Brandon@Forged

Advice,opinions,etc.
Rockford Fosgate Punch P8004 100W X 4 Car Amplifier
Sony CDX-M8805X CD/MP3 Receiver (CD/MP3 Receiver)
Panasonic CQ-HR1003U (CD Receiver)
Cobra XRS9700 Radar Detector
2 Kicker 02K65 6 3/4” 2- way speakers
Rockford Fosgate CP4CKDS Amplifier wiring kit 4 gauge power
XM XMD1000 XMDirect Satellite Radio Receiver
XM XMDSON100 XMDirect Sony Smart Digital Adapter
StreetWires FH4ANL 4 gauge ANL Fuse Holder Diamond Plate
RF CPST-500 Stealth Twisted 16.4 foot stereo patch cable
StreetWires ANL150 150 amp ANL fuse
Image Engineering Automotive Tool In-Z PC (top model whatever that is…it was $1,125 when I added it up for the pc (before shipping))
Buying 4 mini-cameras for front, rear, and both sides
2 Icon TV V5800wk 5.8” LCD screens w/visor finishing kit

This is the overall plan, so money is no option. It should be around $4,876 (I also am getting an iPod with this too, so it's about $400 above what it would be w/o it). Now, I can't find any speakers to replace the door speakers, anyone know a place that has Kicker's to replace them? And the small speakers on each a-pillar, I can't find any replacements for those either (Kicker's only). I am going to go with all Kicker speakers and RF amp. Just tell me what else you think I need to cover if I forgot something. BTW, this was done at Crutchfield (minus pc and 2 tv's).

done12many2

iTrader: (33)

If money is indeed "no option" I can't help but believe that you can do a lot better on your setup. Not only brands but specific types. If money were not a concern of mine, I would start by using high end components instead of the Kicker. I researched Kickers website and could not locate the "02k65" but instead found the K65 which were 6.5 inch and not 6.75 inch. Considering that you are using a nicely powered amp to run things I would chose something outside of Kicker for the front doors. If you must stick with them, then I would go with the SS65.2 components in the front door and possibly the SSMB8 6.5 inch midbass in the rears since I did not see anything about a sub in your list.

Couple of questions for you.
1. What is the purpose of the cameras in all four directions?
2. If you are putting a PC in the car, what do you need the ipod for?
3. If money is no option, what is with the Cobra RADAR detector?

Brandon@Forged

1. To monitor front, sides, and back (will record when in bad parking places)
2. the ipod didn't have anything to do with it (I just wanted people to know if it didn't add up right)
3. the V1 and passport 8500 aren't visually stimulating if you know what i mean

p.s. - I'm open to suggestions for different HU's(i'd like to stick to 'ghost' panel types though/no buttons exposed), speakers, and amp...

done12many2

iTrader: (33)

You'll see. When you do get your Z, you will just find yourself going well out of your way to avoid bad parking areas!! And the Passport 8500 and V1 are both fantastic detectors and I definitely would use either of them before I use the Cobra.

Big Sexz

iTrader: (6)

AMEN TO THAT!! Since you have a hard on for Kicker (dont get me wrong cause I like them too) for the tweeters use the R25's and get there R series mids as well. Those tweeters are amazing. Actually one of the better ones that I've heard and will suck down some power.

Jeff
BSZ

Brandon@Forged

I've done some research and came up with this...
I'm looking for clarity, I don't mind bass. But I want it to be really clear and crisp. Any ideas on what setup I should go with???

Speakers (6.5")
Sony XSHD 160G (3-way speakers)
Kicker R6c (Midrange speakers)
JL Audio XR650-CXi (160mm Coaxials)
Phoenix Gold TX6.5COAX
Pioneer TS-D160R (REV 2-way speaker)
Pioneer Premier TS-A640P (4-way speaker)
Clarion SRX1693 (DCD speaker)
Alpine SPR-174A (Type-R Coaxial 2-way speaker)
MB Quart RKC 116 (160mm 2-way Coaxial)
Inifity Infinity Perfect 6.1 (Component System)
Kenwood Excelon KFC-XR601 Car speakers
Kenwood KFC-1687 speakers
Rockford Fosgate HPC2206 High Performance 2-way
JVC CSHX632 3-way speakers
Focal 165HC 2-way speakers

Speakers (6.75")
Pioneer TS-D170R (REV 2-way speaker)
Kicker RMB6 Mid-Bass speakers
Kenwood KFC-1789ie (3-way speakers)
Rockford Fosgate FRC3206 (2-way speakers)

Tweeters
JL Audio XR100-CT (25mm Component tweeter)
Pioneer TST22 1" Component Soft Dome Tweeter
Kicker R25 (1" Silk Dome tweeters)
MB Quart QTC 25 (1" 25mm "Q" Titanium Tweeter set)
Kenwood Excelon KFC-XT13 Tweeter
Kenwood KFC-T203 Tweeter
Inifinity Kappa 10.5t (1" C.M.M.D. component tweeter)
Rockford Fosgate FNQ2401X Tweeter

Headunits
Sony CDX-M8805X CD/MP3 receiver with CD changer controls
Panasonic CQHX2083U 60W x 4 CD Player/Receiver with GhostTM Display, HD 3D Dot Matrix display and MP3/WMA playback
Kenwood Excelon KDC-X979 CD/MP3/WMA receiver
JVC KD-SHX700 Changer Control CD/MP3/WMA Receiver
Clarion DXZ945MP ProAudio CD/MP3/WMA receiver with Optimedia touch-panel controls
Alpine CDA-9833 CD/MP3/WMA receiver with CD changer controls

Amps
Phoenix Gold Ti500.4 Titanium 500 Watt 4-Channel Power Amplifier
MTX Thunder684 4-channel amp
MTX THUNDER6304 4-channel amplifier
MTX Thunder564 70W x 4 Car Amplifier
MTX Thunder1004 125W x 4 Car Amplifier
Phoenix Gold T600.4 (4 Channel 600 Watt Tantrum Amplifier)
Phoenix Gold R8.0:4 Octane R Series 4 Channel Power Amplifier
PPI PCX-480\RB 640 Watts 4-Channel Amplifier
Alpine MRV-F340 55W x 4 Car Amplifier
Alpine MRP-F240 40W x 4 Car Amplifier
Kenwood Excelon KAC-X650D Multi-Channel Power Amplifier
Kenwood KAC-959 Multi Channel Amp
Pioneer GM-X574 50W x 4 Car Amplifier
Pioneer Premier GM-X1034 Premierฎ 4-Channel Power Amplifier with Built-In Crossover
PPI DCX 600.4 DCX 4 CHANNEL 150Wx4 amp
PPI DCX 300.4 DCX MULTI CHANNEL 75Wx4 amp
PPI DCX 1000.4 DCX 4 CHANNEL 250Wx4 amp
Clarion APX401.4 4/3/2 CHANNEL POWER AMPLIFIER
Rockford Fosgate 851X 4 CHANNEL AMPLIFIER
JL Audio 300-4 Multi Channel Amp

stu46

I've listened to just about every brand of components/amp/subs around except for Focal/Zapco and here's my opinion. It's only my opinion so it doesn't matter if you don't like it.

Check my sig.

If money is no object and you want clarity, doesn't get much better. The Xtant 1.1s are wicked. No joke. There's a significant difference in clarity between the 1.1s and other amps I've heard.

Brandon@Forged

OT, but did you make your Xbox into a computer?...just wondering...

stu46

I guess you can say that. It's not running Windows or Linux OS. Details of the chip and OS can be viewd at www.systems-mods.com. It's got a 250gb drive and ~170gb is games. The rest, I'm going to rip some movies so I don't have to carry it round. I figure with 80 free gigs, I can get at least 20 movies on there.

Brandon@Forged

Anybody else have recommendations???

HouZton

I like my setup, but as stated above, it's my opinion.

1. MB Quart's Premium for the components and coaxial (very bright and painful at loud volumes for longer than a minute).

2. Eclipse 5342 amp for the mid's/high's (more than enough power to move the MB Quart's)

3. Memphis 1000D amp for the subs (For extremely efficient amp)

4. (2) Memphis 10" subs in a sealed box(For a tight bass that hits and doesn't roll)

5. Eclipse Competition H/U (for extreme clarity and flexibility)

MacAlert01

If money were no option, I would look into Eclipse's top line of headunits. For subwoofers, I would look into Diamond Audios TDX line of subs. Speaker wise, I have heard both Diamond Audio speakers, which are kick *** and Rainbow speakers. Amp wise, look into Diamond Audio, Arc Audio, Pheonix Gold, and Eclipse.

Brandon@Forged

Thanks guys for the help and keep it coming. One thing I want to clarify though, i'm not looking into subs and have no plan of getting a sub.

Brandon@Forged

Come on guys, i'm looking for clarity in my setup, out of the list of products I selected, which of those are going to be the most clear?

HouZton

I don't know, I don't have any of the components you have listed. However, my stereo is very clear. Put a db tester in the car today and with the volume at 70 out of 80, I was making 120db crisp and clean.

stu46

You should find a dealer and listen to the components. Everyones definition of clarity is different, so is their ear. My brother loves infinity kappa series. To me, they hurt my ears.

It's like asking "what's the best car?" Not gonna get the same answer all the time.

MSGarrett1

The truth is . . . where and how you install the components that you select will have as much and perhaps more to do with sound clarity and imaging/sound staging as the particular components themselves. From the list you have provided, you clearly plan to spend several thousand dollars for you system. So my advice to you is as follows:

1) Spend the most time chosing your speakers. They have the most to do with the sound you will eventually end up with. Do so by auditioning various speakers at an auto sound store. Bring some CD's you like, and compare different speakers head on. There are two problems with this . . . first, the speakers are in a sound booth on a sound board . . . not in your car, so the sound you hear may sound completely different in your car. Second, no single store will have all the different speakers you want to compare. You have listed some component speakers and some coaxials. I would make this choice first. Advantages of components . . . generally handle more power, and are of higher quality. Advantages of coaxials . . . the midrange and tweeter are originating from a single point source . . . so less problems with sound path length differences, and thus imaging problems. So components to consider that you have not listed . . . Dynaudio 3 way system (most expensive, but clearly the best), Diamond Audio Hex series, Focal components (Polykevlar or top-line Utopia)

2) If you choose components speakers, have them professionally installed in custom kickpanels. This will minimize the problems you will have with path-length discrepancies if you tried to replace the stock speakers in their stock locations.

3) You need a subwoofer or subwoofers. Believe me, you will be much happier with the final result, if you add a subwoofer. You do not have to be one of those guys who likes glass-shattering bass to appreciate the improvement in music that a subwoofer can add. It completes the frequency range. The key to all subwoofers is placing them in the proper enclosure (sealed, ported, band-pass) whatever that particular subwoofer is designed for. If you are not experienced in this department, have the enclosure professionally built and the subwoofer professionally installed. You will not regret it.

Brandon@Forged

First, I want to give you a big THANK YOU!!!, that was a great deal of help. Do you know of any popular audio shows that I could go to to check out these systems in cars? I'll check out some local audio stores and see what sounds the best to me. About subwoofers, where do you suggest I put one? I didn't want to weigh the car down anymore and didn't want to take away from space in the hatch, maybe under the false floor?? And do you have any sites other than http://www.crutchfield.com/ , http://www.sounddomain.com/ , and http://www.onlinecarstereo.com that have a good selection? Again, I want to thank you for being an enormous help to a newbie when it comes to audio. And where do you suggest putting the XM antenna and gps antenna?, I was thinking about on the inside of the rear passenger-side window? Anyway, I look forward to your reply.

motown

Hi Nissan350ZTT. Firstly, the Doc's right about speakers sounding different in different environments to different people. Has something to do with the structure of everybody's ears being different or something like that. Have to echo the Doc's comments with regards to both the speakers he recommended (I LOVE diamond's and focal's) and add my own: check out Dynaudio speakers and the Boston Acoustics 3-way system. With regards to kick panels, I would personally only recommend this if you use a 3-way system. By simply mounting your tweeters to the kick-panel and using the doors for the mid-bass in a 2-way system instead of using the factory location for the tweet, you should clear up any imaging problems you might have. But really, these problems are minimal at best unless you're using the system to compete. Lastly, again, the Doc's right about the sub's. You'll notice a HUGE impact by using a sub with your system, even if it's only an 8-incher. There are some people on this site that build custom fiberglass enclosures to fit against the side of the rear hatch area. This might be your best bet if just for ease of use. Check it out, there's a thread about it in the 'subwoofers' note at the top of this forum. You won't regret the addition of a sub to your system, trust me. I've been building audio systems for almost 12 years. Never had anyone come back saying they didn't like it. Just make sure it's tuned to your listening style. I hope this has been helpful. Good luck!

MSGarrett1

No need for thanks. That's why these forums exist. As far as popular shows: check out this link: http://www.iasca.com

IASCA is an organization that organizes and sponsors car audio competitions. You may have heard of Drag dB competitions, where people try and achieve the loudest/largest decibel level with their subwoofer/amp setups. This is just one area of IASCA competitions. You should be able to find some competitions in the near future in an area near you. You will find people interested in sound quality, perfect home-audio quality imaging, and some just interested in being heard miles away.

As for the links you listed, I have used all of them at one time or another. Let me give you my opinions: Cruthfield--advs., they provide any necessary headunit install kits free w/ purchase of headunit, and they provide very nicely detailed step-by-step install instructions for speakers, headunits, etc. My first audio setup was all purchased through Crutchfield. Disadvs: You can find better prices elsewhere and Crutchfield doesn't carry the best of the best--Dynaudio, Focal, Diamond audio, etc., But they do now carry some very nice stuff--Alpine, MTX, etc.

I have been very happly with onlinecarstereo.com; but I have never needed to enforce a warranty with them. You will not have a manufacturer's warranty through them, you get their personal warranty. That which I have purchased from them, is still doing fine.

As far as other resources. There is a man named Nazar on this forum. He has listed his new phone number, recently, in a thread here. I don't have it off hand . . . I have his old phone #. He has been a great resource to me. He can probably get you almost anything you want, at even less expensive prices than onlinecarstereo.com. He built my subwoofer enclosure. To get an idea about subwoofer installations, I ditto the recommendation to check out the thread at the top on subwoofers--lots of pics and good ideas. Also, do consider JL Audio's stealthbox for the 350Z. I built my system before this was available. But my experiences with JL Audio's stealthbox's is as follows: If you have a vehicle for which they make a stealthbox, and your insterest is in quality sound and not sound competitions . . . buy it. (You would lose points for lack of originality in a competition) Hope this helps. Here's what I did: https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....threadid=27231 and here: https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....threadid=44355 and here: https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....threadid=31971