MK5 Golf GTI
All Things Mk5 => Mk5 General Area => Topic started by: winrya on April 17, 2009, 03:20:25 pm
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Blaupunkt plug and play THA 555 amp.
See here: http://www.bluespot.co.uk/stock/amplifier_4.asp
Basically I love my RNS-510 but would love to add a sub for improved bass. This amp plugs into the normal system with the VW wiring kit. It draws all the power through the loom and takes around 15-30 mins to fit. From what I've read it makes a massive improvement to the standard speakers but also has a 5th output which can be used to run a sub. Not cheap but for ease of installation I'm really tempted.
Anyone know of any alternatives or have any feedback on this setup?
Cheers
Ryan
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OEM Plus always gets my vote :happy2:
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Not heard of anyone using one of these but the specs look good :happy2:
The JL Cleansweap device has always been my plan when I have some budget for audi upgrades as like you I want to keep the RNS-510 up front :smiley:
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OEM Plus always gets my vote :happy2:
Sorry might be being stupid, is that a device?
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Not heard of anyone using one of these but the specs look good :happy2:
The JL Cleansweap device has always been my plan when I have some budget for audi upgrades as like you I want to keep the RNS-510 up front :smiley:
In searching for reviews on the Blaupunkt I'd noticed the cleansweep mentioned but while a nice improvement, the Blaupunkt apparently takes it a step further. Most of the reviews are for the 4 channel amp which just runs the standard speakers and the feedback seems too good to be true. Really fancy a sub for the extra punch.
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^^^ it certainly looks that way that this is an ideal solution for keeping things OEM up front with the option for some much needed bass :jumpmove:
It's a shame I didn't know about this a couple of weeks ago when I was in the USA as it's way cheaper for the unit and connection cable over there :sad:
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Ohh, I like the look of this.
Keeping the RNS510 is a must, but some added ooomph would be good.
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Looking at the specs that is a really good option for peeps wanting to keep their OEM head units. 5 channel as well 8)
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I'm going to treat myself in the next few weeks and will post feedback when I get it. Luckily a friend has a spare 12" sub and enclosure in his loft which he says I can have for free so should keep costs down a little. Is 12" a little big?? Would 8" or 10" be better suited?
Cheers
Ryan
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his and it is very good. Takes feed off the speaker outputs
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Infinity-BassLink-Active-Car-Subwoofer_W0QQitemZ270373880015QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Audio_TV_Electronics_In_Car_Entertainment_GPS_Car_Speakers_PP?hash=item270373880015&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1683|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318
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this looks great i think ill be buying 1 of these in the next few week :happy2:
just to make sure i understand this right, will this just plug in and power the speakers through the loom or will i need to run wires?.
should fit nicely under the passenger seat , cheers guys
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this looks great i think ill be buying 1 of these in the next few week :happy2:
just to make sure i understand this right, will this just plug in and power the speakers through the loom or will i need to run wires?.
should fit nicely under the passenger seat , cheers guys
If you buy the 4 channel version just to amplify the speakers then yes, it will fit under the seat. The 5 channel version will need to be installed in the boot. For all of these amps you need a modified blaupunkt wiring loom which is quite costly :sad:
But with this it is indeed as simple as plugging it in.
Can't wait to see if it brings the improvement I'm looking for :smiley:
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^^^ Do a search for the cables as I saw some available in the USA for $19.99 :confused:
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this looks great i think ill be buying 1 of these in the next few week :happy2:
just to make sure i understand this right, will this just plug in and power the speakers through the loom or will i need to run wires?.
should fit nicely under the passenger seat , cheers guys
If you buy the 4 channel version just to amplify the speakers then yes, it will fit under the seat. The 5 channel version will need to be installed in the boot. For all of these amps you need a modified blaupunkt wiring loom which is quite costly :sad:
But with this it is indeed as simple as plugging it in.
Can't wait to see if it brings the improvement I'm looking for :smiley:
thanks for that :drinking: i had visions of having to run wires to all speakers, looks like ill need a 5 channel too as i want to run a sub or maybe a 4 channel and just run the front doors and a sub... decisions decisions :signLOL:
just done some reading up and the 5 channel is needed if you wish to run a sub
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After reading this thread i thought i would mention that i have a JL Audio Cleansweep for sale, its second hand and has been used for about 5-6 months. :smiley:
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Well luckily while debating whether spending £2900 on a mountain bike is a waste of money, I turned my attention back to the blaupunkt to see if there were any better deals out there.
Luckily enough the 5 channel was available on ebay 4 months old with the BMW cables which as luck would have it were also the cables for the golf. All in i got it for £180. Nice saving on the best price of £310 new.
Couldn't wait for delivery and as I'm on holiday i decided to go on a 170 mile round trip and collect it.
First thing that struck me was how many cables were running through the harness. Its huge and I now understand why they are asking £68 for it. The amp is also a nice size and has loads of inputs/outputs and loads of adjustability.
Installing it was very straight forward, I've taken the head unit out 3 times now so its turned into a 5 minute job. Plugging it in was easy as each cable could only fit in one place making it impossible to mess up. The most difficult bit was getting the cables from the centre of the dash, across and behind the glovebox and down the side of the car to the boot. Taking the trim off the side of the car was actually really easy as its all just clipped in and there is plenty of space behind it for the cables to hide away.
Once the cables were in the boot, I plugged the amp in and switched the stereo on. WOW, what a difference. I had no idea these speakers could sound so good. I'm still tweaking with the setting on the amp to get the bass and treble right but the difference is night and day. Real nice bass and lots of sound that never existed in the songs when played before. Radio is a massive improvement, it was so tinny before and now actually has real cd sound.
I'm not sure whether to add and sub now as its probably as good as i need it to be and I'm not sure what a sub would add?? I'm hopefully gonna test a friends sub to see how good it is.
All in all, a fantastic buy which has really finished off my setup :happy2:
I can post some pics of the unit if anyone is interested. I've mounted it on the back of the rear seats in the boot.
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sounds great mate and do post some pics :happy2: and are you running standard speakers with this?
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sounds great mate and do post some pics :happy2: and are you running standard speakers with this?
Yes just standard speakers. I wouldn't change them now, perform very well, no longer distort and for some reason, doors don't vibrate and rattle anymore?
Ive posted a couple of pics. Quality isnt great as it was getting dark.
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fe58%2Fwinrya%2FIMG_1855.jpg&hash=718910d4804a29afea285646c7358641fc1ce1c7)
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fe58%2Fwinrya%2FIMG_1856.jpg&hash=4e7cd377449c94e9956a81eab07b2cc63b77c1ec)
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fe58%2Fwinrya%2FIMG_1859.jpg&hash=9c2614188410a7887f683e9ad51f8214004dbb90)
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looks very tidy and compact and after all the good reviews ive read i know i have to get 1 soon, wish i could drop on 1 for the price you paid :sad:
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So it really is plug and play?
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Nice. Looks like a decent upgrade over the standard setup.
I guess with better speakers it would make an even bigger improvement.
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So it really is plug and play?
Yes, absolutely although thinking about it now I didn't check my cd changer worked?!? Not an issue anyhow, not used it since I installed the rns-510
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Did you go for 5 channel or 4 channel?
And... what put you off fitting it under one of the front seats?
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He has the 555 and it doesn't fit under the front seats.
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where abouts are you based winrya?
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Group Buy?
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He has the 555 and it doesn't fit under the front seats.
Opps didnt see that, must of been reading the first post too fast.
If you get a decent speaker/amplifier setup you often find that you dont need a subwoofer. I'm interested, but sadly I dont even have a RNS-510 yet :( just the plain 500.
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Group Buy?
It's worth a try but I doubt more than 3-4 people at most would be interest.
Count me in subject to price :happy2:
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same here count me in, subject to the price :smiley:
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I've mailed them to see if they can do anything.
Even 10% would be good, that would see it at £280 all in.
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where abouts are you based winrya?
In Telford mate
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Did you go for 5 channel or 4 channel?
And... what put you off fitting it under one of the front seats?
as said in other posts it a 5 channel and too big to go under the seat. I wanted it in the boot anyway for when i add a sub as its then as simple as connecting the cable
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So, let me get this right....
The amp receives signal from headunit and then amps it before sending to the OEM fitted speakers?
Obviously then allowing a sub to be added as well?
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So, let me get this right....
The amp receives signal from headunit and then amps it before sending to the OEM fitted speakers?
Obviously then allowing a sub to be added as well?
That's correct :happy2:
I'll try and get some quality pics of the back of it in a bit. There are loads inputs/outputs and loads of adjustment
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I've posted a link to the blaupunkt sales catalogue. Has a nice explanation of options, installation, how they work etc
http://www.blaupunkt.com/uk/download/bp_carmulti_2008_uk.pdf
Starts on page 11
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Ryan,
Might have to pop round and see this, looks a very nice fit too. :happy2:
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Ryan,
Might have to pop round and see this, looks a very nice fit too. :happy2:
Not a problem mate. I'd hold off until ive got the sub sorted for the full effect :smiley:
On the subject of subs. How much difference is there between 12" subs?
I've seen this one for example http://www.bluespot.co.uk/stock/spkr0_4.asp which is £50 delivered and rrp at £120. Do you guys think this will sound okay??
I went to bass junkies yesterday and he was suggesting this one http://www.bassjunkies.com/audio/mb-quart-dwg-304 which is £180 with a box. Does it really justify the extra cost?? I just want to increase the bass a little so i can take some of the train off the standard speakers?
I remember the missus having a little 100W sub (factory fit) in the boot of her punto sporting a few years back and that sounded awesome to me, surely the £50 above will be reasonable?
Cheers
Ryan
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Will this have the same effect on the MFD2 or is just on the RNS510?
If it does then will be interested in the GroupBuy obv subject to ££££.
Cheers
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Will this have the same effect on the MFD2 or is just on the RNS510?
If it does then will be interested in the GroupBuy obv subject to ££££.
Cheers
Yea will work with any factory head unit
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All,
I've heard back from bluespot.
They will quote us a group buy price (unknown currently) if we can get 10 people interested.
Thanks,
Lee.
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Winyra - Can you still use all the headunit controls as normal or is there a separate set of controls as in the Cleansweep?
Thats great news CocoPops - what numbers are we up to at present? Will they not commit to a discount figure or % as if its generous then I'm sure more people may be interested :happy2:
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I'm also interested but I have concerns over whether it affects the Bluetooth phone kit at all.
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I asked about pricing, so will report back :happy2:
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Winyra - Can you still use all the headunit controls as normal or is there a separate set of controls as in the Cleansweep?
Thats great news CocoPops - what numbers are we up to at present? Will they not commit to a discount figure or % as if its generous then I'm sure more people may be interested :happy2:
Yes, you use the head unit as normal. The amp gives you control over gain, low pass and high pass for front speakers, rear speakers and subwoofer. I'm just beginning to understand what they all do and how to adjust them. I should hopefully be getting a sub delivered tomorrow and report back as to how it sounds. At the moment i'm really pushing the bass limit on the standard speakers so im looking forward to being able to deliver the bass from the sub and taking some strain away from the standard speakers. There is only so much the little standard speakers can do, I was initially blown away by the difference but it seems you just want more and more :smiley:
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I'm also interested but I have concerns over whether it affects the Bluetooth phone kit at all.
It amps the speakers, doesnt effect anything else, so you should be fine
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Winyra - Im looking at a similar setup so your feedback would be great thanks. What size sub did you go for in the end?
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Winyra - Im looking at a similar setup so your feedback would be great thanks. What size sub did you go for in the end?
Just went for a 12" in the end. The guy i bought the amp off was running 2 8" subs and said it sounded awesome. I will report back when its fitted, I hope i wont be disappointed
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All,
I've heard back...
Bluespot are NOT aware of any problems with bluetooth kits, and they say "We sell a lot of these systems and have had no reports of them interfering with Bluetooth adaptors.".
As far as the group buy is concerned....
They are saying that if I order 10 of each part myself and distrbute, the following stands.
10% off the amplifier and 12.5% off the cable kit price.
Cable normal price = £67.99, discounted price = £59.49
THA555 normal price = £239.99, discounted price = £215.99
So, all in, we'd be looking at £275.48 down from £307.98 (plus some kind of distribution/post/collection).
So, is anyone interested?
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And to add to the above, i have just installed the 12" blaupunkt subwoofer and enclosure i purchased from them. £49 delivered with an RRP of £119.99. I can confirm the amp easily powers it and in fact i have the sub level at less than a quarter. With this system you can set it up however you want. There is no shortage of power, you can certainly make the whole car shake if you wish.
I'm well chuffed, I'd read a couple of opinions that there was no way it could power a sub from the loom and you would need to run an additional power lead. This is rubbish, what a sound :laugh:
I'm still messing around to get the sound correct, some songs sound perfect and some seem like they are going to blow the boot open. I'm pretty rubbish though and might get some pro's like bass junkies to sort it for me.
Couple of pics of the sub install (glad i didn't spend the £180 i was going to)
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fe58%2Fwinrya%2FIMG_1870.jpg&hash=52ddea3f34b2638e5e15d91d74e97b012ad6c66c)
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fe58%2Fwinrya%2FIMG_1871.jpg&hash=79adacc90c0439b71be39a0a20dddea4b3ac55dd)
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CocoPops - put me down for the groupbuy at the price you quoted plus postage - how long do you feel we should let it run to see if we can get 10 people? As if its too long I may have to bite the bullet and pay the full price as im well keen now :happy2:
Winyra - your install looks cool - so the sound is a vast improvement then :smiley: - will just about any sub work with this device then (12" max) - I'm clueless when looking at all the descriptions such as ohms, rms etc etc
Also how easy is the install - as easy as you make it sound ? - I've removed the dash to get to the unit before but never done any ICE stuff - also is the sub just wired straight into the amp in ur pic?
Thanks for your help guys!
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CocoPops - put me down for the groupbuy at the price you quoted plus postage - how long do you feel we should let it run to see if we can get 10 people? As if its too long I may have to bite the bullet and pay the full price as im well keen now :happy2:
Winyra - your install looks cool - so the sound is a vast improvement then :smiley: - will just about any sub work with this device then (12" max) - I'm clueless when looking at all the descriptions such as ohms, rms etc etc
Also how easy is the install - as easy as you make it sound ? - I've removed the dash to get to the unit before but never done any ICE stuff - also is the sub just wired straight into the amp in ur pic?
Thanks for your help guys!
Yes any sub will work. It outputs 200w rms so you dont want to go crazy. The one i purchase is rated at a max of 250w so i felt they were well suited. For the type of music i listen to i was told 12" would give me the best sound.
Ref sound, it absolutely blows away the standard setup. I can only remember when i was young listening to amps just running subs so to have all the speakers and sub amped sounds fantastic to me. I'm sure with this setup you could adjust it to sound however you want it. I had it turned up a little high to begin with and a lot of the back of the car was vibrating.
I've just been for a drive and its sounding pretty much perfect although a vibrating rear view mirror is a new feature. When i have the time i probably need to turn the bass down a little on the car speakers as they were starting to distort on very testing songs (about as high as i could go though).
As far as installing it goes, I'm not great at this type of thing, i usually get half way wondering why on earth i started so this cant be too tough. If you've taken the stereo out before you will be fine, basically you unplug the old loom, plug the new one it and plug your old loom into the end of it. Obviously i tested it before i put all the cables away to make sure it was working. Then it takes a few mins to feed it to the end of the car. As i said above, from the centre of the dash you can feed the cables behind the glovebox (where the manual sits) and then drop it down the side and run it along the sills (which unclip).
I'm very pleased, I hope everybody else is impressed although I've not found anything but positive feedback for this system.
Ryan
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It all sounds pretty straightforward - winyra do you have a 3 or 5 door - only asking because I have a 3 door and the sills you refer to dont run along the whole of the car on the 3 door - how do I navigate the cable the rest of the way?
Or does anyone know a link outlining the procedure :happy2:
Also is the wiring of the amp itself easy enough - looks a lots of wires lol
Sorry for being so naive and generally hopeless!
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Does this device negate the need for the Clean Sweep? There's no mention in the brochure of digital processing? Presumably with the Clean Sweep you still need an Amp? Sorry guys, I like my music but I know nothing about ICE.
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It all sounds pretty straightforward - winyra do you have a 3 or 5 door - only asking because I have a 3 door and the sills you refer to dont run along the whole of the car on the 3 door - how do I navigate the cable the rest of the way?
Or does anyone know a link outlining the procedure :happy2:
Also is the wiring of the amp itself easy enough - looks a lots of wires lol
Sorry for being so naive and generally hopeless!
I have a 3 door, after the sill you can push the cables under the black plastic and then go down the side of the rear seat and into the boot.
There are 5 cable blocks all labelled so you can't get it wrong;)
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Does this device negate the need for the Clean Sweep? There's no mention in the brochure of digital processing? Presumably with the Clean Sweep you still need an Amp? Sorry guys, I like my music but I know nothing about ICE.
Correct, amp, cable and sub and you Have everything you need
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Would the discount also apply to the THA 475 unit? I'm not really after a subwoofer :happy2:
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Not unless you order 10 of the 475 then no :(
They don't seem that willing to help to be honest, hence the having to buy 10 and distribute seperately etc.
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Does this device negate the need for the Clean Sweep? There's no mention in the brochure of digital processing? Presumably with the Clean Sweep you still need an Amp? Sorry guys, I like my music but I know nothing about ICE.
Correct, amp, cable and sub and you Have everything you need
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winrya how long did the delivery take from bluespot im thinking of ordering mine but need to organise so someones in to sign for it :happy2: oh and whos the courier
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winrya how long did the delivery take from bluespot im thinking of ordering mine but need to organise so someones in to sign for it :happy2: oh and whos the courier
Hi, sorry for the delay. I ordered mine (sub, purchased the amp through ebay) on Monday morning, got an email at 5pm to say it had been dispatched with dhl on a 2 day service although items are sometimes delivered next day. Sure enough it arrived 1pm the next day so great service. I'd say 1 day at the moment, probably due to courier companies being quiet at the moment and having no need to carry parcels an extra day!
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got mine today and put it in this evening and it is amazing, im very pleased with it. the sub makes it sound great, i think im running the speakers on less then a 3rd :signLOL: and thts plenty for them.
winrya what settings are you running and what have you found to be best for the speakers?
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I'm glad you're pleased with it. I will take a picture of my settings when i get a min. Took me a while to get it how i like it.
One of my most pleasing and surprising purchases. I kept my expectations down and got blown away. Always nice when that happens
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Received mine today at 9.20am after ordering yesterday midday!!
Took out the head unit and and wired up the amp - but the cable block that slots into the back of the head unit wouldnt fit flush enough so that the locking device would click into place. The device works when unplugged but not when plugged in - I even tried the cable blocks plugged into itself - as it only a piggy back device - and even then it still wouldnt lock!
Rang Bluespot who didnt initially believe me and blamed my car and then gave me a premium rate Blaukpunkt technical support line - they were of no use either but agreed it must be faulty if it didnt lock into place when plugged into itself. So back to Bluespot who have agreed to look at the cable block if I send it back at my own expense and check it against the standard block - WTF! :surprised:
So now i'm over £300 down - have half my dash on the car floor - and faced with the possibility of them fobbing me off with a faulty cable block. Of course they could say it is faulty and replace it - will have to wait and see!
The only good point is when holding the cable in place I could hear the difference in the sound quality and was impressed with the amp - just hope I get a new cable soon so I can fit it up properly!
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are you sure, for a while mine wouldn't clip in place but a bit of messing around and it suddenly fitted perfectly. I take it you are opening the clip?
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yeh I opened the clip but it still wouldnt fit correctly when inserted and would stick as if it wasnt pushed in far enough to let the clip lock - but when I tried the original one in the car again it fitted perfectly into the head unit and the locking device worked every time!! strange - I am a bit cack handed at things like this but im sure there was a problem with the fitment as i could only get the radio to work when i manually held it in and it never even powered up the armrest cd changer!
why wouldnt it work in itself if it was ok - if you know what i mean lol