I Passed on Bose... Now What?

Steve-NC

So...

I went with a '15 Sport over the Sport Tech last week, figuring that the price difference would be able to fund a pretty decent aftermarket setup and then some. While I have found lots of threads with various upgrade pieces, I'm trying to see if all the experts that have had input over the months/years have a combination they would go with if given a clean slate.

This is my laundry list and some of the suggestions I've gotten:
1. Navigation HU (Pioneer AVIC/NEX or Kenwood DNX)
2. Component speakers for door/dash (Polk, Memphis, JL)
3. 10"-12" Sub(s)/enclosure (JL, Polk, Rockford-Fosgate)
3. Amp(s) (Alpine, Rockford-Fosgate)
4. Backup camera
5. SiriusXM tuner

(And what about those 3 1/2" grills behind the seats? Do I ignore them or should they be addressed as well?)

BTW, I'm not a DIYer beyond the most basic of tasks. So I'll need to track down a good pro here in Charlotte.

Any advice welcome.

90 ST

Best advice...don't get hung up on brands, buy what you like the sound of, second, what fits. The rears 3-1/2" don't bother with, IMO.
Head units, I would go Kenwood, mostly cause they are not all about lights per sq inch.

Nillaz

You're not going to even remotely get a consensus on specific audio gear. Everyone has different needs, budgets, and tastes. As 90 ST said, try not to get too hung up on specific brands....it's a rabbit hole you'll have a really hard time climbing out of.

I'd recommend you settle on a tentative budget you're comfortable with and features you aren't willing to compromise on and work backwards from there.

MacCool

My only observation is that disk-based navigation is generally pretty crappy, and hard to use. I wouldn't bother with a navigation head unit. Far better off IMHO to go with a head unit that supports phone-based navigation and mapping apps like CarPlay. A $2 app for my iPhone, MotionX Drive, blows the silly Nissan navigation system away in terms of detail and usefulness. And Nissan's voice management is terrible. Give me Siri every time.

Steve-NC

Thanks for the input so far...

I've never been hung up on any particular brand; a company having a killer model a few years ago doesn't guarantee that this year's will be the same. I have a 20 year old Alpine amp powering the sub in my old car, but that doesn't mean that I'll look no further than Alpine.

I'm not expecting any real concensus, but I tossed the "clean slate" thing out there to get some comments on how everyone's various experiences may have shaped the way they'd approach a situation like mine. The Z is a very different type of "audio enclosure" for me; my old Mazda 626 has nice sound, but in a whole different environment and old technology.

You're right, Nillaz, about the "working backwards" approach; that's the plan I have. I'm just looking to see what others have to share concerning their situations.

While I'm soliciting opinions, how about some thought on this... I got a really good deal on a new Polk Audio DXi124DVC 12" sub a few months ago and it's up in my closet. Worth using that? Enclosure suggestion?

Mbreese

Fiberglass custom enclosures will be the best fit in my opinion !

RonRizz

Lots of good advice from these fine gentlemen thus far.
Its also good to remember that the whole chain is only as strong as its weakest link.
The most thought should go into your source unit. That's the piece you interact with. Next in line would be your component speakers. Definitely don't cheap out there. You'll be glad you spent a little extra on them.

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P99rs Head Unit--- Amps- 2 Pioneer Prs800d --- Zapco ST1000MX---Zapco ST-4XSQ---- SI BM mk5 Subs---SI TM65v2 Midbass--- SI M3 mids--- SI M25 xbl2 tweeters ----- 2016 MECA street class 3rd place at world finals

Minhtin

Image dynamics speakers and sub would be my recommendation. Love them to death.

Mbreese

JL just came out with a new line of shallow mount subs and components I believe since space is always at a premium with the Z

Smashley

I love my JL dual 8" enclosure

Aescen

My best advice is to look around at what other guys have done here on the forums, and see if you like any of it. If not, take a ride out to your local custom shop and see what they could do for you. If you're looking for personal recommendations, I think the Kenwood HUs are pretty good, especially their 2014 GPS models. See their DNX571HD. As far as those 3 1/2s in the rear... leave them be. There's no point.

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MadChemist

Just ordered a TW1 10" last night. A bit of a gamble but I have always been happy with JL subs.