Ok, so I recently got the eclipse avn726e in dash nav unit and while it has yet to be installed, I was reading on here and decided to replace the factory front speakers as well. I got a really good deal on some JL stuff, even though I know people on here will say there are better products to be had for the money. I paid a little less then 50% of retail for these goods so I dont think its a bad deal. Heres the plan, I am hoping for a significant better sound then stock, however I do not need all the bass provided by a sub. I did that when I was younger and I dont want that anymore, I just want a well rounded, great sounding audio system. Here is what I have to install:

Eclipse AVE726E Double-Din Nav Unit
JL C5-650 Components for the front
JL G2250 2-Channel Amp for the components

How do you guys think this will sound, based on what I want from my car audio system. Based on what I have read the JL C5's sound great but are overpriced. However, I paid much less for them so try and curtail your advice knowing that I didnt pay anywhere ner $500 for these. I got the amp for $150 too so in all it was a good deal. Let me know if this setup will work and if it will sound significantly better then stock. I havent heard any other speakers, other then bose, in the Z. So, I do not know how much better this will sound. By the way I have an 08 Touring..

 

just a lil advise dynamat the two front doors while your at it. It makes a huge difference in sound quality or at a minimum add one of those speaker kits that just covers the back portion of the speaker. You will most likely add an additional amp for a sub down the road so install a big enough gauge wire so you dont have to redo it later on i suggest at least a 4 awg.

 

I am planning on matting the front two doors. How do you guys think this will sound? Will it sound better then the bose system, even without a sub? Also how much would you guys expect to pay to have this small setup installed? Just curious because I got a quote from a local audio shop, audio sensations, and they are coming in around $700 for the install.

 

If installed and tuned correctly, I think you will be happy with the overall sound. Just know thta aftermarket components are not made for deep bass. You will be left feeling a little empty at the bottom end. Depending on your listening habbits and the genre of music you enjoy, you may or may not miss much. Deadening the doors is a good step to helping achieve slightly better bottom end response from the components though. Pods would help even more. Overall I think the sound will be head and shoulders above either of the OE sound options available in the Z.

$700 to install a nav headunit, front comps, and an amp isn't TOO bad, maybe a hair high. Depends on what that includes (i.e. does that price include an amp wiring kit, custom fabrication, etc?).

 

$700.00 for install of component speakers and amp & HU seems way too high. I basically did the same thing, Kenwood DDX514 HU, Kenwood 8404 amp, Focal components in the door and Focal full range in the rear, and Dynamat in the doors., Install charge was 375.00. I don't have a sub either and don't miss one at all. Plenty of bass with the Focal's and amp. I'd renegotiate that install price if I were you.

 

I was also thinking the price was a little high. Here is what exactly is being done, if you guys could let me know how much you think i should pay that would be great. Also here are the prices in which they charge for each item:

Install Eclipse AVN726E Nav Unit: $200
Keep steering wheel controls: $120
Speakers Install: $85
Amp Install: $175

Also the dash kit, wiring, and dynomat would have to be purchased. So, all said and done I am looking at atleast $700. I dont know how much the wiring and dynomat typically cost. If you guys could chime in some more so I can atleast have an idea of what I should be paying and so I can also have a little more knowledge prior to negotiating.

 

^^ I think $700 for all that you mention is a very fair price. If the installer does the job correctly, he is worth this co$t.

I’ve never regretted paying a Professional Installer (I always look for the best PI since they do major surgery on your car) to do a better job than what I could do. If you quibble with your PI, you may end up with much less than you get when paying a couple of hundred bucks more.

--Spike

 

His prices don't seem too bad....like i said in my previous post maybe a hair high. But like Spike said, if he has been around for a while and is a very reputable instller in your area it is worth the money. Also, what kind of warranty does he offer on his work? Also you have to look at the region of the country and other shops in the area. Depending on where you are in PA could have a huge affect on the 'going rate'. And are there any other shops within a certain radius? If not, then he can pretty much charge whatever he wants for lack of competition.

The only thing I would say he is 'smoking something' on is the $320 combined for the head and the steering controls. In my opinion, $250 combined would sound a bit more in line with what has to be done.

Another option.......
Why not put out a post in your local forum section and see if some member(s) would be willing to help you. It would be a learning experience for you and you will get the equipment installed for far less money (cost of a case of beer and pizza?). This option would of course not give you a warranty on the install though.

As for a dash kit, wiring and deadening.......
Dash kits can be found for under $20. If you had a 2003-2005, I have an extra kit I would send you for the cost of shipping...but it won't work in your 2008. Sorry.

Wiring kits:
If there is a possibility of adding another amp later for a sub, get a 4awg two-amp kit to save yourself the trouble later.

If you will NOT ever be adding another amp for a sub, get an 8awg kit like this one: HERE. It's made by DEI. I've had a similar two-amp DEI kit in my Z for the last 3+ years with no issues and I used to use Stinger exclusively in my installs. Also look into KnuKonceptz for discount priced kits.

And look into FatMat for deadening the doors, they are less expensive than some others and (IMHO) provide a comparable product. I've used FatMat in all my installs for the last 10+ years and not a single problem have I had (other than slicing my hands on the aluminum backing ). You don't need a whole lot to deaden just the doors, so budget maybe $30 max for this if you shop around.

 

I just talked to my installer and told him everything I have and he said that the G2250 amp by JL isnt the best choice for the C5 Components. Im already going to be spending way more than I initially thought when I was just putting in the in-dash nav unit. I really didnt want to spend this much, however, I want good sound so I did it. Now hes saying I should have went with a more powerful amp for the JL C5 Components. What do you guys think? Should the JL G2250 250W amp sufice for what I am trying to accomplish? I would prefer to stay with what I have purchased, but if its going to sound poorly then I would rethink that.

 

C5 650 comps - continuous power handling=75watts

G2250 amp - 80 W RMS x 2 @ 4 ohm


That's about as perfect of a match as you will get power-wise. My thought is your installer might be trying to make a sale. assuming you bought your equipment elsewhere, he may be a little bitter about the fact you are not purchasing the equipment from him, but you are going to him for the install.

 

I looked at the numbers too and thought it looked good. Im going to stick with what I have, I get it installed the 12th of January. From what I hear on these forums it sounds like upgrading the stock radio and speakers is just about the best mod you can do. I am hoping everyones right because the more I listen to the stock system, the more I am left wanting more from it.

 

You will be very happy with the end result of this upgrade. Let us know how it turns out when finished.

 

Ok, so I got everything installed a few days ago and it looks and sounds great! However, there is one issue...the trim piece around my eclipse avn726e really looks like crap. It doesnt fit 100% and just really bugs me. I wanted it to look factory and the trim piece just doesnt cut it. Did anyone else run into this issue? What are my options, because I am not happy with this piece and the finished product. The unit is awesome, it just sucks it doesnt look like its supposed too. Please help!

 

anyone have any ideas? anyone else experience poor fitment with their 7" in-dash nav screen? I contacted the installer and he blew me off saying that was the best they could do to maintain the motorization of the headunit. I am going to get a second opinion but it would be nice to see if anyone else had an issue in their 06-08 with double din units fitment

 

^^ Pics?

--Spike

 

+1.....need to see the trim piece to see exactly what you mean and how to best correct it.