Well, I finally found the color G I like (Athens blue), so I'm going to order my '05 6MT soon. I'm very unhappy with both the stock and Bose stereo systems compared to even my relatively midrange Pioneer HU and speakers I put in my 95 Maxima. Thus, I'm looking for ideas...

My goal is not to lock myself into something I'll regret. Down the road I'd like to do either a double DIN conversion and NAV/HU like the Eclipse or Kenwood. Either that or a mini-ITX carputer... Anyway, is there a decent set of speakers I can use with the stock HU without dropping the money for an amp, wiring, and installation? I am handy enough to replace the stocks myself if the replacements are close to drop-in. I figure a speaker upgrade is pretty cost effective, and I'm (I admit) an MP3 addict, so I don't fantastic quality...

I'm pretty new to car audio, however, so any advice would be much appreciated!

Thanks in advance,
RDaneel

 

Do you have a coupe or a sedan?

04 G35s 6MT BS Aero Kit/Nav/Prem
Warning: Objects in Mirror Are Losing!

 

D'oh - can't believe I didn't specify - I'm going for the coupe.

Normally (computers, home theater, etc.) I'd a research-the-hell-out-of-it kind of person, but I just can't spend dozens of hours figuring out the exact best option, especially because that will just lead to me spending too much. That's why I'm just looking for ideas now of improvments I can make one at a time, and things that will improve the stock performance even before I can afford a double din conversion and nav unit...

Thanks a ton!

 

hum......i got some JL fronts and rear speakers installed using the stock HU and it sounded pretty good until i installed my eclipse avn 2454 HU. Yea...it very different when u have a HU with the speakers. However i did have the 300/4 amp installed powering them tho. I don't know if i have helped tho! I have a sedan btw.

Ed

2003 Transport V35SKYLINE. Team Transport! www.teamtransport.org

 

Thanks for the info - which model JLs did you choose?

Also, I'm trying to figure out if the stock setup has a crossover setup for the front tweeters and main drivers that is reusable, or if any component kit will have a simple XO for the fronts...

Keep the advice coming!

 

Step one should be to get a good quality set of 6.5" components for your doors. These all have their own crossovers. I chose MB Quarts, but there are a lot of other good choices. You really need to either go to a meet and listen to various set ups, or a shop that has a listening area. While you have the doors apart, why not dynomat the insides of the doors? $300-$700

Step two is to decide if you want rear fill, or not. This will dictate whether you do rear side speakers or not. You probably want the best speakers you can find for your doors, but a step down is OK for most people for rear fill. And you probably want a coaxial speaker as well. Assuming you do want rear fill, this would be a good next step....more dynamat here as well. $200-400

Third is a sub/amp combo. Here you need to decide how many amplifier channels you will need, (depending on rear fill, or not; and whether you want one amp or two.) If you want to think about 5.1 surround, now's the time to make the choice. You'll probably want to remove your rear 6X9's at this point once you have a real sub in the car. The amp(s) will require heavy duty power wiring. You might want to dynamat the rear shelf and possibly trunk when you do the sub. $200-$1,000 amp(s) (at the low end of this range you may as well stick with the Bose); $200-$1500 subs/enclosures (the high end includes custom enclosure work.)

Step 4 is the double-din/ aftermarket HU. $1,000-$1,500 w/o Nav. Add another $1,200 or so to add nav.

If you want to get really extreme, the there's a lot of very nice custom install work on display in the 'Rides" section. Aside from a pro install, there are other steps to consider at the high end, such as dynomatting the entire interior, upgrading the electrical system with higher output alternators, caps, better batteries, etc.

Then comes video.....

04 G35s 6MT BS Aero Kit/Nav/Prem
Warning: Objects in Mirror Are Losing!

 

Nice, Racer - thanks for the detailed ideas. I agree that replacing the door speakers is the first step... I'll have to see what fits. I don't know exactly what to do with the stock tweets, but I can figure that out... Dynamat is a good call, too.

As for rear fill and subs - it seems like a lot of money for less of an improvement (from a usability standpoint) than a new HU, but I'll have to weigh that option.

I've heard good feedback on the MB Quarts, I'll give them a listen...

Thanks again!