I recently purchased a used 2006 base model 350Z and I think I'm just now beginning to realize how bad the factory install sound system is on the base model!! I guess I just got caught up in the excitement of driving the Z at the time and didn't spend much time listening to the audio

Anyway, I was reading through a lot of the audio posts and I think most of the posts are beyond what I actually want to do with my system from a $$ perspective. I would like to stay around the $400-$700 range. Does anyone have any suggestions on what would be the best bang for my buck in upgrading the base model audio system? Would it be a complete waste of my money to invest in better speakers if I don't upgrade my radio??

I would like to keep the original look and feel of my dash so I'm not a big fan of the after market radios but I realize that really reduces my options. I'm also looking for a way to connect my IPOD to my radio as well but I don't think the base model radio from the factory gives me any options??

I hope I'm not insulting any of the audiophiles out there with my basic questions

 

Do what I did. I just upgraded the front with some components and added a single 10" under the strut bar. Tapped a LOC into my stock radio and hooked up my amp.

Nice and stealthy, I have 100w rms to the front and 400w rms to the sub. It gets the job done. Look for parts in the market place I got the sub and box for $150 from there.

 

It is amazing how fast I have out grown the over-the-top bumppiddy bump systems of my college years, but I get what you are saying.

Unfortunately the factory deck is pure BUTT! The deck really drives everything. Imagine it this way, right now you have (stereo-wise) a golf cart with a golf cart motor. If you were to upgrade the speakers and add subs, it would be like upgrading the golf cart to a z but using the same golf cart motor. Sure it would look nice and get oohs and ahs (like we do now right?), but it wouldn't go anywhere and pretty much sounds the same. With the exception of some really snazzy and expensive hardware, everything you add to the factory deck is going to still sound like crap.

So if you find a deck you can live with looking at, you can easily get a very decent sounding system for under $700, which is what I recommend. If not, get a really good line level converter and run high quality rca wires to a really good amp to some really good speakers, and hope for minimal signal loss. With the factory deck, I think that is the best option for sound quality. But I am open to ideas.

Subs are completely up to you and how much you like bass. However aftermarket highs and mids generally skimp on the lower frequencies because they were designed to be used with subs.

As for the iPod hookup, just do a quick search and you'll find everything you want to know about hooking it up to the factory deck.

 

I upgraded my stereo about this time last year by waiting on the manufacturers to cut prices on the previous years equiptment and got a head unit, MB Quart components, and an amp (plus wires, ipod connector, etc.) for less than $850 or so and did the install over the course of a weekend with my brother. You could probably go through some of the discount online dealers and do the same thing within your price range. I don't have a sub (didn't have a factory one) and miss the real lows a little but as far as sound quality goes, it is light years ahead of the factory system. I imagine Ill go back at some point and add door pods and am planning on doing something about the lows this year, but for everyday use, this arrangment has been great.