Pioneer AVIC-Z150BH and Audio Build Opinions?
 

Hey guys I was looking into getting this DIN-2 unit, the AVIC-Z150BH. What does everybody think of this unit? I tried searching and I only found stuff on last years model, the Z140. For people that have the Z150BH, are you happy?

Im also looking to get Hertz speakers but don't know which 6.5" components to get. :confused: My budget is under or about 1K for the speakers.

Will I have sufficient bass with a 4 channel amp feeding the component speakers or should I throw in an 8" sub and get a 5 channel amp instead?

Whats the best amp for Hertz Component speakers? Is a 1000 watt amp enough power?

My all around budget is 2500 with install.

Thanks for everyones input!

Johncy Y.

I can't answer your question on the head unit however on the Hertz speakers and amp I can. I absolutely love my Hertz HSK165 6.5" speakers and the amp I have hooked up to them is the Hertz HDP5 which I am using to also power my JL 10" sub. The speakers sound great with the amp. Between that amp powering the speakers and the sub it is more than enough bass for me. Even though I have a 5 channel amp I am actually running it as a 3 channel amp.

I can't say if thats the best amp for the speakers but I can say that the speakers sound great and I couldn't be happier with them. The Hertz speakers that I have provide a rating of 125 RMS. The amp can power up to 200 RMS so I can't go any further then that. I purchased the speakers for around $400 and the amp was around $480 I believe.

Wicked CAS sells Hertz speakers so they could probably give you a great deal on them. Also Bigaudiofanat is a big proponent of Hertz speakers and I've seen him suggest them so they are well liked I feel.

As stated in my PM to you, I advise against pioneer I have had people comment after a year of owning them they tent to start getting weird (and pioneer model could do this). Some have had no problems and call me a alpine nut lover however with my experience they do not hold up in the long run.

Love hertz, focal, image dynamics, and morel.

Thanks for the replies guys! I really appriciate it. No Pioneer for me! I'm leaning towards JVC. Opinions?

HSK165XL is what I will be getting!

What do you guys think of the Hertz MLK 2 TW Mille component speaker set? Worth it or just go with the HSK165XL? Hmmm

I wouldn't do the XL's because of how big the woofer is but the miles are amazing if you can afford them just make sure you pair them with a high quality amp.

I run the XL's and had no issues with fitment.... I would have purchased the milles if I could swallow the price tag. (or hide it from the old lady at least Lol) That being said, the XL's sound amazing, and eat power for lunch.
As far as the AVIC is concerned, I have heard many excellent things, and a few bad as well. I would certainly choose it over any JVC unit... Matt has a great dislike for all things Pioneer, and advice from him on pioneer should be taken with a grain of salt!
I believe his parents may have beaten him with an old pioneer detachable faceplate!! J/k Matt.

I had a pioneer but switched to Kenwood solely on the screen getting washed out by the sun as shown in this post

http://www.the370z.com/2339250-post104.html

Im struggling to find the right 2 channel amp to run the HSK165XL. Im leaning towards Focal. Which model do you guys think is nice for 500-750?

I have the Kenwood DNN990HD head unit and the thing is pretty much a computer. It literally has more than I probably need but it is an amazing unit from all the internet radio sources (iheartradio, aupeo and pandora), iPod and Bluetooth music playback, to social networking (Facebook, Twitter and gmail), Garmin navigation with nav traffic, web browser, weather and RSS feeds. There's even more things than that...haha. Like I said probably way more than I really need but I still love having it all as an option. That head unit cost me a little under $1,300. Wasn't sure what you said your head unit budget was.

I thought Hertz had a nice two channel amp as well but I can't remember the model number now. Have you looked into any of their two channel amps?

Kenwood DDX470---$349 (Great Reviews and DVD bypass is easy & 4V PRE OUTS!!)
Focal Components----Focal Performance PS 165 6.5" 2-Way Component System
Alpine PDX-9-----$599-(Go with a 5 channel its the only way to go now!!) Please google PDX tech as it will never overheat or turn off.....Alpine Amps also come with factory tested birth Cards!!)
Add the sub later Alpine type R or X. or now if need be.


Just my two cents...

some reviews on the HU at amazon

Amazon.com: Customer Reviews: AVIC-Z150BH Automobile Audio/Video GPS Navigation System

Thanks for the input guys. I'm pretty sold on the HSK165XL Hertz speakers. As for the amp, I only need a 2 channel amp to run my component speakers. Focal FP2.150 (4ohms 2x150 RMS) does that sound like enough power for the Hertz speakers. I can't find any info on Hertz amps.

http://www.woofersetc.com/p-4480-fp2...amplifier.aspx

Im getting this Head Unit for sure. Alpine for the win! I can get one online for about 800 bucks! MSRP is 1200!

Alpine Electronics - 7-Inch Audio/Video/Navigation System

ill never buy another pioneer...... pos

I've used Pioneer in several previous cars since my buddy was an audio installer on the side and got them at wholesale. I think I had three cars that were all Pioneer/Premier stuff and never had a problem. They all sounded great. However, I wouldn't pay retail for them.

Great, now I don't know what head unit to buy because of Troy Adam's review of the Alpine.

Is there a place that stocks head units around you where you can mess around with them? I've passed on units I thought were better online when I got to try them out in person and see how easy or annoying it was to use.

I have to disagree with your "grain of salt comment" as I have first handed seen them fail as well as other customers from my installs as well as installers say their pioneer has failed. I do not make empty claims without actually seeing resaults to back these claims up.

Big use to date a girl that worked for pioneer and she dumbed him.... so very sour aftertaste. :icon17:

pioneers are :tup: i run 3 of them right now on my cars. absolutely no issue.

for nav, i use nuvi though since i get free map updates and use the obd2 gauges.

LOL nope not at all everyone has their opinion however I have had people on this site come back to me telling me I was right after going with pioneer. I just give people my experience with their products. I run a pioneer receiver at home and love it so I am not in total hate over pioneer.

sounds good. im not really brand specific either myself. i swap these things out every 2yrs or so just to keep up with technology so it could be another brand next time.

the AppRadio3 is interesting though.

Hertz HSK165XL
Hertz HDP4 1000w (4 ch amp) or Focal FP2.150 (2 Channel)
Alpine INE-w927hd

What do you guys think?

If I run a 4 channel amp, i can run two component speakers and 2 tweeters safely? One channel for each speaker and tweeter??
Or get a 2 channel amp and run the tweeters off the head unit??
Sorry for the noob questions.

Installing for nearly 30 years....Many, many,many return customers, as well as thier friends, family, and kids. I have yet to pull out a single pioneer unit that was defective, other than units damaged by the operator. I am not brand loyal in the least, notice That my car is not outfitted with all pioneer products.....
Search the web, you'll find issues with every manufacturer out there. People that love 'em and people that hate 'em. You go to a site like amazon, and read reviews on a product, you take them "with a grain of salt". How can one guy give 5 stars, greatest product ever, and another give 1 star "biggest POS out there"

Running a 2 channel amp would be okay if you're just going to get the fronts. Each channel will run a Component Set (1 Speaker & 1 Tweater). Component speakers use a cross-over to split the highs and lows but only requires 1 Channel. The cross-over is then wired to its tweeter and speaker. Please get yourself at least the 4 channel and fill the rear speakers with a great coaxial matching speaker set. Again I would go Alpine PDX 5 channel(to add the sub later) or a 4 channel and call it a day. I'm okay with the Hertz Component Speakers.

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_500PDXF...er-reviews-tab
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_500PDXV...V9.html?tp=115

As I pointed out to him a lot of people who run the hertz find that they do not need or want a sub because of their very good bass response. So he would be fine with a 2 channel amp. If he decided he wanted a 5 channel, I would actually run something higher end than the v9 at this point because of the quality of the components he would be running. Audison 5.1k perhaps.

X2 on the Audison

Thanks guys, I really appriciate the help! :tup:

Now time to find a good Audison 2 channel amp!

woofersetc.com has no Audison amps available. where do I get one?

Audison Car Amplifiers Thesis HV Venti (2 Channel Amplifier) from EHR My recommendation!!!!

Try Abt. They seem to have everything there.

Car Amplifiers | Abt

........mother of God! 17000 for an amp! Yessss! Maybe if I win the lottery.

I cant find a 2 channel hertz amp. I want hertz because its made for the hsk165xl.

Wicked I believe sells them. Or you cna check around the internet DIYmobilaudio has a few re sellers on there if you search around.

Thank you! I really appreciate the help!

my pioneer problems are not in my head i can tell yall that. if its too hot or too cold outside the head unit jumps around the different SCR settings. youll be jamming out the to radio then it all of the sudden beeps and takes you to the SD card, where it keeps playing the same episode of "my name is earl" great show but really annoying when you are trying to listen to music. then when you push different buttons they tend to do something different. volume changes channel, tilt up does tilt down.... real pita!!!!!

once the ac regulates the interior temp the radio calms down and works normal.

even worse though the headunit WILL NOT WORK with my galazy s3....... pfffft

My name is earl is big in japan, I think! Lol

Might need to have the Ghost Adventures crew to come do a lock down in your car

Sent from my Palm Pilot circa 1997...

no its the 105 heat index we have. im sure the headunit has a temp range it works best in.... it aint made for texas. :mad: