So I have finished the upgrading of my base stereo for now. I kept the factory deck, added an MTX 4202 and MTX 4122 amp under each seat, Boston Acoustic RX67 speakers all the way around and temporarily a JL 10W3 in a box in the hatchback. Everything sounds awesome! I went with the coaxials in the front door mainly because I didn't want to cut into anything right now...very pleased with their sound so not sure if I ever move to components up there.

As for that damn sub void....well first they looked at building a box for my JL 10W3 in that void, but the angle and the size of that sub was going to be more work and money than it was worth. Then we put a JL 10IB4 (free-air) in there, which added some nice warmth to the sound, but was just not very solid. Some folks might be fine with this, but it just didn't feel like I had a sub in my car. The biggest issue with a sub there is the location. That is one of the worst places for a sub to go in a car (too close to your ears, no room for the lower requencies to travel, etc.). Soooo....for right now I'm stealing some of my storage space by just using a small sealed box for the JL 10W3. I was very close to having them building a box under the rear strut brace...it would have been very sweet and I will probably do that at some point, but will wait for that step.

If anyone has any questions about installing stuff, let me know because my stereo place went through several options before we settled for this path.

Oh....and the stereo place DID get the door ding fixed today...can't even tell it was there!!!!!

I would include pictures, but it won't really matter because it all looks stock except for box in hatch.

 

Hi, I also planning to install a 10W3, does it not fit flush onto the factory opening? Does the magnet has too much depth? What if you don't build a box, and just mount the 10w3 with the compartment sealed and dynamatted?

 

First the void would be too big for that speaker. Second, the depth of the speaker was just to big at the angle it would mount on the factory plate. There would only be like an 1/4 inch seperating the magnet from the car body. To build a box would require you to change the angle, which could be done, but then you would have to set the box back a little into the void....just created a lot of work. I still think it just such a bad location for a sub. I really wanted to put a sub in there to keep the stock look, but just wasn't going to happen because of my taste I crave from my sub. The box design that I have on hold will be sweet, just need to pay off the current stereo expense first (under rear strut brace).

Next Stereo Upgrade: Neo Car Jukebox inside of map holder!!!

 

Does the standard radio have rca outputs/ preamps?

Does it actually have an amp?

Im far from an audiofile but I think the standard sound is missing midrange would agree?

Any suggesting for improving on the sound with the stock radio head, and spending less than 400.00?

Are those seperate tweeters in the doors, they look so small?

Thanks for the info.

 

aggie: check your pm please

 

Sure, just get a decent set of components or coaxials and put them in the stock location, running off the stock head unit. Take the door panels off, replace the speakers, maybe dynamat the doors, and you're set.

 

What about doing a sub in the spare tire well (use AAA for emergencies)? What did they use to convert the signal from the head unit for the amps? Also how are you going to get the MP3 players signal into the head unit?

Also does anyone know if there will be run flat tires in the Z's size any time soon?

 

That's what I'm doing, an Image Dynamics IDMAX 12", downfiring in the left rear corner. A shop is fabricating an enclosure for me.

The place I'm taking my 350Z plans to run the outs from the back directly into a pair of Zapco Reference 350 amps. They say that modern amps can take very high-level inputs, so running an amp'ed signal straight in will actually give you better SQ because you don't need a line converter.

 

for 400 bucks, I would suggest a sealed JLaudio W3 and an amp to push it. The limiting factor with replacing the components is that the head unit is OK powering the stock paper cones, but will be hurtin' with some nicer speakers. if you do get just speakers, youll do OK looking into some efficient speakers that can run off of 35W a chanel.

 

Will some PLEASE answer Pacco's question.

ARE THERE RCA OUTPUTS, AND INPUTS ON THE DAMN
RADIO OR NOT?

It's been asked a 100 times and no one answers it!

All I ever hear is converters being mentioned. So I assume if you want to add a cd changer you have to use fm modulation.

IS THIS CORRECT?

 

sorry doods. NO RCA's available, no seperate amp.

dont waste money on a line converter.

If you are gonna ad an amp too...then under $400 plus install will not be an improvement over stock unit.

install 150 (ahem, read: good install)
amplifier $170
tax. $30
leaves 150 for components. good luck finding ANYTHING for that price, let alone somthing better than stock.

read my advice above!

 

Thanks for the information everyone, I'd love to have a hi fi system back when that ment an ADS system, these days Im clueless but I do know that there way over $400, but Im saving my pennies for some rays, hence the $400 number anyhow I check into the suggestions.

Thanks Again.

Enjoy your awesome cars.

Cheers,
Pacco.