Stereo Help for Dummies...
#1
07-07-2005 | 09:21 AM
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Stereo Help for Dummies...
Let me start off by saying that I know almost NOTHING about stereos.
What I do know is that I have a 2004.5 stock stereo that is DRIVING ME NUTS! I'm on my 2nd head unit and the speakers are CONSTANTLY cutting in and out on me.
I've been told that I should buy a double din unit and upgrade the head unit and then get new speakers...
My questions:
1. Can someone post a part number for the Double DIN?
2. Can someone post a link or two to a good place to buy this item?
It's my understanding that once I have the Double DIN I'll need to buy a new head unit.
3. Any recommendations for something not too expensive that will work with the steering wheel controls? I like the 6 disc, in dash CD player but wouldn't mind losing the cassette player in the swap...
Also, I don't want a large sub but I would like to replace the stock speakers (and probably the amp???) so that the stereo sounds louder, more crisp and clear and more like a LEXUS stereo system.
4. What are some reasonably priced speakers that would do what I need and fit into the stock speaker locations?
5. Would I also need an amp (or two)? If so, can you recommend something that would be adequate and not too expensive? (see a theme here?
)
I'm so green at this stereo stuff that I make myself aggravated to even make this post. I also realize that there are numerous options and answers to the questions I've asked so basically I'm looking for a cookie cutter system that isn't too much money (and one where the damn speakers will not keep cutting out on me
)... feel free to flame away all you want (just make sure to post some ideas to help me out too...) 
Also, is there anything else I should be made aware of that a stereo rookie would need to know? TIA...
What I do know is that I have a 2004.5 stock stereo that is DRIVING ME NUTS! I'm on my 2nd head unit and the speakers are CONSTANTLY cutting in and out on me.
I've been told that I should buy a double din unit and upgrade the head unit and then get new speakers...
My questions:
1. Can someone post a part number for the Double DIN?
2. Can someone post a link or two to a good place to buy this item?
It's my understanding that once I have the Double DIN I'll need to buy a new head unit.
3. Any recommendations for something not too expensive that will work with the steering wheel controls? I like the 6 disc, in dash CD player but wouldn't mind losing the cassette player in the swap...
Also, I don't want a large sub but I would like to replace the stock speakers (and probably the amp???) so that the stereo sounds louder, more crisp and clear and more like a LEXUS stereo system.
4. What are some reasonably priced speakers that would do what I need and fit into the stock speaker locations?
5. Would I also need an amp (or two)? If so, can you recommend something that would be adequate and not too expensive? (see a theme here?
)I'm so green at this stereo stuff that I make myself aggravated to even make this post. I also realize that there are numerous options and answers to the questions I've asked so basically I'm looking for a cookie cutter system that isn't too much money (and one where the damn speakers will not keep cutting out on me
)... feel free to flame away all you want (just make sure to post some ideas to help me out too...) Also, is there anything else I should be made aware of that a stereo rookie would need to know? TIA...
#2
07-07-2005 | 11:38 AM
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From: Tampa, FL
I got my kit from Yosi (yosi@j-garage.com) and he shipped the kit within a few weeks. He should have the 04 kit too.
I take it you don't need dvd or nav, just a double din cd player. Alpine has always been my ATF when it comes to head units.
I would just replace the headunit and speakers. That would make a huge difference in sound and you may find out that you don't even need to add amps. If you want it louder, then just add the amps later.
I take it you don't need dvd or nav, just a double din cd player. Alpine has always been my ATF when it comes to head units.
I would just replace the headunit and speakers. That would make a huge difference in sound and you may find out that you don't even need to add amps. If you want it louder, then just add the amps later.
#3
07-07-2005 | 01:13 PM
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I just purchased a 4080 box and also a JL Audio 10W6v2 10" Subwoofer.....my boss is not getting any work out of me today...I am surfing the web looking for a amp. I am leaning towards a 5 channel to leave me with the option of upgrading my other speakers in the future. So far I have spent also $3000 on performance/bling mods and now $600 on box/sub. I have to stop....help me decide on an amp.
I am going INSANE
I am going INSANE
#4
07-07-2005 | 02:20 PM
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From: Caribbean
1. its more than one part.
the #s that i got were:
68260-AM913 (Double Dash Titanium)
27500-AL501 (AC Controller)
68475-35F00 ( Dash Pocket)
28038-AL700 ( Bracket)
68470-60M00 (Radio mask)
you'll also need some harnesses if you want to make the install super easy.
that just consists of the nissan factory harness and normally costs like $20. You can pick it up at many places like crutchfield.com.
note- that should work for anyone with a graphite interior and premium package or any 6mt w/ graphite interior (not 100% sure though)
2.
you can import them directly from japan. its not very difficult. contact J's Garage (yosi@j-garage.com) for more details. Tell him what you want to do, the year and kind of car you have, and you'll go from there. When you purchase, he'll require a picture of your ID. It's ok to remove identifying numbers and such, since email isn't secure.
3-5.
Can't really help here. I went with an Alpine 9835. Looks good, sounds good..but probably costs $400. You could look for something less expensive i suppose, but if you want high quality sound you'll have to pay for it. The double din setup costs $400 alone, so why do it for a $100 stereo?
I got a JL Audio 10W6v2 sub and a JL 500/1 amp to drive it. It would probably be enough for you. I hear Focal makes good components. You might like them... go to a car stereo shop and listen to what they have if you can.
Just an observation: Once I replaced my head unit (without changing anything else) i thought the system sounded a lot better. others that listened to it were impressed as well... it didnt stop me from changing it all out though, just an observation for you.
Unfortunately there's no cookie cutter system. You should probably get in touch with a shop that's done the double din conversion before and knows their stuff. Tell them what you're looking for, what your tastes are, budget, etc and go from there. good luck.
the #s that i got were:
68260-AM913 (Double Dash Titanium)
27500-AL501 (AC Controller)
68475-35F00 ( Dash Pocket)
28038-AL700 ( Bracket)
68470-60M00 (Radio mask)
you'll also need some harnesses if you want to make the install super easy.
that just consists of the nissan factory harness and normally costs like $20. You can pick it up at many places like crutchfield.com.
note- that should work for anyone with a graphite interior and premium package or any 6mt w/ graphite interior (not 100% sure though)
2.
you can import them directly from japan. its not very difficult. contact J's Garage (yosi@j-garage.com) for more details. Tell him what you want to do, the year and kind of car you have, and you'll go from there. When you purchase, he'll require a picture of your ID. It's ok to remove identifying numbers and such, since email isn't secure.
3-5.
Can't really help here. I went with an Alpine 9835. Looks good, sounds good..but probably costs $400. You could look for something less expensive i suppose, but if you want high quality sound you'll have to pay for it. The double din setup costs $400 alone, so why do it for a $100 stereo?
I got a JL Audio 10W6v2 sub and a JL 500/1 amp to drive it. It would probably be enough for you. I hear Focal makes good components. You might like them... go to a car stereo shop and listen to what they have if you can.
Just an observation: Once I replaced my head unit (without changing anything else) i thought the system sounded a lot better. others that listened to it were impressed as well... it didnt stop me from changing it all out though, just an observation for you.
Unfortunately there's no cookie cutter system. You should probably get in touch with a shop that's done the double din conversion before and knows their stuff. Tell them what you're looking for, what your tastes are, budget, etc and go from there. good luck.
#6
07-07-2005 | 04:55 PM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,254
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From: Centerburg, Ohio (the geographical center of the Buckeye State)
neff,
wow, I haven't seen you post in the AV section yet.....
since no one has flamed you yet (probably b/c you're so knowledgable in the other sections and they respect you), I jokingly will.....lol
everyone here will give you great reviews on the products they have tested and tried. I'm surprised it has taken you so long to upgrade the crap system...probably b/c you were listening only to the finely tuned engine and exhaust note you have trying to acheive with your engine mods. lol
"Use the search function" comes to mind.....lol
If you have any more questions that the others here haven't answered, PM me.
doc
wow, I haven't seen you post in the AV section yet.....
since no one has flamed you yet (probably b/c you're so knowledgable in the other sections and they respect you), I jokingly will.....lol
everyone here will give you great reviews on the products they have tested and tried. I'm surprised it has taken you so long to upgrade the crap system...probably b/c you were listening only to the finely tuned engine and exhaust note you have trying to acheive with your engine mods. lol
"Use the search function" comes to mind.....lol
If you have any more questions that the others here haven't answered, PM me.
doc
#7
07-08-2005 | 07:11 AM
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Thanks everyone. (Bite me Hawaii boy ). I've been wanting to make this post for months, but this whole stereo thing is just something that I'm unfamiliar with. I've been reading, lurking and searching but everyone has a different opinion and most people like subs and the "top of the line" stuff, so I will look into focal and get in touch with yosi and see where that gets me.
$1500 isn't too much to spend, but I'm surprised that the Double Din is $400 by itself (without the extra harnesses). Maybe I'll do the double din and head unit (try to keep it ~$800-ish) and see where that gets me. Give me a month or two and I'll post the results of the install. Thanks!
). I've been wanting to make this post for months, but this whole stereo thing is just something that I'm unfamiliar with. I've been reading, lurking and searching but everyone has a different opinion and most people like subs and the "top of the line" stuff, so I will look into focal and get in touch with yosi and see where that gets me.$1500 isn't too much to spend, but I'm surprised that the Double Din is $400 by itself (without the extra harnesses). Maybe I'll do the double din and head unit (try to keep it ~$800-ish) and see where that gets me. Give me a month or two and I'll post the results of the install. Thanks!
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#8
07-08-2005 | 08:46 AM
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From: Caribbean
Originally Posted by neffster
Thanks everyone. (Bite me Hawaii boy ). I've been wanting to make this post for months, but this whole stereo thing is just something that I'm unfamiliar with. I've been reading, lurking and searching but everyone has a different opinion and most people like subs and the "top of the line" stuff, so I will look into focal and get in touch with yosi and see where that gets me.
$1500 isn't too much to spend, but I'm surprised that the Double Din is $400 by itself (without the extra harnesses). Maybe I'll do the double din and head unit (try to keep it ~$800-ish) and see where that gets me. Give me a month or two and I'll post the results of the install. Thanks!
). I've been wanting to make this post for months, but this whole stereo thing is just something that I'm unfamiliar with. I've been reading, lurking and searching but everyone has a different opinion and most people like subs and the "top of the line" stuff, so I will look into focal and get in touch with yosi and see where that gets me.$1500 isn't too much to spend, but I'm surprised that the Double Din is $400 by itself (without the extra harnesses). Maybe I'll do the double din and head unit (try to keep it ~$800-ish) and see where that gets me. Give me a month or two and I'll post the results of the install. Thanks!
with another $400 on a good head unit, you should be sitting pretty. then, if i were you, the next step to look at would be to get the 4080 box, a 10w6v2 sub, and an amp for the sub (JL 500/1 comes to mind, most 400w *RMS* amps should be good though).
#10
07-08-2005 | 11:31 AM
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#11
07-08-2005 | 02:33 PM
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From: Centerburg, Ohio (the geographical center of the Buckeye State)
neff,
couple clarifications.....you don't need the aluminum bracket because you can use your stock one. You should get the dash pocket part since its relatively cheap and you might end up using it and it fits perfectly into the DD space with an aftermarket HU.
So to recap, you really only need:
68260-AM913 (Double Dash Titanium)
27500-AL501 (AC Controller)
68475-35F00 ( Dash Pocket)
you'll need Nissan Antenna adapter which you can find from several online vendors (just google), you'll need the Scosche NN03 wire harness adapter. You should run good shielded, braided interconnect RCAs from the back of the HU to your trunk (in anticipation you'll eventually do amp upgrade).
doc
couple clarifications.....you don't need the aluminum bracket because you can use your stock one. You should get the dash pocket part since its relatively cheap and you might end up using it and it fits perfectly into the DD space with an aftermarket HU.
So to recap, you really only need:
68260-AM913 (Double Dash Titanium)
27500-AL501 (AC Controller)
68475-35F00 ( Dash Pocket)
you'll need Nissan Antenna adapter which you can find from several online vendors (just google), you'll need the Scosche NN03 wire harness adapter. You should run good shielded, braided interconnect RCAs from the back of the HU to your trunk (in anticipation you'll eventually do amp upgrade).
doc
#12
07-08-2005 | 02:36 PM
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From: Centerburg, Ohio (the geographical center of the Buckeye State)
to retain steering wheel controls, you can use the PAC SWI-X which basically is a learning remote control for your aftermarket HU. Someone else mentioned another product from PAC that is hard wired to an aftermarket HU from your steering wheel harness to a "remote in" plug if your HU has one. I forgot what model it was...
doc
doc
#14
07-08-2005 | 02:48 PM
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From: Centerburg, Ohio (the geographical center of the Buckeye State)
Originally Posted by Keith N
Neff,
I'm not a stereo expert, but how about staying with the stock head unit and installing the new JL Cleansweep($400)? Then getting new speakers, amp (s), etc.
I'm not a stereo expert, but how about staying with the stock head unit and installing the new JL Cleansweep($400)? Then getting new speakers, amp (s), etc.
neff will not be happy keeping the stock HU..........for someone who truly appreciates quality performance mods, upgrading the stock HU will be a must for him IMO......
if someone has had 2 stock HU's have the same left channel out problem and have a stock HU with very poor EQ capabilities, why would he want to stick with it?
just my $0.02.
doc
#15
07-08-2005 | 03:06 PM
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From: Centerburg, Ohio (the geographical center of the Buckeye State)
BUT....
truly, the incrememntal upgrade process should be (for those on budget):
1. upgrade front tweets, everything else stock
2. upgrade front speakers, +/- aftermarket amp with LOC, stock HU
3. add powered sub (i.e Basslink) OR sub with aftermarket amp with LOC, stock HU
4. upgrade all speakers and add sub and aftermarket amps with LOC (or JL CS), stock HU
5. DD conversion with aftermarket HU
6. Digitalwheelz.com Xenarc screen mod with DVD player
7. Xbox, PS2, Classic Ms. Pacman from Walmart, etc etc
8. Buy new car...
OR save money and upgrade all at once......and not have to spend unneccesary $$ on LOCs or (JL CS) and installation costs....
stock HU is decent (except when you have the cut in/out problem), stock Bose amp is decent.....stock speakers are the true prohibitive factor in the whole sound system...
doc
truly, the incrememntal upgrade process should be (for those on budget):
1. upgrade front tweets, everything else stock
2. upgrade front speakers, +/- aftermarket amp with LOC, stock HU
3. add powered sub (i.e Basslink) OR sub with aftermarket amp with LOC, stock HU
4. upgrade all speakers and add sub and aftermarket amps with LOC (or JL CS), stock HU
5. DD conversion with aftermarket HU
6. Digitalwheelz.com Xenarc screen mod with DVD player
7. Xbox, PS2, Classic Ms. Pacman from Walmart, etc etc
8. Buy new car...
OR save money and upgrade all at once......and not have to spend unneccesary $$ on LOCs or (JL CS) and installation costs....
stock HU is decent (except when you have the cut in/out problem), stock Bose amp is decent.....stock speakers are the true prohibitive factor in the whole sound system...
doc