Need Some Help Starting Out
 

I'm a car audio n00b with a new Touring + Sport (no nav) and I'm looking for some recommendations. My preferences in order are:

1. Mostly stealth install: I'd really like a new HU that will blend in well with the dash as if it were just another option on the car from the factory. Most of the installs I've seen on this board come pretty close but sometimes the black HU bezels really stick out. I might be asking too much; I don't know. I'd like as little modification as possible everywhere else in the car. It may sound shallow, but I'll take visual aesthetics over audio quality.

2. Features: I'd like to retain the existing features such as steering wheel control, bluetooth, and voice activated dialing. I'm also mainly looking for mp3 playback for 8+ gigs of storage. iPod control would be ok but I hate to think of carrying an iPod around or leaving one in a hot car. I'd prefer something with a hard drive, SD slot for mp3s, or mp3 dvd-r. Sat Radio, DVD playback, and Navigation I'm not one way or another on. Also, I'd like to be able to add a backup cam or sensors in the future but it's not a big deal. I also LOVE highly configurable devices. From looking around it seems like the DNX-8120 is my best bet but I don't know what else is out there.

3. Price: I'd like to spend less than $3,000 parts + labor at a good shop. I really don't want to skimp on getting a professional installation but I don't have money to burn either.

3. Audio: I'm not an audiophile at all so I'd like something simple here. I was a bit disappointed with the Bose system though. It's a an upgrade from my old 350z track for sure, but even I can tell it's not a real good quality system. Most of my listening is hip-hop at a medium volume level. I like slightly over-pronounced bass I can feel, but don't want or need to be the douchebag at the stoplight rattling windows and loosening bowels. Since I'm probably not going to be watching DVDs I can get rid of the rear speakers, correct?

Thanks for reading. Sorry for the wall of text but I don't even know where to start when it comes to car audio.

I can't comment on most of what you said - but I do know that you're going to want a headunit that lets you change it's illumination to any color you want using RGB LEDs.. so that if you want your headunit looking as OEM as possible, you can match the illumination to the rest of the car's interior light scheme.

I know a lot of Pioneer units do this..

Jay

I cant comment much, because I had a base model, and my model just had a basic double din setup that allowed easy access and installation.

Since you have the touring, the head unit area seems like its integrated with the climate controls. I had this problem in my dad's G35 and we had to order an aftermarket JDM kit that put us back another 199 dollars on top of everything else.

As for speakers, I highly recommend the boston acoustic sx60 series. I replaced all my stock speakers with the Bostons and it sounds great. I think they were 249 for a pair of 6.5 inch components and 1 inch tweeters. I also got the sx60 3.5s for the back speakers behind the seats.

no sub yet, but when i do get it, ill let you know how i did it.

Yah, lighting and color scheme are pretty important. I also plan on swapping all the dash lights for blue ones as soon as I see some others here do it.

I'm hoping a good shop can figure out how to do this or will know what I need to order. I'll take a look at those speakers too thanks.

I'm guessing I'm going to need an amp too? Do I need anything beyond speakers/sub/amp/HU?

I'd think the Pioneer F90BT would be the best choice. Even though the DNX8120 is my personal fav the F90 does have the SD card, and color matching for dash lights, voice dialing (THE FEATURES YOUR LOOKING FOR) The Speaker issue to me is a no brainer. But I would recommend that you go and audition speakers with your own music and hopefully in a car not a sound board. There is enough space in the back of your car to hold amps and subs and not take away from the storage space! But your budget is very realistic,

I think the touring model head unit issue has been solved by Arizona Z. Check out this link . I'm going to get the Pioneer F90bt too since this is the only double din that has the features I'm looking for and 4V preouts.

Hey Jeff - Love the work you did on this Z and wish you were out here in Cali to do this for mines. Do you have any installers you can recommend in southern California?

I have friends all over the USA! Where exactly in So-Cal are you?

I know this is kinda offtopic and you may not care at all, but there's a reason so many OEMs go with red for instrument lighting. It doesn't screw with your night vision as bad as other colors, which helps you see better both inside and outside the car on a night drive.

Jeff - I am about 15 minutes south east of downtown Los Angeles but I am willing to drive up to an hour for a quality install.

Jeff,

Can you recommend anybody in South Florida? Specifically Boca Raton or Northern Fort Lauderdale? I wish you were in my area, I'd hand my car over to you for a great installation. Unfortunately I don't trust most people who do work on cars these days. So many things can be done wrong and so many short cuts can be taken.

thanks,

-daniel

Try Mike West @
Specialty Automotive Treatments
700 West Sunrise Boulevard
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311