G37 Audio upgrade ideas

[Rizpac]

Hello everyone. I'm a newbie here. i just purchased a g37 6MT with sports and premium package w/navi. I'm curious if any discerning audiophiles out there can recommend any aftermarket audio upgrade options?? Specifically, i would like to add some aftermarket tweeters and possibly upgrade the sub/amps as well. Thanks for any advice in advanceryan

[smockers83]

The first question is, what's your budget for this?

[joe603]

Welcome to NICO!!

I don't know about the G37, but the G35 bose has an amp in the trunk. You can upgrade the speakers as long as they run at 2ohms.

For bass, a sub can be added buy tapping off the rear seat side speakers for the amp input (you have to have an amp that accepts high-level inputs) and drive a subwoofer.

[audtatious]

Why?

I have been working with car audio since the early 80's and have never been impressed with a factory system until the G37. Sure, it could use a bit more bottom-end bass at times but for the most part it already has the capability to move the hair on my neck so for once I'm actually satisfied to leave it alone.

Regardless, the tweeters are probably 4ohm while the rest of the system is <2ohm which means the tweeters can be changed out without any problems (assuming they are 4ohm).

[Rizpac]

Thanks for the replies everyone.

My budget is not absolutely fixed. I planned to spend approx $1,500 plus install.

As far as stock sound systems, i would agree it is better than average. That being said,to my discriminating ear, it is frankly less than impressive.( Unfortunately,I am accustomed to aftermarket audio in every vehicle i have ever owned and suppose my ears have gotten somwhat spoiled in the process.)

Do you feel the inline hi signal amp add ons will be as clean as otherwise?

i am curious about max mounting depth for the door and rear spks. also a recommended location for tweeter mounts?? any exact name/model brand components which have been used in this setting and are known (from experience) to perform very well in combination would be appreciated:)

i am curious if the JL 'Cleansweep?' would be of any benefit in this setting as an add-on to the stock head unit?

[joe603]

First....the JL Cleansweep is a device that levels the signal frequency from the head deck to your aftermarket amp.

http://mobile.jlaudio.com/prod...d=388

To upgrade the mids/highs I think you could get away with $1500...but not a sub, which is what most OEM systems really need.

There are other devices that convert the deck signals for aftermarket amps...Audio control also makes one...

http://www.mobileaudiocontrol....17612

If your looking for good speakers, I recommend Focal, MB Quart, and Polk momo's.

[Rizpac]

thanks joe

[winNvegas]

Hi Joe, your answer was exactly what i wanted to do to my car but not sure if i was able to. Is there a link or can you tell me and example of amp/subwolfer i can use. I dont want big power, just something a little better than my gf's bmw, which included a subwolfer =P. And is there a link on how to get to the rear wires, or should i just get creative and start ripping things up. Thanks.

[audtatious]

First....the JL Cleansweep is a device that levels the signal frequency from the head deck to your aftermarket amp.

http://mobile.jlaudio.com/prod...d=388

To upgrade the mids/highs I think you could get away with $1500...but not a sub, which is what most OEM systems really need.

There are other devices that convert the deck signals for aftermarket amps...Audio control also makes one...

http://www.mobileaudiocontrol....17612

If your looking for good speakers, I recommend Focal, MB Quart, and Polk momo's.

The more money you invest into quality speakers the better off you are. Other than seperation and some potential noise issues with amps (if you can even hear it), they are far less important than the speakers themselves.

While I am not sure what the actual woofer depth is in the doors I would assume it is a free-air configuration using the door as a baffle. You can't throw a regular sub in there anyway (and it would not fit I'm sure). If you want to tune the sound then you could easily replace the tweeter and the mid in the door then adjust the frequency response of the 10" door woofer to not play so low (12-24db cut would do it) and simply add a new sub into the back of the vehicle. Just realize that the door woofer has a 1ohm or 2ohm impedence (should be tested with a multimeter) and you should use an appropriate amp channel for them. Something like the cleansweep interface would be needed for sure.

With this car, when I first thought about upgrades, I immediately thought of the MB Quart 3-way seperates set. Unfortunately they do not make them anymore and the largest woofer they make in a component set is 6.5". The Canton Pullman RS6 may fit the bill as this set has 10" midbass (4" depth), 4" midrange and 1" tweeter. JL Audio has some 8" midbass components and I know Kicker does as well (not sure about mounting depths).

[winNvegas]

Thanks for your reply, but i was just referring to his earlier comment "For bass, a sub can be added buy tapping off the rear seat side speakers for the amp input (you have to have an amp that accepts high-level inputs) and drive a subwoofer", hoping that it would be as easy as tapping the rear wires to connect to an amp, then connecting to a sub wolfer. I can tell by your reply that you are very knowledgeable in regards to audio, whereas I am not. Just wanted to know if I would be able to do this if i went to the store and bought an amp and a subwolfer. In laymans terms, lets just say I went to Frys eletronics. bought a ?? watt amp and a, lets say polk 10" subwolfer in a box. Can I just split my right rear wire, run it to the amp and connect the subwolfer to the amp? I hope its this easy, but thats just wishful thinking. Thanks

[joe603]

If you want to do that, then you don't need the cleansweep. Just use the leads from the rear seat speaker (Matt, help me out here...I don't have a G37, so I'm not certain on the setup). You may have to use the lead from the door subwoofer.

Anyway, once the OEM "sub" lead is identified, solder a speaker wire that will reach to where you want your amp mounted. This will be the input for the amp (make sure it will accept "high-level" inputs. I have an MTX thunder 7800 that does it, and it's a beast.

Next, your subwoofers should be installed in a volume matched box. (a stereo shop is recommended). They can make a custom box that will meld into your trunk...or were you spare tire is. Here's a pic of my setup:









I also recommend you upgrade your battery if you're pushing a lot of power:

[audtatious]

If you want to do that, then you don't need the cleansweep. Just use the leads from the rear seat speaker (Matt, help me out here...I don't have a G37, so I'm not certain on the setup). You may have to use the lead from the door subwoofer.

If you don't use a cleansweep (or similar product) then you are still limited by the built-in Bose equalization functions. Granted, if you have the Studio on Wheels setup it is probably less of an issue as I have not really noticed it defeating bass like the older Bose systems have. Then again I have not tried playing around with Bass CD's either to really notice.

I have not really looked into the wiring nor speakers of the factory G37 system as I really have no plans to upgrade it like I did the Maxima. I would assume you could use the rear parcel-shelf speakers for a speaker-level connection to the sub(s).

[winNvegas]

Thanks for your input guys. I appreciate it. I actually have a g35 2006. The bose in my car has pretty good sound but no bass. You have a very nice setup. Way nicer than i plan on doing. I just wanted a little subwolfer. Im gonna invest my money in a turbo instead. Im pretty sure your setup is prob half a turbo in price. hehe. Hopefully if i decide to try to install a little subwolfer I don't mess up and waste 5 hours of my life. Every time I try a little project, it ends up taking 4x the time i thought it would. For example, I installed a spacer in my engine and a screw fell down into the pipes? dont know the correct term. It took me like 2 hours to fish that out. I thought I would have to have my car towed and my engine taken apart. Thank god for chopsticks and double sided tape!

[G_whizz]

Nice job boys!