Audio Upgrade from Base System
 

Greetings! My first post! :)

Owner of a 2011 Z, Gun Metallic with sport package, and have been browsing the forums for awhile.

I thought I'd post a quick rundown of some simple audio upgrades I plan on doing, in case anyone finds it useful in the future, or perhaps if anyone has any advice before I actually get the installation done.

I'm not looking to do anything too intense, just an upgrade from the base system (which is actually better than I expected). So far I'm planning to keep the stock HU.

I've purchased the Sound Ordinance 8" sub from Crutchfield for $199, planning to have that installed in the trunk, preferably under the carpet in the back center, not sure on my options for installation just yet.

I have read on here people have had good success using Polk DBs with the stock head unit, I mentioned that to my installer and he recommended the Alpine S or R component speakers, also saying they'd run from the stock HU. So, I'm planning to have the R's put in as well.

That's it for now, just looking for a vast sound improvement and cost shouldn't run more than $750 or so.

I'll follow up on the results if anyone is interested!

that's cool, keep us posted. :)

Thanks, I will!

I just thought it might be useful for a non audiophile just looking for a solid system upgrade and a stock look. Hopefully it'll turn out well! :)

bigaudio is who you wanna talk to. He's pretty much our main forum go to guy when it comes to audio stuff. :tup:


And although you want to keep your stock HU, the best upgrade I could say for low cost is to get just a lower end deck, somewhere in the $150-200 range because that simple upgrade will help. More customization, better processing software and more RMS power to the speakers. :twocents:

ANY upgrade from the stock CRAP speakers will greatly improve your sound. I was extremely shocked when I saw how puny and cheap the door speakers were.

Congrats on the new ride.

Thanks!

Cost isn't really a factor as far as the HU is concerned. If I find one that looks great I'd have no problem moving forward with it. I've poked around Crutchfield and looked over the Alpine and Kenwood stuff, haven't really found anything that has blown me away.

For a HU my priorities are, match the interior lighting, nice display, aux input on the front. I also don't need any bluetooth or overkill on settings, I have a hard time keeping my eyes on the road as is. If anyone has suggestions that'd be great.

If you just want something like that, cause that's what I did for now... Just go by best buy and see what they have on display. I have just a $150 sony unit that fits all of those requests, and I use the AUX jack on the front for my ipod. Works like a champ.

I found the Base HU to be very limiting and I reluctantly gave up on the idea of using it. Yesterday I received my new Pioneer AVH-P4300DVD HU (sub woofer + amp + accessories are still in transit) which I hope to install soon.

In addressing my needs (back up camera, rear mounted ipod interface, color adjustable display, easy integration of a subwoofer, graphic equalizer, rear speaker outputs etc.) I found the Base HU created so many hurdles that I finally did what everyone said to do-get an aftermarket HU.

guys while we're on the topic of swapping out cheezo-crap stock base speakers, wat do you think about the Polk 6.5 coax? Im going to be replacing my side mirrors next month so will have the door panels off anyway and was thinking about doing a quick swap and unplug the stock tweets.

i know for sure components will be a better option, but too much work for me on the Z. ill do the components later when i decide to upgrade my HU with a newer pioneer maybe 2-3yrs down the line and wire up new speaker wire from the HU.

Kind of digging the Kenwood DDX318 HU... might go with that.

Anyone have a ballpark estimate for the cost of an component speaker install, HU and sub? Or just a ballpark hourly rate for installs?

ask bigaudiofanat as he's an installer himself. :)

I just did Alpine Type R components (SPR-60C the new ones) with component/tweeter pairs for $450 installed. Much better sound, and like some of the earlier posters said, the stock speakers are shockingly bad when you actually see them

Most shops are about 90/hr here in AB, but it varies...Some shops will also give you a total job price.

On the side, not at a shop.

i'm to lazy to look, is the sub you have a powered one, or just a sub, cause if so you need a box and an amp to run it, and amp install.

Yeah that was the total job price. Also hardwired my radar detector while they had everything moving

Update
 

90 ST: It's a powered 8" sub.

I've made some progress and all my components have arrived, I could take pics but they wouldn't be much different from what you can see on Crutchfield.

Install is scheduled for this upcoming Tuesday, May 3rd.

Here is what will be installed.

Kenwood DDX318 head unit $399, more power, touch screen, dvd player, no blue tooth or nav, thought I can add nav to it later if I'd like.
Kenwood DDX318 DVD receiver at Crutchfield.com

Alpine SPR-13S component speakers $179
Alpine SPR-13S 5-1/4" component speaker system at Crutchfield Signature

Sound Ordinance 8 PT powered sub $199
Sound Ordnance™ B-8PT 120-watt compact powered subwoofer at Crutchfield.com

Install quote is for $400-500, plus $80 or so for the steering wheel adapter/setup. So overall hoping for a big step up in sound quality for $1200 or so.

I'll post results later. Hopefully this will help someone in the future.

Any reason you didn't go with a 61/2 up front? Thats the stock size in a base model.

The only Alpine component speakers I saw on Crutchfield at the larger size were either the lower S version or the model that was $279.

I also got a recommendation to go with these as they probably are less power hungry, important as I'll just be running them through the head unit.

These also had the best reviews on there of the ones I mentioned.

i would have maybe just went to a real store and got what fits...

If my installer says there is any reason to go with the larger size I'd have no problem doing that. These "fit" and were more in the price range I was aiming for.

Had the install done today!

I sure wish I had read about the windows needing to be reset and the airbag light reset before I encountered the issues! Thank God for this forum and the search feature. Would have been nice for my installer to notice them before I did... not entirely happy with how thorough he was (the errors I mentioned and not even setting the head unit to show a subwoofer), but the physical install looks perfect. $430 for the whole install, that includes the steering wheel adapter ($80 I think).

I have a bunch of settings to play with before I can give a verdict, but even after hearing how light and crappy the stock speakers are I am BLOWN AWAY now that I have them in my hand... wow... I'm shocked they sounded even as good as they did.

Post some pics and maybe a video.

I will do a video, possibly this weekend. Not a ton to show aside from the head unit and how the sub looks.

Here is a quick video, sorry it's so boring, but hopefully it might help someone in the future. I believe you can tell even through the iflip that the Alpine components are light years ahead of the stock speakers. The sub definitely rounds out the sound and can also just be put under the trunk carpet if you don't want anyone to see it (leaving your car somewhere sketchy, etc).

Everything plus install came out to $1200.


YouTube - 370Z Audio

Any 6.5 speaker would of fit without cutting if you bought spacer rings. I hardly use crutchfield anymore as a reference guide.

I'm happy with how these sound. What would be the difference with the larger ones in?

More bass up front, less distortion at higher volume

I want something like this but there isn't any installer near me that I trust to do the install.

how do you like the sub?

I was considering either this or making a spare tire box for a polk or ID 8" sub.

Sorry for the delayed response.

I like the sub quite a bit, I don't think there is a better option out there if you consider cost, size and it having the amp built in. If you're looking for a simple solution to really round out the sound, I recommend it.