Got a Z! Now its stereo time!

ktzdaman

Hello all! I just got a black Z last weekend and I'm glad to join ya! Got a few sound questions for ya!

1. How hard is it to take off the door panels?
2. 6.5's in the door right?
3. in the upper dash there are 2.5's... To my understanding you cant buy that size... what have you guys been stuffing in there? Would a 3.5 speaker fit with a little cramming?
4. Should I run components? Are they a pain to wire?
4.5 I'm leaning towards Infinity - opinions?
5. Can I use the factory wireing to just put in new speakers? are the current 6.5's and 2.5's running on the same line? If i re-wire them for a aftermarket deck, could i run the 2.5's as the front and 6.5's as rears? Any ideas?
6. Dynamat vs. edead vs. fatmat - Which is the best, cheapest and how much would I need in my Z?
7. I just ordered a eclipse Avn726e head unit (saw the forum about that install and was beyond impressed!) Any helpful hints before I put it in?
8. Any one put in rear speakers?
9. What are your opinions about the custom boxes available on Ebay for subs? They looks sweet - anyone got one?

I just wanted to say thank you all in advance. I have been lurking these forums for the last couple days and have learned SO MUCH about my new car! Thank you for your time, and I'm sure Ill have more q's later!

Shane

bigaudiofanat

If you are completely new to car audio I would take 2 steps back and relax. You have some knowledge to gain.
1. with the right tool it is not hard, there is a panel tool at your local auto store get one their like 8 bucks.

2.There is 5 1/4 in the door "as far as I know" different speakers have different mounting depends as well.

3.For there that is were I would install your tweeter in the component set.

4.The components are much nice and are just a tad more difficult to run but not much definitely worth the extra time. If you are going to go with a nice set of with hertz or image dynamics infinitys have very harsh tweeters.

5.You can use the factory wiring in the doors just have to make sure that you use them before the factory crossover.

6.Dynamat or fat mat I have used both and prefer dynamat just dose not have a smell to it either.

7.Take your time and do it right make sure that you have the wiring harness for you z as well. Also the ground wire has to be grounded get you some self taping screws. Or right were the shift knob is there are bols loosen one us and slide a U connector there for your ground.

8.I am against rear fill you do not need it and it makes the music not sound right. Just get a nice set of fronts you will be much happier.

9.If you need any help or more guidance contact me weather it be a PM or threw instant messenger aim and yahoo are reimermatt. Take care!!

Here is some more info that might be some help to you
Car Audio 101

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Need help with car audio or electronics? Let me know!! Need Help Let Me Know
Direct email address reimermatt@gmail.com
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Lost

1. Fairly easy if you have done a door panel before. You just pop off the power window/lock panel and undo the harness, unscrew a few screws, and deal with the handle. A trim panel tool is quite useful here as bigaudiofanat said.

2. I put 6.5" speakers in mine with no problem.

3. A 3.5" speaker *might* fit, but I would (and did) just go with a component set. It should come with some parts that you can use to mount the tweeter in the stock location.

4. Go with components, they shouldn't be any more difficult to wire than separate speakers. I would use the crossover that comes with your speakers, rather than the stock crossover personally but using the factory wires is fine.

4.5. I put the middle of the line Infinities in mine because I already had them. I'm happy with how they sound personally, but speakers are definitely something you should listen to before you buy them to make sure you like how they sound.

5. See #4.

6. I have only used Dynamat, but it seemed to work well enough.

7. Also make sure you have the powered antenna adapter.

8. I have experienced both with and without the rear speakers and my preference is with them. My music sounds very empty to me without rear fill. Some adjusting may be necessary for balance if you choose to add them in.

9. They seem to be okay, but I personally don't like how prominent they are in the rear window (I don't like showing off my goods when I'm not intentionally showing off my goods) or how much of the luggage space they take up. I had a custom box built for the area the spare tire is in and I'm very happy with it. With grills on the subs I have retained most of my luggage space. For reference, if you want to use the area right behind the crossbar, you have about 9"-10" of space front to back and about 8" from subfloor to floor to mount stuff in. Good place for amps and stuff.

Also, the areas behind the seats are big enough to mount a shallow mount 12" (or smaller) sub but would require a fiberglass box and would likely cover up the stock rear speaker location. You may have enough room to mount a 10" regular sub, but I did not check the measurements.

bigaudiofanat

You could always install a small truck box behind the seat it would be hidden and out of sight. Just keepin mind if you do install a sub you will need a power wire ran from the batter to a new aftermarket amp and a ground for that amp. Also a set of rca wires to send the signal from the head unit to the new amp.

As I stated in a previous article about rear fill.

"Honestly in top end cars there are no rear speakers because SQ "sound quality" is setup for optimal performance. I own a civic and I have taken the rear speakers out so that way I have no rear fill as they call it. If you listen to it for a few days you will get use to it and it will definitely sound better than 4 channels. Think of it this way artist record there music in 2 channel format so the optimum way to listen to it is threw 2 channels. My setup is going to be my fronts and a rear sub that's all. After thinking about it and listening to it it sounds way better. So in a nut shell do not get rear speakers or worry about it."

But as I said it is an opinion rear fill you get use to and for someone who has been listing to it like that for many years may find it strange to have no rears. On that note when you have rear fill your axis is off "listening position" because your front speakers and rears are fighting sound waves and are against each other.

__________________
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/

jikhead

I just put up a write-up on removing the door panels in the DIY section.