Anyone fitted a DSP amp to a 166?

Right niall, sounds like you have the same prob I did with the loom at the back of the ics unit, where you need to look is follow the cables down to the right of the ics mounting hole, and just at your finger tips low on the right you'll find a ty-wrap holding the loom onto the centre console, its a bugger to reach to cut, lots of scuffed knukles! But it is possible! Once thats done it just takes a bit to feed the cables out, have you removed the lower centre console, the bit round the handbrake? As you need to.
As for the speakers I'm not sure if they were different or not, are listed with different part numbers on the eper though.
I've still not found a complete wiring loom for the amp yet!
Good Luck!

okay dokay - i'll have a look when i get a chance....it's going to be great once it's all hooked up Or not so good if it all goes bang.....

I was thinking about the speakers on the way home - i think they must have some sort of filter on them as it would sound very odd with full range speakers firing into the boot! I found a breaker a while back that had a pair for 15 quid but they've disappeared now...should have snapped them up

Remember the parcel shelf speakers are feed direct from the dsp amp, so probably already a filtered signal going to them!

that's what i'm hoping....it's actually all wired up now and seems to be working....only problem is the code i got with the nav box doesn't work

Might try and get some standard 17cm speakers for the rear shelf and see how they go....it does seem like the bass is being filtered from the other speakers at the mo and it's lacking a bit of oomph

How did this project eventually turn out? I'm thinking of fitting an aftermarket amp and new speakers in my 166. I was hoping to use the line out cables for sale here, but haven't got a reply yet if it's indeed possible to use an aftermarket amp with these cables. I'll probably look into getting new speakers all around also, since I'll have to remove all the door panels (lots of rattling inside the doors when playing low frequencies), and would like to get a bit more high-end sound from the system.

my project turned out great - i've now got a fully loaded DSP and NAV system

With an aftermarket amp you won't get the equaliser on the ICS being activated but it would be a lot easier than getting the proper loom. The DSP also has a low band filter for the shelf subs.

You might be able to get lineout cables from elsewhere as the connections are standard mini-ISO IIRC

Hi,

I'm very interested to fitt DSP in to my alfa 166. Pleas can you send me to mail scheme of connection DSP to ICS and two more shelf speakers, ..... all you have and know .... address when I can bay cables for DSP.... Thanks my e-mail: tvrdi20@gmail.com

having done it and skinned many a knuckle in the process, I would not pay good many to get the upgrade, putting in a aftermarket amp would be easier for sure, the only real benefit is getting the controls on screen, some of the DSP functions are dubious anyway, you can set every song to sound like you've dropped down a big hole if you want, but why is another matter.

That said I got my and for free with a CD player and cable, so it was worth it a bit of blood

yeah, to buy it and get it installed would be crazy money but i got it for very little and was installing satnav anyway...finding sutiable shelf speakers was a bit of a pain though. I'm afriad i don't have any schematics or sources for cables tvrdi - mine came from ebay.

, Does anybudy know where shelf speakers should be connected, to DSP Amp. or to ICS ? Any information about fitting DSP in alfa 166 is welcome !

shelf speakers get connected to the DSP amp - it's a whole different loom for the DSP as it powers all the speakers and the ICS only provides the pre-amp outs. If you can get hold of the loom and the DSP it's not that tricky to fit - just time consuming and fiddly

Dooh! I would like to upgrade to DSP if only to fill the stupid 2 empty rear shelf speaker holes under the covers.

I nearly bought a set-up from a breakers last month but in the end did not as I have been reading lots of posts about what a "pain" it is to install it all (i'm not very good with a screwdriver)

So, I have 2 questions:
(1)The standard sound system is good, how much better is the upgrade?
(2) If I print off all the info like getting the ICS unit out and finding the speaker wiring looms and all that stuff, then what would be a fair price to be charged my an auto electrician for him to do the job for me?

the upgrade is a fair bit better...loads more bass and better clarity. I'd say it would take a pro a couple of hours max as it's all plug and play.

Hi, sounds like a complicated job, but well worth it!

I wish I had considered it, because the first thing I did when I bought my 166 3 months ago was upgrade the sound system.

I wanted something that looked OEM, but worked from the existing head unit, I have the standard eight speaker system.

I went to a local Car audio place for a custom installation, they fitted a JL audio cleansweep which is a real time audio processor to clean up and equalise the sound from the standard head unit. I upgraded the front midrange and tweeters with focal speakers.
The Cleansweep then can run line level outputs, and runs to two Exile amps behind the front seats and a 12 inch custom sub, fitted to the right of the boot, all looks custom so no big box in the boot, just to one side taking up the natural recess there.

It looks great but more importantly sounds fantastic, goes far harder and louder than my ears can stand, and very good sound. Total cost was not cheap at £1k!
Also fitted a DVD player to the roof with wireless headphones for the kids

Joe

sounds like a great system Joe! What speakers did you use in the front doors? That's the nest thing i'd like to upgrade....

He said Focal, nice brand.

Btw, I got info on the Norwegian Alfa-forum that the C-plug on the rear of the ICS (see attached image) is a standard ISO-plug, where just about any car stereo professional has an adapter that allows for one or two line-outs. So I'm definitely going for an aftermarket amp and new speakers, front and rear. In due time of course...

ahhh - didn't realise that focal was a brand....shows how much i know

The rear connection is a standard mini-ISO IIRC - easily available on ebay etc.

Yep, bought one today from my car stereo specialist, so I'll be checking it out in the near future. As it happens, I'm considering Focal as well, just have to decide how much to spend...

Joe, I would love to see a picture of the woofer box you got fitted! I'm curious as to where it was placed, and what finish was opted for.

Hi, thanks I'm very pleased.

The Sub fits into the recess to the right of the boot, in front of the access to the rear fuse box. They use fibreglass, and have moulded it right across the side on the right, looks .
It is held buy a small screw, so it it easy to remove if I need access to the fuse box.

The two amps are just fitted to the back of the rear seats.

I'll try and take a picture in the next few days, I've not got any internet at home at the mo', but should be able to get some pictures up. They used fabric very similar to the existing fabric for the cover of the subwoofer, so it looks as though it was always meant to be there.

The cleansweep is a great product, it enables you to have equalised line level outputs for any built in car audio, plus it 'cleans' it all up, its the next best thing without changing the in car system.
However, if I'd known about the cable, I might well have gone for that ,would have saved £300 off the price!

Joe

Originally Posted by doctorfrag

It is held buy a small screw, so it it easy to remove if I need access to the fuse box.

Ah, that's what I was worried about... looked like a nice place to put a woofer box, but gotta be able to get to those fuses. I'm thinking along the same lines, but will do it all myself if I get that far...

Thanks for your's answers, I have bought one HAES DSP amp. via ebay for 140 Euro. So now I have two question.

1. The existing front and rear speakers I should unplug from ICS and plug to DSP and ICS's pre-out I should plug to DSP, and shelf speaker I shoud plug directly tu DSP amp, is it correct ?
2. What model of speakers I should put for shelf speakers ?

Thanks

yup - thats correct...i just fitted a pair of 8" mid-bass speakers in the shelf.