2004 Audo System

[Wiilm]

I have a 1.8 T3-S auto on an 04 plate.

I'm not that impressed with the stereo, is it the Speakers or the head unit that is the weakest link?

Am i correct in thinking that the navigation works in conjunction with the onboard cd player and I'd lose Nav if I remove the HU?

I don't listen to cds much and have a very good Radio/cassette /mp3 HU with it's own inbuilt amp that sounds a lot better with the Speakers I also have than the Avensis setup, but I suppose then I'd have to rewire the car from my HU direct to the speakers/replacements and bypass the onboard amp.

How would I go about all of this?

I'm not up on this subject, I've not had a car with an onboard amp, cd or satnav before ;)

ps I've tried the forum search button up top but it seems to keep throwing up a ton of non related topics

[cmia]

whats the problem..

distortion on bass at high volumes?

[Wiilm]

I find the general quality of sound poor.

I've cleaned the heads and lens, tried all the fader and bass/treble permutations and the sound produced at optimum is very unbalanced, thin in the middle registers, muddy at the bottom and undistinguished in the top.

Totally lacking in dynamics and presence

Bland in short!

The previous owners were an elderly couple who said they mainly used the radio, so it's not been over used or thrashed.

[cmia]

I wounder if the Speakers are reaching the max khz.

Can you try another set of Speakers ? - without damaging any bits ?

[Wiilm]

I'm new to the avensis are the door panels easy to get off?

[Wiilm]

I would like to know, different cars usually have something to look out for in avoiding marks or damage when removing door panels - or hidden screws in unexpected places.

Surely not everyone is happy with the onboard sound, there must be someone here has upgraded theirs?

Or would this thread be better moved into the general audio section of the forum?

[Wiilm]

Would a mod be kind enough to move this thread to the main audio section?

Thanks

[Beagh1958]

To Willm,

Cannot help with Speakers. But door cards are straight forward to remove, o/s door for example, gently pop out fuel cap release button & look up through hole at a slight angle & you will see fixing screw. Also screw behind door release handle trim, then just a case of popping each push in plastic holder away from door. Some 7/8 around the door & door card lifts upwards & away from top inner ledge of door.

Regards, Beagh.

[Wiilm]

Thank you very much, just the kind of info I was looking for.