Audio Upgrade from Base System

Hambone1 · 04-25-2011, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 90 ST

Most shops are about 90/hr here in AB, but it varies...Some shops will also give you a total job price.

Yeah that was the total job price. Also hardwired my radar detector while they had everything moving

Surly · 04-28-2011, 08:37 PM

90 ST: It's a powered 8" sub.

I've made some progress and all my components have arrived, I could take pics but they wouldn't be much different from what you can see on Crutchfield.

Install is scheduled for this upcoming Tuesday, May 3rd.

Here is what will be installed.

Kenwood DDX318 head unit $399, more power, touch screen, dvd player, no blue tooth or nav, thought I can add nav to it later if I'd like.
Kenwood DDX318 DVD receiver at Crutchfield.com

Alpine SPR-13S component speakers $179
Alpine SPR-13S 5-1/4" component speaker system at Crutchfield Signature

Sound Ordinance 8 PT powered sub $199
Sound Ordnance™ B-8PT 120-watt compact powered subwoofer at Crutchfield.com

Install quote is for $400-500, plus $80 or so for the steering wheel adapter/setup. So overall hoping for a big step up in sound quality for $1200 or so.

I'll post results later. Hopefully this will help someone in the future.

90 ST · 04-29-2011, 01:14 AM

Any reason you didn't go with a 61/2 up front? Thats the stock size in a base model.

Surly · 04-29-2011, 08:39 AM

The only Alpine component speakers I saw on Crutchfield at the larger size were either the lower S version or the model that was $279.

I also got a recommendation to go with these as they probably are less power hungry, important as I'll just be running them through the head unit.

These also had the best reviews on there of the ones I mentioned.

90 ST · 04-29-2011, 11:38 AM

i would have maybe just went to a real store and got what fits...

Surly · 04-29-2011, 11:50 AM

If my installer says there is any reason to go with the larger size I'd have no problem doing that. These "fit" and were more in the price range I was aiming for.

Surly · 05-03-2011, 08:44 PM

Had the install done today!

I sure wish I had read about the windows needing to be reset and the airbag light reset before I encountered the issues! Thank God for this forum and the search feature. Would have been nice for my installer to notice them before I did... not entirely happy with how thorough he was (the errors I mentioned and not even setting the head unit to show a subwoofer), but the physical install looks perfect. $430 for the whole install, that includes the steering wheel adapter ($80 I think).

I have a bunch of settings to play with before I can give a verdict, but even after hearing how light and crappy the stock speakers are I am BLOWN AWAY now that I have them in my hand... wow... I'm shocked they sounded even as good as they did.

370ZWhite · 05-06-2011, 07:47 AM

Post some pics and maybe a video.

Surly · 05-06-2011, 08:56 AM

I will do a video, possibly this weekend. Not a ton to show aside from the head unit and how the sub looks.

Surly · 05-07-2011, 11:42 PM

Here is a quick video, sorry it's so boring, but hopefully it might help someone in the future. I believe you can tell even through the iflip that the Alpine components are light years ahead of the stock speakers. The sub definitely rounds out the sound and can also just be put under the trunk carpet if you don't want anyone to see it (leaving your car somewhere sketchy, etc).

Everything plus install came out to $1200.

YouTube - 370Z Audio

bigaudiofanat · 05-08-2011, 07:23 AM

Any 6.5 speaker would of fit without cutting if you bought spacer rings. I hardly use crutchfield anymore as a reference guide.

Surly · 05-08-2011, 10:45 AM

I'm happy with how these sound. What would be the difference with the larger ones in?

90 ST · 05-08-2011, 11:30 AM

More bass up front, less distortion at higher volume

TongMan · 05-09-2011, 02:00 AM

I want something like this but there isn't any installer near me that I trust to do the install.

Astrosfan · 05-09-2011, 04:49 PM

how do you like the sub?

I was considering either this or making a spare tire box for a polk or ID 8" sub.

04-28-2011, 08:37 PM	#17 (permalink)
Surly Base Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Michigan Posts: 30 Drives: 370Z Rep Power: 15	Update 90 ST: It's a powered 8" sub. I've made some progress and all my components have arrived, I could take pics but they wouldn't be much different from what you can see on Crutchfield. Install is scheduled for this upcoming Tuesday, May 3rd. Here is what will be installed. Kenwood DDX318 head unit $399, more power, touch screen, dvd player, no blue tooth or nav, thought I can add nav to it later if I'd like. Kenwood DDX318 DVD receiver at Crutchfield.com Alpine SPR-13S component speakers $179 Alpine SPR-13S 5-1/4" component speaker system at Crutchfield Signature Sound Ordinance 8 PT powered sub $199 Sound Ordnance™ B-8PT 120-watt compact powered subwoofer at Crutchfield.com Install quote is for $400-500, plus $80 or so for the steering wheel adapter/setup. So overall hoping for a big step up in sound quality for $1200 or so. I'll post results later. Hopefully this will help someone in the future.

05-08-2011, 07:23 AM	#26 (permalink)
bigaudiofanat Car Audio Installer Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Magnolia DE Posts: 8,342 Drives: 2012 Infiniti G37x Rep Power: 854	Any 6.5 speaker would of fit without cutting if you bought spacer rings. I hardly use crutchfield anymore as a reference guide. __________________ Need help with car audio or electronics? Let me know!! Need Help Let Me Know Direct email address reimermatt@gmail.com Owner of: Dynamic Mobile Audio Follow me below https://www.facebook.com/Dynamicmobileaudio/

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04-29-2011, 01:14 AM	#18 (permalink)
90 ST A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2010 Location: Calgary Posts: 1,861 Drives: 90 and 15 GMC Sierra Rep Power: 422	Any reason you didn't go with a 61/2 up front? Thats the stock size in a base model.

04-29-2011, 08:39 AM	#19 (permalink)
Surly Base Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Michigan Posts: 30 Drives: 370Z Rep Power: 15	The only Alpine component speakers I saw on Crutchfield at the larger size were either the lower S version or the model that was $279. I also got a recommendation to go with these as they probably are less power hungry, important as I'll just be running them through the head unit. These also had the best reviews on there of the ones I mentioned.

04-29-2011, 11:38 AM	#20 (permalink)
90 ST A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2010 Location: Calgary Posts: 1,861 Drives: 90 and 15 GMC Sierra Rep Power: 422	i would have maybe just went to a real store and got what fits...

04-29-2011, 11:50 AM	#21 (permalink)
Surly Base Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Michigan Posts: 30 Drives: 370Z Rep Power: 15	If my installer says there is any reason to go with the larger size I'd have no problem doing that. These "fit" and were more in the price range I was aiming for.

05-03-2011, 08:44 PM	#22 (permalink)
Surly Base Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Michigan Posts: 30 Drives: 370Z Rep Power: 15	Had the install done today! I sure wish I had read about the windows needing to be reset and the airbag light reset before I encountered the issues! Thank God for this forum and the search feature. Would have been nice for my installer to notice them before I did... not entirely happy with how thorough he was (the errors I mentioned and not even setting the head unit to show a subwoofer), but the physical install looks perfect. $430 for the whole install, that includes the steering wheel adapter ($80 I think). I have a bunch of settings to play with before I can give a verdict, but even after hearing how light and crappy the stock speakers are I am BLOWN AWAY now that I have them in my hand... wow... I'm shocked they sounded even as good as they did.

05-06-2011, 07:47 AM	#23 (permalink)
370ZWhite Base Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 3 Drives: 2010 370Z White Auto Rep Power: 16	Post some pics and maybe a video.

05-06-2011, 08:56 AM	#24 (permalink)
Surly Base Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Michigan Posts: 30 Drives: 370Z Rep Power: 15	I will do a video, possibly this weekend. Not a ton to show aside from the head unit and how the sub looks.

05-07-2011, 11:42 PM	#25 (permalink)
Surly Base Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Michigan Posts: 30 Drives: 370Z Rep Power: 15	Here is a quick video, sorry it's so boring, but hopefully it might help someone in the future. I believe you can tell even through the iflip that the Alpine components are light years ahead of the stock speakers. The sub definitely rounds out the sound and can also just be put under the trunk carpet if you don't want anyone to see it (leaving your car somewhere sketchy, etc). Everything plus install came out to $1200. YouTube - 370Z Audio

05-08-2011, 10:45 AM	#27 (permalink)
Surly Base Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Michigan Posts: 30 Drives: 370Z Rep Power: 15	I'm happy with how these sound. What would be the difference with the larger ones in?

05-08-2011, 11:30 AM	#28 (permalink)
90 ST A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2010 Location: Calgary Posts: 1,861 Drives: 90 and 15 GMC Sierra Rep Power: 422	More bass up front, less distortion at higher volume

05-09-2011, 02:00 AM	#29 (permalink)
TongMan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: NorCal Posts: 1,297 Drives: 2013 Nissan GTR Rep Power: 716	I want something like this but there isn't any installer near me that I trust to do the install.

05-09-2011, 04:49 PM	#30 (permalink)
Astrosfan Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: houston, TX Posts: 427 Drives: 09 370z PG Sport Rep Power: 16	how do you like the sub? I was considering either this or making a spare tire box for a polk or ID 8" sub.