Hello all!

I have a 2005 G35c (non-Bose) and want to upgrade the audio system. I find the quality to be quite lacking, like the majority of the people on this forum. Even my 2003 VW Passat had a far superior audio system.

This is what I want:

1. Keep the OEM look 100% (don't change out the head-unit and keep all speaker rings)

2. Vastly improve mid-range and trebble quality.

3. Improve bass response, but just enough to thump the lower part of my back, and not so much to make other cars around me wonder who has a sub (I'd like to do this w/out a sub if possible).

So what should I do to accomplish these goals? Just replace the 6.5" door speakers and 1" tweeters with higher-quality components? Replace the rear speakers as well (btw, what size ARE the rear speakers... when faded to the back they sound like CRAP)? I don't fully understand what amplifiers do, besides the fact that they improve sound quality... so if I go through and replace all speakers, is it stupid to not drive them all with an aftermarket amp? Plese help me understand what I should do. I do not want a car that rattles down the street since it has so much bass, which is why I want to avoid a subwoofer.

Thank you for your time.

 

That is what I said. After installing amps and front QSD's was not satisfied. Ended up getting a DD Conversion and stereo. Could not recommend it more.

You can improve the sound by adding components and amps, but those will sound better with a good head unit.

To keep the stock HU do a search on Line Level Converters, or adding an amp with the forum search feature. There is a lot of info out there.

I would still recommend after market HU. You can do this while still maintaining the stock look. Again Search the forum.

There are a lot of things you can do to the stereo. Here is oneG35 Hidden Screen Housing

 

Please forgive my ignorance, but what are QSDs? Are these door speakers? Did you do this + an amp just to power those speakers?

Thanks for your time.

 

Yes they are door speakers. MB Quart QSD 6 1/2 components. They sound incredible. I cannot praise these speakers enough. Very loud, very crisp and clear. Tons of midbass. I believe they closed their doors though recently. They retail for $1500 a pair. I got them on eBay(no warranty) for $500.

Since they are out of business and if I had a choice I would probably get some Focals. I did not know of these till after I bought the Quarts. Here is a link if you want to check them out. I believe the Utopia's retail for like $4000. Seen them on eBay for under $800. They also have some more less expensive models.
Focal Speaker Link

 

Double Din Conversion Info
If you want DD Conversion. I recommend it, especially if you can do it yourself. It is nice to have a 6 disk in dash, but the Bose Quality is terrible. An mp3 at 192 bitrate will be just as good as cd quality and you can fit atleast 10 cd's on one disk. I had a shop do this for me recently in Bellevue, WA. My car was like a POS in there next to the Bentley's and Maserati's. Total cost was around $1500 including..........
Double Din (DD) Dash Trim
A/C Conrol unit
Kenwood 25th Anniversary cd/mp3 (awesome)
installation.
You DO NOT NEED TO ORDER THE BRACKET. Your car already has one. This artilce is old and not updated. Click here for complet DD Conversion Insturctions
Click here for the lowest price on DD Conversion
This is not for the 2005 model G35 you have so you will have to do it the old fashioned way, but these links will help you understand it more.
This is the old fashioned way
E-mail yosi@j-garage.com and tell him you need the 2005 G35 double din dash kit. Here are the part numbers.

68260-7W000 (Double Dash Aluminum) :59.39USD
27500-AC500 (AC Controller) : 286.00USD.
Shipping cost : 39.00USD
5% commission : 19.21USD
Total : 403.60USD
Adding amps
If you are going to be adding after market speakers, you also need to upgrade the amp. Bose speakers run at a different impedence and the amp accomodates this. Since after market speakers are a different impedence, you will not be able to run them off of the Bose amp. Get a nice 4-channel amp to run your speakers. Speaker size is 6.5 front and rear. 6x9 rear deck. I would add components up front and either a midbass 6.5 for the rear or 6.5 coax. You can do this without changing out the head unit by using a Line Out Converter at the Bose amp. The line out converter(LOC) takes the wires on your existing Bose amp and turns them into RCA's so that you can add your own amp. You would then run the speakers off the amp. I originally did this, but often you get noise from the LOC which is then amplified by your amplifier. There are many on this forum that have done this without noise. Maybe something to do with which LOC you choose. I also think they ran some sort of wire directly from the Bose HU. Do a search.
Click here for Line Out Converter info.
Adding a Sub
You can also use the LOC to run a second amp that can be used for a subwoofer or too. A little bass won't hurt. There is a member on the forum that makes custom boxes for the trunk of the G35. It is called a 4080 box.
Click here for 4080 box info
There is a lot more info on the forums than what I have posted here. I wanted to keep everything stock looking as well, but have always had aftermarket, and after market always sounds better. If you do decide to change out the HU. Find on that has atlear a 4V pre-out.

 

Here is another DD link
and some pics of my DD and some others.

 

And one high res pic. I hope you are not on dial up.

 

Ok I'll add a pic of my DD conversion. It is a must. The stock speakers sound WAY better now with my HU. Most people who see it think it looks factory!

Pioneer AVIC-D1

 

I would recommend ditching the stock speakers.
I have the QSD's in the front and have not replaced the rears. I have to keep it faded all the way up front because the quality of the rear stock speakers are soooooooooooooooo bad.

 

You can hide a new headunit in your cubbyhole and keep the oem look...it's been done by a few members here

 

If you're dead set on keeping the factory HD and absolutely refuse to change at all costs you may want to consider the new JL Audio CleanSweep. I mean... it couldn't hurt to check it out.

http://www.jlaudio.com/press/CleanSweep05.html

 

Bleser, MB Quart makes great speakers, but I would also like you to try out many different speakers. Another great speaker set that you should look into is the Diamond Audio S600 either in the soft dome of the metal dome tweeter. Personally I prefer speakers that are a bit warm not harsh. So depending on your taste I would look into different brands and even different materials of tweeters. One last thing always bring your own music when you're auditioning speakers.

 

Thanks for all the information people! I am going to be doing some more research now and try to make a decision. Any more input is welcome.

 

Definately changing the speakers and amp will make a huge difference. The change of the HU would make it most beneficial. Go out to some shops and audition some speakers. Alot of people here will be partial to certain brands, but thats each persons opinion and your ears may differ.

Alot of brands to consider if your budget can handle them would be:
Arc Audio,Rainbow,Illusion Audio,DLS,Morel,DiamondAudio,Aumapro,Zapco,Eclipse ,etc the list could go on...

Keep in mind though, when purchasing these the majority of them all have strict policies regarding Non internet sales. When spending the money, do it wisely.

BTW..realgone, MBQ didnt go out of business, they just parted ways with Rockford Corp and dropped their amplifier line.

 

Here's one vote for keeping the stock HU - I think it's pretty decent. Nothing special mind you, but not crap either. That being said I don't use the stock HU very much at all - for anything other than a rare CD now and then. Most of the audio is routed through a (carPC USB-controlled) SB Extigy via XM or directly from the HD (mp3).

Changing the speakers and amp is definitely the way to go IMHO. I left the 6 x 9 disconnected - replaced the other 4 spots with Diamond Audio.

BTW, I started out with just a tweeter upgrade, then moved to Kenwood components, then moved finally to a new AMP + Diamond Audio + Extigy for HU - significant incremental sound improvement each time but the last upgrade did the trick for me.

Anyway going back and forth between the HU (equalized externally) and the Extigy for the same song reveals only subtle differences (at high volumes with no sound there is a little noise coming from the HU and that is not present on the Extigy even at max volume). I'm not certain I could tell the difference in a blinded test while playing a song though. With the car actually running, I don't think too many people on the planet would be able to tell the difference...