First mod - Pioneer AVH-P4300DVD

MuRdeReD_Out · 04-17-2011, 10:26 AM

Just got mine installed...love it so far!

Masa · 04-18-2011, 08:42 AM

Looks good, did you use a dash kit or use the factory dash? I notice there's a bezel in place...?

Guard Dad · 04-18-2011, 01:29 PM

Well I've taken the plunge and ordered the AVH-P4300DVD as well as the connector cables and steering wheel interface.

Many thanks Masa for your assistence, this head unit was already on my short list when I ran accross this thread and hearing of your positive experience gave me the confidence to pull the trigger.

I've already got Polk speakers in the door and dash (these will be connected directly to the new head unit) and I'm now considering sub woofer options. Affordability and space issues are very important. At first I was considering low profile self-powered subs (good prices-$100-250, manageable size but, I gather, so-so sound), then then self-powdered bazookas (good price, bulky but it could be removed if space was needed, probably better sound) and most recently a separate mono amp ($75-150) with a spare tire mounted single 10" sub woofer (under $100). The last option would require some fabrication for the enclosuer but would be very clean when completed. I've done some searches and it seems like many folks are putting a conventional speaker grill on the carpeted deck of the hatch (seems like the speaker might be subject to damage from luggage) while some other folks are doing some sort of under carpet placement (doesn't this compromise the sound quality?) with no grill but perhaps perforations in the carpet and the plastic carpet backer panel, any thoughts?

Masa · 04-18-2011, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guard Dad

Well I've taken the plunge and ordered the AVH-P4300DVD as well as the connector cables and steering wheel interface.

Many thanks Masa for your assistence, this head unit was already on my short list when I ran accross this thread and hearing of your positive experience gave me the confidence to pull the trigger.

I've already got Polk speakers in the door and dash (these will be connected directly to the new head unit) and I'm now considering sub woofer options. Affordability and space issues are very important. At first I was considering low profile self-powered subs (good prices-$100-250, manageable size but, I gather, so-so sound), then then self-powdered bazookas (good price, bulky but it could be removed if space was needed, probably better sound) and most recently a separate mono amp ($75-150) with a spare tire mounted single 10" sub woofer (under $100). The last option would require some fabrication for the enclosuer but would be very clean when completed. I've done some searches and it seems like many folks are putting a conventional speaker grill on the carpeted deck of the hatch (seems like the speaker might be subject to damage from luggage) while some other folks are doing some sort of under carpet placement (doesn't this compromise the sound quality?) with no grill but perhaps perforations in the carpet and the plastic carpet backer panel, any thoughts?

What type of Polks do you have? I have DXi6500 components on the front door and dash, nothing on the rear speaker cut outs and no sub and I find them to be quite loud and plenty powerful for me. The thought of rear speakers - let alone a sub would be overkill to me personally. Then again, not sure how loud you like to play your music.

Once you get the Pioneer unit in place and wired in try putting the equalizer to 'Powerful', Loudness to 'Low' and Bass Boost to +1. That's the setting I have on and it sounds great without rears and a sub.

As for sub enclosures, I have seen many fabricated boxes, a lot of people seem to like to mount the amp and a small 8" sub right behind the seats where the shelves are.

Guard Dad · 04-18-2011, 04:42 PM

Polk DB6501 (as I recall) 6.5" in the door and the tweeters in the dash. They are WAY better than stock but at only 6.5 inches they can't do justice to the very low ranges. I have no rear speakers now but I'll be adding some 3.5" Infinity 2-ways at the currently unused factory openings. If I don't like them I'll just turn them down. I know that many folks don't like rear speakers but once I've got the seats out (I'll be adding sound deadener) I might as well put them in and see what happens.

I'm not into super loud audio so max volume is usually not an issue. The factory head unit drives the Polk's just fine for my needs so I figure that the front and rear output of the AVH-P4300DVD will be fine for me. I do like the sound of a little extra low bass (I really hate mid bass, it always sounds boomy to me) hence my interest in a sub. I'm trying to have my cake and eat it too, I want something that still allows me to take the Z on the occasional 2-3 day weekend without having to UPS our bags to the hotel.

The sub behind the seats is of some interest because that space is not that useful. The spare tire sub is kind of cool because I have a nice home shop (I'm a contractor) so fabricating a sub box to nest into the spare tire is a no-brainer and the idea of a 10" sub is appealing and the kind of stealthy aspect of the spare tire sub is appealing as well. But if a spare tire sub is really bad acoustically or has some other significant limitation I'll have to consider some sort of alternative.

11Thumper · 04-19-2011, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guard Dad

Polk DB6501 (as I recall) 6.5" in the door and the tweeters in the dash. They are WAY better than stock but at only 6.5 inches they can't do justice to the very low ranges. I have no rear speakers now but I'll be adding some 3.5" Infinity 2-ways at the currently unused factory openings. If I don't like them I'll just turn them down. I know that many folks don't like rear speakers but once I've got the seats out (I'll be adding sound deadener) I might as well put them in and see what happens.

I'm not into super loud audio so max volume is usually not an issue. The factory head unit drives the Polk's just fine for my needs so I figure that the front and rear output of the AVH-P4300DVD will be fine for me. I do like the sound of a little extra low bass (I really hate mid bass, it always sounds boomy to me) hence my interest in a sub. I'm trying to have my cake and eat it too, I want something that still allows me to take the Z on the occasional 2-3 day weekend without having to UPS our bags to the hotel.

The sub behind the seats is of some interest because that space is not that useful. The spare tire sub is kind of cool because I have a nice home shop (I'm a contractor) so fabricating a sub box to nest into the spare tire is a no-brainer and the idea of a 10" sub is appealing and the kind of stealthy aspect of the spare tire sub is appealing as well. But if a spare tire sub is really bad acoustically or has some other significant limitation I'll have to consider some sort of alternative.

For the rear speakers...are there wires there already? I see the grills but obviously there are no speakers there. Is it hard to install speakers there?

Guard Dad · 04-19-2011, 11:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 11Thumper

For the rear speakers...are there wires there already? I see the grills but obviously there are no speakers there. Is it hard to install speakers there?

It's my understanding that Base Model Z's aren't wired for rear speakers. It really doesn't matter if you are installing a new system because you'll be upgrading those wires anyway.

I haven't done the rear speaker install yet but I would expect it to be straight forward.

Vapiano · 08-23-2011, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Masa

What type of Polks do you have? I have DXi6500 components on the front door and dash

Masa, did you have to use speakers brackets to mount the Polks? I am also checking out the AVH-P4300 as well, I can't take the stock system much longer.

Thanks,

V.

04-18-2011, 08:42 AM	#2 (permalink)
Masa A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Annapolis, MD Posts: 2,237 Drives: Family Cars Rep Power: 22	Looks good, did you use a dash kit or use the factory dash? I notice there's a bezel in place...? __________________ BMW 340i Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk

04-18-2011, 04:42 PM	#5 (permalink)
Guard Dad Enthusiast Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: South Orange County, CA Posts: 422 Drives: 2010 370Z Silver A7 Rep Power: 16	Polk DB6501 (as I recall) 6.5" in the door and the tweeters in the dash. They are WAY better than stock but at only 6.5 inches they can't do justice to the very low ranges. I have no rear speakers now but I'll be adding some 3.5" Infinity 2-ways at the currently unused factory openings. If I don't like them I'll just turn them down. I know that many folks don't like rear speakers but once I've got the seats out (I'll be adding sound deadener) I might as well put them in and see what happens. I'm not into super loud audio so max volume is usually not an issue. The factory head unit drives the Polk's just fine for my needs so I figure that the front and rear output of the AVH-P4300DVD will be fine for me. I do like the sound of a little extra low bass (I really hate mid bass, it always sounds boomy to me) hence my interest in a sub. I'm trying to have my cake and eat it too, I want something that still allows me to take the Z on the occasional 2-3 day weekend without having to UPS our bags to the hotel. The sub behind the seats is of some interest because that space is not that useful. The spare tire sub is kind of cool because I have a nice home shop (I'm a contractor) so fabricating a sub box to nest into the spare tire is a no-brainer and the idea of a 10" sub is appealing and the kind of stealthy aspect of the spare tire sub is appealing as well. But if a spare tire sub is really bad acoustically or has some other significant limitation I'll have to consider some sort of alternative. Last edited by Guard Dad; 04-18-2011 at 04:45 PM.

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04-17-2011, 10:26 AM	#1 (permalink)
MuRdeReD_Out Base Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Memphis Posts: 24 Drives: 2011 Nissan 370Z Rep Power: 16	Just got mine installed...love it so far!

04-18-2011, 01:29 PM	#3 (permalink)
Guard Dad Enthusiast Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: South Orange County, CA Posts: 422 Drives: 2010 370Z Silver A7 Rep Power: 16	Well I've taken the plunge and ordered the AVH-P4300DVD as well as the connector cables and steering wheel interface. Many thanks Masa for your assistence, this head unit was already on my short list when I ran accross this thread and hearing of your positive experience gave me the confidence to pull the trigger. I've already got Polk speakers in the door and dash (these will be connected directly to the new head unit) and I'm now considering sub woofer options. Affordability and space issues are very important. At first I was considering low profile self-powered subs (good prices-$100-250, manageable size but, I gather, so-so sound), then then self-powdered bazookas (good price, bulky but it could be removed if space was needed, probably better sound) and most recently a separate mono amp ($75-150) with a spare tire mounted single 10" sub woofer (under $100). The last option would require some fabrication for the enclosuer but would be very clean when completed. I've done some searches and it seems like many folks are putting a conventional speaker grill on the carpeted deck of the hatch (seems like the speaker might be subject to damage from luggage) while some other folks are doing some sort of under carpet placement (doesn't this compromise the sound quality?) with no grill but perhaps perforations in the carpet and the plastic carpet backer panel, any thoughts?