911GT2

So my family keeps on asking me what I want for christmas, and I keep avoiding the question, cus I get enough crap about how much money I spend on the car, but everything I want is for the car.

Anyways, I came up with a list of things to replace my entire stock Bose stereo, from the ground up. I'm basically pulling everything, head unit, wires, amps, acoustiwave thing and all. And I currently plane to replace it all with this:

Head Unit: Sony CDX-MP40 CD/MP3 reciever. http://www.crutchfield.com/cgi-bin/S...=1&cc=01&avf=Y

Front Speakers: Sony X-Plod 5.25" 3-way speakers. XS-V1333
http://www.crutchfield.com/cgi-bin/S...=0&cc=01&avf=N

Rear Speakers: Sony X-Plod XS-V6933 6"x9" 3-way Speakers. Of course I'll need to fab or buy some mounts to get these into the rear pockets that now don't hold speakers.
http://www.crutchfield.com/cgi-bin/S...=0&cc=01&avf=N

Amp: Sony X-Plod XM-460GTX. 600W x 4
http://www.crutchfield.com/cgi-bin/S...=1&cc=01&avf=Y

Ok, I know what you're thinking, why all Sony? Well as I looked through Sony seemed to have stuff that fit what I wanted and what fit the price ranger. Total price for all this will be ~$590, for just the parts. Installation will be a bear, and as of now I'm thinking I can probably tackle it this winter while the car is put away, so I can rip it apart and do it properly.

What does everyone think of the stuff? Have I horribly overlooked something? Anything else I need? What about tweeters, and if so, where to mount them? Any advice/criticism is welcome.

ObliqueFD

iTrader: (32)

You will need the Bose adaptor.

-edit : if you are replacing the wiring you won't need the adaptor, sorry.

pianoprodigy

No no no No! Not Sony! Seriously, Sony car audio stuff SUCKS! I'm preparing to do the same thing you are. I already have an Eclipse HU, and I'm getting a great deal on some Infinity Perfect Components. I'm also getting a great deal on a Infinity Basslink. The Components, Amp to run them, Basslink, and HU should all total around $1,000 before installation, but I will do that myself.

I know you're on a budget, BUT don't buy Sony. The cheapest Alpine HU will sound MUCH better. Trust me! Feel free to ask about any other brands...

911GT2

Ok then! Maybe I'll take a different route. Anyone have anything good to say about Sony?

2manytickets

come on man, this is what I do!!!! Take my advice ill get it going for you

2manytickets

you know my aol name, bassitup01 ill also give you the hookup on prices since ur not only a rx7 owner but one in mass too

911GT2

I know man, I'm just getting ideas right now. I was planning giving you a call when it came time to actually get the stuff. But you don't have a website to link to to show pics and what have you, do you?

Simma down Joe, I'm coming to you eventually.

Fumanchu

Sony has the highest defective rate out of any of the manufacturers. I work at Circuit City

I say go for Pioneer if you want one of the best but still have it be affordable.


I am talking about headunits here.

SpeedKing

iTrader: (4)

I've been into car audio for years and Sony car audio is actually not bad at all. Their older high end Mobile ES line is competition quality and has now been replaced by the new Xplod line. Most of the brands out there are actually decent, but you have to look at the higher end source units which are non-powered to get the cleanest sound. You'll also pay more since they're considered the top of the line models. If you're on a budget, look for Clarion's HX-D10, and Nakamichi's CD-45z. You can find good deals on these on eBay. Other than those two, I also like Alpine, Pioneer, and Kenwood source units. Coaxial speakers: CDT Audio, MB Quart Reference, JL Audio, or Boston Acoustics SL. And good inexpensive amps are US Acoustics (available @ Crutchfield), Planet Audio, and Crossfire.

Here are some good car audio links:

http://www.thezeb.com/
http://www.carstereopro.com/
http://www.cbrstereo.com/
http://www.audio-n-more.com/

InsaneGideon

No subwoofer?

2manytickets

If you do decide to buy from ebay you pay cheaper prices but you wont get any warranty with it just like most of the sites on the net. Alot of the companies are acutally telling the people who buy from unauthorized dealers to take their warranty and shove it. I dont mind if you get the stuff elsewhere but give me a call first so I can help you pick stuff out!

Fumanchu

etronics.com


enough said.

T88NosRx7

iTrader: (1)

Personally i don't like sony, i'd go with mb quarts or if you want something cheaper a good set of alpines.

911GT2

Well thanks for all the replies, but I just found out I'm losing my job in about a month, so the stereo will go on hold for a while. Anyways, thanks for the ideas guys.

nillahcaz

iTrader: (2)

I will NEVER put sony crap in my car!!
they over heat, skip, and just have problems.
If you wan't top of the line i would go with Eclipse (only problem is $$$$$). or Kennwood they don't cost as much but are a relly good company.

2manytickets

Clarion is a great company to deal with, their pro audio line is not only classy but works great

djantlive

I would avoid Clarion and Sony. Very poor reliability

Alpine is reliable. Kenwood, Pioneer are reliable HU as well if you are on a budget.

2manytickets

Clarion unreliable? whats ur source? Ive been selling clarion for 3 years and have yet to have a failure on any of their headunits. Thats at a rate of 3 or so per week

SpeedKing

iTrader: (4)

I beg to differ. Maybe those of you who have problems with Sony source units are buying the cheap ones? You get what you pay for... I've owned two Sony source units, an older Mobile ES model, and a newer Xplod model w/ changer and have had zero issues with both of them.

rotarygod

iTrader: (1)

10 years ago when I first started working in car audio, Sony wasn't all that bad. Then they hit a low point where cheaply built was their goal. Now since the ES line has come out they have gotten a little better. I would never recommend their main line though and I am still reluctant to recommend the ES line regardless. I too had too many Sony failures. I question anything named xplode. Is that a hint or something?! Clarion on the other hand has always been a very reliable company. They do not make a bad radio. Alpine is also a very good manufacturer as is Kenwood. My personal opinion of Pioneer is very low. They are in the same boat as the Sony equipment. Only their extreme top of the line expensive radio (forgot what it was called but it has everything) is worth using. Rockford radios are also very nice units. Eclipse is nice as well but their radios 8 years ago were much nicer than those now. I have an old ECD-414 that I will never get rid of. It was by far one of the best sounding units out there and the best looking too.

When it comes to speakers, that is very subjective. There are so many different speakers that are made by other companies out there. The key here is in buying what sounds best to you and only you.

911GT2

Well, though I'm not buying now, I'd still like to get an idea of what to go for.

I'm not looking for the best sounding system out there. This isn't for show or to impress anyone, it's so I can listen to music at decent quality, with hopefully more volume than the stock 10 year old system provides.

I'm not into car rattling bass, I don't like how the hondas with subs in them sound like they're rattling their friggen bodies apart. The bass that standard speakers provide is enough for me.

I have a limited budget, probably to ~$600 for everything. And I thought Sony was decent enough for what I was looking for.

nillahcaz

iTrader: (2)

a sub is not for loud.. its for deep. Im going comp SQ and i'll be the first to tell you an even an 8" sub will help. there is just no whay a 6.5" speaker can play down to 30hz at a good level.
you can get a eclipse 10" for $80. and an amp for $50 to push it.

its funny. the cost of your system will be the cost of my sub and part of the amp well that's what happens when you are in competitions.

911GT2

Yeah I know subs don't increase volume, but what I was saying was that I don't want my car rattling like its gonna fall apart with every beat of a song. Maybe I'll think about it later, but for now I'll be sub-less.

ObliqueFD

iTrader: (32)

I just bought this today.
http://www.hookedontronics.com/show_...celon_KDC-X569

You might like it. Are you looking for something that blends in with the stock dash?

nillahcaz

iTrader: (2)

maybe i did not say it right. the hondas that go a round sounding like they are going to fall apart are like that becouse they WANT them like that. If you think it is to loud you can lower the gain on the amp. most tune there system to sound thumpy, some times with the 80-30hz range over +6db than the rest of the system. the real reson for a sub is to extend the harmonic range of a sound system not give you a butt massage.