I'm alright with stereo equipment, but I usually work more on my system at home than I do the one in my car.

So I was wondering what I could put together for around a grand. I'm looking for a nice head unit, nothing fancy, some mids and tweeters, and I'll probably avoid the big sub, since I won't have the room for it.

What are your recommendations for the speakers and head unit and do you know of anything else I should look into. I can get all the stuff installed for free, my fiance's best friend is a genius when it comes to car stereos (just impossible to get ahold of, that's why I'm not asking him). Is the amp for the Nissan stock unit strong enough to hold an aftermarket system or do I need to get a head unit when an amp built in?

Any advice I appreciate. Thanks in advance!

 

Nobody has any suggestions?!?!?

 

what kind of music do you listen to and what characteristics do you like in a sound system?

 

For $1000, I can put together a nice system with money leftover for beer.

Shop around and get the best deals.
Some of the stuff listed I already have for over 2 years, so the price might be different now.

My goal is to a have a pretty nice sounding system without going top of the line everything. I want to fill the cabin with music. The extra is for eye candy.

Oh wait... I'm not a drinker.

Basic:
Clarion DXZ825 ($250)
Two pairs MB Quart 6.5" ($160)
JL W3-D2 + Box ($200)
Alpine V12 4ch AMP MRV-F305 ($150)
Wiring and Dash Kit ($60)

My Extras:
Sony XE-744 ($130)
Rear MB Quart 6x9 + Box ($150)

 

I went today to get a better stereo - the stock stereo is OK, but wanted to see what was out there. I was almost ready to buy a nice Sony XM compatable CD Stereo, buy the guy who installed stereos said the "350Z Installation Kit" wasn't out yet, and no one would be able to install one for about six months.
Luckily, I moved my head out of the way just in time to miss his nose which started to grow at an amazing rate of speed....
Anyone with suggestions (Like um.... NATE??)
Thanks -
Russ

 

From my personal experience i avoid pretty much everything sony related in car audio. Bad quality sound and i've seen too many sony stereos self destruct for me to ever trust them. Some of them look pretty damn cool though. I've had very good luck with my pioneer headunits that i've had, I also have a few friends with Clarion headunits that have held up real well and sound great. As far as speakers go you're probably not going to come close to exceeding your 1k limit unless you buy a really expensive headunit. Infinity makes very nice speakers, especially the kappa series. Focal also makes some amazing speakers.

 

I have infiniti speakers at home and I love them. But as for a head unit, I've always been happy with Alpine head units, I've had a couple and never had a problem.

I listen to all types of music so I'm really just looking for a clean sounding system that's crisp and not overwhelming. I had a friend once that blew out his back window of his Eclipse at a stereo competition, and needles to say, that's way over the top for me.

Thanks for your help!

 

Here is a sample system you may consider.

these prices are not retail but are prices that can be found ( street prices)

HeadUnit Apline 7874 $180 matches 350 interior pretty good, 2 sets of pre outs 50x4 power.

Front Speakers: Focal 165V2, $230 unbelievable speakers, Focal is considered one of the best. Great sound quality

10" sub for stock 350 sub area $110 great sub, great bang for the buck. won't set off car alarms but gives warmth and great bass. You can put in stock sub location.

Crossfire VR804 100x4 amp $379, very powerfull amp not just for volume but will control speakers very well. Fairly clean sound. Good sound quality. Mount inside one of the compartments.

So for $899 and add $100 for various cables and such you can have all brand new gear that is either good or very good. The sound will be awesome, leaps and bounds beyond the bose system.

another option is to get a used amp such as Xtant 604x about $270
and have an even better amp, cleaner power for a bit cheaper.

just something to think about. hope it helps

 

Thanks everyone for your input and suggestions. I'll see what I can do about "finding" this stuff at good prices.

 

carmedia1.com
ebay
infinitecarstereo.com

these places are a good place to start

 

I'll check into those. My finace has a friend that installs car stereos all day long. When I talk to him next, I'll see what he can find too.

Thanks again!!

 

with theamount of options out there I would be more apt to suggest finding possibilities then posting qustions about certain components. Try audioreview.com(?) if that isnt it they have a link o a car review section somewhere in small print on the bnottom. That is a great site that has consumer reviews of products. For a thousand dollars you can do lots of things. Al;pine heads are always a good choice.($200-700) I personally like Boston's line of speakers. Components for up front will increase your cost minimally but will increase your sound quality alot.. Coaxials for the rear.($400-700 total)Also look into JL's new car audio speakers. They make the best subs hands down and I havbe heard great things about their components and coaxials both cost and performance wise. My Alpine 7894 has enough power for me to do the speakers without an external amp also.(maybe 40 watts/channel RMS or so.) A little extra $ on a better head will be worth more than saving some and spending more on an amp for your interior speakers. At least to me. Or you could use an external amp to get better sound and maybe eliminte your need for a sub and subsequent amp for it.

For simple install and low $$(always important to me!!), look into the Infiniti Basslink. It will fot nicely into many spaces n the Z. EIther between the strut tower and the rear wall of the cabin in the trunk, or in the rear left corner out of the way. This will easily pick up your low end bass and nicely round out a system without bkowin your budget or your eardrums. Before you all flame the Basslink keep in mind it is $200 all told with a decent 10" sub and 200 watts.

Hope that helps a little. Any other questions I will be happy to try to answer, though I dont know much so some other people will be more help than me here. Good luck.

Joe.

p.s. My entire system would in the ballpark of $1100. You can see the specifics in my sig. The install was almost as much as the system because of all the custom work they had to do. If you could getthat done free you are good to go. Chances are this would be more than enough for you.

 

I rarely hear anyone talk about one of my FAVORITE companies Cerwin Vega... They are renouned for their subs and I swear by thier speakers too. I know that their home spekers give you excellent sound for the buck However I am hard pressed to find a lot of people that sell their car parts. Online vendors are the only places I can find them. Howvere I think that if you were to purchase these you wouldnt be dissapointed.

 

Are you kidding me??

 

Did you ever find an in-dash kit to replace your head unit?

 

if you're looking for an install kit so you can swap out your barely worthy of kmart stock unit you can get it from Nazar at customcar audio. the number there is 603-382-1801. they do a lot of great work for Z's and are just real nice in general. even replaced my install kit for free when ups damaged it in shipping. my thanks go out to them.


Rajiv
silverstone track
premier deh-p940
(2) jl w3v2-d4
jl 500/1
infinity kappa components and jl 300/2 on the way...still need more money

beginnings of system installed last night. shaking the car apart already

 

$1000 for beer and music? Sign me up!