I know for audio newbies like myself this is probably a common question...FYI I did a search...got jack. I'd appreciate any help you can offer..

Just got the Z, has the Bose system..not entirely impressed (big surprise) but I suppose it is a better foundation than most standard auto systems. I have $700ish left to spend and want to make it worthwhile. First I should let you know that I'm not going for over the top custom or bone crushing sound that people 4 miles away can hear. Just looking for good clean sound once turned up to a decent level and something that still has some good kick.

So, upgrade the head unit? Also, I have an iPod so an aux input would be great. Most aftermarket units have these, right?
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What about replacing the factory 10" and keeping it in the same mounting place? Will this work with a non bose speaker?

Finally, I've always loved the headunits that have an LCD screen. What can I say I'm a gadget person. Which unit would you recommend in this case? (don't need nav but if it's an affordable option included, why not)

Thanks for your input!

 

Wow I figured the tech heads would really chime in here. BUMP

 

Bumpity bump...pls don't make me go to Best friggin Buy.

 

you might want to increase your budget. When upgrade your head unit from bose, you will need new amp for all the speaker since Bose amp will not work with anything else.

 

Helpful tip, did not know that, thanks.

 

you need to almost double your budget for a nice LCD alone....I know most of the new alpine head units you can plug your i pod into

 

Stock sub is not 10" its 8". Replace the HU and get a 300/4 amp from JL or another company. Get an engine grounding kit and get nice size gauge wire for your amps. You could replace the 8" factory speaker with another sub and run another amp to it if you want more bass. There's a boat load of options, but for $700ish you could get a HU and amp for your speakers.

 

The best thing you can do is essentially gut out the entire bose system and start from scratch. If you keep anything stock, you basically will not get the "most" out of any upgrades.

For example, i thought replacing the speakers and keeping bose amp+boseHU would be enough (since i just wanted to do minimal things to make the system sound acceptable) -- but the bose amp was terribly EQing the source thereby making the overall sound really harsh and difficult to listen to at higher volumes, albeit the system did sound noticibly cleaner with less muffly sound.

Then I thought of removing the bose amps (both woofer amp and speaker amp), and still keeping the bose HU. You can do this by buying an audiolink pd4 which converts unusable bose signals from the stock HU, to rca lineouts -- and from there you can run the rca cables to an external amp(s). I was about to do this until i realised the Audiolink Pd4 costed 150$ -- just 50$ more and i could have a MUCH better aftermarket HU and not need the audiolink convertor. In addition, i read in a couple postings that the stock HU itself, is or could be part of the culprit in terms of poor EQing or just generally a poor audio source prior to sending the signal out.

Long story cut short, i ended up gutting everything. I am using a sony HU (cdx-m7815x) deck, powering all four aftermarket speakers with the internal amp. I do have the option of using the preamp outputs in the deck to run front + rear lines to external amp but for now, the 52wattx4 internal amp is sufficient and sounds a heck of a lot better than stock bose system -- fairly clean and loud enough for me since i'm not looking for top-notch showy system. (Getting a decent HU with clean internal amp was really a cost-savings for me since i dont need to buy another 4ch amp). the HU also has separate controllable mono SUB outs which i intend to use with infinity basslink sub once it arrives. right now i dont have a sub but i'm really surprised how much bass i get out of the 6.5" infinity kappa's with the internal HU amp in contrast to when i was running these speakers with the bose amp where i wasnt getting enough mid bass at all from the infinitys. as for aux in's, my hu does have them so i pre-wired them to the accessory box in the middle console -- dont have much use for it now but i will. if you have an ipod or plan to get one, i think you should get an ipod-ready deck rather than a deck with just standard aux-in's. you'll easily find ipod-ready decks.. its really a matter of searching and finding what you like. as for LCD screen -- like everyone said, double your budget

have fun

 

Thanks..good tips.