Fitted Piuoneer SPH DA120 to S3 8L on 53 plated car

[TerryA]

After an age of trying to get a decent signal and clear tones for my boys i phone reception on his S3 we decided to go for an aftermarket head unit. Was replacing a full Bose Symphony Unit

He went for the Pioneer SPH DA120 after good reviews and had it fitted professionally by Cambridge Car Audio in Newmarket Road Cambridge. Well pleased with their approach, service and workmanship and can't recommend them highly enough - well done guys

No one makes a fascia adaptor for the A3/S3 8L dash so they used an adaptor for the A4 which was slightly modified by taking about 2mm off of the bottom and it then went straight in - was fitted in around an hour

I provided the following parts and headunit for the fit;

http://www.dynamicsounds.co.uk/conn...-a6-a8-iso-to-din-aerial-antenna-adaptor.html

http://www.dynamicsounds.co.uk/conn...-system-interface-amplified-adaptor-lead.html

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/161274454160

Picture below shows the original radio in dash

Picture 2 with new Pioneer fitted

 

[unclebunt]

Very nice!

 

[Lodhiz]

Terry, this looks fantastic! I have been considering purchasing the same HU for a while now, but wasn't sure. Seeing this definitely makes me want one now!

I regularly visit Cambridge so I might have to make a trip to Cambridge Car Audio. If you don't mind me asking, how much did they charge for the labor?

 

[TerryA]

Terry, this looks fantastic! I have been considering purchasing the same HU for a while now, but wasn't sure. Seeing this definitely makes me want one now!

I regularly visit Cambridge so I might have to make a trip to Cambridge Car Audio. If you don't mind me asking, how much did they charge for the labor?

My boy took his car in as I live in London - couldn't believe it - they charged him £64 completely fitted including the adaptor !!!!!!!!

 

[munki]

They were really nice guys Aswell and amazingly helpful, even helped me get started after they had fitted it.

 

[Nilz]

Looks spot on, really refreshes the look of the dash.

 

[leshkin]

This brings back memories of doing the same in my old 8L S3 on my own, but with a Kenwood GPS unit. Nice result and at a great price.

 

[IPG]

Hi @TerryA ,

Looks like you've done what i'll be doing so i'll ask for your expertise.

Here are my connectors from the rear of my double din symphony 2 unit



I've looked up these adaptors for iso connection (to a fit to Pioneer unit), have i got the correct adaptors?

Audi A3 ISO WIRING HARNESS + FAKRA ANTENNA ADAPTOR LEAD connector plug cable

I'm going to be replacing EVERYTHING (HU, front and rear speakers, + 2 Amplifiers and Subwoofer. 3x RCA's will be run out of the rear of the HU therefore not using any of the original wiring/BOSE amp)

Any help would be ace!

 

[TerryA]

Hi Ian - not any sort of expert on electrics BUT if you contact www.dynamicsounds.co.uk I'm sure they will point you in the right direction as they were very helpful with us.

Marc kept his Bose system so if you are replacing other stuff there will be different requirements for what is needed ??

 

[Ben jah min]

Hi @TerryA ,

I'm going to be replacing EVERYTHING (HU, front and rear speakers, + 2 Amplifiers and Subwoofer. 3x RCA's will be run out of the rear of the HU therefore not using any of the original wiring/BOSE amp)

Any help would be ace!

If youre pulling the lot out you only need the iso converter for the molex's pictured in the middle, then you run all your cables from the 4 channel to each speaker / crossover if youre running comp's, the sub cables to the mono bloc then your RCA's from the boot to the HU - you only need 2x RCA's btw. Then you just need a +'ve fused supply off the battery, the line signal to the HU and a good ground where your amps will sit.

Don't forget that people pay good money for a bose 'upgrade' on ebay (£150+ :O )

I need to do my install but i think its gonna be easiest if i fully strip the cards and seats to run all the cables etc, just not got time to do it all at the mo

 

[IPG]

@Ben jah min - i'll be using 3x RCA's for front, rear and sub outputs from the back of the HU (hope that's correct...) also i think i will keep the stock speakers/sub/6 stacker in built HU for now just in case i wanna sell. i'ld like to keep my hard earned audio gear if i do decide to switch cars but good to know! (that's like $300 AUD)

i was able to do some of the wiring stuff today, mainly laying out fresh cabling for everything so that was a pretty good acheivement!

oh yeah i found this adaptor for the double fakra on the back of the 8l symphony 2.
- @ 9:52 he starts talking about the adaptor which allows for plugging in of both stock antenna leads. i'm guessing this will give the best reception as the regular antenna plus the diversity system will be used. so i have this on order
http://enfigcarstereo.com/ENFIG_AAA_VWAUD2.html - that's the link for the product in the video.

 

[Ben jah min]

thats a great guide! thanks for sharing - I've actually got to pull that HU so its good to see what I'm going to be up against!

Hope it goes smoothly!