Celica Gen 7 Stereo

[The Jackal]

Hi All,

I have a gen7 celica ('56 plate Celica GT) and the sound system is, well, somewhat disappointing.

I can't put my finger on what exactly the issue is but the sound feels flat. Perhaps its lacking mid range?

The factory fitted sound system on my 5 year old Clio was far more impressive with deep rich sound. Not to mention steering wheel controls and a pause/mute button which is very useful!

So anyhow anyone else experiencing this or is it just my ears?

If so what can be done about it? I'd don't want to fiddle myself as the car is still new and don't want to void any warranties.

Oh on a side issue my brakes still feel a bit soft, nothing really on the pedal until its half way down. I've done about 500 miles, shouldn't they be bedded in by now?

Thanks.

[discodave]

Celica radios are crap IMO, my wifes Corolla radio sound is blinding compared to celica :( and it stops lol

Most people either rip it out or change the Speakers, you could always try toyota's active sub or a infinity bass link as I did :)

Well your brakes should have really bedded in by now, give it a few more miles though. The celica brakes are not very good anyway.

[Mark Olive]

I think there are a few differences between the standard and GT stereos (you have a sub, I think?) but it's true that the Toyota-branded stereos in the 03+ Celicas are pretty awful. I changed mine for my old Sony (did not change the speakers) and it was a huge improvement all round.

Fitting an aftermarket stereo shouldn't void any warranties, but you can always phone your dealer and check. The only problem I've had with fitting my stereo in both my G7 Celicas was avoiding marking the outer edges of the centre console, but that's probably just because I wasn't being careful enough.

[The Jackal]

Thanks both,

So from what you have said I take it that the actual head unit that is a bit poor and the Speakers are "ok"?

As for the brakes been poo... what where they thinking. If I wanted to feel like I was stepping on a squidgy cat I would have asked for that feature! :D

The car doesn't have a sub woofer, but it does have the 6 disc changer. The base is fine if I ramp it up and so is the treble, just seems a bit flat. Possibly road noise is contributing to the effect.

Thanks.

[The Jackal]

Update:

Hi All,

So I think I'm going to change the stereo head unit and see if that improves things.

Ideally I'd like to keep the CD changer, but am not sure if it conforms to the "standard" for multi-changers and thus can be connected to any head unit designed to talk to a multi-changer.

The changer is one of these http://www.satoyotaparts.com/PD-08601-47800.aspx?MakeID=1 but that's all my googling can find on the item in question.

So does anyone have any info on this changer or even better actually married it up to a different head unit.

Of course worst comes to worst I can get the whole lot replaced, but don't fancy a) Having to get a changer stuck in the boot, B) the expense :)

Thanks.

[discodave]

Just replace with one of these ;)

I dont think you have much luck wiring in your existing cd changer

[The Jackal]

Just replace with one of these ;)

I dont think you have much luck wiring in your existing cd changer

Actually I think I agree, that looks reasonably discreet unlike some that give you epilepsy esp during night time driving!

I'm still hunting info on the Toyota CD changer and it appears it will only work with the Toyota head unit!

Looking around there seem to be DVD players for not a lot (3.5" screen), they are interesting more because you can put a load of MP3s on a single DVD. However they dont seem to have a CD multichanger built in. (For when Im lazy or want to stick in 6 CDs of MP3s lol).

Just a bit painful having to chuck a good cd changer and ok stereo after just paying for them! :(

Thanks.

[DefiantFrog]

Get an iPod and adaptor to go with whatever stereo you choose, then you won't ever have to worry about changing media!! Its the way forwards...

And don't just chuck your old gear - if you have storage for it, keep it so when it comes to the time to get rid, you can put it all back to stock and either re-use or sell the uprated kit. If you don't have room for it, I'm sure there'll be other people about who replaced and chucked who would quite willingly buy your stock stuff from you!

That Kenwood unit does look quite nice, and good you can put a USB stick in it! Negates the need for iPod then! Just means you'll end up with a small collection of USB sticks floating around the car... Handy that its double din as well - saves !Removed! about too much with the stereo mount brackets.

Yeah, my decision now made, go for a new MP3 CD stereo (maybe with iPod adaptor if you already have an iPod) with good control over the EQ, and mess around with it till you're happy. Replace the stock Speakers after that if you're still not smiling...

I think I need a new stereo.......... Time to go BOOM again :)

[The Jackal]

Get an iPod and adaptor to go with whatever stereo you choose, then you won't ever have to worry about changing media!! Its the way forwards...

And don't just chuck your old gear - if you have storage for it, keep it so when it comes to the time to get rid, you can put it all back to stock and either re-use or sell the uprated kit. If you don't have room for it, I'm sure there'll be other people about who replaced and chucked who would quite willingly buy your stock stuff from you!

That Kenwood unit does look quite nice, and good you can put a USB stick in it! Negates the need for iPod then! Just means you'll end up with a small collection of USB sticks floating around the car... Handy that its double din as well - saves !Removed! about too much with the stereo mount brackets.

Yeah, my decision now made, go for a new MP3 CD stereo (maybe with iPod adaptor if you already have an iPod) with good control over the EQ, and mess around with it till you're happy. Replace the stock speakers after that if you're still not smiling...

I think I need a new stereo.......... Time to go BOOM again :)

Hi,

I intend on keeping my old units, after all I'm sure someone somewhere would want to buy them! ;).

I've fiddled with the current unit settings and pushed up the base and reduced the treble, it sounds clearer surprisingly, better than before but still not brilliant. I have a feeling the stock Speakers are decent enough to produce sound that would fill the cabin with something that aproaches "good" to my ears, just the head unit seems incapable of driving them *shrugs*.

I don't have an iPod *gasp* I actually buy all my music on CD still *double gasp*, then rip it to MP3. That way if my electronics die I still have the original master source at a good fidelity! :)

Looking at online sites like Halfords (yuck) and Car electronics terrible site (I am a programmer for my sins!) there isn't much to my taste. Although looking at Amazon I found some surprisingly cheap units, no idea if they are any good though http://www.amazon.co.uk/MOTORIZED-Supporti...855&sr=1-13

[edit actually they get a crap review, maybe something more like http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/...ategoryrn_31445 although really I just need something with good audio and usb connector, preferably rear connectivity so I can hide it away in the top of the dash on a usb cable, oh the choices!]

I guess I'll pop down to the Halfords store and have a gander of what they have to offer and see where I can buy it cheaper. Possibly paying them to fit it. Better than me swearing on a Sunday afternoon at it! :D

Thanks guys for all the help.

The Jackal