OEM head unit gave up the ghost last weekend. Decided to replace it then figured why not go all out replace the speakers and add some subs.

In 12 hours I did the following....

Replaced stereo.
Replaced door speakers.
Ran all new speaker wires.
Made a new Din from the finest Fleather** in the country.
Made a new fleather cover for the armrest which had the old phone.
Installed the sub controller in the arm rest and a slot for the new stereo remote.
Built a new Sub box to custom fit the Jag trunk and still meet the required volume.
Ran the RCA and remote line for the sub to the head unit.
Removed the OEM sub in the rear deck so I now have a port opening for the bass.

I've done many car stereo installs but this Jag takes the cake. Not an easy car to work on. On the plus side it sounds amazing! Here are some pics I snapped.






**Fake-Leather

 

Got BASS?

 

I am glad that you are happy with the result. I don't care for the sound of the stock set up (VDP) either, but I prefer the stock look of the interior, to the good sound on the road.

These "modern" radios just don't look right (IMO) in the X308 interior, no matter how well they've been done. To me,....music on the road is secondary to the aestetics of the interior, and the sounds the engine makes on the road. On a longer trip, I might turn the unit on, but not for long, and the sound quality is not that important.

When I travel with wife, we never drive the Jags, we are in W220, which has the superb sound system from the factory.

 

I've always enjoyed a nice stereo in my cars. In fact I've never owned a car that I didn't upgrade. I travel a fair amount for work and I hate renting cars because the stereos are so awful. I prefer to not turn them on at all than listen to tingy crap. I really REALLY liked the look of the stock XJ8 stereo. I was planning on keeping it and just upgrading the speakers, and adding a sub box but it died on me and I just could not justify spending more money on a 10 year old headunit with all the cool features that the new units have. This headunit fully integrates with my Android phone automatically. All my MP3's, Pandora, Phonebook are all on there as soon as I turn the car on. I never have to take the phone out of my pocket. Its a much welcomed feature for me.

 

The Alpine 320w option is more than adequate, I am sure the Harmon Kardon
240w is also. The small aftermarket-style ones are just not the right shape/size
to fit in there in my view. Glad you went for a nice upgrade though.

A mod that is sounding more and more appealing would be MP3, maybe
a bespoke Zune connection (if that is even possible I am not sure)

Ian

 

Yikes I bet you are as scream at a concert or party? lol

"music on the road is secondary to the aestetics of the interior, and the sounds the engine makes on the road. On a longer trip, I might turn the unit on, but not for long, and the sound quality is not that important."

 

For everything...there is a time. SomeTIMES, I try to remember that.