New to 370z with questions
 

Good morning, first post!
I picked up a new 370Z on Friday and i have already decided I want to upgrade the speakers and add ipod capability, so here are my questions;

1. I upgraded my HK speakers in my M3 along with the head unit and the difference is massive, I want to keep the HU in the 370Z but upgrade the speakers, firstly what are the simple to install options, what I mean is are there any plug and play speakers, and secondly is there a video showing the install.

2. What are my options to get the original HU to be able to work with my ipod?

as you can tell I'm not that handy but if its simple and there are either video or pictured instructions I can do it.

Thanks for looking and any info.

Regards

Mark

search the DIY section for installation of the speakers, It might be a sticky...

there are a few that are plug and play depending on what type of HU you have. Its either the BASE or BOSE. The BOSE only comes with the touring model.

being someone who has upgraded the base speakers while still using the stock HU, i can tell you if you want to make a real difference, you have to get a new HU as well. The stock HU has no power at all.

If you do have the base HU, then alot of members, including myself are running the Polk DB 6.5" components (DB6501).

If you have the BOSE system its more complicated then replacing the speakers.

Welcome to the forum!

oh and both the Base and BOSE systems already allow you to use your iPod.

Hi Astrosfan,

Thanks for the reply, yes I have the base, and don't really want to change the HU, would I notice a difference with better speakers or is the difference minimul?

also you say the base unit HU will work with the ipod? does it plug in the 'aux in' socket on the face plate of the radio?

Thanks

I don't have the base, but I know that is how it works on all the others. An "Aux In" port is used to play any audio device that can use 3.5mm plug. Just plug one end into your iPod/iPhone/etc... and plug the other end into the "Aux In" plug and there you go. :tiphat:

If you upgraded the HK system in your M3 you will definitely want to upgrade the base system in the Z....it sucks big time

Thanks, i'll try when I get home!

Ok if you have the base system here is the plain facts. It is only putting out around 9 watts of power so any new speakers you install are not going to be very happy nor sound well with that kind of power. In your M3 they have a factory amp which HK is very good about matching factory Ohms ratings so you had no trouble upgrading them.

I highly recommend if you do not want to upgrade to a new head unit to at least use a LOC or a mtx re-q5 and add new amps to power your new speakers as they are going to want more power.

Also what is your budget? What do you want from your new system/ speakers?

If you want more control over your ipod and better sound two things, you will get better quality output from a new head unit. Or using a device from the company isimple you can actually control the ipod from your factory radio.

Works like a charm!!!! Thanks.

Hi, Thanks for the great advise!

I don't want to go to the expense of a new HU but improve the sound quality, oPod and radio control are fine as they are and I will be dynomatting the car in the next few weeks as there seems to a lot more vibration than in my M3. I am not very techy so when you said I need a "LOC or a mtx re-q5 " I have no clue what that means? if I could improve the speakers and as you say give them more power then that would be OK with me, budget wise I have not thought but would around $300 do the job? and how much would it cost in labor, as unless its plug and play i don't want to risk it.

regards

Mark

The mtx or LOC are devices that you run your speaker outputs of your stock unit to and make low level outputs to run to new amps to than run new speakers off of giving you a lot more power. 300 I would say would be a no go for labor, LOC, amp, and speakers looking more like 500. Trust me when I say this, if you put new speakers into your Z and power them off your stock base head unit, your going to lose a lot of not only volume but quality because they will only be getting around 9 watts as aposed to 25+ they recommend. The more power you feed a set of speakers the better they will sound.

:tiphat:No problem. That was an easy fix. :tup:

What would you reccomend and what would a typical labor cost be, Its a shame your not a bit more local to me!

Hey always wanted to travel to Florida!!!

I would say for a good set of speakers, a decent amp and install total around 500-650

Can you make a recomendation as to which product please.

The basic but good upgrade would consist of:

Pac LOC

Polk audio db 6.5 components

Boston Acoustic GTA-502

Than your basic RCA wires and a 8 gauge wiring kit

Thank you, I appreciate the help!

What is the reason you don't want to change the HU? I would highly recommend changing it. If it's aesthetics, there are two very nice options: The clarion CX501 and the CX609.

Check this thread out: http://www.the370z.com/audio-video/39051-clarion-cx501-installed.html

After plugging in my iPod I now realise the factory head unit is dreadful!

the reason i was hoping to stay with it was that I want the car to look stock, but after seeing yours it looks like it could have come std or as an option, I'll be looking into this :ughdance:

I did not realise how inexpensive this head unit is plus it looks like it could be standard even down to the color of the lights.

Ok so If I got this head unit could someone let me which speaker set to buy that would work best.

Again I'm coming across as a complete noob! but they way i see it there are right and left door speakers, and on top of the dash the tweeter, and there looks like speaker on eaither side beside the seats...any more?

Look at the kenwood DPX308U, most head units now you can make the buttons and display color match your stock colors.

Metra axxess will allow you to keep steering wheel controls.

Any new head unit, will make your stock speakers sound better. however going with the polk db's would even be better.

Check out the Pioneer Avic-z130bt. You can change the color of the buttons to match the factory colors. DVD, MP3, SD memory, Navi, Ipod, etc, this unit has it all on a nice 7" screen.

This is what I have in my car and I love it every time I'm in my car.

Thanks, but too much money!

What about this headunit?
Pioneer AVH-P4300DVD In-Dash Video Receivers (With Screen) at Onlinecarstereo.com

A lot of members here have this one, and it seems to have all the features you wanted... IMO its a good bang for for the bucks

Looks a great price except I want something thats less of an LCD and looks more OEM,

Which one did you end up getting?

I have not not it changed yet, I've been too busy but I will be ordering the following;
Clarion CX501 Head Unit
Sirius Connect
Axxess ASWC (Steering wheel control)
Polk Audio db6501 Component Speaker System.

Should make a nice difference the std Hu and speakers are terrible!

I just ordered all the items on the list above, in total $402.00!!!:happydance:

Bought mostly from ebay and the sirius from Crutchfield!

Will let you know how it sounds when its fitted.

Out of interest what would the normal labor be at a reputable shop?

Around 250-350

Thanks!