Audio Problem Solution

[NorfolkIggy]

Hi
I’ve read the posts about the terrible quality of the audio system on the Ignis and, as a new Ignis owner, I can only agree. I have a 2005 4GRIP, and didn’t want to replace the factory fitted Blaupunkt unit because (as everyone else says) it would mean losing most of the display in the “pod”.

At first, I tried replacing the original front and back speakers with quite expensive ones, but this only helped a little bit. I’m NOT an audio freak, but thought that the sound was still unacceptable, so went to my local car audio specialist and explained my dilemma. They said that that putting even better speakers front and back wouldn't really help, as the speakers would be so small that they would make little difference. I didn’t want to go the trouble and expense of having the doors cut for bigger speakers, and there is certainly no room in the boot for extra speakers!

The audio people, therefore, recommended fitting a subwoofer. I understood that subwoofers were all about increasing the bass in an audio system, but they explained that it would also provide a vastly improved range of sound, and that I could adjust it so that it wasn’t just pumping out base frequencies.

They recommended an Alpine SWE-100: it cost £220, including fitting, and they were able to fit it without showing any wires. It’s a self contained pod which sits on the floor under the driver’s seat, fixed to the carpet. It has an independent control, but is wired so that it can also be controlled by the Blaupunkt unit.

It took me only a few minutes to tweak the relative power/bass/treble of the front and back speakers, plus the subwoofer, and the result is fantastic – unbelievable sound – the best I’ve ever had in any car. As an added bonus, becuase the subwoofer is a self contained unit, it can easily be taken out and transferred to my next car. I’d really recommend this solution.