I purchased my 2004 Nissan 350Z a few weeks ago, for a good price, with very low miles. I love the car so far, but the stereo is lacking. Its an enthusaist model.

So while I know a little about cars, I know very little about stereo's. I'm comfortable wiring cars, dealing with electronics, and that kind of stuff. I've done my share of stereo installs for friends, etc, but I know nothing about brands.

I'm not looking to spend a lot of money, and I don't want a lot of low-end bass, but I would like it to sound good.

So what I'm asking is, whats the best way for me to go? Maybe $500-$1000 dollar range, I don't care if I replace the stock radio/cd player or not, i'd just like the sound to be better, cripser, with more bass the it has now.

I've read the zenclosures for a sub seem to be a decent way to go, but any advice would be great Maybe just take it to circuit city and have them do it? I really don't know! Thanks again, and please, no smartass remarks linking me to the search function. I know how to use it.

 

for $500- $1000 you won't get much..

maybe a nice set of components and a sub $500.. here is a decent low budget system i would go with.. that will sound really nice.. Just get a nice 4 channel amp for all that.. and you are good to go.. i am sure these guys here can pick out a nice 4 channel amp for you

Diamond Audio D361 - Diamond Audio 6.5" Component System - $168.99

Image Dynamics IDQ10V2.D2 - Image Dynamics 10" IDQ Dual 2 Ohm Subwoofer - $159.99

Alpine CDE-9873 - Alpine CD receiver with MP3/WMA/AAC playback - $149.99

 

I know exactly what you mean. The stock stereo while standing still sounds so-so to ok, but at highway speeds (when you have to turn it up) sounds pretty lousy.

I'd be inclined to spend $1K to $2K if car stereo theft didn't exist but after a ~$300 stereo + a CD wallet w/20+ CDs got stolen out my old Camry years ago, I'm really wary of anything non-stock now.

 

I'd suggest picking up a high quality set of 6.5" seprates for the front and running a good amp with plenty of good, clean power to them. My choice was MB Quart and even with the stock headunit, the sound is simply incredible!

 

Thanks very much Doug, if you guys could suggest a good 4 channel amp for Doug's setup there, that would be great.

Also, is it possible to use that setup doug with the stock cd/radio? thanks

 

that will really depend on the amp.. because the amp will be powering the speakers and sub.. so question is does your stock radio have RCA outputs.. if not.. you might need a line inverter that changes line input to RCA

this thread has some good amp suggestions :https://my350z.com/forum/audio-and-video/316043-my-system-layout-opinions-welcome.html

another suggestion is Element Designs.. alot of people here seem to like them

 

if you don't mind spending a little more.. go with the Diamond 661s instead of the ones above.. http://www.woofersetc.com/index.cfm?...roduct_ID=2715

 

i'm not 100% sure.. but if you want to keep your OEM Head Unit you might need something like this

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MEWN:IT&ih=007

 

I did my own install by reading these links for a few days.. some of them have pictures with the step by step instructions

https://my350z.com/forum/audio-and-video/26598-350z-how-to-s.html

http://liljerk.morpheus.net/350Z/firewall/

http://liljerk.morpheus.net/350Z/dash_removal/

http://www.carstereohelp.com/stereor...s350zRadio.htm

https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....light=firewall

https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....threadid=26620

 

I really think you should take dkmura’s advice.
Actually, that is what I did as the initial stage of my CES build.

Your budget is tight at $500-$1K. I would buy some really good front components, and drive these with at least an intermediate external amp. This will take you closer to upper limit ($1k) of you stated budget.

I also suggest turning-down/off the cheap OEM Clarion rears to no sound since they will only pollute the sound from the better fronts.

Of course, once you get started and hear the improvement, it’s hard to stop (you will want to add a new H/U, SubW, etc.).


--Spike

 

^ so basically you guys are suggesting the same exact thing i said from my first post?

 

Well… NO... since your first response has recommendations for a H/U replacement and adding a SubW. … not that I am arguing with your low-cost selections.

I am suggesting replacing the OEM Clarion components in the front with very good aftermarket components, and driving these speakers with at least an intermediate quality external amp. That takes the OP past his bottom budget figure ($500), but still keeps him inside his stated maximum expenditure ($1K).

With a $1K “ceiling,” the OP won’t be able to go past high-quality fronts and an external amp, and add a replacement H/U and SubW.


--Spike

 

Thanks a ton for the good advice, keep it coming

Can anyone link a good amp? Also, do you need a seperate amp for a SubW and the fronts? I guess it depends on the amp, doesn't it.

I may be looking to find someone to install this, I live in San Diego, if anyone knows anyone ... I've seen more than a few posts from socal before.

 

I have gone through a few versions of my stereo system, and through trial and error would recommend the following:

-focus on your front comps, leave the rears as i or just unplugged. Speakers are a matter of what your ear prefers, so audition everything you can. I will say Nazar has great prices on JL stuff and excellent service. You can find PPI stuff fairly cheap, and they impressed me for the money or Infinity Kappas can be found rather cheap.
-my touchscreen is sweet and a nice focal point, but a basic alpine or pioneer with ipod or whatever inputs you require is all you really need or maybe just the jl audio cleansweep.
-one ten is more than enough, but don't go cheap on the enclosure, it would make or break your install and sound if you go cheap or lazy. Elemental design makes great subs for the money, or find a used Image Dynamics sub.
-I went through ppi, elemental design, dls, and jl audio. My favorites were the jl stuff and the elemental design was a close second, but based on pricing it would win in your case.
-sound dampening my door was great, doing the whole vehicle was a little overkill, well at least until I installed the Polk SR12DVC sub, in which case it made sense.

 

^^ +1 For sure... You must add sound dampening on the front door when you install a quality component speaker there (in the stock location). Without sound dampening, and if you are not using a pod; the Z's front door makes even the best speaker sound "hollow."

--Spike

 

The 04 Enthusiast trim doesn't come w/Bose head units so I'm not sure the above would apply.

 

are you kidding me? i suggest a H/U, GREAT front Components and a Subwoofer? did you miss that?

Diamond Audio Components, Image Dynamics Subs and an Alpine Head Unit.. all under $1000.. matter a fact.. a little over $500

you guys are too used to paying way too much money for sub par equipment *cough* JL Audio *cough*

Diamond Audio Components are much better products than any JL Component for much less

 

Your biggest decision is going to be whether or not you replace the headunit.
Your going to need two sets of rca's running to a four channel amp (2 channels for the front and 2 channels bridged to the sub). You can do that with either OEM or an aftermarket headunit.
Here's the choices:
On the OEM side you have:
Pro's
Stock look
Cheaper to implement then Aftermarket
Less risk of theft

Con's
Lack of features
Tuned to the vehicle by Nissan to work with the rest of the system (see JL Clean Sweep)
Needs converter to provide RCA's
Stock Look

On the aftermarket side:
Pro's
Wealth of features
Built In Rca outputs

Con's
higher risk of theft
Cost 3- 4 times more than OEM solution Unit+mounting kit +Wiring harness


With the above in mind, remember the longevity of a stock radio in these cars. It's ashame to try and save a few dollars when the OEM might take a dive after a year or two.
After you make this choice, the rest of the system components would be the same.

 

Would this work for the diamond components?

http://www.cartronixplus.com/templat...d%20D362%2E5"> these components look like the right one?

http://www.cartronixplus.com/templat...VC%20Subwoofer Kenwood KFC-XW1002DVC 10" 2 ohm DVC Subwoofer instead of the sub doug suggested below. I'm still deciding on the headunit, and any input on an amp would be great.

 

I know that sub i suggested is a little bit more than that kenwood, but that kenwood will perform like a $100 subwoofer.. while that IDQ will perform like a $600 - $800 subwoofer..

check Bing's post https://my350z.com/forum/audio-builds/316895-simple-little-install-for-a-my350z-member-s-gs300.html

Bing is a respected installer on this board.. and he uses IDQ's also.. its really a bargain at the price listed above