IO Play 2 experiences?

[Chrisbassett]

Has anyone had experience of the IO Play 2 after market kit especially fitting in a 4200/Spyder with the NIT?

Finsbury Car Audio have recommended one, taking the output from the NIT and using the digital amp that comes with it to drive the speakers (upgraded using Focal's) with a separately driven sub-woofer.

It "intercepts" the output from the NIT so I can leave that in place and still hear the radio (or CDs if I don't mind the skips everytime I go over a small pebble) but adds a connector for iPod/iPhone.

Especially wondered how well the amplifier does...and if there were and difficulties getting it equalised well for the spyder.

Thanks
C.

 

[CatmanV2]

That looks interesting. How much have they quoted you?

The theory is sound. Just like a Parrot really. Not sure what sort of equalisation you're expecting, though?

C

 

[Chrisbassett]

As far as I know, equalisation = tuning the bass, mid & high to suit the shape and reflectiveness / absorption of the interior of the car, so an equaliser can make a big difference. I used the one on the stock system a few days ago and got the sound so much better by playing around with it, but the bass still feels lifeless and muddled and the whole thing feels like I'm listening to music in soup.

I'm still waiting for the quote, should come today, may get it done by the end of the week if all goes well.

 

[CatmanV2]

Let us know the prices, please.

Not a fan of graphic equalizers myself, but de gustibus non est disputandum. Or something

C

 

[Chrisbassett]

Will do. Amazon has the IO device for £150, but fitting is always going to be the issue with the NIT involved...

If you're happy taking the interior apart, and/or are going to keep the stock wiring then I'm sure it wouldn't be too expensive to swap speakers etc and plumb the io into the mix.

I'll see if they let me hang around and take photos of the process too : )

 

[CatmanV2]

I think I'd probably stick with a Parrot. Ive been using their kit for some time, and like their support and tech.

I'm sorely tempted to have a crack at the install myself, but am a tad nervous about doing something silly.

Having said that, it cant be *that*. It plugs straight into the back of the NIT, then it's just a case of mounting the screen and mic.

C

 

[Chrisbassett]

Had the job done yesterday...
Focal PS 165's in the front (component mid-range and tweeter separate)
Focal PC 130's behind the headrest (coaxial mid-range and tweeter)
Focal iBus 20 behind the drivers seat (stand-alone amplified bass. Not a full sub-woofer, but it fills the sound nicely)
iO iPlay 2 with the display on the instrument panel (just to the left of the speedo) and the control just behind the ashtray.

A few hic-ups, but they were sorted out this morning by Payman, the installer at Finsbury Car Audio with no problems.
1. The lights for the heating controls and below had gone: turns out the NIT sends a control signal (not power) to the console to tell it to switch the lights on. That signal wire isn't included in the standard connector from the iO Play, so had to be hard-wired in. Payman worked that out with a little gadget he had, and the lights now work.

2. The iO Play comes with a 1amp fuse. This blew on the way home last night, but has been replaced with something more sensible.

3. The sound from the iO Play needs to be pushed forward. The old speakers on the back were so **** you could hardly hear them. The new ones shine through, and so the sound-stage has moved backwards. Payman is looking in to how this can be changed for me. Playing CD's/radio from the NIT is fine as there's a fader control that I used to push the sound forwards.

Cost of hardware, £620.
Installed for £280 - it took them 8 hours, so you can work out their hourly rate.
Total cost £900 including VAT.

For this I get:
- iPhone integration, including hands-free calls, music playback and texts read to me (though I'll avoid doing this with the top down, especially if it's from cobratwin!). Ha a hard-wired iPhone connector or can be bluetooth.
- Much, much better music reproduction - the bass is tangible, the focal speakers are crisp and all the muddiness has gone. Top up, I can hear how **** the CD player is, the speakers show it up. Top down, I can hear the music over the traffic of London.
- An aux-in if it's needed - can't think of anything to use it for yet.
- the option to turn it all off and listen to the V8 orchestra whenever I want...

Didn't get a chance to take photos, as I had to spend the day in a client's office : (

 

[Brendan]

Sounds good. Must admit the standard stereo is pretty naff compared to other cars I have had

 

[CatmanV2]

I find this odd. I have what most would consider to be a high end home stereo [1] (although true audiophiles would regard it as strictly middle of the road). I didn't buy it as a status symbol, good reproduction has always been important to me, so I upgrade when I can hear something better.
I don't actually think the system in the 4200 is that bad. Maybe someone upgraded it before me.

C
[1] Cyrus Stream XP2 QX, PSX-R, X-Power, MA GR-10s

 

[CatmanV2]

Had the job done yesterday...

1. The lights for the heating controls and below had gone: turns out the NIT sends a control signal (not power) to the console to tell it to switch the lights on. That signal wire isn't included in the standard connector from the iO Play, so had to be hard-wired in. Payman worked that out with a little gadget he had, and the lights now work.

Hmm, that's interesting. Might you be able to contact them and ask which pin on the NIT it was? I think it's unlikely to be anything on the DIN for speakers and power, but I could be wrong.

TIA

C