In the next few days I am going to upgrade the audio sound in my XS Freelander as I have yet to see a thread dedicated to the FL2. It currently has the mid line system.

My intention is to run a JL Audio 4 channel amp http://www.jlaudio.co.uk/product/54216.465.../XD4004v2. I already have this from my last build in a BMW 1 series and bought it due to its small size.

I also have an Audison BIT TEN http://www.audison.eu/index.php?page=product&id=42 with I will feed from the current amp that's located in the boot. This bit of kit, again from the 1 series, will clean up the signal from the stock amp. Then feed a clean signal to the JL Audio amp. The beauty of the BIT TEN is I will be able to tailor the sound to suit the FL2 and also use its sound delay feature to get the front staging right. This is something the stock system lacks and will also help improve the general sound as there is a multi channel equaliser.

AS for the speaker I will fit a set of Focal PS165s http://www.focal.com/en/expert/280-ps-165-3544052750119.html replacing the stock front speakers. I will leave the rear door speakers as it still being fed from the original amp just to give ambiance.

As for the sub I have yet to decide what to do. I do have a spare Alpine 10" sub and a mono Alpine amp so may build that into the rear of the vehicle somehow.

I need to get a 4 AWG power cable from the battery to the rear of the car and as yet not found a suitable hole in the front bulkhead so I may run the cable under the car and then up through a bung that's in the spear wheel well.

I have, so far, removed the two large rear panels in the back of the car which revealed the amp and phone module on the RHS and tow module on the LHS but as yet not decided where to fit the BIT TEN and amp.

Of course I will try to photograph as I go along.

Any thoughts or views greatfully accepted

Yesterday I made a start

I am going to try the std speakers first and if I don't like what I hear I may upgrade.

What's made the install a bit easier is the amp is in the rear of the car so this allows me to get an easy feed to the BIT TEN and then feed to the speakers from the JL Audio amp. I have just used bullet connectors but may source a decent connector plug

Interior stripped out. I used the existing bracket that holds the towing system box to mount the amp after fabrication an aluminium plate as the bracket was not big enough.

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Update, I bought some Hertz HSK 165XL speakers and fitted them today.

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Interesting post.

I will be watching with interest how this pans out as I had always assumed the inbuilt systems could not be augmented.

i like the solution for running the power cable, but I would concerned the cable sheath may not stand up to an external installation, a visual inspection after a couple months is probably a good idea. You have a fuse close to the battery so no safety issues that I can see.

I spend yesterday fitting the other door speaker, much quicker jon and also installed the amp for the new sub

Photos to follow

Re protection I did think about proper plastic conduit

I just fitted new Rainbow speakers to front doors. Wiring diagram doesn't show that there are any crossovers in the old system and the signal just split to tweeter and woofer. I connected the new crossover input to the woofer line and found out there are crossovers in the old system. Does anyone know where those might be?

Which OEM system do you have installed

I am not quite sure what it is but the car is 2007 SE model and the door speaker cover says alpine. Nothing those fancy dolby digital.

Sounds like its the same as mine.

Probably easier if I pm my number as too much info

edit:language barrier prevented phone call hence answer below

Last edited by petrolhead on 4th Mar 2015 5:35 pm. Edited 2 times in total

A.Paaaho wrote:

I just fitted new Rainbow speakers to front doors. Wiring diagram doesn't show that there are any crossovers in the old system and the signal just split to tweeter and woofer. I connected the new crossover input to the woofer line and found out there are crossovers in the old system. Does anyone know where those might be?

Re my system build. I have decided against solid conduit and it will hold moisture so will go with the splis type conduit.

Sorry re no photos as in my haste I re-assembled the driver side rear panel.

Still awiting the encosure for my Alpine sub

I actually first wired tweeter and woofer to existing wires but the tweeter was way too loud. Couldn't adjust it to correct level with headunit so the first thing on my mind was that the new tweeter is more sensitive than old one. Can I reduce the volume of tweeter from amp without affecting woofer?

Well the std woofer is 2ohm but the std tweeter is about 3.5ohm

As for reducing the volume, try a 4ohm resistor soldered in series on the tweeter

Concerning the wiring this is what I found after looking at multiple schematics. But I can be wrong!

On the non- premium system; the tweeter is paralleled with the mid range speaker in the same door. Which makes sense.
On the premium system ( different amp) the tweeter in the door is paralleled with the in the mid-range dash speaker on the same side. The door in that case, has a woofer ( not a mid- range) which has its own connection to the amplifier in the boot.

lookd like when going to premium, you get a two way speaker system in the front.
So Petrolhead is talking about the premium setup. Which is different from what A.Paaaho has which is non- premium.