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sam534

Alternative to Focals, Vibe Optisound

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Fancied doing something alternative to the norm but also cost effective, this will also have some tips for anyone wanting to do a custom front setup or use the OEM headunit but incorporate more powerful speakers/subwoofer and make it all plug and play... relatively.

 

Been looking at the focal speakers for a while, but seen some recent posts about people being unimpressed on FB, and i had been thinking of using a Pioneer GM1004 inline amp as im happy with the functionality of the standard headunit and the amp would give more oomph to the focals. But i saw Halfords had a sale on the Vibe Optisound micro amp for 70 quid. This amp has alot more functionality, gain control and a high pass filter for front and rear.

https://www.halfords.com/technology/car-audio/car-amps-and-subs/vibe-optisound-micro-4-channel-amp-703292.html

This is simple plug and play with a T harness adapter i also got from halfords for 12 quid CT10TY01. But does create a spaghetti junction of wires.

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There is plenty of room to fit the micro amp behind the headunit, i mounted mine using 3m tape to the right hand side and all the cables to the left under the headunit, hard to get a good picture.

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The standard speakers where much much better with just this setup, mostly the volume was stepped up and the clarity was much better on the motorway.

Another added benefit is it gives 2 RCA outputs for wiring an amp for a sub or other speakers, I'm thinking of using an underseat sub below the drivers seat.

Halford also have the front vibe optisound components for Toyota at 150 quid... but they had the Vauxhall ones on offer for 80, the only difference are the plugs and mounting bracket for the woofer, but i can get those separate.

https://www.halfords.com/technology/car-audio/car-speakers/vibe-optisound-complete-speaker-kit---toyota-703706.html

If you want to do your own custom front components and make it plug and play without cutting standard speaker wires you will need:

CT55-TY01 to plug the woofers into the standard cables (labelled as for an aygo)

CT55-TY02 to plug into the tweeters, this is essential as totoyta have a silly setup that sends the signal to the woofer via the tweeter so the woofer wont get a signal without this or cutting the standard wires

CT25TY02 woofer adapters.

All this comes in the Toyota kit but you can buy seperate for 20 quid altogether.

 

One good thing about this kit it comes with some sound deadening for the door to go behind the speaker.

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then a rubber surround that helps direct the air and stop it being diverted behind the door card, not sure how much this helps but i installed it all the same. and the woofer built up with the new Ct25TY02 adapters on.

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and the CT55-TY01 plugs attached to the woofer then the standard wires on the car and all in place.

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Tweeters next post.

 

 

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The tweeters are a bit more complex and using the ct55ty02 the right wire needs to be plugged into the right connection so the woofers get signal. unfortunately the ct55ty02 adapter comes with bayonet fittings whereas my vibe speakers where spade fittings so this was the only thing that wasnt quite plug and play but easily adapted.

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When plugging in the CT55ty02 there are 4 colour wires on the tweeter plug but unfortunately toyota decided to put them in different orders for left and right.

so right side.

Red is woofer -ve and white is woofer +ve

Green is Headunit -ve and Brown is headunit +ve

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Left is 

Green is woofer -ve and Brown is woofer +ve

Red is HU -ve and white is HU +ve

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this makes the plugs as below:-

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the right two cables are for the signal from the headunit and left two too the woofer.

and plugged into the crossover

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then finally plugged into the tweeter and placed in the dash.

the sound is much much better, and some good bass as well, impressed with this little setup and for 170 quid all in very happy and all reversible and plug and play.

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That looks great and thanks for the write up. 
Does the crossover look like a speaker or is that a mid speaker put in the dash cover as well?

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That looks great and thanks for the write up. 
Does the crossover look like a speaker or is that a mid speaker put in the dash cover as well?
Just a style mate I thought that at first!

Sent from my COL-L29 using Tapatalk

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How have you found the system now that it’s all bedded in? Do the doors rattle apart? Do you think it needs a subwoofer? Or rear speaker upgrade? 

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How have you found the system now that it’s all bedded in? Do the doors rattle apart? Do you think it needs a subwoofer? Or rear speaker upgrade? 

Bad rattles in the window switches, not thought of a fix yet.

 

Rears are garbage but I've just faded it forward that's fine for me.

 

Woofer... Yes I think so. These are nice and bassy at stand still but as soon as you get moving the road noice overtakes all the bass unless you have it cranked right up.

So yeah think I'll run a small woofer at some point.

 

Sent from my COL-L29 using Tapatalk

 

 

 

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I thought that might be the case once you started amplifying the speakers. That also confirms my thoughts that a subwoofer and some sound deadening is required to get a better sound stage at motorway speeds. 
I had a similar sounding rattle from mine and I used this video to fix my switch rattle.

 

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Sam534, Did you have any issues with the iso harness not clipping into the OEM stereo securely? Im having an issue with the smaller of the 2 connectors making a secure connection and staying clipped in??

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Sam534, Did you have any issues with the iso harness not clipping into the OEM stereo securely? Im having an issue with the smaller of the 2 connectors making a secure connection and staying clipped in??
I must admit I have had some crackling in the rear right speaker I've yet to diagnose, it may be related to that. But I didn't have an issue when I fitted it.

Sent from my COL-L29 using Tapatalk

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On 10/9/2020 at 11:47 AM, sam534 said:

I must admit I have had some crackling in the rear right speaker I've yet to diagnose, it may be related to that. But I didn't have an issue when I fitted it.

Sent from my COL-L29 using Tapatalk
 

There is some slight movement with the clip when it is connected to the radio, so i have added a small piece of 3m tape onto the bottom of the clip and reinstalled. This appears to have removed the movement and is now more secure when clipped in.

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Just wanted to say thank you to you @sam534 for making this tutorial. I found it very helpful especially noting down the part numbers and identifying which wire did what in the dashboard tweeters. I’ve recently upgraded the speakers and treated the doors to some rust protection and sound deadening material. The sound quality is vastly improved and the door doesn’t rattle so much from the bass in the better speakers. Job well done.

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22 hours ago, Luke said:

 I’ve recently upgraded the speakers and treated the doors to some rust protection and sound deadening material. 

Rust proofing you say?

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Just wanted to say thank you to you [mention=2794]sam534[/mention] for making this tutorial. I found it very helpful especially noting down the part numbers and identifying which wire did what in the dashboard tweeters. I’ve recently upgraded the speakers and treated the doors to some rust protection and sound deadening material. The sound quality is vastly improved and the door doesn’t rattle so much from the bass in the better speakers. Job well done.
Glad it helped mate!

Sent from my COL-L29 using Tapatalk

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On 3/12/2021 at 10:53 AM, sxocpaul said:

Rust proofing you say?

Yes whilst I had all the interior panels out I coated all panels in Bilt Hamber Dynax under body and cavity wax. 

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