Welshman100
Standard Member
Has anyone seen the back of the radio unit. Wondering if it has rca outputs so I can put an underseat sub in the car
It doesn't. You need a subwoofer that can take a high level input from the speaker wires. I've done this, it transforms the audio quality.
How difficult was it to get the head unit out?It doesn't. You need a subwoofer that can take a high level input from the speaker wires. I've done this, it transforms the audio quality.
Hi, which subwoofer was it? Can you link?It doesn't. You need a subwoofer that can take a high level input from the speaker wires. I've done this, it transforms the audio quality.
The MG head unit has a 'quadlock' type connector on the back. To connect this to an amplifier that uses ISO connections, you need a 'T-harness'. As different manufacturers use different pins in the quadlock for different purposes, T-harnesses are made for different car brands. I couldn't find one for MGs, so I bought one for BMWs, removed the unused cables (powered radio antenna etc) and modified the power supply pins. The MG only has one 12v positive supply (no switched supply) and uses a different pin for the earth connection. Having put the earth pin in the correct place, I connected up a small Vibe class D amplifier (tucked under the dash on the passenger side), it works a treat. Next job is mounting new tweeters and crossovers...Are there ISO connections on the back or do you need to tracing the wiring?
Is there a remote output from the headunit?The MG head unit has a 'quadlock' type connector on the back. To connect this to an amplifier that uses ISO connections, you need a 'T-harness'. As different manufacturers use different pins in the quadlock for different purposes, T-harnesses are made for different car brands. I couldn't find one for MGs, so I bought one for BMWs, removed the unused cables (powered radio antenna etc) and modified the power supply pins. The MG only has one 12v positive supply (no switched supply) and uses a different pin for the earth connection. Having put the earth pin in the correct place, I connected up a small Vibe class D amplifier (tucked under the dash on the passenger side), it works a treat. Next job is mounting new tweeters and crossovers...
Hi, which subwoofer was it? Can you link?
Vibe Optisound Micro 4 channel amp | £104 |
In Phase XTC6CX Component speakers - two pairs | £138.28 |
12v piggy back connector | £7.69 |
In Phase USW300 powered under-seat sub woofer | £102.38 |
T-harness eBay | £8.49 |
£360.84 |
Do you have photos of the doors and amp mounting?I've finished upgrading my audio system, with good results. I fitted:
Vibe Optisound Micro 4 channel amp £104In Phase XTC6CX Component speakers - two pairs £138.2812v piggy back connector £7.69In Phase USW300 powered under-seat sub woofer £102.38T-harness eBay £8.49 £360.84
The tiny, but powerful, amp and crossovers for the speakers fit perfectly out of sight on a little shelf in the passenger footwell, there's plenty of room for the T-harness connector behind the headunit and the sub-woofer fits neatly under the front of the drivers seat.
I fitted it all myself, not too difficult but I spent quite a bit of time researching how to do stuff on the web. If I had to do it again it would be much quicker. I couldn't get a T-harness for the MG5, so I got a BMW one, removed the redundant cables and moved a couple of pins to the correct locations.
I modified the mounts for the original door speakers to take the new ones.
I wanted to give the audio more power, improve the frequency response and clarity, (especially filling-in the missing low-frequencies) and reduce distortion. This was to be done with nothing visible and at minimal cost.
I think I've achieved these aims, the sound quality has been transformed for a modest outlay. I could have spent much more on more expensive brands but the key point of the MG5 is value for money, so I used this approach with the audio upgrade.
The only small issue to address now is the tendency for the door cards to reverberate a little at higher volumes and certain frequencies. This might go away if I settle on listening at lower volumes, but at the moment I'm enjoying cranking it up!
I could take a picture of the amp mounting tomorrow, the T-harness is now tucked away out of sight, looks like any other T-harness, some plugs and a jumble of coloured wires.Do you have photos of the doors and amp mounting?
A photo of the T harness would be helpful if others wanted to do the same mod ?
Do you have the part number or link for the t harness?I've finished upgrading my audio system, with good results. I fitted:
Vibe Optisound Micro 4 channel amp £104In Phase XTC6CX Component speakers - two pairs £138.2812v piggy back connector £7.69In Phase USW300 powered under-seat sub woofer £102.38T-harness eBay £8.49 £360.84
The tiny, but powerful, amp and crossovers for the speakers fit perfectly out of sight on a little shelf in the passenger footwell, there's plenty of room for the T-harness connector behind the headunit and the sub-woofer fits neatly under the front of the drivers seat.
I fitted it all myself, not too difficult but I spent quite a bit of time researching how to do stuff on the web. If I had to do it again it would be much quicker. I couldn't get a T-harness for the MG5, so I got a BMW one, removed the redundant cables and moved a couple of pins to the correct locations.
I modified the mounts for the original door speakers to take the new ones.
I wanted to give the audio more power, improve the frequency response and clarity, (especially filling-in the missing low-frequencies) and reduce distortion. This was to be done with nothing visible and at minimal cost.
I think I've achieved these aims, the sound quality has been transformed for a modest outlay. I could have spent much more on more expensive brands but the key point of the MG5 is value for money, so I used this approach with the audio upgrade.
The only small issue to address now is the tendency for the door cards to reverberate a little at higher volumes and certain frequencies. This might go away if I settle on listening at lower volumes, but at the moment I'm enjoying cranking it up!