Started my Audio Build
 

Well I ordered the head unit Eclipse AVN726E from Woofersetc AVN726E - Eclipse Navigation receiver

Here is a good video from crutchfield talking about the head unit
Video: Eclipse AVN726E Navigation Receiver

I ordered the new 5 channel JL Audio HD900/5 amp from

JL Audio HD900/5 Amp: Multi-Channel - Car Amplifiers at Onlinecarstereo.com

I also ordered the JL Audio 12W6v2 Subwoofer
JL Audio 12W6v2 Subwoofers - Car Subwoofers at Onlinecarstereo.com

I still need to get some quality 6.5 components for the doors, not sure which ones I want yet. I had JL audio xr 650's in my 04 350z and they sounded nice but want a change this time around.

So items still needed:

door component speakers
12" sub box from Zenclosures ( see ya soon Mike) also speaker spacers just in case I need them.
Bass control knob
Sat Radio adapter
Ipod adapter
Dynamat
Amp wiring
RCA's
Eclipse back up camera
wiring harness for head unit


I will put together a video of entire install step by step and post when completed :happydance:

this looks interesting...

in for DIY :tup:

I do not recommend the bass knob. Those only "boost" certain freq of the the amp. They are really not full control. But than again it will turn the bass down.

Actually thats not true for "that" amp. The "bass knob" for the JL HD amps will actually attenuate all the way down to nothing or all the way up to the point of where your gains are set. There is no equilization or bass boost crap on these amps except for the subsonic filter.

I recommend the bass knob, its a quick easy way to cut or add bass between songs without touching the head unit.

Some amps are different than others but for the most part they are just to boost certain freq. SOME are actually to adjust. But having said that if everything is setup properly there should be no need to adjust any knob.

You are correct, the JL HD amps are about the only exception to this that I know of.

I hate bass boost and eq crap that goes into so many car audio amps, it just colors the sound. Most people magnify the problem even further by maxxing these settings out without realizing it will make your amplifier clip almost immediatly.

Even on the head unit, I always disable the "loud" setting and zero out the bass and treble settings.

You will like the JL 900/5, Its one awesome amplifier! The 12W6-V2 is the best sounding subwoofer I have ever heard in an automobile. There is no question whatsoever that you will not be happy with that combo.

Woooo, I like the way you think. That reply has me :happydance:

:iagree:

SO what speakers are you going with. I hope your not going to say JL. If so hop off the JL band wagon and give Image Dynamics or rainbow a try. Even focal.

Jl ftw!!!!

What would you recommend for around $500? I was thinking of getting the DLS UR6i from Elemental Design's site, but I'm definitely open to suggestions. It'll be paired up with a Elemental Design NINe.2 Elemental Designs which I will be pulling out of my RSX. Also going to pull out my other EDesign Amp and 12" sub and using it.

I listen to a pretty eclectic range of music, so I'd want something that produces good sound with any type of music.

a little off topic, but if im looking for good clean tight bass what do you recommend?

Clean and Tight is JL.

10w6v2 or 12w6v2

BigA I did a bunch of online feedback searches and the Boston Pro 60 Se's had some great feedback. Plus they were on sale at Online Car stereo for about $300. I ordered them and then I saw the Focal Poly Kevlar's reply. I think I would have given these a shot but it was too late. I already placed the order.

I have everything ordered except for the back up camera, speaker wire, and Sat radio add ons. Received the headunit today, So maybe I will start the install next weekend.

I can't wait to get started.

One question for you, I was in Walmart picking up a soldering iron and I saw a Schoshe wiring harness for Nissan. The back list showed the 03 and up 350 but the number was different from the one you posted up. It was only 8 bucks so I grabbed it. If it doesn't fit I will have to order the one you put up.


Edit:...I just ordered the NN04B from the Ebay link you put up. Don't feel like getting to the install point and have to stop because the one I bought doesn't work. At least I know the NN04B does.

Thats wierd!!! I am having installed a very similar system as we speak. IT will be done on Monday. I have the same deck with, back up camera, XM adaptor, steering wheel controler interface, ipod adaptor, Boston Acoustic Pro 5.25 component for door and tweet. Boston Acoustic G5 10" in rear with zenclosure box. 2 Boston Acoustic GTS125 amps running it all. I also have the remote bass dial. I will let you know how it sounds monday.
John

Thanks John, look forward to your results. I had the 10" Boston G2 sub in my 350 and it wasn't bad at all. That G5 looks pretty nice.
I am curious how the PAC steering wheel control will work for you. I didn't order it but may if you have good results.

The Boston Pro's are a good choice, they have consistantly made great speakers for a long time. I almost bought some JL comps until I heard them next to some Focals. I didnt like the way they sounded. I thought they were too relaxed sounding and there are better comp sets out there for half the money. IMO the bottom of the line focal access comps sounded better than the JL C5's. (At least on the sound board they did.)

If you havent gotten a component set yet I would look into the Polk sr6500 comps, Id put them up against sets that cost twice as much, very smooth midbass and a sexy ring radiator tweet.
Also a very underrated set is Pioneers TS-C720prs that can be had for around 250. I dare you to find a better set for that price :)

:iagree:

Does Polk have a replacement for the SR6500 that would compare? Those seem to be discontinued.

OK...Here is my review of the System. I have the Eclipse deck, Boston Acoustic Pro 5.25 component speakers front, Stock rear speakers, 2 Boston Acoustic GTs125 amps. Bluetooth Module, XM Sat module, Back up camera module, steering wheel control module, 36 sq. ft. Dynamat, 10 Boston Acoustic G5 Sub-woofer in a Zenclosure box. The read speakers are powered by the deck not the amp.

Initially I just got the sub box, and woofer and thought that was all I was going to want since I THOUGHT the mid and high;s were OK. The woofer killed the system. After installation, the mid range was lost and the woofer overpowered the factory system and it sounded worse.

The eclipse head unit will take a learning curve that will be a few days but so far there are what I like and dislike.

Like:
Looks cool
Sounds great...awesome!!!
Nav works well and looks cool
Backup camera works well..
Pivot face up feature is nice.
USB thumb drive input is nice!

Dislikes:
-Steering wheel controls lag, and are VERY limited as to what they control.
-In IPOD mode you cannot change tracks with the steering wheel you can only cast forward and rewind the currently playing song.
-In XM mode you cannot toggle though your presets with the steering wheel button you can only choose station up or down. VERY ANNOYING!!
-Must defeat the e-brake control since it will not allow you to place a call using the virtual keypad without the e-brake up.
-Volume up and down buttons are very small and can be a bit challenging to use. Dial is much more intuitive. Steering wheel buttons work OK but lag about 1/4 second and is noticeable.

The system sounds GREAT. Extremely sharp and clean bass, mid and tweet. I have found that saving a lot of music on a USB thumb drive and hooking it to the deck is better than using my iphone. Bluetooth works great! I have to say it again...the sound is now awesome!!!! I will post again later to tell more. I know I am a little negative about the deck only because I am having to learn a new thing and not finding it very intuitive, but after a few weeks I am sure I will grow to love it! I am not good at writing these reviews so if you have and questions please don't hesitate to ask.

John

I would say your problem lies in 2 things with your dislikes. You did not do the video bypass so you COULD put things in while you drive. And also eclipse head units are not known for there steering wheel control integrations Nor for there ipod controls. If you are looking for that stuff look at alpine next time.

You mean these?

SR6500 - Polk Audio 6.5" 2 Way Component System with External Crossover

Also here is my personal favorite that for the price can not be beat. Everything is very smooth.

XS-65 - Image Dynamics 6.5" 2 Way Component System

Video bypass is done....bluetooth can be used while driving. Didn't know about the steering wheel controls....I am getting more used to it as time goes by.

John, just out of curiosity what made you go with the 5 1/4" in the doors instead of 6.5's?

I am glad to hear they sound sweet though and that the nav is working well for you. I am installing the 36' sq. ft. of Dynamat today. I also purchased the bulk pack. Damn, that is some work cutting and sticking that in place. It doesn't help it was 92 degrees here in Tampa today. Cold front coming through over the next couple days and it will only be 80..OOOOH that is going to feel nice.

Good install weather.

How about a few pics of your system:tup:

also John, did you just ground the parking brake wire or did you also have to modify a pin on your wire harness?

I grounded the e-brake wire...works fine. I went with the 5.25 because there are only about 5" of holes in the door speaker grille if you look into it. I did not want to drill into it making more holes and thought 5.25 was more than adequate for such a small car. I think it is after the install as well. I will take pics and get them to you asap. I would also have loved to have leather wrapped the double din adapter plate. That would have been very cool!!!

john

With the z enclosure spacer rings you could of used them and put any 6 1/2 inch speaker you would have wanted without drilling any holes into the metal.