SMART
Upgrade your smart car’s factory audio system with Focal Inside Plug & Play speaker kits from Focal Australia. Each vehicle-specific package is engineered for OEM fitment, using original mounting points and plug-in connectors so there is no cutting, no splicing and no permanent modification to the compact cabin. Installation is clean, fast and fully reversible, making these kits ideal for city cars and daily drivers where you want better sound without changing the interior.
By replacing the standard factory speakers with high-performance Focal drivers, these Plug & Play kits deliver stronger mid-bass, clearer vocals and smoother, more detailed highs than the original system can provide. You keep your factory head unit, controls and vehicle features, while enjoying a much more engaging, dynamic in-car listening experience on every urban commute and weekend run.
The attached table shows all vehicles that currently have a compatible Focal Inside system available. For exact speaker, subwoofer and amplifier options, please use the Focal Inside Configurator or contact your nearest Authorised Focal Dealer.
SMART Compatibility Guide
Installation and Compatibility Notes:
- Compatibility information provided is intended as a general guide only and may vary depending on your vehicle's model year, build date, trim level, country of origin, factory audio system, optional equipment and other vehicle specifications.
- If a Focal plug & play harness and amplifier is listed for your vehicle, it is designed for non-factory amplified audio systems only and is not compatible with factory amplified systems.
- Focal plug & play harnesses are designed for use with the original factory head unit. If your vehicle has an aftermarket head unit installed, alternative wiring adaptors or a conventional wiring kit may be required.
- Compatibility should always be confirmed by an Authorised Focal Australia Dealer prior to purchase or installation to ensure the correct products are selected for your specific vehicle.
- Professional installation by an Authorised Focal Australia Dealer is strongly recommended to achieve the best performance, ensure correct fitment and maintain product warranty.
| Series | Model | Body / Variant | Years | Front Speakers (If Component) | Rear Speakers (If Component) | Rear Shelf / Comment | Front Speakers (If Coaxial) | Rear Speakers (If Coaxial) | Rear Shelf Coaxial / Comment | Centre Speaker | Harness Head Unit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forfour 4 Doors | 2014-2022 | IS RNS 165 | IC RNS 165 | IW-REN-YISO | |||||||
| Fortwo | 2014-2023 | IS RNS 165 | IC RNS 165 | IW-REN-YISO | |||||||
| Fortwo EV Electric | 2016-2023 | IS RNS 165 | IC RNS 165 | IW-REN-YISO | |||||||
| Fortwo brabus no jbl | 2014-2023 | IS RNS 165 | IC RNS 165 | IW-REN-YISO | |||||||
| Fortwo Cabriolet | 2014-2023 | IS RNS 165 | IC RNS 165 | IW-REN-YISO |
More Plug & Play Packages Coming Soon
We’re continually expanding our range of Focal Plug & Play packages to support the latest vehicles.
Can’t find a package for your vehicle? A compatible upgrade may still be available.
We may already offer suitable Focal speakers, amplifiers and upgrade solutions for your vehicle that haven’t yet been added to our website.
Contact us or speak with your nearest Authorised Focal Dealer to discover the best upgrade options for your vehicle.
More Plug & Play Packages Coming Soon
We’re continually expanding our range of Focal Plug & Play packages to support the latest vehicles.
Can’t find a package for your vehicle? A compatible upgrade may still be available.
We may already offer suitable Focal speakers, amplifiers and upgrade solutions for your vehicle that haven’t yet been added to our website.
Contact us or speak with your nearest Authorised Focal Dealer to discover the best upgrade options for your vehicle.
More Plug & Play Packages Coming Soon
We’re continually expanding our range of Focal Plug & Play packages to support the latest vehicles.
Can’t find a package for your vehicle? A compatible upgrade may still be available.
We may already offer suitable Focal speakers, amplifiers and upgrade solutions for your vehicle that haven’t yet been added to our website.
Contact us or speak with your nearest Authorised Focal Dealer to discover the best upgrade options for your vehicle.
Search For Other Products That Could Suit Your Vehicle
Want more flexibility when choosing the exact speaker, sound profile and performance level for your car audio upgrade? Focal Australia authorised dealers can professionally create custom spacers, adapters and installation solutions, giving you access to a wider range of Focal products for your vehicle.
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More Brand Information
smart (stylised “smart”) is a compact, city-first automotive brand that started in 1994 as Micro Compact Car AG (MCC) — a Swatch + Daimler-Benz joint venture formed in Switzerland, created to build an innovative urban car for tight streets and tight parking. Daimler took full ownership in 1998, and smart operated for years inside the Mercedes-Benz group structure, building its reputation around microcars and subcompacts — especially the smart fortwo and forfour — with major production at Smartville in Hambach, France. In 2019, smart was reinvented again through a 50:50 Mercedes-Benz AG and Geely joint venture (Smart Automobile Co., Ltd.) headquartered in Ningbo, China, set up to develop and sell smart vehicles globally with a clear all-electric direction (with European distribution/aftersales handled via a Stuttgart-based entity).
smart is known for urban mobility, not luxury limos or heavy-duty work trucks: small footprint, easy manoeuvring, quick city acceleration, and “park-anywhere” practicality. The brand’s signature innovation is making tiny cars genuinely safe — the Tridion safety cell, plus standard safety tech like airbags and stability systems, helped smart punch above its weight in the microcar class. Electrification is another key keyword: Daimler introduced the smart electric drive fortwo in 2007, building credibility in compact EV ownership long before EVs were mainstream.
Globally, smart has been strongest in Europe’s city markets, and the newer Mercedes-Geely structure supports broader international reach, with modern smart EVs (including smart #1 and smart #3) positioned as German-designed, China-built electric vehicles. The brand’s purpose is straightforward: deliver premium, connected, electric urban transport that’s simple to live with, space-efficient, and engineered for real city life — not showroom theatre.
Speaker and Car Audio Upgrade FAQs
A correctly designed smart speaker upgrade can deliver clearer vocals, firmer mid-bass, smoother high frequencies, lower distortion and more convincing low-frequency performance while retaining the original dashboard, infotainment controls and essential vehicle functions.
The correct products cannot be chosen from the smart badge alone. The brand spans the earlier Fortwo and Forfour city cars, combustion and electric powertrains, Brabus variants, optional JBL premium systems and a new generation of larger electric SUVs. A standard-audio 2017 Fortwo is fundamentally different from a current #1 Premium with 13-speaker Beats audio or a #5 with a 20-speaker Sennheiser system.
Focal publishes genuine application information for six selected smart vehicles. The current system diagrams use IS RNS 165 front component speakers with ISUB ACTIVE 2.1, which adds compact bass and amplification for the front channels. That is meaningful Focal Inside coverage, but it does not establish one universal smart kit.
The Australian category adds products and compatibility fields that do not appear in those global diagrams. These may represent useful local data, but the speaker position, harness role and original audio configuration must be made clear. In particular, a Renault/Dacia Y-ISO harness should not be assumed compatible merely because the Forfour and Fortwo share engineering with a Renault platform.
The safest structure offers two pathways:
- Confirmed Focal Inside products for exact compatible standard-audio Fortwo and Forfour applications
- Professionally measured and tailored Focal systems for JBL, Beats, Sennheiser, unsupported generations, current EVs and any vehicle requiring adaptation
Both pathways can deliver a worthwhile improvement. The distinction prevents incorrect purchases, protects the vehicle and provides search engines and answer engines with a more accurate explanation of what Focal Australia can genuinely offer.
1. Can the factory audio system in a smart be upgraded with Focal?
Yes. Many smart factory audio systems can be improved with correctly selected Focal products, although the parts and installation method depend heavily on the generation and original audio package.
For selected 2014-2021 Fortwo and Forfour vehicles with standard audio, Focal publishes a Powered 4.1 recommendation using IS RNS 165 component speakers and ISUB ACTIVE 2.1. The component kit replaces the front woofer and tweeter arrangement, while the compact active subwoofer adds deeper bass and amplifies the front channels. This is the clearest documented smart upgrade pathway.
Other vehicles may require a tailored system. A custom installation can include front component speakers, rear speakers where physical positions exist, a compact amplifier, digital signal processor, high-level integration, powered or passive subwoofer, custom mounting adaptors and Focal BAM acoustic treatment. The design should suit the small cabin and preserve usable storage rather than chase component count.
The expected improvements are clearer speech and vocals, better instrument separation, stronger mid-bass, smoother treble and less strain at useful listening levels. In a Fortwo, accurate front staging and controlled bass can be more valuable than forcing extra speakers into limited locations. In a Forfour or current SUV, rear-seat coverage may form part of a broader system design.
Before choosing products, confirm the model, generation, build date, body style, trim, country of origin and powertrain. The installer must identify the original speaker count, factory amplifier, premium-audio option, impedance, connector, mounting depth and source-signal behaviour.
JBL, Beats and Sennheiser systems sit outside the basic standard-audio pathway. They use dedicated amplification, more channels and system-specific tuning. They can still be assessed for improvement, repair or integration, but they require measurement rather than a catalogue-only speaker swap.
2. Does Focal offer dedicated smart Plug & Play speaker kits?
Focal offers selected Focal Inside products and system recommendations for smart vehicles, but there is no single boxed kit that fits every smart.
The current global selector contains six applications. For each of the reviewed model pages, Focal shows IS RNS 165 in the front doors and ISUB ACTIVE 2.1 as a Powered 4.1 configuration. Focal also states that the products shown in its installation diagrams are sold separately. Customers should therefore think of the page as a compatible component plan, not one universal package.
IS RNS 165 is a 165 mm two-way component kit. Focal specifies a 57.1 mm mounting depth, 4-ohm nominal impedance, 60-watt RMS rating and efficient 92.7 dB sensitivity. The separate aluminium tweeter includes mounting options that help an installer adapt it to the vehicle. Those specifications are useful, but they do not replace the model-specific physical and electrical check.
ISUB ACTIVE 2.1 is an ultra-compact active 8-inch subwoofer with two amplified front channels. Focal supplies Plug & Play ISO cabling with the product, but the exact connection route and source compatibility still need to be verified in the vehicle. It is not a direct replacement for a JBL, Beats or Sennheiser factory subwoofer.
The category also displays IC RNS 165, Impulse 4.320, other compact subwoofers, IW-REN-YISO and HILO V3. Those products should not all be presented as part of the documented smart system. IC RNS 165 does not appear in the six current smart diagrams. IW-REN-YISO is described locally for Renault and Dacia head units, and HILO V3 is a universal converter.
The accurate claim is that Focal provides a documented vehicle-friendly solution for selected standard-audio smart models, with additional Focal products available through professional system design.
3. Which smart models appear in Focal’s current vehicle selector?
Focal’s current public smart selector contains six model and body-style applications:
- smart Forfour 2, listed for 2014-2021
- smart Fortwo Brabus, listed for 2014-2021
- smart Fortwo Convertible, listed for 2014-2021
- smart Fortwo Convertible Trad, listed for 2014-2021
- smart Fortwo Coupe, listed for 2014-2021
- smart Fortwo EV, listed from 2016
These applications focus on the third-generation Fortwo/second-generation Forfour family rather than the earlier 450, 451 or first Forfour generations. They also do not include the new #1, #3 or #5 electric SUVs.
Each reviewed model page displays the same Powered 4.1 concept: IS RNS 165 component speakers in the front doors with ISUB ACTIVE 2.1 providing an 8-inch subwoofer and two channels of front amplification. Focal excludes vehicles fitted with the original Premium Hi-Fi option and says that compatibility must be checked before purchase.
The selector terminology should be translated carefully into customer-facing language. Forfour 2 is clearer when paired with its W453 generation and five-door hatch body. Convertible and Cabriolet are alternative terms for the open-top Fortwo. Convertible Trad is not self-explanatory to an Australian owner and should not be copied into the category table without a note identifying the underlying equipment or body distinction.
Dates also need care. The Australian category uses 2014-2022 or 2014-2023 for several rows, while the current Focal pages use 2014-2021. Registration year, production year and final-market availability are not always the same. The category should use Focal’s supported period unless a later local application record can be documented.
The six selector records are the strongest current evidence. They remain subject to build date, standard-audio specification and physical confirmation.
4. What should be corrected in the Focal Australia smart compatibility table?
The table is useful, but several fields currently overstate or blur what the source data proves.
First, the five Australian rows do not map cleanly to Focal’s six global applications. The Forfour description is informal, the Fortwo variants are merged or renamed, and the category does not explain Convertible Trad. The model names and date ranges should be aligned with the current selector or clearly identified as separate Focal Australia records.
Second, every row lists both IS RNS 165 and IC RNS 165. The global smart diagrams show IS RNS 165 at the front with ISUB ACTIVE 2.1; they do not show IC RNS 165 in a front, rear or shelf position. The coaxial product should be removed unless a local technical record names a real speaker position and confirms depth, mounting and connector requirements.
Third, every row lists IW-REN-YISO. The global smart pages do not show this harness. The Australian product page markets it for Renault and Dacia factory head units and the Impulse 4.320. A smart sharing Renault-derived engineering does not prove that its radio connector, pin allocation or system behaviour is identical.
Fourth, Fortwo brabus no jbl should become a properly formatted model and audio-system condition. The table should say Fortwo Brabus in the model field and standard audio only – not compatible with JBL in a status or notes field.
The most useful improvement is a visible status column. Suggested values are Current Focal selector, Focal Australia local record, Standard audio only, Premium system excluded, Harness requires verification and Custom assessment required. That preserves local knowledge without making every field look equally proven.
5. Can a smart Fortwo Coupe or Cabriolet receive a Focal upgrade?
Yes. Selected 2014-2021 Fortwo Coupe and Convertible vehicles have current Focal Inside application pages, provided they use the compatible standard factory audio system.
Focal’s recommended system combines IS RNS 165 front component speakers with ISUB ACTIVE 2.1. In a two-seat Fortwo, this front-focused approach is logical: the soundstage should be built ahead of the occupants, while the compact active subwoofer supplies low-frequency extension and front-channel power without requiring a large enclosure.
The body style still matters. Coupe and Cabriolet trim panels, storage spaces and cabin acoustics are not identical. The convertible roof mechanism, rear trim and reduced enclosure effect can change bass performance. Cable routing and subwoofer placement must not interfere with roof operation, seat travel, airbags, storage or service access.
The exact 453-series vehicle must be identified. Earlier Fortwo 450 and 451 generations should not inherit the 2014-on application. A later EQ Fortwo should be treated as an electric variant with its own production and equipment check. Imported vehicles can also carry audio options uncommon in Australia.
Check whether the car has separate factory tweeters, the standard radio, navigation equipment, a factory amplifier or JBL. The grille and door appearance alone may not identify the electrical architecture. The installer should verify speaker impedance, connector, polarity, mounting depth and window clearance before fitting the product.
A Fortwo can sound substantially better without becoming visually intrusive. Careful speaker sealing, targeted BAM treatment and correct crossover setup often matter more in the small cabin than simply adding output. The goal should be clean, stable sound at realistic listening levels while preserving the compact car’s practicality.
6. Can a smart Fortwo Electric Drive or EQ receive an audio upgrade safely?
Yes. Focal currently lists a Fortwo EV application from 2016 and recommends the same IS RNS 165 plus ISUB ACTIVE 2.1 Powered 4.1 concept for a compatible standard-audio vehicle.
An electric powertrain does not prevent an audio upgrade. The car still has a conventional low-voltage electrical system for accessories, and approved car-audio equipment operates from that supply. However, the installation must be designed around the exact EV rather than treated like a petrol Fortwo with a different badge.
The installer should confirm the low-voltage power source, charging behaviour, safe fuse position, grounding point, cable route and available current. High-voltage orange cabling, battery components and EV control modules must not be disturbed. Power wiring should be fused correctly and routed away from interference-sensitive or safety-related systems.
All vehicle sounds must remain operational. This includes indicators, parking tones, infotainment prompts, calls and internal warnings. The external Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System is separate from entertainment audio and must never be disabled, rerouted or treated as a replacement-speaker channel.
An EV’s quieter drivetrain can expose distortion, hiss, panel vibration and poor tuning more clearly. That makes efficient speakers, low-noise integration, gain structure and acoustic treatment particularly important. It does not automatically mean that a more powerful system is required.
The Focal selector’s open-ended 2016- date should not be read as compatibility with every future smart EV. It refers to the Fortwo EV model family shown on that page, not the #1, #3, #5 or forthcoming #2. Build date, Coupe or Cabriolet body, standard versus JBL audio and the exact original head unit still need confirmation before a parts list is issued.
7. Can the smart Forfour factory audio system be upgraded?
Yes. Focal lists the second-generation Forfour for 2014-2021 and shows IS RNS 165 front component speakers with ISUB ACTIVE 2.1 for compatible standard-audio vehicles.
The Forfour provides a larger cabin and rear seating than the Fortwo, but the current Focal page still presents a front-stage-plus-subwoofer system rather than a front-and-rear speaker replacement. This is important because the Australian category currently lists IC RNS 165 without showing a verified position. A Forfour may have rear speaker locations, but the exact product, mounting method and electrical arrangement must be documented before the category promises a rear upgrade.
The W453 Forfour shares substantial engineering with the Renault Twingo III. That relationship helps explain why Renault-family Focal products appear in the application. It does not make every Renault speaker or harness automatically compatible. Door structure, trim, connector pinout, speaker count and original radio options still need to match.
Standard and JBL audio must be separated. HARMAN documented a 12-speaker JBL Forfour system using an eight-channel DSP amplifier and removable subwoofer. That is a far more complex architecture than the standard passive system and should not use the ordinary Focal Powered 4.1 recommendation without a measured plan.
For a standard-audio car, upgrading the front stage first can deliver the strongest benefit to the driver. ISUB ACTIVE 2.1 can add bass and improve control, while rear fill can be assessed later if a verified speaker position and product are available.
Because many Forfour vehicles are imported and several years old, inspect previous radio work, damaged clips, moisture barriers, wiring repairs and speaker condition. A professional installation should repair those issues and seal the new speakers correctly rather than treating fitment as a quick parts exchange.
8. What is different about Brabus and JBL-equipped smart vehicles?
Brabus identifies a performance or styling variant; it does not by itself confirm which audio system is installed. The exact vehicle may have standard audio or the optional JBL premium system.
Focal has a current Fortwo Brabus application, but its page explicitly excludes the original Premium Hi-Fi option. The Australian table reflects this with no jbl, although the wording should be moved into a clear compatibility note.
The JBL system is not simply a better pair of door speakers. HARMAN documented eight speakers and a six-channel DSP amplifier in the Fortwo, including a centre speaker, tweeters, low-midrange door speakers, surround speakers and removable subwoofer. The Forfour system used 12 speakers, an eight-channel DSP amplifier and a removable subwoofer. HARMAN also published 240-watt Fortwo and 320-watt Forfour figures for these systems.
That architecture means individual channels may carry limited frequency ranges, equalisation, time alignment and processed surround information. Speaker impedance and amplifier load may differ from the standard system. Removing one driver and fitting a nominally similar 165 mm product can upset tonal balance or create an unsuitable electrical load.
A JBL-equipped car can still be assessed. The installer may repair a failed factory component, integrate after the original amplifier, combine selected replacement speakers with a suitable DSP or redesign the system more extensively. The correct solution depends on signal measurements and the owner’s objectives.
Do not assume that Brabus means JBL, or that non-Brabus means standard audio. Check the equipment list, speaker grilles, centre and surround locations, factory subwoofer, amplifier and wiring. Only a confirmed standard-audio Brabus should follow the ordinary IS RNS 165 and ISUB ACTIVE 2.1 pathway shown by Focal.
9. Can the current smart #1 audio system be upgraded with Focal?
Potentially, but the smart #1 does not currently appear in Focal’s public smart vehicle selector. It should be treated as a professionally assessed custom project, not as an extension of the Fortwo/Forfour Plug & Play range.
Australian #1 models use different audio systems by grade. Launch specification material identifies a basic five-speaker system in Pro+, while Premium and BRABUS receive a 640-watt Beats system with a dedicated amplifier, 13 speakers and a subwoofer. Those two architectures require separate recommendations.
The Pro+ may appear simpler, but speaker size alone is not enough. The installer must inspect the door and dashboard locations, connectors, impedance, available depth and source-channel behaviour. The factory head unit can apply equalisation, protection limiting or bass reduction that affects the result of a direct speaker change.
The Beats system requires a multi-channel integration strategy. It has more speakers, dedicated amplification and vehicle-specific tuning. Replacing selected drivers without measuring each channel can damage the balance created by the factory DSP. A suitable project may retain the original source and amplifier functions while integrating at a carefully chosen point, or it may use an advanced DSP and amplification design.
The #1 is also a modern connected EV. The audio system can carry calls, navigation, media, interface feedback, parking tones and warnings. All functions and over-the-air software behaviour must remain intact. The work must stay within the low-voltage system and avoid high-voltage components and safety wiring.
Platform relationships with Geely, Volvo or Zeekr do not prove Focal compatibility. A shared vehicle architecture can still use different speakers, amplifiers, connectors, software and cabin tuning. The #1 needs its own verified installation data.
10. Can the smart #3 Beats audio system be upgraded?
It can be investigated, but there is no current public Focal Inside application for the smart #3. The vehicle should be approached as a separate custom EV audio project.
Australian #3 specification broadly mirrors the #1. The entry Pro+ uses a simpler factory system, while Premium and BRABUS models are equipped with 640-watt Beats audio. smart’s Australian material and local reviews identify 13 speakers for the premium configuration.
The #3’s body shape and cabin are different from the #1 even though the vehicles share underlying technology. Door volumes, speaker positions, grille shapes, rear-quarter packaging, boot space and acoustic reflections can change. A product or tune developed for #1 should not be transferred without physical and electrical confirmation.
For standard audio, an installer should measure the original signal and identify whether the speakers receive full-range or filtered content. Efficient Focal speakers may improve clarity, but an amplifier or DSP can be required if the source is heavily equalised or power-limited.
For Beats audio, the factory amplifier and channel structure are central to the design. The system may use different crossover bands, equalisation and delays for individual drivers. The installer should document all channels, voltages, impedance and retained functions before recommending replacement speakers or signal integration.
Subwoofer work also requires care. A factory subwoofer channel can be limited or volume-dependent, and the cargo area remains valuable. A custom enclosure, compact active product or DSP-managed bass system should be chosen around signal quality, electrical capacity and the owner’s space requirements.
The #3 can be an excellent candidate for a refined Focal system, but the honest commercial position is custom assessment required, not Plug & Play.
11. What is the upgrade position for smart #5 and the forthcoming #2?
Neither vehicle should currently be included in the smart Plug & Play compatibility table.
The smart #5 represents a major change in vehicle size, architecture and factory audio. Sennheiser documents a Signature Sound System using 20 high-fidelity speakers, Concerto software and AMBEO technology. This is a deeply integrated immersive-audio system, not a conventional four-speaker layout.
Any #5 project must begin with the exact Australian variant and equipment specification. A vehicle with the Sennheiser system may use channel-specific processing, height or immersive effects, active amplification and software-controlled sound modes. Driver replacement, added amplification or subwoofer integration could affect the complete spatial presentation if performed without measurement and retuning.
A base or non-Sennheiser #5, where offered, would still need its own inspection. The absence of the premium badge does not establish the same speaker, signal or connector arrangement as #1 or #3.
Sennheiser also states that smart plans to relaunch its iconic two-seat urban car as the electric #2 and that it will feature a Sennheiser sound system. That makes the #2 relevant to the informational article, but it is not evidence for any current Focal product fitment. Final production specification, market availability and Australian equipment can change.
The correct SEO approach is to answer owner questions without manufacturing compatibility. Explain that #5 and #2 audio can be professionally assessed, that Focal may support a tailored system where technically appropriate, and that a dedicated Focal Inside claim must wait for verified application data.
12. Will the original screen, controls, calls and warning sounds remain operational?
They should. Retaining original vehicle functions is a core requirement of a properly designed smart audio upgrade.
In an older standard-audio Fortwo or Forfour, the Focal pathway normally retains the original head unit and changes downstream speakers, amplification and bass. Steering-wheel controls, Bluetooth calls and normal radio functions should continue working because the factory interface remains in place.
However, retention cannot be promised from a product name alone. A harness must match the exact head-unit connector and pinout. The current smart application pages do not display IW-REN-YISO, and the Australian product page describes that harness for Renault and Dacia. It should not be connected to a smart until the original radio and wiring have been confirmed.
Current #1, #3 and #5 vehicles integrate far more functions into the infotainment and audio architecture. Media, calls, navigation, voice assistance, interface feedback, parking tones and safety warnings can share speakers and amplification. A premium system may route different functions through different channels.
The installer should create a pre-installation function checklist, record how the vehicle behaves and retest every item after the work. Warning and parking-tone levels should remain appropriate; they should not become dangerously loud because extra amplification was added.
EV external warning sound hardware must remain untouched. Audio work should also avoid airbag wiring, restraint connectors, crash sensors and high-voltage cabling.
Keeping the factory screen does not necessarily mean every factory amplifier or speaker must remain unchanged. It means the new design uses suitable interfaces and tuning so the driver experiences the expected controls and alerts without faults. This is one reason professional installation matters more than a nominally matching speaker diameter.
13. Does a smart speaker upgrade need an amplifier or DSP?
Not every project needs both, but amplification and digital signal processing can make a major difference when selected for the right reason.
Efficient IS RNS 165 speakers can provide a worthwhile improvement from a compatible standard head unit. Focal’s current smart recommendation goes further by adding ISUB ACTIVE 2.1, which includes an active subwoofer and two channels of amplification for the front speakers. That can improve bass, control and usable headroom in one compact product.
The category also displays Impulse 4.320. This is a compact four-channel amplifier, not a complete smart package. It needs a confirmed signal connection, suitable extension cable, safe fused power, ground and professional setup. The category’s IW-REN-YISO record must be verified against the exact smart head unit before it is used.
A DSP becomes valuable when the factory source applies equalisation, crossover filtering, bass reduction, time alignment or multiple processed channels. It can combine and correct signals, set crossovers, equalise the response and align arrival times. It cannot restore information that the source never provides, so measurement comes before product choice.
JBL, Beats and Sennheiser systems already use factory DSP. Adding another processor without understanding the original processing can make the result worse. Integration may need to occur after the factory amplifier, through a suitable interface or as part of a carefully redesigned multi-channel system.
In a tiny cabin, gain structure and tuning are critical. Excess amplifier power is not the objective. The system should be quiet at idle, preserve warnings, protect the speakers and deliver balanced sound from the driver’s position. A modest, well-tuned system will outperform a larger collection of components connected without a plan.
14. Can a compact subwoofer and Focal BAM improve a smart sound system?
Yes. Bass extension and acoustic treatment can be particularly effective in a smart, provided the products are matched to the limited space and original audio system.
Focal’s documented Powered 4.1 solution uses ISUB ACTIVE 2.1. It combines an 8-inch active subwoofer with two amplified front channels in a 328 mm by 230 mm by 63 mm enclosure. Focal rates it at 130 watts RMS and supplies Plug & Play ISO cabling. Its compact format makes it relevant to selected Fortwo and Forfour applications where clearance and connection are confirmed.
ISUB ACTIVE, ISUB TWIN and other specialised subwoofers may also be suitable in a tailored design, but they are not shown as direct smart replacements in the current model pages. Check seat travel, passenger feet, storage, ventilation, wiring, signal and access before selection.
JBL, Beats and Sennheiser vehicles already include factory sub-bass in many configurations. Adding another subwoofer without measuring the existing channel can create cancellation, delay problems or excessive upper bass. The installer may need a summed and corrected signal, DSP alignment or a different integration point.
Focal BAM can reduce door-panel resonance, absorb unwanted energy and decouple trim around a compatible speaker installation. In the lightweight doors and compact cabin of a smart, targeted treatment can improve mid-bass definition and reduce rattles without consuming luggage space.
Treatment must not block drains, foul the window mechanism, cover service openings permanently, obstruct crash sensors or interfere with airbags. More material is not automatically better; it should be placed according to the actual panel and vibration behaviour.
The subwoofer extends low bass, while BAM helps the speakers and panels behave more predictably. Combined with correct sealing, crossovers and tuning, they can make the system sound cleaner and more complete rather than merely louder.
15. How is smart compatibility confirmed, and what should an upgrade cost?
Compatibility should be confirmed from the vehicle itself and then checked against the relevant Focal and Focal Australia application data.
The customer should provide the exact model, generation, year, build date, VIN details, body style, trim, powertrain and country of origin. They should also identify standard audio, JBL, Beats or Sennheiser where possible. Photographs of the head unit, speaker grilles, boot and under-seat areas can help, but uncertain applications need physical inspection.
The installer should verify:
- Original speaker count, locations and sizes
- Component or coaxial layout and separate tweeter positions
- Mounting pattern, depth, grille and window clearance
- Connector type, pinout, polarity and wiring condition
- Speaker impedance and factory-amplifier load
- Standard, JBL, Beats, Sennheiser or another audio package
- Full-range or filtered source signals and factory processing
- Calls, navigation, warning sounds and parking tones
- Safe space for an amplifier or compact subwoofer
- Low-voltage power, fused supply and ground
- EV cable routes and separation from high-voltage systems
- Previous aftermarket work, repairs or damaged trim
At the time of this audit, the category displays HILO V3 at approximately $105, IW REN YISO at $100, Impulse 4.320 at $549, IS RNS 165 at $850 and ISUB ACTIVE 2.1 at $965. These are individual product prices, not complete installed-system quotations, and they can change.
A documented standard-audio front-stage installation costs less than a custom Beats or Sennheiser project. Amplification, DSP, acoustic treatment, custom fabrication, premium-system integration and detailed tuning add products and labour. An older Fortwo or Forfour may also need clips, wiring repair, moisture remediation or trim work.
The most useful quotation separates products, installation labour, adaptors or fabrication, acoustic treatment, integration and tuning. It should state what factory functions are retained and whether the project can be staged.
Use genuine Australian Focal stock and professional installation. An Authorised Focal Australia Dealer can confirm current pricing, installation scope and applicable warranty terms for the exact vehicle.
Disclaimer
All vehicle manufacturer names, vehicle model names and other brand references appearing on this website are used solely for identification, informational and compatibility purposes, including to assist consumers in identifying Focal aftermarket audio products that may be suitable for their vehicle.
Focal products displayed within vehicle-specific pages are aftermarket audio products and are not represented original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts unless expressly stated otherwise.
References to vehicle manufacturers, makes and models are intended only to describe the application, compatibility or intended use of the relevant Focal aftermarket product and should not be interpreted as indicating any commercial relationship, partnership, sponsorship or endorsement by the referenced vehicle manufacturer.
Vehicle compatibility may vary according to model year, vehicle specification, factory audio system, equipment level and market configuration. Compatibility information should therefore be used as a guide, and customers should consult an Authorised Focal Australia Dealer to confirm suitability before purchasing or installing any aftermarket Focal product.




































