Hi Guys, i am getting my Z soon and i want some advice in setting up the sound system
 

Hey guys, i am getting my Z soon and would like some advice in setting up a nice sound system for the Z.

I am planning to get the Kenwood DNX7140 for the HU, but i do not know much about setting up a sound system myself. So, my question is, what amp, speakers and sub should i get with a budget of less than 1000 bucks(excluding the HU)? Thx in advance.

First off, welcome to the forum and congratulations on your way to getting a Z! I have a few questions for you before I start recommending products. What kind of music do you listen to? Are you for a single amp to do everything or 2 amps? I will make a nice selection for you to look over that way you can pick and choose what you think you like best.

Hey! I think I might wanna jump into this one. I generally listen to hard rock/heavy metal but I do have a lot of hip hop/dance/techno music I like, too. Already filled up my 9.3 gig MusicBox in my Z. Didnt last as long as I thought it would. :ugh2:

I do have the navi package so I guess I would just be switching out the head unit and the speakers? I suppose I could also loose the 9.3 gig MusicBox or is that something separate? Anyway, lets say between 1K and 1.5K to play with. :tup:

Alright 2 the extreme, yes you are going to have to replace everything in order to do a full upgrade. Or you can use a JL clean sweep and use the factory head unit if you wanted to. That way you could keep the jukebox. Other wise I would just do a full upgrade. Your best alternative to the jukebox is a cheap ipod that has a broken screen on ebay. Sense you will not use the screen when it is docked to the head unit there is no real reason to have one.


For the head unit I would probably start out with the Kenwood 6140 as it has proven itself time and time again that is a great head unit, with plenty to offer.

DNX6140 - Kenwood Double-Din Navigation and Multimedia DVD Receiver w/Bluetooth

Or if you are just looking for a double din and are not worried abotu some of the features like touch screen and dvd playback take a look at the alpine ixa-w404

iXA-W404 - Alpine 2-DIN 4.3-inch QVGA Touchscreen iPhone Compatible Car Reciever

Amps

Now there are so many ways and companies to choose from when it comes to amps. The sky is the limit on how much you can spend on them as well.

For both of you if you are looking for a amp that will not take up much space at all and will power everything take a look at the alpine pdx-5 channel amp

PDX-5 - Alpine 5 Ch 600 Watt Digital Power Amplifier PDX5

Or if you are looking at separate amps for speakers and subs here is a selection of ones.

SUB amp

Kicker zx500.1

ZX500.1 - Kicker 500W 1 Channel Amplifier

Polk Audio

PA600.1 - Polk Audio 1 Ch 600 Watt Amplifier

Alpine

MRP-M500 - Alpine Mono 500W subwoofer amplifier


Speaker Amps

Alpine

PDX-2.150 - Alpine 2 Ch 300 Watt Digital Power Amplifier

Focal

Solid2 - Focal 2 Ch 200 Watt Amplifier (Black)


JL

300/2 Black - JL Audio 2 Ch 300 Watt Amplifier

And my personal favorite Audison

LRX 2.150 - Audison 2 Ch 220 Watt Amplifier

Speakers

Alpine

SPR-17S - Alpine 6.5" 2 Way Component Speaker System

Same as with amps the sky is the limit. I know some peoples budgets are a little more flexible so I will post some higher end components as well.

Alpine

SPR-17S - Alpine 6.5" 2 Way Component Speaker System

Polk Audio

MM6501 - Polk Audio 6.5" Component Speaker System

Focal

165VSlim - Focal 6.5" Polyglass Shallow Component

Image Dynamics

XS-65 - Image Dynamics 6.5" 2 Way Component System

Sub

I have not yet heard from the OP about what kind of music he listens to but I will recommend a 12 inch most likely.

Image Dynaimcs

IDQ12V3.D4 - Image Dynamics 12" IDQ Version 3 Dual 4 Ohm Subwoofer

Polk Audio

SR124DVC - Polk Audio 12" 1400 Watt Dual 4 Ohm Subwoofer

If you have any questions or want more info on anything just ask. Also you do not have to get the products from the site you can order them from where you would like to buy them.

I would recommend the Kenwood DNX7140 over the DNX6140.

Amazon.com: Online Shopping for Electronics, Apparel, Computers, Books, DVDs & more $1079. free shipping.

Speakers are a function of type of music played and are always a personal decision.

I would also recommend the Pioneer AVIC-X910X…………$839.

Pioneer AVIC-X910BT Car Navigation Systems - Video/Multimedia at Onlinecarstereo.com

Why is it that no one ever recommends the Eclipse AVN726E? It seems very nice from what I have read. It is the one I am thinking of getting once I get my Z.
ECLIPSE DVD-Video/USB Multi-Source Receiver/ 7inch Wide Screen Monitor/Navigation/ Built-in Bluetooth wireless technology AVN726E | Fujitsu Ten

i think the last time i played with an eclipse, the LCD was pretty low resolution. not sure about the one you show, flashburn, but when i think eclipse i think great sound contouring options/crappy graphics.

as far as the nav's i think kenwood's got it right. be willing to try the pioneer one too
if i decide to use my 3100 in my G35C later on and get a nicer unit for the Z. :)

:eek: ibtl!

i dont like pioneer myself...

alpine or kenwood would be my choices...

After three successive failures / breakdowns with my Pioneer AVIC-D3 unit on my Audi, I'm never going with them again.

Just my:twocents:

I have the Kenwood DNX 6140 and I have no complaints at all... I know its not the 7140, but being its predecessor its still an excellent piece of technology; I'm positive you will be happy with 7140.

you cant go wrong with kenwood...and if you dont know much about installing take big audios advice, hell, you could even fly him out to you and have him do the install for you..im not joking either, he has already done it for another forum z owner...

ibtl,

i'm going w/ the 6140...don't really feel the need to spend the extra $$$ for the 7100

:confused: why in before the lock? i dont get it.

Display 7.0inch WQVGA
Resolution 391,680 dots (480 by 272 by 3)

Not sure how that compares to the others.

I agree basically the same features I also agree about pioneer many problems with them. I like kenwood and alpine for there quality. Eclipse has crappy graphic interface to start plus they are not as friendly as the alpine and kenwoods.

he should fly you out to cali for the install :icon17:

I would love to be flown back out to cali for another install. A few people want me to do theirs in cali as well.

big audio pimpin the private jet :icon17:

http://blog.regentjet.com/wp-content...7/11/manny.jpg

Lmao nice ya I know that could be me one day :icon18::tup:

YouTube - Jay Z featuring UGK "Big Pimpin" :tup:




http://conservativeamerican.org/wp-c...bj_int1_lg.jpg

i can see you doing custom installs for carshows like alpine one of these days...

have you seen those shows they do on hd theatre?

Ya there pretty darn good. I have to get better for those but maybe one day. LOL Anything can happen.

true...true...

Heres my advice for a setup, I challenge and enocurage anyone to recommend a better setup for the money :)
Id stick with the 7140 for a source unit.
Id runa Memphis Mini Belle for amplification. It does a good amount more than rated power and it looks sexy. GO TO YOUR LOCAL DEALER FOR IT!! I bought one for an install and paid 400 out the door plus its the only way memphis honors their warranty.
16-MC5.700 - Memphis 55 x 4 / 500 x 1 Hybrid Class D Amplifier
Next Id run pioneers TS-C720prs. The midbass is phenominal and the tweeter is smooth. Look around on Car audio forums, nothing but great reviews. The T/S parameters measure better than sets that cost 3 times as much. There is no better set for that price.
TS-C720PRS - Pioneer Premier 6.75" Component Speaker System
Id Run a single 12" Image Dynamics IDQv3. The sub is very comparable to a 12w6 in output and sound quality and a dual 2 ohm will get teh most out of the amp.
IDQ12V3.D2 - Image Dynamics 12" IDQ Version 3 Dual 2 Ohm Subwoofer
For wiring Id go with an all in one kit from soundquest( its actually stinger), it has all the wiring you'll need. you just need to grab an extra set of rca's.
4 Ga Gauge Amp Amplifier Wiring Kit+RCA SQ by Stinger - eBay (item 130325226377 end time Oct-15-09 08:41:47 PDT)

I have a Pioneer AVIC F Series and it’s the best system for the money. It’s better than Kenwood and Eclipse in graphics, sound and navigation especially since I upgraded to the “2009 F-series Navigation Upgrade SD-Card #CNSD-100FM”. This upgrade matches the features of the 2009 AVIC X series. The AVIC built-in amps are CEA compliant which should be a standard for all “Mobile Audio Amplifiers”. This "voluntary" standard advocates a uniform method for determining an amplifier's RMS power and signal-to-noise ratio. Using 14.4 volts, RMS watts are measured into a 4-ohm impedance load at 1 percent Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) plus noise, at a frequency range (for general purpose amplifiers) of 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz. Signal-to-Noise ratio is measured in weighted absolute decibels (dBA) at a reference of 1 watt into 4 ohms.
The reviews for Pioneer are excellent. You can also read reviews on line. Amazon, CNET, AudioREVIEW, Crutchfield, etc. etc.
When money was no object, Cartronics in Santa Rosa, CA, installed a Pioneer in a customer’s Lamborghini. He could have installed anything. He used a Pioneer Head Unit.


2007 Lamborghini Gallardo - Jens Dalsgaard Spyder - Car Audio & Electronics

I know just becasue people have other opinions about something you have to get all bent out of shape about it. They USE to be great now they have went down hill. There not good like they use to be.

You can quote all of the Lamborghinis and high-end vehicles all you want. I had three failures IN A ROW of the AVIC-D3 head unit, and the fourth's buttons all don't work anymore. I'm personally never going to go with them again, as I think their quality control is suspect at best. But what you do with your cars is your own business.

Pioneers Z seriess is definately top notch, Id run one over a kenwood any day however the F series is sluggish even after the firmaware update( I had one and Installed one in my girls car) This isnt even a thread about what HU to run, it seems he had his mind set on the 7140 anyway.:ugh2:

Let's all take a fieldtrip to cali!

AS FAR AS DOUBLE-DIN HEAD UNITS, KENWOOD > PIONEER IMHO.

i had a single din PIONEER HE on my 93' sentra and it was great
but as for DOUBLE DIN HU's, KENWOOD FTW.

LOL @ YOUR SIGNATURE RICH! haha!

idk if i said it but yeah,

KENWOOD DOUBLE DIN HU > PIONEER DOUBLE DIN HU imho

well, im outta beer...off to the liquor store :driving:

cliffs

Dude dainedazz, why are you yellin' all the time? Are you DMX?



I still have an AVIC D3 in the toaster, and it has been nothing but superb. We've had it in there for two years with never a problem. I've been a lifelong Premier fan. My old single din that I had for 11 years was a DEH-P900R. Top of the line when I first bought it. Kenwood is a good product, and I'd say comparable to most Premier products.

Alpine and Eclipse I have stayed away from. For a number of years there, everyone had one or the other because they were trendy with the Honda tuning scene. I've personally seen a dozen or more Alpine units just full on die. Just my :twocents:

Alpine hasnt been the company it was for almost 5 years since they stopped making the F#1 status and got away from anything high end. now its all outsourced garbage.

all of them regardless of name brand are made on an assembly line much the same as the rest...

theres gonna be bad units in every batch regardless of the name on the faceplate...

IMO not true I know speed you and me see alpine differently I still see them as being a great company.

:bowrofl: