75% done, review and a question
 

ok, I have installed a new head unit (KW-R900 BT), new component speakers (Polk DB6501) and an amp (Polk PA 300).

Honestly, I have installed about 5 full systems in my life, and this was the most difficult. Hardest parts were:

1. feeding the new speaker wire through the tubing in the doors to get to the crossovers and head unit. Major pain.

2. Hooking up the Metra Axxess steering wheel controls. Works great now, but confusing and not very intuitive.

3. running some of the amp wiring. Not much space to work with, and without major elbow grease, the seat bolts do not loosen easily.

Expect to spend at least a whole day working on getting everything installed, if you want everything invisible.

Review:

Head Unit:
I chose the JVC head unit because it was reasonably priced, looked stock, had very good sound quality and was very adjustable. After install, it looks as if it belongs. Color is adjustable to fit the red/orange lights everywhere else. Sound quality is very good, and there are tons of ways to adjust, from the EQ settings, to speaker distance. I didn't want touch screen, so this is about as good as it gets otherwise.

Speakers & amp:
I put in a pair of DB6501s, which are very popular here. I initially ran them from the 20 watts that the head unit was putting off. The sound was crisp, clear and totally lacking in volume and depth. Without an amp, they feel like they are constantly struggling to produce correct sound. It would probably be better if you had a dedicated sub, but as it was, there was minimal mid-bass and it was lacking warmth. so, I got an amp.

The Polk PA330 is a very small compact little amp. It puts off about 75 watts per channel at 4ohms, which is close to perfect for the DB 6501s. I got mine for $60 on eBay, which is pretty common.

After installing the amp, the speakers changed entirely. I put the amp under the passenger seat, and it had tons of room. Now, there is nice punchy mid bass, the highs sound warmer and effortless, deep bass is still mostly missing, but is sort of present and there is as much clean volume as most ears could handle. Overall, if you didn't need real, deep bass, a person could probably be very happy with this setup as is.

My next step is a powered subwoofer. I don't want to lose any trunk space, so a real enclosure is out. I am considering the bazooka 6.5 200 watt tube, the Kenwood 5x7 powered setup or the Sound Ordnance 8in compact. The bazooka could fit in the space in front of the spare tire. The Kenwood or the SO compact may or may not fit behind a seat.

Anyone have any of these subs installed? What is your impression?

Nice write up, what kind of bass are you looking for? Just some simple fill at lower end or something that is going to get you heard by the car next to you?

The kenwood would be my vote if you just want some lower end fill and do not plan to have the bass to loud.

Well, I had a 2007 Civic Si sedan before my Z and it's stock audio system fit me almost perfectly. It had a 8in free air sub in the back deck and 4 6.5 components.

I like to be able to hear all of the deep notes at highway speeds and feel the bass to some degree. I have no desire to be heard outside of the car, but when I play rap or techno, I want to be able to feel a bit of thump.

My system sounds so clean and accurate now, I don't want a muddy, boomy sub that ruins it. My main problem is space. I am really tall, so my seat needs to be all the way back, and reclined a bit, otherwise I just don't fit. This limits what I can have behind my seat.

I'm also in the processing of installing new speakers/sub/amp, and wiring through the rubber tubing by the door is definitely takes a long time.

Using something like electrical wire lube or armor all helps a TON. Just a tip

I used a coat hanger, and needed to punch a very small hole in one tube before I could get it to pass through. Major pain in the ***.