Headunit-less music playing in Miata

NYSpeed Automotive
1

Hopefully this is a proper location for this thread.

I really need tunes in my Miata. Such artists as Justin Timberlake, One Direction, Justin Beiber and Vanessa Carlton are all necessary while driving top down.

Goal: play One Direction in my 1990 Miata without using a head unit. I’d like to be able to plug an aux cord into my phone or iPod and have it play music into factory speakers. Charging of the device is not necessary.

Currently my Alpine head unit won’t turn on (looks like it’s probably just a power wire connector issue) so I’d like to eliminate the head unit altogether for a cleaner, more simple look. I’d just like 3.5mm aux connector installed in the dash to connect my phone/iPod to to play music.

How do I accomplish this?
What supplies would I need? I’ve read I’ll need a small amp and some cables (which ones?) How much would install cost to have an NYSpeed expert (or recommended audio place) do this for me? If it’s too much, I’ll do it myself but I still need expert advice on exactly what I need to buy.

Any help is greatly appreciated!

Paul b

2

You’ll need to wire in small 4 channel amp and just use the aux jacks on the amp to connect your phone.

or to make things simple just buy one of those head units without the CD Player for ~50 and relocate it inside the glove box.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/boss-in-dash-receiver-with-detachable-faceplate-and-remote-gray/2007348.p?id=1219068323600&skuId=2007348

3

That seems simple enough. Now I’ve read about using some sort of volume controller…would that plug directly into the amp?

4

I think @XwalkerX did something like this in his Rabbit he had.

5

If you’re just running the aux cord from your phone into the amp you’ll control the volume through the phone.

This seems really pointless to me though. Pick up a cheap head unit with bluetooth audio support and enjoy wirelessly streaming your music from your device to your car stereo, with a control unit that’s intuitive and easy to use while driving.

6

Go wireless and get a bluetooth adapter, wired directly to an amp.

These are good options
http://www.amazon.com/Fusion-MS-BT100-Bluetooth-Dongle-Marine/dp/B00CUMQU50
http://www.amazon.com/Kinivo-BTC450-Bluetooth-Hands-Free-Input/dp/B009NLTW60/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1432644185&sr=8-1&keywords=btc+bluetooth+adapter (this one has controls on it)

You can get some really compact amps these days, if you don’t already have one. http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_71986_Clarion-XC1410.html

But beware that without a headunit, you might end up needing a line driver to cleanup the output from your phone/bluetooth adapter. http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_27392_PAC-LD-10.html

7

Thank you for all the help.

Im all for going Bluetooth/wireless setup. Bluetooth music playing in my speed3 is lovely. Honestly didn’t know that was possible without the head unit.

I’d really like to go without a head unit, mainly for aesthetics. Stupid to some, I know.

Basically just mount a small amp behind the dash and run an aux cord to that or go bluetooth now that I know it’s possible.

My readings had said that volume control from phone or device wouldn’t be very good but if NYSpeed says its fine I’ll go with it.

Thanks for for those links. That Clarion amp seems like a smokin deal. Gonna start getting something together so I can listen to tunes.

8

For volume, you can always put this between your source (BT/Aux cable) and your amp: http://www.amazon.com/PAC-LC-1-Remote-Amplifier-Controller/dp/B0002J226O mount it somewhere :snky: and you’ll never see it.

9

Yes that is the exact thing Ive read about to help with volume. Ok so wire amp to car, plug in volume control and BT device and call it golden it sounds like. Hardest part for me will be wiring it into the car’s harness.

Thank you for all the links!

10

[sarcasm]The answer to all car audio questions is still:[/sarcasm]

http://www.southsideaudio.com/images/img22957312.jpg

(it’s a joke)

11

You may be in to something there, Josh.

12

http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQFAdLGVeZZeVf6eF5FNltfqPcS3TWI0NfZIfZU3U3D3BZ0mNXD5Q

13

nope

14

Not a bad idea, Norb, but how are people outside my vehicle going to be able to hear One Direction?

15

You’ll be singing it at the top of your lungs

16

I’ll just go with the headphones then.

17

:rofl:

18

beat me to it

Honestly for all the trouble you’re going to go through why not just stick a head unit in the glovebox

19

Maybe you just had a funky head-unit, who the hell remembers.

20

JL audio just came out with a wireless Bluetooth Mod that has RCA outputs for direct connection to an amplifier. Thats being said they also just released the mini marine amps that support 4 speakers.