I'm a new G35 owner (2005 coupe 6mt) and have the standard (i.e. non-Bose) stereo which I am planning to upgrade... I've researched the forums for suggestions and came up with the following for a relatively simple and inexpensive audio upgrade... I plan to leave the factory head unit while adding a 4 channel amp and replacing front and rear speakers without running a sub... The components I have settled on are the following:

Amplifier: Elemental Designs NINe.4 $185 after discount
http://edesignaudio.com/product.php?...pid=10&cur=USD

Front Speakers: Elemental Designs eDi 6000s Components $125
http://edesignaudio.com/product.php?...pid=28&cur=USD

Rear Speakers: Polk db650 $100 at Circuit City
http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Polk-...oductDetail.do

If any of you experts have any comment or suggestions I would welcome them... Specifically, if anyone has experience with the NINe.4 amp as I wasn't able to find much info about it on the web and additional rear speaker recommendations (preferably with decent bass for a 6.5 inch speaker)...

One other question regarding amplifier and head unit linkage... Despite multiple threads addressing the issue I'm still not clear on whether I'll need an adapter to convert the stock head unit speaker signals to "preamp" level before linking it to the amplifier...

Also, where would be the best place to mount the amp?

I'm somewhat of a neophyte when it comes to car audio so I plan to have the installation done professionally... Just want an idea of how the experts in this forum would do it...

Thanks

I'm no expert, but they will chime in shortly.

First, pretty much any aftermarket amp and component set will sound better than the stock equipment - including the equipment you listed. The key, however, is tuning. If the equipment you listed is not tuned properly (proper filter settings, too much gain, not configured with the stock HU with tone controls 0'ed out, etc), it could sound just as bad as stock.

And listen to the quality of your system with the volume turned down, not up. Our ears are stupid, and often times think that louder = better quality. Lots of installers will often "TURN IT UP MAN!" because they want to sell their work and know our ears think louder is better quality.

Best place to mount the amp is going to depend on how you use your car. If you don't (or don't plan to) carry a lot of stuff that requires you to lower your backseat, then the best place is probably on the back of your backseat. If you don't plan on using your trunk much, probably off to a side in the trunk. If you want to retain stock look and storage/carrying abilities, you can get more creative, but it will get more difficult and involved, which = more expensive if you are having the install done for you.

To answer your question regarding preamp signals and converting the HU outputs, do a search under the Audio/Video section for all posts by "El_duderino" as he has extensively discussed and explained this exact topic mutliple times. I can also vouch for the fact that what he says is accurate, as I myself just installed an amp using his recommended methodology and it works flawlessly. You could also do a search in the Audio/Video section for "balanced" "differential".

Congrats on the new car and for ditching the pathetic stock sound system!

I searched eD's online forum and learned that their NINe.4 does not accept speaker level inputs, so they advise using a LOC. They offer them under the wiring section of their site. Just curious, but why are you considering Polks for the rear, instead of eD coax's, which would likely be more closely matched? I would also recommend scratching the rears in favor of better front components (6500). I am currently considering eD for another car. My G has a LOC feeding an Eclipse Amp mounted to the back of the rear seats. Just my two cents, as I'm no expert.

Matching, smatching.

If they play the right notes, they match. If they don't who cares if they match?

But we already know how I feel about rear speakers. (Commie plot, etc., etc.)

The eD amps don't take speaker level inputs. But you won't have speaker level inputs - you'll have balanced preamp inputs.

There is no mention by eD that they use balanced level inputs either. I don't think they do. In that case, you would be better off with an "e" series JL 4300 than the eD amp in this application (or another amp like the DLS CA41).

I also don't know how big the magnets are on those eD comps. If they are too large they won't fit even with spacers, even though they are nominally the right size frame.

I'm chafing at the bit to do the balanced interface with one of these coupe OEM Hu's. I've done similar interfaces with Acura, BMW, and others. If you're anywhere near Portland OR, give me a call: )

Thanks for the quick responses and input... A lot of infomation to there to chew on...

A few more questions...

It appears if I stuck with the NINe.4 amp (trying to keep cost down) I would need an LOC... Not a big deal but are there any disadvantages to using an LOC? Hard to justify an additional 200 bucks to get the JL 4/300 amp...

Regardinng speakers, the eDi 6000s seems like a good front speaker choice in terms of bang for the buck... A lot of the big boys are saying to ditch the rear speakers... Since I won't be running a sub (I need my trunk) I would like to keep the rears and try to get some additional bass output from the rear speakers... Would the Polk db650's be up to that challenge or would I be better off with another rear speaker? Note that the Elemental Designs coaxial speakers are unavailable...

I'm no audiophile and most of what I will be listening to will be in mp3 format anyway... My main objective is to have clean sound that can be played at relatively loud levels...

Thanks again...

I referred to the e4300, not the 300/4. That one's cheaper.

See if it will fit your budget.

Sorry aboout that el_duderino... That amp would fit the bill nicely... Especially since it would integrate better with the OEM head unit outputs... My only concern, is 45 watts/channel going to be enough power for the speakers?

I don't think power would be your issue.

I run 50x4 in my car.

Ummm...

Aren't our rears 6"x9"??

What are you doing putting 6.5" in there??

I don't think he means the rear deck speakers, instead, he means the ones built into the side panels for the rear passengers.

The rear deck 6x9's are what Infiniti calls subwoofers. They are only in the Bose systems. If you have them, I recommend removing them, and putting a real sub in your trunk. That alone will make a vast improvement in your system's sound.

Dave