XR5 Head unit

pacemaker1 · 24-09-2006, 12:12 PM

If its here in this thread i'm sorry for my ignorance I could not find it, but my question is this,
Will the head unit out of an XR5 fit into my 05 ls lx sedan? I want the in dash stacker and it just looks better.

Stugots · 24-09-2006, 12:53 PM

Looking at the brochure, I'd say yes. Also it seems the XR5 does not have steering wheel mounted controls. If it XR5's SONY could fit, I wonder whether the controls could be (easily) intergrated with the head unit.

orsest170 · 24-09-2006, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stugots

Looking at the brochure, I'd say yes. Also it seems the XR5 does not have steering wheel mounted controls. If it XR5's SONY could fit, I wonder whether the controls could be (easily) intergrated with the head unit.

The XR5 does have the steering wheel mounted controls ;)

raymon81 · 24-09-2006, 05:28 PM

Yep it does fit but good luck in finding out the price, i remember the Sony headunit being a 4digit price :( i have a 2006 zetec and all i done was hook up a monoblock amp and sub to the standard unit and it sounds fantastic.

24-09-2006, 06:12 PM

They look fantastic, and have RDS to boot.

My gripe is that apparently they aren't any more better sounding than the standard headunit.

The cheapest way would to search on ebay .uk or .de for anyone in the UK selling their Sony 6000 headunit (make sure its for the new focus, the old one had a different shape)

Also for heaps of Focus accessories, search on ebay .de "Focus II" You'll have to decypher german, but a word with puff at the end of the word has something to do with exhaust.

Stugots · 24-09-2006, 09:26 PM

Quote:

The XR5 does have the steering wheel mounted controls

Is that it on the left near the outside of the wheel?

#Russ#Es# · 24-09-2006, 09:37 PM

I have read some comments about the Sony headunit not being that great - lack in connections and power. Does look good though, blends in well with the interior. As mentioned, it would not be cheap...out of curiousity, I asked a local dealer for a price (knew it would be an interesting price tag)...they didn't have a price for the Sony headunit, but they said the standard CL/LX headunit brand new was over $2000!! Ford Spare Parts are good for a laugh

You can buy a facia here >>>> http://www.nexxia.co.uk/Car_Stereo_f...ford/focus.htm

Would allow you to fit any single DIN headunit...the price of good headunits are also very competitve atm too.

24-09-2006, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by #Russ#Es#

I have read some comments about the Sony headunit not being that great - lack in connections and power. Does look good though, blends in well with the interior. As mentioned, it would not be cheap...out of curiousity, I asked a local dealer for a price (knew it would be an interesting price tag)...they didn't have a price for the Sony headunit, but they said the standard CL/LX headunit brand new was over $2000!! Ford Spare Parts are good for a laugh

You can buy a facia here >>>> http://www.nexxia.co.uk/Car_Stereo_f...ford/focus.htm

Would allow you to fit any single DIN headunit...the price of good headunits are also very competitve atm too.

Buy 11 std units or get another Focus.

raymon81 · 24-09-2006, 10:14 PM

If only u guys were in melbourne, i could show u how loud and clear the standard deck sounds with just an amp and sub hooked up to it, its awesome everybody that has heard it was surprised by just how good it sounds. Would have been good if the deck was mp3 compatibility or even have an option of a 6cd but oh well **** happens

Pieoter · 24-09-2006, 10:20 PM

ROFL. What kind of idiot would pay 2g for a standard unit? Aftermarket will always be better

#Russ#Es# · 24-09-2006, 10:21 PM

For sure :hihi:

You could (maybe) understand if the CL/LX headunit was actually good, but its not. Its ok for a factory unit (and not a factory premium unit), but when you compare it to a base model Pioneer/Sony/Alpine, its looking a little shakey...

24-09-2006, 10:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raymon81

If only u guys were in melbourne, i could show u how loud and clear the standard deck sounds with just an amp and sub hooked up to it, its awesome everybody that has heard it was surprised by just how good it sounds. Would have been good if the deck was mp3 compatibility or even have an option of a 6cd but oh well **** happens

Mate I've done this, as well as had a DVD, screen and digital TV tuner, and to regular people it does sound good. But to people who can tell within 2 secs of a track playing if it was a downloaded mp3 or burnt from the original CD its shyte, comparable qual to a $70 headunit from Strathfield Car Radio.

raymon81 · 24-09-2006, 10:58 PM

well the feedback that i have got on the Sony Unit is that its pretty crap. i speak to alot of people who own xr5s and even STs overseas and most of them want to change it to an aftermarket unit but then u would have to buy a fascia. To me a fascia kinda wrecks the appearence so thats why i really wanted to just keep the standard unit in my zetec and hook up the amp and sub to it. Ok its no alpine or pioneer but any monoblock amplifier gives out heaps of power and will make your standard unit sound much louder and clearer. Im quiet happy with the speakers too. I used to own a mazda 3 sp23 ( till it got written off) and must say the focus unit is much better.

24-09-2006, 10:59 PM

Was that with the Bose system?

24-09-2006, 11:04 PM

For those that don'e want the facia adaptor, think about having a LCD moulded into the dash like:
from

to

raymon81 · 24-09-2006, 11:17 PM

you would still need a fascia for a lcd screen anyway, the focus unit is just too large, you would still have another 2-3cm from each side to fill.

#Russ#Es# · 24-09-2006, 11:19 PM

...or for those that do want to take the facia option...

...plus the services of http://www.aquadip.com.au/gallery1.html

=

I'll be doing all the silver bits inside (CD/HVAC Controls facia, gearshift surround, air vent accents, etc)

BTW BlackLS, that would look good in an LS

raymon81 · 24-09-2006, 11:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackLS

Was that with the Bose system?

Nah mate was just the standard unit. The bose system came as a package with the leather seats for $3500. Too much for my liking.

orsest170 · 25-09-2006, 12:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stugots

Is that it on the left near the outside of the wheel?

You can't actually see it in that photo, but it is there, hiding behind the spoke on the left side of the steering wheel, under the indicator stalk (which has the trip computer controls on it).

I'd agree that there is room for improvement, but it is still one of the best sounding factory units I have heard - definitely not worth 2 grand though!!

pacemaker1 · 25-09-2006, 01:42 PM

The reason why I was chasing this head unit was so I could still use remote on the stering column. I know I can replace the head unit with something else but it would render the remote useless. I rang a ford dealer this morning for a price on one and they quoted me $2638, and the best part was the fright.

Pieoter · 25-09-2006, 01:46 PM

Pacemaker go to some dedicated car audio places (not crap like strathfield) and talk to the guys. There are several unit that will accept steering wheels controls.

#Russ#Es# · 25-09-2006, 01:52 PM

The option I'm looking at for my LX is removing the steering wheel control and replacing the steering column trim from the LX with the CL (that doesn't have the steering wheel controls). Would make for a factory look.

Most good headunits come with a remote (better than the factory one) so I should be covered there.

Marshy79 · 25-09-2006, 07:13 PM

I have to say the Sony unit in the XR5 isnt really that crash hot.
I struggle to find the correct "sound" i am looking for.
Sure the thing looks sexy. But its just not worth the cash investment if you were looking to install one.

If you are round Melb's South East I could show you the Sony unit in the XR5 so you could judge for yourself.
Lucky the growl of the XR5 makes sure you hardly listen to the stereo!

Marshy79 · 25-09-2006, 07:15 PM

The steerwheel controls are here as circled behind the steering wheel.
Its a massive fat stalk that took a little getting used to. But its functional.

Stugots · 25-09-2006, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marshy79

I have to say the Sony unit in the XR5 isnt really that crash hot.
I struggle to find the correct "sound" i am looking for.
Sure the thing looks sexy. But its just not worth the cash investment if you were looking to install one...

Is it possible the speakers or general cabin acoustics are part of the problem? Maybe some better speakers will make all the difference. You'd think by now the in-dash CD players are at a point where they should be pretty sorted for sound quality.

raymon81 · 25-09-2006, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stugots

Is it possible the speakers or general cabin acoustics are part of the problem? Maybe some better speakers will make all the difference. You'd think by now the in-dash CD players are at a point where they should be pretty sorted for sound quality.

The speakers are fine in most cars, when u just change a headunit, u will be surprised by how clear ur standard speakers can be.

25-09-2006, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stugots

Is it possible the speakers or general cabin acoustics are part of the problem? Maybe some better speakers will make all the difference. You'd think by now the in-dash CD players are at a point where they should be pretty sorted for sound quality.

Remember the head unit is a mass produced piece of crap. There not bad for quality low down but turn it up and they probably only have something like 15rms - crap sound.

The speakers? No good, probably based of a paper plate. Get some good splits, and even with the standard head unit it will sound a lot better. Amplify them and your cheering.

If you had to do one or the other Id go amp'ed speakers first then the deck.

raymon81 · 25-09-2006, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackLS

Remember the head unit is a mass produced piece of crap. There not bad for quality low down but turn it up and they probably only have something like 15rms - crap sound.

The speakers? No good, probably based of a paper plate. Get some good splits, and even with the standard head unit it will sound a lot better. Amplify them and your cheering.

If you had to do one or the other Id go amp'ed speakers first then the deck.

Im with you dude, amp and even sub it too first and see how u go. LIke i told u i done that to my standard deck in my zetec and it fukn sounds good

Marshy79 · 25-09-2006, 10:04 PM

I thought the XR5 already had splits in it? Cause its got speakers in the front doors, and its also got some up on the pillar as well. You can see them in the pics of the dash, up in the corners.

The stereo isnt that bad... but... you need to go through the settings to find the best sound for different types of music. I find I tend to quickly change between the "rock" setting and "optimised all". And I find that cranking it then changes the way the sound is all over again.

Wouldnt mind finding out what the standard headunit sounds like with different speakers. Might look into that myself.

I find you can get lots of bass out of the current setup... or very bright higher freq's, but not that nice mix. But I am very narky about sound quality. I wouldnt play guitar without a good valve amp as it is (or on a cruddy cheapo guitar).

Pieoter · 26-09-2006, 12:55 AM

Power output has nothing to do with the quality of sound. 15W RMS isn't bad for a headunit as most aftermarket headunits are only pumping out 18W RMS. But thats easily enough to pump 100db. 99.99% of the time your gonna be playing well under 85DB and for 99.99% of speakers that requires less than 1watt of power so even the stock unit has more than enough power. Thats not it's problem. The focus does have splits in it.

The stock units on the focus and fiesta are pretty decent for a stock system but have major shortcomings. They along with all stock systems only have mid range. They don't play low and they don't play high.

Changing all your speakers and adding amps will give you better sound and may play louder but your having the major disadvantage of double amping the signal (adding noise and distortion to the signal). And the amps used in headunits are relativly crap so your starting signal already puts you at a disadvantage. This is why RCA's are important.

In my opinion the best value for money upgrade for the system would be a new headunit and a good quality set of splits for the front. Get your doors sound deadend while your at it too.