Leon Audio Questions

[AshCupra300]

I am thinking of getting rid of the Aura Head Unit and CD Changer for a decent single MP3 CD player.

Now I want to keep the OEM look as far as illumination goes but I am after some recomendations of what models to go for and I don't want to spend silly money, probably looking at a max of £150.

I am happy to keep the same level of sound quallity provided by the OEM unit so will not be upgrading the speakers.

 

[RichLCR225]

I am really pleased with my Alpine 9850Ri headunit, which came complete with a lead to connect my Ipod. It is a nice looking headunit and has the option of red backlight for the controls which is a pretty close match to the OEM red display for the dials. Sound quality isn't too bad either for the money

 

[RobM]

Check eBay for Becker head units. If you can find a Mexico Pro MP3, which you should be able to for that money, you'll be laughing.

I've just replaced my Alpine 9853R for a Becker Mexico Pro, mainly for the OE look, but the improvement in sound quality is very noticable too. The Becker is a much more 'HiFi' sounding unit, like listening to your home setup. Very nice, warm and detailed sound without the harshness Alpines are famed for. Don't get me wrong, Alpine make great units, but the Becker was a definite improvement.

Here's some pics so you can see what I mean about the OE looks...

 

[RichLCR225]

Hey Rob, your new Becker headunit looks really nice, that is the closest I have seen to OEM for an aftermarket unit. A good choice mate! I might have imagined this but I think Becker headunits are or were optional on some Ferrari models, how cool

Parrot with the red S logo looks good too, I have a pricture of the front of my LCR on mine

 

[warren_cox]

Rob M, thats a brilliant head unit for OEM look. Nice one mate.

 

[RobM]

Cheers

I'm yet to try it on this one, but Becker units in the past always worked with VAG group CD Changers. The last one I fitted was to a Polo GTi and the CD Changer plugged right in and worked instantly. So if it's the same with the Seat changer that's a big bonus

 

[AshCupra300]

Check eBay for Becker head units. If you can find a Mexico Pro MP3, which you should be able to for that money, you'll be laughing.

I've just replaced my Alpine 9853R for a Becker Mexico Pro, mainly for the OE look, but the improvement in sound quality is very noticable too. The Becker is a much more 'HiFi' sounding unit, like listening to your home setup. Very nice, warm and detailed sound without the harshness Alpines are famed for. Don't get me wrong, Alpine make great units, but the Becker was a definite improvement.

Here's some pics so you can see what I mean about the OE looks...

Cheers Rob, it was looking at these pics in another thread that started me off on this whole head unit swap in the first place, I thought the Beckers were around £300?

Does look the dogs as well....

 

[AshCupra300]

I am really pleased with my Alpine 9850Ri headunit, which came complete with a lead to connect my Ipod. It is a nice looking headunit and has the option of red backlight for the controls which is a pretty close match to the OEM red display for the dials. Sound quality isn't too bad either for the money

Cheers mate will take a look at them now.

Had a look, I want it all red, this has some blue illumination as well doesn't it.

 

[RobM]

Beckers are indeed £300+ new, but there is no harm in buying second hand. You'll end up with a better unit for your budget than if you bought new.

Keep an eye on eBay and also the forums at www.talkaudio.co.uk and I'm sure a Becker will crop up at some point. Be aware that the Mexico Pro, like all Beckers, come in different illumination colours. The model number changes depending on the illumination colour, but the actual unit itself is the same. Mine is the slightly older Mexico Pro MP3 and the model is 7932.

With regards to Alpine units colours... Many of them have the option to change the button colours, and red is an option. But the display is usually blue and white and not many (if any) models have the option to change that.

 

[AshCupra300]

Beckers are indeed £300+ new, but there is no harm in buying second hand. You'll end up with a better unit for your budget than if you bought new.

Keep an eye on eBay and also the forums at www.talkaudio.co.uk and I'm sure a Becker will crop up at some point. Be aware that the Mexico Pro, like all Beckers, come in different illumination colours. The model number changes depending on the illumination colour, but the actual unit itself is the same. Mine is the slightly older Mexico Pro MP3 and the model is 7932.

With regards to Alpine units colours... Many of them have the option to change the button colours, and red is an option. But the display is usually blue and white and not many (if any) models have the option to change that.

Cheers Rob, none on Ebay at the mo, will keep an eye out though.

 

[Dennis]

Probably a silly question but I take it it places CD's?

Does look good!!!

 

[RobM]

Yes, it does Dennis. It plays CD's, MP3 and WMA and it also has a very nice twin-RDS tuner built in which, combined with the powered aerial on the Leon, gives excellent radio quality

 

[Andy3004]

Yes, it does Dennis. It plays CD's, MP3 and WMA and it also has a very nice twin-RDS tuner built in which, combined with the powered aerial on the Leon, gives excellent radio quality

Stupid question I know, but does it have a flip front then....no obvious CD slot!!!

 

[RobM]

Yeah it does. If you look either side of the row of buttons along the top and bottom you'll see the join where the face plate meets the rest of it. The top right hand side button is used to lower the face and eject the disc.

The entire middle section drops down to reveal the CD slot and can also be removed for security reasons. This just leaves the right and left hand side sections, the bits with the knobs on

 

[Andy3004]

Cheers Rob!

If I ever upgrade the stereo, that's the one i'll get!!!