A cheapout approach to adding mp3 sounds to xk8 stereo.
In my previous life our shop repaired and modified euro cars, this included ripping dashes out and installing hidden radar detectors+jammers etc. Stereos were of course constantly changed out and some crazy systems installed. I came to the conclusion that if one has a noisy car (either by design or as a result of exhaust/lack of sound deadening/glass thickness/etc) the only time an owner could truly appreciate fine sound reproduction was at low speeds or in competitions.
So...I have a convertible which I drive rather quickly but I also have an oem cd changer that skips if the car sees a bump in the road, a radio I don't use very often and a cassette player that I don't want to start swapping out cassettes all of the time inorder to have music. The answer at present for me - a $15usd cassette mp3 player. The cassette case has a slot for a sd card, will hold up to 8gig. I loaded a few songs onto it for a test, the separation is pretty good, the sound quality is pretty good leaning towards better than good. It is far, far better than a rf adapter and since it is a convertible I doubt if I will go to the trouble of adding a wired input any time soon. Just thought I'd mention this anyone interested. Ordered on Friday, arrived Monday...regular (included) shipping. Car Telecontrol Tape Cassette SD MMC MP3 Player Audio Adapter Kit+Remote Control | eBay wj |
Great minds think alike... I found this cassette adapter that automatically links by bluetooth to my phone, and it has a microphone that sticks out with a call/answer button. Now when I press the TAPE button on the console, I get complete phone functionality along with all the phone's audio--including google navigation.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1 |
yep, sometimes a little less sophistication is more than enough
wj https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jag...f5db6d4e6d.jpg |
ROGER B I have that Bluetooth adapter and I find it doesn't hold a 6 hour charge ( maybe 3 hours) and when inserted, it makes a rather annoying double "beep" sound. Once paired it works OK but having to reinsert it every time I restart the car and hearing the beep again, is rather bothersome.
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Head unit
I switched out my head unit for a pioneer x7800bt. It's a flip out and it covers the climate controls along with the lights seat heater etc. It can be closed and operated once it's set. My brother was an audiophile and he decked out the car with some nice equipment.
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jag...05073bbdd5.jpg Head unit. It is impractical but has DVD USB bluetooth and brought new technology to the old ride. https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jag...07cd0e6184.jpg Going to build a better battery rack for it. He did all of this himself and he ran out of wire hence the one stretched across. https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jag...026a6cfe0c.jpg Orion hcca black coil subs wired to the amp at 1 ohm before rise. Box is temporary building a 4th order that has a plexi cover in the front engraved to say jaguar xk |
Originally Posted by grantorino62
(Post 1577305)
ROGER B I have that Bluetooth adapter and I find it doesn't hold a 6 hour charge ( maybe 3 hours) and when inserted, it makes a rather annoying double "beep" sound. Once paired it works OK but having to reinsert it every time I restart the car and hearing the beep again, is rather bothersome.
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jag...8c9138e0ae.jpg My deck allows it to remain inserted even when switching modes or when the car is turned off, so I never touch it. (I actually find the beeps reassuring, and it lets me know my phone is connected without having to take it out of my pocket. I have a BT->FM unit in my other car, and it is a major annoyance to have to stop and change the FM station every 30 miles. |
Why has noone made one of these that charge by the spool movement???? You would be able to leave it in there and never think about it again..
Ugh. |
AWesome.... that just solved my entire dilemma about what do do with the audio equipment...! Now only if I could figure out if there is indeed a phone built-in, or if it just looks that way....
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Originally Posted by Roger_B
(Post 1577980)
I expect we have the same unit. I keep the switch turned OFF so it powers from the cassette deck, and it lasts through our longest multi-day trips. However, it doesn't seem to charge itself in that mode, so if it sits idle for a week--especially if it is cold--it has to be plugged-in for an hour or so before it will run with the switch off.
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jag...8c9138e0ae.jpg My deck allows it to remain inserted even when switching modes or when the car is turned off, so I never touch it. (I actually find the beeps reassuring, and it lets me know my phone is connected without having to take it out of my pocket. I have a BT->FM unit in my other car, and it is a major annoyance to have to stop and change the FM station every 30 miles. I bought one of these last year and posted my experiences in another thread. It is excellent in every way to achieve what I wanted at an exceptionally affordable price. I mainly use it to stream Pandora and have also used it to talk hands-free. It would be nice if there was some light to indicate when the battery is low (I never yet ran out of juice) and I always keep the switch to off since putting it in the CD player will automatically activate it. The best $20 I ever spent. Doug |
I just bought one from Newegg just because of this thread
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+1
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Originally Posted by joelsjag
(Post 1577414)
I switched out my head unit for a pioneer x7800bt. It's a flip out and it covers the climate controls along with the lights seat heater etc. It can be closed and operated once it's set. My brother was an audiophile and he decked out the car with some nice equipment.
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jag...05073bbdd5.jpg Head unit. It is impractical but has DVD USB bluetooth and brought new technology to the old ride. https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jag...07cd0e6184.jpg Going to build a better battery rack for it. He did all of this himself and he ran out of wire hence the one stretched across. https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jag...026a6cfe0c.jpg Orion hcca black coil subs wired to the amp at 1 ohm before rise. Box is temporary building a 4th order that has a plexi cover in the front engraved to say jaguar xk |
Originally Posted by phanc60844
(Post 1623271)
Really? you need to get your hearing checked out, so much speaker and too little cabin space dont really mix.
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The Bluetooth cassette adapter works fine overall, but the battery life isn't that great. But, after trying various cassette adapters, I've finally found a non-invasive way to bring the Jag into the modern era courtesy of the Amazon Echo Dot. Here's what you'll need:
1. USB adapter for cigarette lighter 2. Amazon Echo Dot 3. Audio cassette adapter (traditional wired type) 1st, you'll want to set up your Echo Dot using the smartphone app so it connects to the internet via your smartphone. You'll probably need to do that over your home internet connection for initial set-up, then you can change the settings so it connects to your smartphone's internet tethering/sharing. You'll also want to pair your smartphone to the Alexa via Bluetooth. Once that's done, move the Echo to your car, and power it via the USB power adapter. Next, connect the Echo to the wired cassette adapter. Now, when you start your car, it the Echo will automatically connect to the internet via your phone (provided you have tethering on) and will also pair with your phone via bluetooth. Now, the audio from your phone will be output via bluetooth to the Echo, and from the Echo to your stereo via the cassette adapter. And, as an added bonus, if you've tethered the Echo to your phone, you can use voice commands to play music, get weather and news, and even order from Amazon. If you're not tethered, you can still output to the stereo via the Echo's bluetooth. Really works great. |
Originally Posted by joelsjag
(Post 1624930)
we have a hater. I like audio. I like my music to sound good and get loud it's a hobby. This was my brother's car who was into car audio and he died from a terrible motorcycle accident. It was his dream to make it into a show car. I still have great hearing just went 2 months ago and had it tested. My jaguar also charged at 14.7 volts now allowing all of my electronics to get full voltage. I don't deal with my voltage dropping when my electric fans come on. And under the hood everything he did looks factory.
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Originally Posted by phanc60844
(Post 1624998)
A hater? sorry but you've posted this for all to see and expect everyone to like it? to be perfectly brutal about it, the car (a beautiful or was), has been mutilated. They should be treated like an old building, I'm not against modifications but they need to be done tastefully. There is plenty of space in the original speaker locations for bigger speakers if required, thats what I did along with a 1000w amp and from the outside it looks perfectly standard in all respects .I only ever need to turn the volume upto 18%, 20 at most and my head is banging. Sorry for being so honest :icon_duck:
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Originally Posted by joelsjag
(Post 1625177)
and tell me exactly what is going to fit in the back seat? I sure as hell wouldn't fit back there! The trim is all in and you don't even see all the batteries and wiring it looks completely stock besides the radio swap. You're real nice this was my brother's car and it was his dream car and he wanted to take it to shows. If you don't have anything nice to say don't say anything at all. People like you I will get next to stop lights and shake your windows just because of your attitude. All of the speakers have been replaced in this car and the stock Alpine amp ha my Rockford 800a4 blows it out of the water. Not to mention with all of my electrical upgrades I have improved fuel economy and also have amazing voltage because the voltage of these cars is so weak when the fan would cut on with the stock battery the voltage would drop. Not anymore! Sitting At 14.7 and my windows roll up instantly with the great voltage. If you ask me it was done properly and under the hood looks factory. Just because there's 2 subs in the back seat doesn't mean the car is ruined. Oh and btw I'm building a custom box and guess what it's going to be vaneered to match the dash and say jaguar xk8 engraved on it. Guess that makes it even junkier.
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Originally Posted by phanc60844
(Post 1625257)
Sorry but if you want a car to customize to that extent, this is the wrong choice, its been ruined. Quite frankly, its ridiculous and if you did drive next to me and shake my windows all I would think would be 'what an ass ole':icon_speaker1:
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I agree with not wanting to mutilate these cars. But my bigger complaint is ending up on the street next to one of those guys who feel they have to shake the hell out of everyone else nearby with bass cranked with their car shaking. My wife and I just laugh when we hear one of those vehicles on the local boulevard.
Doug |
Originally Posted by SeismicGuy
(Post 1625284)
I agree with not wanting to mutilate these cars. But my bigger complaint is ending up on the street next to one of those guys who feel they have to shake the hell out of everyone else nearby with bass cranked with their car shaking. My wife and I just laugh when we hear one of those vehicles on the local boulevard.
Doug |
From what I can discern from the pics he posted I don't think that Joel(?) has mutilated the car. And I don't doubt that the power upgrades have improved the car's overall electrical system.
I get that he sees this car as a testament to his late brother and finishing it will give him some comfort after such a traumatic loss. I am all for that and respect his efforts. I reserve any judgement till after he finishes. And I encourage him to consider starting a thread to capture both brothers' work and add some detail that might be useful to others. Pics are cool but info about components used, difficulties encountered, etc. are valuable too. So far all the mods look well executed except for the subs in the back seat which are still a WIP. Based on their size it seems like this car would be a good candidate for the complete rear seat delete that a few others have done. The subs could maybe then be tastefully tucked away and some storage space regained. I am looking forward to seeing the finished project. Hoping that he continues to share his progress too. |
Originally Posted by rothwell
(Post 1625360)
From what I can discern from the pics he posted I don't think that Joel(?) has mutilated the car. And I don't doubt that the power upgrades have improved the car's overall electrical system.
I get that he sees this car as a testament to his late brother and finishing it will give him some comfort after such a traumatic loss. I am all for that and respect his efforts. I reserve any judgement till after he finishes. And I encourage him to consider starting a thread to capture both brothers' work and add some detail that might be useful to others. Pics are cool but info about components used, difficulties encountered, etc. are valuable too. So far all the mods look well executed except for the subs in the back seat which are still a WIP. Based on their size it seems like this car would be a good candidate for the complete rear seat delete that a few others have done. The subs could maybe then be tastefully tucked away and some storage space regained. I am looking forward to seeing the finished project. Hoping that he continues to share his progress too. huge improvement over stock. They tell you when you install an msd ignition into a vehicle to have a high performance electrical system or else you may not get the results that they claim. I'm going to be changing the coil packs soon as they're the originals with almost 110k miles on them. I did post this because I received a pm from a member because they had an issue with their fscgkrj head unit and the dealer wanted over 200 to replace the unit. I am documenting my progress in case there are any others who would like to do the same thing to there vehicles. I understand there are few to none that would do it to this extent however due to my knowledge of car audio from my deceased brother I am willing to help anyone who may have any questions about upgrading their audio system in their jag. I would be more than happy to provide information on products and how to's for those who are looking to improve their stock system or add new technology to their ride. Bluetooth is nice wireless hands free communication is great. There are many units on the market that are affordable that will provide these features. You can even get kits for the steering wheel controls. My brother spent a lot of money on this car and time so my guess is he just was comfortable using the remote the radio came with. You can even hook the stock Alpine amplifier up to the new radio you buy and greatly improve the sound of your ride. I have a 12 band parametric equalizer and multiple different options to increase sound quality. I'm very impressed with the pioneer x7800bt. It is an expensive unit but provides many features to fine tune your audio system to whatever types of music you like. |
My new sub box
I know everyone is going to flip out but I'm excited to say I'm in the 150db club now with my convertible jaguar. These cars having amazing acoustics and the air it moves is unbelievable. My brother would be so proud I just wish he was here to see it. 😭
The port is almost 13 inches long and I can still see out of my back window to check for traffic behind me. Due to the convertible top there is absolutely no rattle except where the top latches to the frame. I'm going to put a layer of sound deadening material to cushion it. Maybe 2. It is amazing how great it sounds because most people have to layer their car with deadener and this car has absolutely no rattles except that one and it's not very noticable. https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jag...bf864a9a5b.jpgThe logo didn't come out as well as I had planned because the stencil blew off. It's .75 MDF then the outside layer is .5 oak. Very strong and heavy box. Sounds amazing. My brother would be so proud!!! Im young and this was my brother's request so please keep your negative comments to yourselves. |
Originally Posted by joelsjag
(Post 1632185)
Im young and this was my brother's request so please keep your negative comments to yourselves.
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Joel.
I think your brother would be proud of you for completing his project. There's a lot of personal stuff involved here, and none of us is trying to take any of that away from you. What you have done is what most of us would probably not have done, but this forum is full of enthusiastic owners, some of whom have modified their cars to reflect individual taste or a desire to be a bit different. No problem with that until - and this may never be the case with you - it is time to find a new owner. If it can be "retro-fitted" to somewhere close to original specification, then go for it, and be fulfilled that you finished the work your late brother had started. Drive it, turn the volume up to 11 and enjoy !! |
No my brother left it to me so I plan on keeping it for a very very long time. I take great care of it. It is in perfect running condition. It gets compliments all the time and with the stereo addition I have people taking videos of it all around town. It's awesome
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