Sicwitit's ultimate Car Audio system....to be?

[sicwitit]

hey guys, as most of you know, I am no where near my pathfinder, and won't be for about 6 more months. I have from time to time forgotten I owned one so I don't always think of what I'm going to do with it. One thing I never got around to doing was the stereo system, and figured I might as well start planning it now since I'm headed back in a few months. A couple of you know I don't necessarly do anything unless its done right, and right the first time, and have seen some of your ideas and have liked what I've seen. I know sometimes when people build systems, after they have finished they might of chose different things that they did, and thats what I want this thread to be. If you can build the ulitmate system, what would you do. I've got a few ideas and if you guys want to run with it or spin off from my ideas, thats fine, let it all fly here. NO FLAMMING ANYONE! I don't want this thread to get locked like some have in the past. so if you don't like someone's idea, insert your own and if its better, you'll see it done to my truck. I only have 2 guidelines.

1. It must be clean. -this being said, I'm not looking for some crazy neon lighted fiberglass box thats going to take up the entire rear hatch...Think Stealth (ones have been done here before) in the sides of the pannels, I'm not afraid of fiberglass either, just as long as its clean, isn't taking up a ton of room, and is relitivally out of the way.

2. I'm a SQ nut who still likes some bass! - This means, I'm looking for the best quality sound I can get. Dead beat, sound guard, etc are all welcome, as is high end equipment. I'm somewhat fond of Focal, I've used them in a few other cars and love them. I'm sure there are other brands out there that sound just as supurb, so lay it on me.

so the ideas I have...

For the head unit, I want to know if Its possible to move the A/C controls around. What I'm thinking is moving the controls down to where the bottom of the stereo sit, moving the stereo up to a more eye level and cutting the factory center face plate to clean up the dash. I've done this before on a C6 vette, it was simple. But since I've never taken the stereo out of my Pathy, I have no idea whats back there. I'm planning on using a double din with GPS (Kenwood exellon, Pioneer, Alpine) and want it as close to eye level as possible.

speakers - again, thrill me. I'll entertain multipal componants up front, and don't mind doing some more fiberglass work, so long as its clean. Subs too, I'm thinking the JL flat subs, but I don't know of anyone thats actually used them.

Amps - I'd like to keep small (maybe Alpine PDX) just so its easier to hide them, behind the dash, in the rear panneling, but not on the back seats, or under the front seats. I don't need to know they are there, besides knowing they are doing their jobs.

ok gang, have at it.

[Innovazn]

I would go with Pioneer head unit. I have found they generally have built in GPS without the "add on" that Alpine likes to throw in.

Subs, Go all out, Get some Digital Designs, size is up to you depending on application.

Amp? Loyal to Alpine. Love their amps. clean looking and powerful.

Speakers, From what my buddy has said, Infinity Speakers are great.

Talking about a guy who blasted out two 4runner windshields and 3 tailgate glasses. lol...

And with stealth in mind, you CAN go through the side panel, but you can also go with a lifted cargo....

[Towncivilian]

I don't think you can move the A/C controls around too much, just the stuff that they're attached to is preventing it from moving a lot.

[Innovazn]

I don't think you can move the A/C controls around too much, just the stuff that they're attached to is preventing it from moving a lot.

I recall someone who was able to relocate it... pretty sure it was on this forum... was done on an 04... it would require some behind the scenes work though.

[sicwitit]

@ Innovazn - I've noticed that about Alpine headunits also, I have an older w200 in my IS300 and I remember paying out the @$$ for it and it really didn't come with any real features...not even a decent EQ. on the otherhand I picked up a Kenwood ###512 and it absolutely rocks for the $300 I spent on it. Pioneer might just be the winner, plus I hear their GPS and I-pod interface are very nice. I also currently am using a PDX1000 to drive 3 JL w3's in the Lexus and it does so with no problems at all. I will most likely go with them (unless theres something else on the market that performs as well and its footprint is just as small. I actually had the thought of putting the amps in the rear hatch...but that would be a wiring nightmear! The only places I can think for them are in the side panels behind the rear seats, and under the dash in the front...I'd consider the roof, but I don't feel like making a new roof liner. although they would be nice and out of the way if they were up there....hmm

as far as the A/C controls, I"ve seen someone in the Lexus forum actually do some wire trickery with their A/C controls, they actually seperated the brains from the control pannel, moved the brains into the glove box, and wired the controls into the flip down visor! that was pretty sick! I'm not turned off by that idea, but I'll look back behind the dash when I get back to the states. I've got an 04 with the digital controls...hopefully that helps the situation.

[Innovazn]

@ Innovazn - I've noticed that about Alpine headunits also, I have an older w200 in my IS300 and I remember paying out the @$$ for it and it really didn't come with any real features...not even a decent EQ. on the otherhand I picked up a Kenwood ###512 and it absolutely rocks for the $300 I spent on it. Pioneer might just be the winner, plus I hear their GPS and I-pod interface are very nice. I also currently am using a PDX1000 to drive 3 JL w3's in the Lexus and it does so with no problems at all. I will most likely go with them (unless theres something else on the market that performs as well and its footprint is just as small. I actually had the thought of putting the amps in the rear hatch...but that would be a wiring nightmear! The only places I can think for them are in the side panels behind the rear seats, and under the dash in the front...I'd consider the roof, but I don't feel like making a new roof liner. although they would be nice and out of the way if they were up there....hmm

as far as the A/C controls, I"ve seen someone in the Lexus forum actually do some wire trickery with their A/C controls, they actually seperated the brains from the control pannel, moved the brains into the glove box, and wired the controls into the flip down visor! that was pretty sick! I'm not turned off by that idea, but I'll look back behind the dash when I get back to the states. I've got an 04 with the digital controls...hopefully that helps the situation.

youd want to wire amps in a more open place for more cooling.... if you were to mount it under your dash or enclosed, i would think the heat would eventually get to it. Never hurts to show off the amp. And yeah. PDX's are godly. I would have gone with it if i had the extra cash, i had to opt for the V POWER line they had. even then that thing gets quite hot on top of my box. While tuning it burnt my buddies for arm but not enough to scar.

as for the digital controls, its a very "deep" unit, about 3/4 the depth of the deck itself i think or equal. it seems quite solid so taking it apart might do some damage....

[sicwitit]

I'll take some pics of my amps in the Lexus tomorrow, they are hidden under a false floor, and have been now for 3 1/2 years, with no over heating issues what so ever. maybe its the design of the PDX series, but I've had no problems thus far. I'll keep it in mind though, worse case, I'd run a series of small computer fans to push air across them from the inside.

Wow, I just went to Alpines site. I bought my PDX 1.1000 and 4.150 when they were brand new on the market, I didn't think they could do much better, but the new M12 and F4 are out of this world. I think the M12 might be too much for running two subs, so the M6 or even a older 1.1000 would do the job with room to spare. I remember my fav amp when I was growing up was the MRV-100m (I can't believe I remember the model number), I had it running 2 infiniti cappa 10's in the back of my CRX! those were the days...

I'll see what I can do with the controls. I'm not afraid to (buy a spare) cut into my factory controls and figure out how they work, and if I can seperate the controls/display from the brain...you didnt think I'd do it to my only one did you? I'm crazy, not stupid.

[patqx4]

I don't think you can move the A/C controls around too much, just the stuff that they're attached to is preventing it from moving a lot.

I recall someone who was able to relocate it... pretty sure it was on this forum... was done on an 04... it would require some behind the scenes work though.

update-removed-navigation-and-rewired-a ... 83201.html

Heres the thread for qx4, should be the same for paths. I want to do this too!

[ganesh21]

Here is nice setup - Good SQ with some bass.

AMP 5 CHANNEL AMP
http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_277 ... o-NX5.html

Subwoofer 10"
http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_273 ... X10D2.html

DVD/Navigation
http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_328 ... 130BT.html

Front Speaker - Component
http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_330 ... QS216.html

Rear Speaker
http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_330 ... B-116.html

[Turbogst]

amps= zapco, usamps, old school Orion Hcca You want good high end stuff? Go MMATS (sound quality and just pure power) you want one of the best headunits on the market? Pioneer DEX-P99RS. Get a garmin or tomtom if you want GPS , having had just about everything out there I will never buy a aftermarket cd/gps system.. They suck.. Out of everything listed nothing comes close to what MMATS has to offer.