Okay, a question probably asked many time. Sorry for the uber noob/wide range question...

I'm pretty new to the car audio thing. My OEM HU is giving me troubles. I have the basic system and it has recently started to act up. I can barely play one complete song on CD...

The amount of available replacement HU is staggering. I wouldn't mind getting a used one, but that just multiplies choices. I need help sorting through all that.

Here's my "wish list"
-Single DIN (I have plans for the other slot)
-iPod compatible
-Better than stock sound.
-CD playback
-Clean and sober look that matches the Z's interior
-Under 400$

I've upgraded the rear speakers already and I'm about to order some component speakers for the front. The car is a weekend ride / track car. I often drive it for 12h straight so I need musical company!

Thanks for your input

 

I just ordered the Clarion DXZ575USB for 219 from crutchfield. It is the only model I could find that actually has a USB jack right on the faceplate. I also bought the satellite tuner and the steering wheel control kit so I could maintain that functionality. It also has IPOD functionality with an accessory. not an IPOD fan myself. I plan on using my micro USB drives for music, no skips or bumps. Haven't installed it yet but plan too very soon, gotta find a good spot for the satellite antennae.

 

A few of the newer Alpines have the iPod interface cable, you can control the iPod from the HU. Have it in my car and love it...matches pretty well too. Cable can be ran from behind the HU up to the nav cubby if you don't have the navigation for a clean look.

 

I put in a Eclipse 8443 HU for $420 three years ago. Works great.

Here is what else I added:

http://www.350zfrenzy.com/forum/show...ighlight=stero

 

I just bought the Alpine 9885 for $239 and got a free kit with it.

 

lets see some pics. the 9885 is what im looking to install. i'm just really hung up on the single din factor.

 

How about Kenwood ?

KDC-X591 head unit
KAC-6402 amp (optionnal)

 

Does Pioneer offer anyting for the Z besides the AVIC?

 

I'm browsing on www.crutchfield.com for car audio. Makes it easy to find what fits and they supply all the hardware for installation.

There's a bunch of Pioneer options.

 

I picked up an Eclipse CD5000 and iPod adapter for $326.12 total shipped a couple months ago because that model is discontinued.

Here's the newer model cd5100......the ipod adapter is an additional $50 (but I can't find it on this same site)
http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_...se+CD5100.html

 

go with the alpine 9885....its a very nice hu for the cost(209 from sonicelectronix.com) the ipod functionality is as close to the click wheel as it gets and it does look ok in the dash....i LOVE it

 

I just ordered the Kenwood KDC-X591 hu.

looking forward to hear it!

Thanks all!

 

Damn, too late! I'm sure you got a good one, though, since you can't go wrong w/Kenwood. I would've recommended the Kenwood KDV-412. Just got it and it has almost TOO MANY functions.. lol.. including DVD, which was pretty important in my choosing. It can be had for pretty cheap off of ebay, a little >$200.

 

hockiman...how does the ipod sound? close to cd quality?

 

no joke but i believe ipod sounds either as good if not better than a cd would in the alpine its awesome...you might be able to tell im still in the phase where your like a kid in a candy store and so happy because i just got it

 

Under the plastic trim that covers the rear strut tower brace is a great place. Also, between the vents where the dash meets the windshield.

Ive done both and prefer under the strut tower brace cover.

 

The plastic trims are permeable to satelite radio signal ?

I wonder if GPS signal would reach that rear strut location too...

 

It does.

 

If you go pioneer, go premier series. The premier series headunits are alittle more pricey, but they all have much higher preamp voltages, and may more options than the regular vanilla pioneer series. Also the built in amp if you so choose to use it, most provide > 50wx4 channels which i believe is one of the highest you can get ahold of. (one model, my old one ran 60w per channel) These are some good ones.

my personal fav
http://www.woofersetc.com/index.cfm?...roduct_ID=4306

This one has an ungodly amount of features.
http://www.woofersetc.com/index.cfm?...roduct_ID=5513

spec sheets and owners manual for those two...plus alot more here:
first
http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/pn...159496,00.html
second
http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/pn...834014,00.html

you can see all new models here: (to see all older models, just click "older models" on the top right below the search function)
http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/pn...0069882,00.htm

EDIT: oh yeah, if you buy one make sure that it is the premier model, the vanilla pioneer counterparts look EXACTLY the same, the only aesthetic difference is that pioneer will say "pioneer" on the faceplate, and the premier will say "premier"

edit again....damn, too late. ***kicks self**** (read the whole thread BEN read the whole thread...) ignore my above ramblings

 

Lol

Still, thanks for the detailed post! The effort is appreciated!

The Kenwood HU is in now. Playing well, altough the finishing is average. And I'm a bit annoyed by the unadjustable brightness of the buttons. Very eye catching at night when I usually drive with the dash barely lit.

I have to reroute the iPod cable. Now it comes out of the would-be ash tray. I'll cut a hole in the rear center console tray and leave it there.

Tonight the component speakers goes in the doors. I still have to find a spot to place the X-overs. Any suggestions ?