XUV 500 ICE confusion

[bhvm]

Hello Friends,
I am about to get an XUV500 W8 and have started pre-planning for the upgrades. ICE is on top of the list. I have heard people saying that default system has negligible bass!, and I can't live sans bass!

I run a 15 inch sub at home with custom amp, so you get the idea. I don't expect THAT level of thumping in my car but as long as a Drum sounds like a Drum and not cats playing on garbage cans, Its okay. I'm not after Show off Watts or figures. Just good SQ.

Also, I WOULD NOT touch/open or change the HU as it has all the functions inbuilt. I would also refrain from changing the door speakers at this point as people have reported alarms going off randomly and other issues after ICE upgrades.

My Plan is to keep the system as-is and add a Small Amp+Sub to add some bass. Does the XUV HU have sub out? where to tap into the system for Sub connections?
One dissapointment is that 500 has hardly any boot space with all seats up. Either I will need a very shallow sub or some custom install. I was also thinking to go for Dual 6x9s with ported enclosure rather than a single sub. According to a kind soul here, Dual 6x9s shall be equivalent to a 10 inch sub. Can do?

 

[bhvm]

Cone Area Relation Chart

 

[shuv]

Since the OE HU has to be retained, think about installing a second 1 DIN HU somewhere in the car. Else get some kind of a sound processor from JBL/Alpine/Gladen etc.

It is possible to take a line out from the board of the OE HU. But only trust a competent guy.

Congrats on the 5 double O

Don't know if a pair of 6X9s can match a sub. Quite a few shallow mount subs around, check the offerings from RF. Twin 8"s are another option. Best if you ask your installer to fabricate a flush fitfiber glass enclosure for you.

 

[vkirti]

I Have not had a problem with the Bass in the XUV , but then i do not like heavy bass. My two cents would be to not fiddle with the ICE of the XUV as electronics are its weak point.

 

[bhvm]

Since the OE HU has to be retained, think about installing a second 1 DIN HU somewhere in the car. Else get some kind of a sound processor from JBL/Alpine/Gladen etc.

It is possible to take a line out from the board of the OE HU. But only trust a competent guy.

Congrats on the 5 double O

Don't know if a pair of 6X9s can match a sub. Quite a few shallow mount subs around, check the offerings from RF. Twin 8"s are another option. Best if you ask your installer to fabricate a flush fitfiber glass enclosure for you.

Thanks mate,
Extra HU? No way. The car is already short on space and loaded on electronics. Since the Factory HU has RCA out, i feel like going the good old AMP + sub way. I saw amps that have built in crossovers and Bass boost. I tried the 6x9s, and they just don't cut it for me. Now i'm looking for shallow , sealed sub. I remember couple of subs had a pioneer 10 inch just 7~8 inches deep. Hope it fits in with all the seats up.

 

[bhvm]

I Have not had a problem with the Bass in the XUV , but then i do not like heavy bass. My two cents would be to not fiddle with the ICE of the XUV as electronics are its weak point.

I heard the sound on XUV yesterday. For vocals its fine, but as soon as i boosted the bass on my note the speakers started badly rattling and distorting. Woofer for bass lovers is a must in XUV. On the other hand, my Fortuner has factory speakers those sound way better than XUV and don't need a SUB that badly.

 

[vkirti]

True, for vocals it is good. They may not be great for instrumental but I fear fiddling with the electronics of the XUV.

I heard the sound on XUV yesterday. For vocals its fine, but as soon as i boosted the bass on my note the speakers started badly rattling and distorting. Woofer for bass lovers is a must in XUV. On the other hand, my Fortuner has factory speakers those sound way better than XUV and don't need a SUB that badly.

 

[shuv]

Whatever you do, short of a processor I don't think you'll enjoy the result. Hence the idea of the second HU. I have an old Accord and use a single DIN HU retaining the climate control display.

 

[matbhuvi]

There are some amps that can support HU input. You can use that to add a Sub.

Edit: Just checked..XUV has 4 channel output. I would still recommend to use some DSP at least basic like JL audio clean sweep to iron out the inefficiencies in the stock HU. Better option is Audison Bit Ten which can cost around 15K in India.

 

[chiraghbir]

the best you can do is add Audison Bit 10 DSP , 4 channel amplifier , front compos and a decent 8 or 10 inch woofer (12 inch if you have space) .. do look at DD 8 inch Loaded enclosure , they are small but powerful woofers as boot space is a issue

this way you retain the stock head unit with all the controls and get much better sound.

do not forget to damp the doors !!

 

[bhvm]

There are some amps that can support HU input. You can use that to add a Sub.

Edit: Just checked..XUV has 4 channel output. I would still recommend to use some DSP at least basic like JL audio clean sweep to iron out the inefficiencies in the stock HU. Better option is Audison Bit Ten which can cost around 15K in India.

4 channel, Do you mean the 4 speakers or are there actually 4 RCA jacks up the HU back? If so, I'd be blessed!! Is

the best you can do is add Audison Bit 10 DSP , 4 channel amplifier , front compos and a decent 8 or 10 inch woofer (12 inch if you have space) .. do look at DD 8 inch Loaded enclosure , they are small but powerful woofers as boot space is a issue

this way you retain the stock head unit with all the controls and get much better sound.

do not forget to damp the doors !!

Thanks, However I am looking to do this with minimum fiddling so i may not open the doors. Just keep the stock setup and add an Sub(+amp), Would that work? Thanks for the suggestions!

 

[matbhuvi]

4 channel, Do you mean the 4 speakers or are there actually 4 RCA jacks up the HU back? If so, I'd be blessed!! Is


Thanks, However I am looking to do this with minimum fiddling so i may not open the doors. Just keep the stock setup and add an Sub(+amp), Would that work? Thanks for the suggestions!

Yes..you should have the RCA jacks. Adding a sub along with stock speakers driven by HU?...hmm...i wonder why many people try to do that when they venture into ICE. I won't recommend that by any means as it would be quite unbalanced sound void of much SQ. But, if you are like a guy who gets great satisfaction with mp3, then go ahead. I have seen guys spending a lakh for ICE and listen to mp3. There is nothing right or wrong about it. I am just saying there is always room to improve.

 

[bhvm]

Yes..you should have the RCA jacks. Adding a sub along with stock speakers driven by HU?...hmm...i wonder why many people try to do that when they venture into ICE. I won't recommend that by any means as it would be quite unbalanced sound void of much SQ. But, if you are like a guy who gets great satisfaction with mp3, then go ahead. I have seen guys spending a lakh for ICE and listen to mp3. There is nothing right or wrong about it. I am just saying there is always room to improve.

I respect your opinions,
However, XUV 500 being relatively new model on the roads and also of it being very full of electronics, sensors and wires, I am looking for minimum tear up jobs. Atleast for the warranty. I'll come to you When I need a full blown setup. Thanks.

 

[bhvm]

Yes..you should have the RCA jacks. Adding a sub along with stock speakers driven by HU?...hmm...i wonder why many people try to do that when they venture into ICE. I won't recommend that by any means as it would be quite unbalanced sound void of much SQ. But, if you are like a guy who gets great satisfaction with mp3, then go ahead. I have seen guys spending a lakh for ICE and listen to mp3. There is nothing right or wrong about it. I am just saying there is always room to improve.

There are only 2 RCA Jacks( left right) not 4.
after installing an AMP i am having buzzing problem

Please provide your inputs here-
http://www.hifivision.com/car-audio/44673-buzzing-whine-xuv-500-jbl-amp.html

 

[bhvm]

I'm happy to report that the service people have replaced HU under warranty. and hence buzzing is gone. thank you everyone.