The windscreen makes a perfect earth for the powered DAB aerial, and it is very discreet when fitted.

Speaker wire is not great, so I may replace that later, and clearance was slightly tight on the right but doable.

I also noticed that the OBD port wouldn't hold secure under the dash as the plastic sheet they use was too thick so a gentle amendment and it clicks securely in place. The wiring and work on this 4/4 is very neat, I secured a couple of wires with a cable tie that looked like they could benefit, aside from that a tidy and very clean behind dash space.

The cage was replaced easily with the Pioneer being slightly different, the old one removed simply. I ran a DAB windscreen powered aerial to the left windscreen, the blue LED will be blanked. This is discreet under the dash, and surprisingly effective for £10! The mic for the hands free calls was run to the right of the steering wheel and a spare foam boom cover added off my Sena kit for roof down calls (not that I intend to make many but it's handy to have).

The sounds was pretty dramatically better. The core issue is deadening, but I'll leave that as I don't want to add the lead panels I normally use on my cars as I want to keep the body stock.

Overall for less than £300 a very good upgrade and I'm very happy with it. The only addition I would consider would be a footwell sub tucked up, but I think for what the car is, less is more here.

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]
1 member likes this
#842324 Apr 28th a 09:24 AM
by Jon G4LJW
Jon G4LJW
This link should go to the image on Flickr -

https://www.flickr.com/photos/204541853@N06/shares/9M517Yf14e

Flickr Link
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