New 370z owner / Audio upgrade suggestions needed

Stapel65

Greetings gents,

Just joined the forum today after purchasing my 370z a week ago. Honestly, I have to say that you all are awesome for posting this wealth of information. I'd been logging on anonymously since I bought the car and don't know what I would have done without all your help. From that mysterious engine smell the first few days of spirited driving to questions about oil temp, you all have saved me at least a few trips to the dealer.

Anyway, I'd like to ask your options on an audio upgrade I'm considering. Since I don't have any experience with this type of thing I'll be depending on outsiders advice and an installer. I went to a local shop today and got some decent sounding advice but I'd like your opinion. Here's what I'm looking at based on today's research:

Diamond SXP65s 6.5'' Component system for front door and dash tweeter
Wicked CAS Corner sub box "magicbox"
Rockford Fosgate 10'' shallow mount P3SD4-10
Rockford Fosgate PBR500X-1 Amp
Replace HU with either Kenwood DNX5190HD or DNX7190HD

I guess my question is around value. Do you guys have suggestions as to if I could save some coin and keep the quality or up the quality for a similar price?

Also, the installer suggested that we could install the tweeters from the diamond system in the door right next to the 6.5'' and use the dash space for another, larger tweeter/mid-high. Thoughts?

I wasn't planning to use the rear speaker ports and they are not currently wired. I've got the base/sport model.

Thanks!

XwChriswX

and congrats on the new Z!

The best thing you can do is send a PM to Nissan 370Z Forum - View Profile: bigaudiofanat and he will answer any questions on Audio/Visual parts, prices, and installation help.

Great guy, really knows his stuff.

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Bonnie - Stage 2, Audio build coming this fall!
R.I.P. Abby 3/29/10 - 3/30/14

Stapel65

Thanks XwChriswX. I'll send him a message asap.

Cheers

XwChriswX

Cheers!

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Bonnie - Stage 2, Audio build coming this fall!
R.I.P. Abby 3/29/10 - 3/30/14

Nillaz

Congrats and welcome!

It's difficult to give you audio advice based on value because we have no idea what the shop wants you to pay for the gear and what your ultimate goal is in your car stereo. What made you decide on the items that you have chosen?

Looking at your list one thing that does jump out at me is that that Rockford amp is a mono sub amp and you have no other amp listed. This leads me to believe that you're going to drive your component speakers off of the head unit. You would get significantly more bang for your buck going with a muti channel amp that can drive both subs and speakers efficiently.

Stapel65

Thanks Nillaz,

I like the multi channel amp idea. Any suggestions on brand / model?

The components we picked were based (hopefully) on my desire to have a system with high sound quality and good tight bass to play mostly rock, classic rock, hip hop and some country. Noise is secondary to SQ for me. The shallow sub was selected for space considerations. I'm hoping to keep this system in the range of $2500-$3000 for everything (including install). I understand there will be some minor components that may need to be purchased separately (backup cam, microphone, antennas, stearing wheel control converter, spacers, etc).

After doing some more research I think I'm going to go with the DNX7190HD or even DNX9990HD if I can find a decent deal - I'm not really sure what all the differences are between these two so need to investigate further. The screen size is the draw for me. Obviously the head unit will eat up a good chunk of my budget.

I'm pretty open on speakers, as long as the fronts are 2 way components (three way would be awesome if people think it would sound good to have a 1'' tweeter in the door above the 6.5'' and another mid high, maybe 2'', in the dash). Also, the sub should be a 10'' that would work well with Wicked CAS' box. As for the amp(s), I'm completely open.

Hopefully that helps give you guys an idea of where I'm coming from. Thanks again for taking a read and any advice you have.

Cheers

Fly1 Motorsports

x2

Threadlocker

What features are you looking for in a headunit?

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Not the alpha male, go ask someone else.

Nillaz

If you still want to go with the speakers and sub you originally selected the JL 500/3 would be a pretty good match without completely going off the deep end money-wise.

The 7190HD and 9990HD are fairly similar HU's, the 9990HD just happens to have more options since it's an Excelon... ie a second USB input, a more in depth eq setup, 5v vs. 4v preouts, etc and a 2yr vs 1yr warranty. Personally I don't think most of these things really matter much unless you're going for a competition level install though the extra year warranty is kind of nice. Frankly, if the worst decision you ever have to make is which one of these two HU's to go with you're doing plenty well for yourself!

OMGiGOTaZ

I can tell you no matter what you do it's a major improvement over stock, I agree with the multi channel amp, considering making that change myself, two 12" JL whamming and some songs drown out the highs

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