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Novak

Member Since: 03 Jan 2017
Location: London
Posts: 4

Focal speaker upgrade having a questionable effect

Hi everyone, first post here.

Recently became a proud owner of a Defender XS 90, 2015 model. Very happy!

I am a music lover and whilst I know the Defender is never going to be a perfect platform for music, I am looking to make some improvements but without any serious modification, ideally.

I read on here about the Focal ISN 100 kit for the front (inc. dashboard tweeters) and the PC100 for the rears. I went ahead and bought these, fitted them and it was all straightforward.

However, it doesn't sound very different from the factory kit if I'm honest. It's a bit clearer and more detailed (which I like) but still struggles to have any convincing weight or warmth to the sound, it's quite tinny and hollow. The head unit is the Alpine CD / Bluetooth that comes as standard.

First question – Should it sound like this? Have I perhaps gone wrong somewhere with the kit or installation? Anyone else have the same system, it seems a few members have gone down this route?

Secondly – Assuming I have fitted things correctly and the Focals are doing what they're capable of, what would be the next move? Is down to fitting any acoustic treatment behind the speakers? I suspect a sub is needed, but I'm concerned about modding / wiring etc as I'd like to keep things discreet.

Any advice much appreciated!

3rd Jan 2017 10:17pm

custom90

Member Since: 21 Jan 2010
Location: South West, England.
Posts: 19535

Soundproofing would be ideal first, followed by a Sub.

The Defender doesn't lend its self to high quality music, so the best you can do is add sound proofing and add poser. Especially mid range and lows. Diesel$ Live$ Matter. â›½ï¸ðŸ›¢ï¸ðŸ‘¨â€ðŸ”§ðŸ§°âš™ï¸ RED, WHITE & BOOST! ðŸ‡¬ðŸ‡§

3rd Jan 2017 10:28pm

Wireworld

Member Since: 15 Nov 2016
Location: Shropshire
Posts: 9

2015 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 SW Aintree Green

Check the polarity to all speakers as I had this problem on another car when the wiring had been reversed on one side meaning the speakers were out of phase. Tinny and no depth. Once corrected the sound was fine.

3rd Jan 2017 10:43pm

Pickles

Member Since: 26 May 2013
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 3752

2013 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 CSW Keswick Green

Novak, as you're probably aware, a Sub was optional with Defender, fitted to the rear of the cubby, so I'd fit one of them.
There was also an add on amplifier made by Alpine, only a little one, that would fit behind the dash, which would integrate with your head unit,....I think the model number is KTP445A, but it may have been superceded. You could locate a S/H item, but I'm sure that if you consulted the Alpine catalogue you'd locate a current item.
Those two items would not cost a lot of money, but IMHO, would make for a substantial improvement...they would give you some "grunt"!
Pickles.

Last edited by Pickles on 3rd Jan 2017 10:56pm. Edited 1 time in total

3rd Jan 2017 10:47pm

Novak

Member Since: 03 Jan 2017
Location: London
Posts: 4

Wireworld wrote:
Check the polarity to all speakers as I had this problem on another car when the wiring had been reversed on one side meaning the speakers were out of phase. Tinny and no depth. Once corrected the sound was fine.

Thanks, I should try this first of all!

3rd Jan 2017 10:53pm

Novak

Member Since: 03 Jan 2017
Location: London
Posts: 4

Pickles wrote:
Novak, as you're probably aware, a Sub was optional with Defender, fitted to the rear of the cubby, so I'd fit one of them.
There was also an add on amplifier made by Alpine, only a little one, that would fit behind the dash,....I can't remember the model number but K555 or something like that springs to mind. I'm sure that if you consulted the Alpine catalogue you'd locate it.
Those two items would not cost a lot of money, but IMHO, would make for a substantial improvement.
Pickles.

Interesting, I didn't know this. Thanks for sharing.

3rd Jan 2017 10:53pm

Pickles

Member Since: 26 May 2013
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 3752

Novak, I've edited my post with amp details,...KTP445A!!...just wanted to make sure you were aware of my "edited" post!
Pickles.

3rd Jan 2017 10:58pm

barbel jim

Member Since: 12 Dec 2012
Location: Northants
Posts: 1411

The TDCI dose have slightly better acoustics by the design of the dash than the earlier models. In my 2.2 I went for 5" focals front and rear, with the 2.1 ibus. The 2.1 is a 8" active sub and 2 Chanel amp, which I use to run the fronts. It clarity is superb, well worth the investment

3rd Jan 2017 11:14pm

mk1collector

Member Since: 17 Sep 2009
Location: West Yorkshire
Posts: 6769

A sub should be your first purchase then an amp for the existing speakers Ray
My build thread
http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic17615.html

4th Jan 2017 12:05am

ken

Member Since: 18 Aug 2009
Location: Banging Birds with my bitches !!
Posts: 4328

Small discreet Sub works

Click image to enlarge

4th Jan 2017 7:49am

Novak

Member Since: 03 Jan 2017
Location: London
Posts: 4

Thanks guys, I'll try the rewire this weekend first and see how that goes!

4th Jan 2017 10:47pm

Wild Card 90

Member Since: 03 Dec 2014
Location: Gerlingen
Posts: 1060

2012 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 SW Indus Silver

Still using the original speakers, I´m not qualified to judge the effect of the Focals alone.

However, the addition of a subwoofer, made such an amazing improvement. It provides way more base-tone than it´s size suggests, and leaves the tiny 10cm cones and tweeters to do what they do best.

The Focals will surely be alot crisper and won´t distort at high volume so easily, but cannot substitute a subwoofer.

They don´t cost much, and are relatively quick to install. Several models fit perfectly onto the back of the cubby box. Despite Ken´s helpful suggestion

, you don´t need to fill the luggage area to achieve a good sound. 1998 Tdi 90 SW,
2008 Td4 90 SW,
2012 2.2 90 SW,
2" raised Trailmaster/Terrafirma
Heavy Track Raids, 255 MT´s,
Recaro CS´s, anorak, wellingtons

5th Jan 2017 8:58am

pjb

Member Since: 08 Apr 2009
Location: Sunny Oxford
Posts: 1244

I upgraded speakers to focal, but at the same time also installed an under cubby sub, sound is so different - night & day difference.

Not sure which made the difference but result is

I used a plug & play sub from far corners with an under cubby sub enclosure. 2020 P300 HSE

5th Jan 2017 9:41am

Riverboy

Member Since: 16 May 2016
Location: French sector, Earth
Posts: 1288

2014 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 SW Corris Grey

I had my speakers upgraded to Focals last year, plus a JL Audio amp fitted under the passenger seat and a JL Audio sub woofer behind the cubby box. It sounds amazing, but I had the whole car fully insulated at the same time which makes a huge difference. No need to turn up the volume to hear the radio anymore

although if I do pump it up its a pretty impressive sound. I'm more than happy with it. I also had the high end Pioneer AVIC-F88DAB head unit fitted which is just fantastic. If you have the money (its not cheap) get that one, its superb.

Component list:
Focal 100 KRS 4” mid and tweeter package (front components)
JL Audio XD 500/3 3 channel class D power amp
JL Audio CP106 Compact, hi-output console mounted subwoofer
Alpine SXE1025S Rear coaxial replacement speakers
Pioneer AVIC-F88DAB

Click image to enlarge

5th Jan 2017 11:08am

Likeomg

Member Since: 29 Jun 2012
Location: Lake District / Newcastle
Posts: 2626

2010 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 HT Stornoway Grey

Focals made a improvement for me, but once you power the focals with a amp... there a different kettle of fish

Don't bother with the Alpine factory fit sub..

My current setup is a focals front and rear;
Hertz HDP 4 powering the focals
Hertz HDP 1 powering a Hertz HX300D...

Rivals all the other sound systems in our cars.. both bang and olufsen in a rs4 and AM.

5th Jan 2017 12:12pm

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