Want better sound and radio? Get DAB Radio on your Focus MK2

[@garryputt3784]

Thanks for detailed video. Well presented.

[@GentilsGarage]

Thank you very much

[@akawrench2961]

do you know what that white female connector is for ? from the connector box 4:18 ?

[@GentilsGarage]

I’m afraid I have no idea

[@stephenm5000]

I tried 2 x windscreen mounted DAB aerials (both branded), and they were less than useless. Though I do live in a rural area, I'm guessing if you live in a city and don't travel much they'd be fine. I finally got a reliable strong DAB signal using a £10 Halfords external MagMount aerial...

[@GentilsGarage]

I’ve bought Halfords one as it worked very well with a couple of other owners. However, at the time, I didn’t see that external Magmount aerial for sale in Halfords.

[@Case_]

It might also depend on specific windshield. Some windshields generally block reception a fair bit, especially if they are heated.

[@stephenm5000]

@@Case_ LOL It's an LX - they don't have heated screens, or much else to be honest 🤣

[@Case_]

@@stephenm5000 Well it's not limited to heated windshields, it's more complicated than that. But OK, I was just trying to point out a reason why the same aerial might work better for someone than for someone else, nothing more.

[@1breematt]

Hi .The Sony AX5500 is a good replacement as well

[@GentilsGarage]

Yes, and better than this one as it has CarPlay. The Kenwood I got is good, but it was what I could afford at the time 😂

[@rob.pittaway]

Can I ask why you chose not to use a Ford DAB aerial? Could you not have replaced the fm/am aerial that was on the car?

[@GentilsGarage]

I already had replaced the FM/AM aerial (it’s on a previous video) but regardless, I wanted DAB radio as some stopped broadcasting in FM as I mentioned. At the time of fitting this unit, Ford didn’t have the Focus MK2 DAB in stock and I couldn’t find any used ones either. I thought of using an aerial from the Focus MK3, but the mounting is slightly different and because they are mounted at the rear, the aerial is different and would look too vertical if mounted at the front of the MK2

[@rob.pittaway]

Oh right understood.

[@xapisxapilaou1557]

Great video helpful

[@GentilsGarage]

Thank you, glad it helped

[@CrankCase08]

No doubt a new aerial is needed if the windscreen requires replacement. I was considering changing the stock radio to DAB, but after seeing all the hassle, I'm not going to bother.

[@GentilsGarage]

A windscreen isn’t something that is often replaced. A few other owners have successfully peeled off the old aerial and used a new stick pad and reused the aerial. Every improvement comes with a degree of effort and input and I understand that not everyone isn’t prepared to spare the time to do it, so it’s a matter of personal choice. I don’t do certain things on this car because either I choose not to or I don’t think it’s worth it for me. However, what I’ve done in this video is anything but a hassle compared to other jobs I’ve done in this car.

[@chrisswann2868]

Hi Gentile, one other upgrade you could do, is to fit the Sony upgrade speakers these are Blue in colour, and is known as the Titanium upgrade consisting of Six speakers for all Four doors inc the tweeters for the rear doors. You will probably find the rear door cards have the circle marked out on the reverse, and the tweeter wire will be taped up ready to plug in. I got the complete set of E-bay, and this will enhance the sound of your new stereo.

[@GentilsGarage]

Thats good to know, I wasn’t aware of that. thank you for letting me know.

[@chrisswann2868]

Hi Gentile, another upgrade is the Titanium spec headlight switch unit. Although with this, you have to get the switch unit from a Focus C-max, which upgrades your car with the Titanium level dashboard lights dimmer switch function. However, It is not possible to use one from the Focus Titanium, as it has auto headlights, where as the Focus C-max has the same headlight function as your Zetec level spec, with no auto headlights function, but with the added benefit of dimming. Again, I got mine off E-bay. Hope this makes sense mate.

[@GentilsGarage]

@@chrisswann2868 thank you, that’s a good shout too. I’ll have a look

[@southparkfreak666]

Nice video! im going to try this on my '07 focus soon, Do you have any tips on how to get the steering wheel controls to work properly?

[@GentilsGarage]

Thank you. In my case, the unit came with a converter for the controls as it was second hand, so I guess you have to buy that separately in some cases.

[@laurencelagden]

I see you have a dash cam. My Nextbase when powered ruins my DAB signal. Interested to see how you get on.

[@GentilsGarage]

I have occasional dips, but that’s between counties. For example, I have to switch from Capital London to Capital Brighton when I go from Surrey to Sussex and vice versa. My wife’s MK3 is better, but not perfect. I will be hardwiring the dashcam in a future video, so it’ll be good to know.

[@laurencelagden]

@@GentilsGarage might be worth googling it as it’s a very common problem. I have fitted the later Sony DAB radio into my Focus with the Ford Bluetooth module. Works very well and streams music as I did the software update and fitted the C112 Bluetooth module but with my hardwired Nextbase camera it loses all DAB stations that are a bit on the weak side.

[@GentilsGarage]

With the older ford unit, I had occasional FM reception issues when I had my phone charging on the cigarette lighter. Haven’t used it since I had this unit, so that’s another things. I’ve read about stuff plugged to the cigarette lighter causing interference, but I’ll have a look regarding the DAB. I was tempered to get the BT module and the Sony unit, but I simply couldn’t be bothered with the faf about programming (did that with BMW’s in the past) so this was much easier and straight forward.

[@leetaylor3875]

I fitted dab in mine but did the dab airel better buy using the original Ford dab antenna as well as the microphone in the interior light But mine is a 2006 st225

[@GentilsGarage]

I could not find the original Ford DAB for sale. When I enquired on the forums and Fb groups, many had the same problem, so i went for this setup instead.

[@leetaylor3875]

It is expensive but found all parts on ebay brand new but all 4 parts needed for antenna come to £146

[@GentilsGarage]

I would prefer to use OEM too, but not many of us with a bog standard Focus would be able to spend that much on a DAB aerial kit and that’s the purpose of this video. If I had an ST, I would definitely go down the OEM route as well. At the time, I searched Ford and eBay and the DAB aerial for the mk2 was not available, only for the mk3 and that doesn’t fit unfortunately.

[@paulsmith6086]

Do you have a heated front screen, if you do how do you get on with reception on DAB with the heated screen.

[@GentilsGarage]

Yes, I have heated front screen and the DAB reception isn’t affected

[@Growler57]

Is the dab reception good..?.

[@GentilsGarage]

Yes, not bad actually.

[@divinesounds9887]

Can you still control your volume from your steering wheel after you installed the radio?

[@GentilsGarage]

yes, it came with an adapter/converter and works well

[@adyg8221]

Hi mate does the head unit turn on with out the ignition turned on? I’ve just fitted a Kenwood unit and it only works with ignition on or car running cheers

[@GentilsGarage]

same thing with mine, only with ignition on position 1

[@adyg8221]

@@GentilsGarage cheers mate thanks

[@davgle05]

What year is your focus

[@GentilsGarage]

2010

[@aaronmyrie]

@@GentilsGarage Same here! Using your video, I'm now going to fit my radio! Thanks a lot :) Very handy video!

[@johnbeanlands6062]

What happens if you need a windscreen replacement

[@GentilsGarage]

Just carefully peel it off and that helps to preserve the glue

[@fordgarajankara]

👍

[@razvanburada1648]

❤️❤️

[@scottsimpson3851]

Got a link for this radio? Thanks

[@GentilsGarage]

Here it is: www.halfords.com/technology/car-audio/dab-car-stereos/kenwood-dmx125dab-car-stereo-280022.html

[@scottsimpson3851]

@@GentilsGarage Thank you. Does this fit the fascia or is there an extra I need?

[@GentilsGarage]

@@scottsimpson3851 you need the mk2.5 fascia plate. Mine was a second hand unit that was previously fitted to a mk2.5. Here’s an example: www.dynamicsounds.co.uk/connects2-ct23fd07-ford-mondeo-focus-s-max-double-din-black-fascia-adaptor.html?tracking=60352430b19de&gclid=Cj0KCQjwpImTBhCmARIsAKr58cy57sVPDgF0rp0BuVx5fgmeYJQkMJMTOeYGM7bkeT2pCvOpbwzqhZYaAkw4EALw_wcB

[@RoPEK123xd]

​@@GentilsGaragegot 2 questions, since i recently bought a 2nd hand dab radio, also from kenwood. Kenwood Ddx4019dab, precisely. i spent so many days looking for a way to fit it in my focus mk2 fl from 2008 and just now realized, i had this video saved for later, 2 months ago, even before i bought the car itself. the first question being (a bit unrelated, but still) does mk2.5 refer to mk2 facelift version? and more importantly, is your kenwood the same size as mine? is it safe to just find the same fascia, order it, and finally get it done? or what's the screen size of your radio, i know mine's 6.2"

[@jeanjoy9731]

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