DucatiDaRottie

So I am waiting on my Spirit R to ship from Japan to Germany and in the meantime I figured I should start looking into things I know I need to replace. The double din head unit that is currently in the car will not work in Germany since it is a Japanese unit and different radio frequencies are used. So since I need to replace the unit anyway I want to do it right. This is one aspect of the car that I will not change back to stock. So I am looking at my options. I like the idea of an apple car play head unit and one I have been hearing good things about is the Alpine iLX-W650BT, I like this unit a lot mostly because there is no cd player and so it does not take up the full space allotted for the radio.Alpine has also made an amplifier (KTA-450) that docks onto the back of the head unit making it the normal depth of the typical double din CD player unit. 50 watts rms is what is advertised that this particular combo will emit.

I am not looking for a crazy killer system, just something that suits a compact package but packs a little punch. I am also looking to utilize a dash cam and alpine offers a sleek and slim design with their DVR-F800Pro, as well as back up cameras. However, I do not like the blocky back up cameras that Alpine offers, although finding a license mounting bracket one that is sleek is also hard to come by. I will not be drilling any holes into the body to mount a back up camera so I'll have to do a lot more digging and researching for this aspect.

On to the speakers, what are some recommendations for a good sounding system that packs a little punch? I am not experienced when it come to audio. I can install and tuck wires easily but actually knowing what is good and bad for speakers is not my forte. I have been reading on the forums that the rears are best suited as 6x8s and that the fronts are 5.25s but shallow 6.5s would work as well. I've seen arguments that using the center dash speaker is useless but also arguments that with some it sounds better. 3.15 is what people are saying that center speaker is.

So any suggestions on other head units that utilize apple car play, back up cameras, and dash cams, as well as give a good enough punch to power a little bit better speakers? What speakers would be recommended? Full rang in the fronts and mids and low in the rear? Utilize a tweeter as the center speaker? Any and all information is appreciated! Although I do tend to stick with name brands and budget isn't really an issue since I'm not trying to make it competition ready.


Interior is clean, decently looked after, some minor wear that I will have to freshen up a bit.

dguy

iTrader: (8)

I'm no audio guru however I never trust head units or their tiny modular amps to produce enough power with clarity. That said I'd be interested in what other folks have done.

yurcivicsux

hi have a lot of experience with car audio and whats worth it and what not. Any aftermarket deck regardless of cost and features will not power any speakers sufficiently you need an amp. go to a car audio store and get real help just don't buy online.

head unit of your choice make sure you get 6 preouts at the back, i like a single din and retain the oem cubby box for my wallet etc. (but thats me...)
replace all 4 stock speakers with JBL 2 ways 5.25 and 6x8 in the back
4 channel amp with good rms, 4 gauge wiring

if you want bass get a 5 channel amp instead of a 4 channel and a slim sub box/ woofer size of your choice 8" or 10" (slim) Pioneer makes a few good ones for the back. this is the simplest and easiest way to get a good sounding system without cutting holes for tweeters and components systems etc. also forget the center speaker it's useless and wont work with a balanced system because it' robs its own channel.

again seek the advice of a qualified car audio store, they have the experience with all cars. the RX7 doesn't need much in such a small car.

for the back up camera make a license plate frame adapter

DucatiDaRottie

Thank you for the advice! Sadly being in Germany and not speaking fluent Deutsch limits my options for professional stereo help. I like to get other’s opinions first before going to a shop, just so I have some knowledge.

I had one other person also recommend using Kenwood with similarly specification like you suggested.

TwinCharged RX7

iTrader: (14)

A spirit R without the seats?

Mazdaspeed RX8 ver2

iTrader: (7)

Its a Type B Spirit R. Type B's have rear seats and red leather seats. Only the Type A has the Red Recaro seats.

DucatiDaRottie

I am 6‘2“ with broad shoulders. I drove my buddies type A a while back for about 3 hours. Those Recaro seats were not comfortable to me at all. Also the plastic containers in the back are basically useless just like the map holders in the door. XD At least with the back seats I can carry around my nephews while they are still young. So I opted for a Type B. They are also rarer being that only 420 were made. Of course I wouldn’t go for the Type C for it being even rarer but a four speed Auto just isn’t fun.

Qtfsniper

For a headunit i recommend the pioneer or Kenwood's, the ones with a capacitive screens look great. They'll have all the futures you'll want. I have a NEX 4200 that has been stable in a WRX