Ok i have always struggled with the advice i have been getting when it comes to sound systems with my previous cars. now that i have a 350z i want to upgrade the stock sound BUT i don't want something overwhelming. I want a clean sound with some bass, not that ghetto bass either. I do listen to mostly rock and alternative and some hip hop. So what should i replace? These are some items that i have on hand that I can use but i don't know if it would give me the sound i'm looking for so please if anyone knows about sound systems, help a fellow 350zer out. ( I have a 2003 track 350z w/ navi. stock system, NOT BOSE)

1. Alpine Head Unit, CD-9853 18 RMS X 4 channels
2. Alpine 4 channel amp, I think its 50watts x 4 channels
3. JL Audio 2 channel amp 45 watts x 2

I still need to upgrade speakers so any advice? plus i would like to keep the budget of speakers under $350 for both front and rears.

 

You should be able to get by with the HU and 4-chn amp, but I'd consider another 2-chn sub amp. IMO you might want alittle more power going into your sub, maybe about 2 or 3 hundred watts.

For mids and highs, I'm sure you can find some 2-ways that sound good on 50watts RMS. You could go with components for your front stage, but I think you'd be under powering them, unless you combine the 4 chns to make 2 chns. I'm not sure what that amp is capable of though. If you did this you'd lose the back stage mids/highs, but then again a lot of people will tell you that this typr of set up sounds good in the Z. I can't speak from experience, but I will tell you that upgrading the fronts and rears does sound good.

 

so let me get this right. your telling me to replace the stock deck with the alpine and also replace the stock speakers with some aftermarket ones? also to hook up the aftermarket speakers to the 4 channel amp right? as far as the sub goes, i want to see if i can get the sound i want to achieve w/o adding a sub b/c i dont want to spend more money by getting a sub and then a box as well.

 

I personally would suggest getting a decent set of aftermarket component speakers, but do this first: Go to a stereo shop and listen to a decent set of aftermarket speakers, then compare that to how your current system sounds. If you can't tell the difference, then just get a new HU and forget about the amps or new speakers. I'm willing to bet you'll like the aftermarket ones better.

Getting a sub is not going to automatically give you ghetto bass, nor will it necessarily cost you massive amounts of money. Lots of people are concerned about ghetto bass, mostly because they hear all the kids with the massive systems you can hear a couple blocks over and they think that that shows up automatically with a sub. If you pair a sub you like with a decent amp and configure it right, you will get as much bass as you want.

People will differ on what brands and models of sub to get. Don't let someone tell you a sub is trash without testing it yourself. Go listen to some subs yourself, preferrably with a test cd of multiple music types you like, then determine if getting a sub is right for you. Don't let the saleperson pressure you into pumping the sub so you can see how hard it hits or how loud it gets. That's for the kids who don't know any better. Adjust the sound settings until you have a comfortable level of bass. You don't need the deep sound of a sub so much as you need that deep feeling when it hits, and you don't need to push the sub very hard to get that feel. This is why some people can get away with a cheaper sub even though everyone and their mom says to buy JL or other pricy brands. Keep in mind that cheaper doesn't necessarily mean trash; there are sub brands out there that are cheap and sound just fine. For my first system in '01, I bought a pair of Audiobahn 12s for a lot less than a pair of JL 12s. Granted, I had nothing to compare them to, but that system sounded just fine, and I was happy with it right up until I sold the car.

I like the same types of music you do, although I also like various forms of electronic music, and I have an '05 Touring with the Bose system. I've been driving this car for about 5 months now, and the single free air sub that comes with the Bose system is adequate, although it isn't anywhere near the 12s I used to have. I went to a shop the other day with a test cd to try out some subs, and I immediately noticed how much better the music was with the aftermarket subs.

 

i think you and i have very similar taste

for my customers, isntead of pusing brands and what not, i ask them what their ideal and max budget is, and what the result they are trying to acheive sonically and cosmetically is, and i will then go and use the best possible products and do the best possible job with in those limits.

so let me know what your limits are

b

 

hey buddy i see your in san jose. well i want to take out the alpine HU in my accord and have it installed in my 350z. i also would probably have you take out the 4 channel amp in my accord and put in my 350z. the only thing i would need to purchase from you is a set of component speakers and some rear speakers. So what are you gonna charge me for the installation and for the speakers? I would like to go with infiniti's if you have them or something comparable. thanks. my max budget for the speaker set is going to be $350. Installation is going to vary so tell me what you would charge me and i'll letl you know if it sounds reasonable.

 

hey i sent you a private message, just reply to me. your budget is completely reasonable for sure, gotta go out to meet a client, we will talk later

b