My new stereo.
 

Just got my car back from the install shop with a Kenwood 5140, Focal 165VR components and a Rockford amp. As a frequent lurker in here, I wanted to thank bigaudiofanat and 2fast4thelaw for all their advice that lead me to this awesome system. :tiphat: :happydance:

:worthless:


Seriously, we would appreciate it and would admire your install with the pics!! :)

I knew i forgot to do something :shakes head:

The speakers are in the stock locations and there is no noticeable difference in looks from stock. The head unit is another story.

No problem midget I am glad everything worked out for you. Hope you enjoy it!

how do the focals sound. Want to put some in my Z for christmas from myself : )

nice man. I just installed the 5140 in my Z also. Lots better than my previous Pioneer Avic F700bt although the GUI is a little plain but the functionality is great. I also bought a backup camera and will install it later on.

Btw, anyone know how to get the video on your ipod play on this headunit? I was unable to get it to work.

Nice! I got a 6140 installed and love it~! Glad your install turned out great :tup:

I’m surprised you think the 5140 is better than the F700…………..one of the best features of the F700 is the iPod video playback! Maybe you didn’t upgrade the firmware to 3.0

well i figured out how to play the video on the 5140. And yes I am serious that the 5140 is better. Boot up is a lot faster. Ipod connection never disconnect. I remembered about twice a week, when I turn on the car in the morning, the Ipod would never connect to the unit, I'd have to disconnect and reconnect it again for it to work. Also, the video would never play when you start it on F700, it would take about 2-3 minutes to play, on the 5140, it plays instantly.

The Garmin maps GUI might not looks as pretty as the iGo map on the F700 but the navigation functionality is pretty much spot on and always correct.

Did you install the latest firmware? It was slow with the 2.0, but the 3.0 made a significant difference.
I have the Kenwood in my Explorer and it is a great HU, but the Pioneer does have a better GPS. I always preferred the TeleAtlas over Garmin.

Google GPS maps will someday be available in HU's and they will probably be the best.

BIGAUDIOFANAT... Looks like your the guy to talk to about upgrading the basic system in the 370. Not really into Ipod or bluetooth, WHAT WOULD YOU RECOMMEND FOR AN UPGRADE. CAN YOU ADD TO THE EXISTING OR IS IT BETTER TO REPLACE THE COMPONENTS? JUST LOOKING FOR A CRISP SOUND WITH A THUMP. (SUBWOOFER) ANY AND ALL COMMENTS WOULD BE APPRECIATED.

It depends on a few key things.

What is your budget?

What do you listen to?

Now if you go with a good set of components and install dynamat you could actually omit a sub form your new setup as the bigger ones such as the image dynamics XS series have a lot of bass for their size. Bit if you are into rap I would still suggest a sub.

I would suggest starting over with everything new. As I said it will depends on your budget what you can get. The head unit I recommend are any of the kenwood head units as they have amazing features for your buck as do alpine although you have the option of adding things to the alpines if you want them such as gps and so on. Also if you are wanting good clean sound from your speakers keep in mind that you will want a amp for speakers and one for your sub. After I get the questions answered I can start recommending products.

budget 1500- 2000. I like to hear a good thump. Listen to to Rock and a little R&B. Right now the car has the basic system ,which doesnt seem to have enough speakers or depth for that Matter. Not looking to rattle the neighbors windows either just clean thick sound. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks, By the way Serius would be a plus.

Head unit, you can go with a Kenwood 6140 but it does not have a sub pre out. But sense you only have front speakers you can sue the rear speaker out for sub out. So the 6140 still gets my vote. If you want to be a little different I would look at alpine as that is what I would be personally put in.

Amps the alpine 5 channel amp is still getting my vote. I know people are going to come and probably recommend JL but they are not cheap and for the same price you can get a lot more bang for your buck with alpine. The alpine will be small enough to be put almost anywhere you want to put it and will power both your front speakers and your sub.

Component speakers you can go two different ways you can go mid range or higher end. You are still going to get good sound only the higher end will produce better mass and smoother sound also will go higher with their freq. Mid range I would look at polk mm series and for high end the polk SR series the image dynamics XS series or Rainbow CSX. My personal vote is for the ID's. All will fit with the z enclosure spacers.

Wire kicker hyperflex 4 gauge just look on amazon or ebay. Stinger rca wires

Sub I only recommend one as it is just a great sub the image dynamics Q sub weather you get it in 10 or 12 inch it is an amazing sub. But if you want other options look at the kicker cvs's the rockford fosgate punch stage 2 and the polk mm sub. If you need anymore help or guidance please just ask. Also the head unit or most of today's units support sirius add on devices. Hope this helps.

I listen to Rock/HipHop/Country and like you was dying to take out the 370 OEM audio. I recommend the following

headunit--Eclipse Avn726e 900 right now on wooferetc. ( 1300 retail)
Speakers- Boston Acoustic pro60se's 250 online ( 600 retail)
Amp -JL HD 900/5 740 online (1000 retail)
Sub JL 12w6v2 330 online
Z Enclosure Box 130

The reason I recommend the above is this is what I put in my 370 and it sounds incredible. The louder I crank it up the "Better it Sounds. It may be more than you are looking for but wanted to throw out some more options for you.

I had an Alpine 9835 single din in my 350 with a Boston Acoustic G2 10" sub
Xtant 4 channel amp/ MTX mono sub amp/ JL audio XR 650 components and VR coaxials that sounded fantastic. But wanted more in the 370

I always feel as if I need more power with my sub so don't go cheap. You get what you pay for.


The Eclipse Headunit has 5 volt preouts, 7" screen and picture quality is excellent.
It is very fast with no lag. GPS is awesome, has 3d viewing.
Going to add the Sirius interface in the next few weeks for an additional $120

The Bluetooth audio is great as well. Synched it to my Samsung Behold with T-Mobile and it sounds just about as good as CD's

have fun with your install.