So i upgraded my "sound" system

[dareo]

I finally got my JWT Pop Charger intake. I find it to be of good quality and excellent fitment. When i first fired it up with the intake on, i went to blip the throttle and i about pissed my pants. Underneath all those intake resonators is some seriously mean growl! Seat of the pants says the 4500+rpm range has been nicely improved. Just barely dropped the throttle at 70mph next to a civic trying to pass me on the right, you shoulda seen the look on his face as my Q screamed by.

And we installed an XM radio to the stock Bose. I never knew how freakin good that bose stereo sounds with a great audio source. I can hardly believe i'm listening to 1993 paper speakers.

All in all, i can choose from sexy V8 growling or perfectly clear digital stereo. I highly recommend both upgrades to those considering.

[Jesda]

My new XM tuner really transformed the Bose system on my Q too. I had the Delphi Skyfi before, but upgraded to the Roady which has stronger, clearer output.

Which tuner did you buy and where did you install it?

[dareo]

Delphi i believe, from Walmart (i get discount). Its installed in front of the shifter where the ciggarette lighter cover normally goes. A little modding and its stuck right perfectly in there a bit. As far as strength and clarity i couldnt ask for more, even in the mountain passes it picks up great.

[Jesda]

Since I'm not a smoker, here's what I did with mine to make the installation more stealth:

First, I hated having the power adapter sticking out so obviously, so I removed the cigarette lighter socket from the ash tray -- I first removed the wood trim around the shifter then removed the ashtray itself.

I disconnected the wires and pulled out the lighter socket. I dont recall how I did it, I just remember it being painfully difficult and requiring the help of a flathead screwdriver.

Then, I reconnected the wires to the lighter socket and tucked it underneath the ashtray.I then connected the XM 12v adapter into the newly hidden lighter socket.

The wire for the 12v adapter was also routed underneath the ashtray, and I left a half inch of wire sticking out the left side to side of the ashtray itself.

The antenna is sitting on the rear deck on top of a speaker and it picks up the signal nicely. The rest of the antenna wire is tucked under the rocker panels, then carefully laced around the front of the driver's seat (with plenty of slack for forward/backward movement), and then ran the wire under the center console, under the wood trim surrounding the shifter, then up and out the left side of the ashtray.

Its affixed with 3M double sided mounting tape. Later on when I get the home kit, I plan on using the included mounting bracket so I can easily bring it inside.

The result is this:

[carlos_knology]

Jesda, that's a nice install on the Roady. I'm still using the Skyfi. So far, so good.

I thought about putting my Skyfi in front of the ashtray as well but it looked too out-of-place in the J30 since the entire bezel and ashtray are wood-trim.

[louiegz]

How is that installed. Is it FM modulated?

[carlos_knology]

How is that installed. Is it FM modulated?

I don't know about Jesda's setup but I think the Roady comes with an FM modulator.

My Skyfi is connected to an Alpine head unit (aux input).

[maxnix]

Listening to a digital source through an FM modulator is like pouring wax in your ears before going to the symphony.

[louiegz]

Listening to a digital source through an FM modulator is like pouring wax in your ears before going to the symphony.

That's what I was afraid of. I got my wife something to modulate an Ipod into the FM stereo of her Bimmer last year and it was unusable. I had to return it. Instead I had a line out installed and it works fine. I wish that the Ipod/BMW conect option would have been available when I did this. That would have been cool. You can control the Ipod from your streering wheel buttons.

[PoorManQ45]

Jesda: I noticed that the display says "Jessica Simpson" is there a reason for this? Possibly was turned on by accident?

I finally got my JWT Pop Charger intake. I find it to be of good quality and excellent fitment. When i first fired it up with the intake on, i went to blip the throttle and i about pissed my pants. Underneath all those intake resonators is some seriously mean growl! Seat of the pants says the 4500+rpm range has been nicely improved. Just barely dropped the throttle at 70mph next to a civic trying to pass me on the right, you shoulda seen the look on his face as my Q screamed by.

Hasn't it been proven that the OEM with the modified ram-air system will make more HP than the Pop Charger?

[Rex]

Listening to a digital source through an FM modulator is like pouring wax in your ears before going to the symphony.

Yes, aside from a few audiophiles that will try to argue digital music doesn't sound "real/natural", listening to a digital source passed through any degradating "path" will result in less than optimum results. But the options (sans a full replacement) are limited to FM or cassette adapter. While these may dmimish the overall sound quality, I think (from what he's said) Jesda's primary reason for the XM tuner is to have more control over what he listens to while in the car (the Jessica Simpson picture does not support this idea, or so i'm lead to believe).

I'm currently looking into an Aux Input for the Nis/Inf Bose systems that make the conversion to the In Dash unit more compelling .

This

Is suposed to allow this

Quote »It will only work on the 1997-1998 Nissan Maxima / Pathfinder / Infiniti I30 stereo shown above. It will not work on the Infiniti G35.[/quote]But the guy making them seems to be "out of the business" now , but I haven't given up hope.

[Jesda]

Im using the cassette adapter. If you look really close, you can see a wire coming out of the tape slot on the Bose unit. I hid the wire under the dash and routed it around the back and out the left side of the ash tray.

The sound quality of XM through the tape adapter is MUCH better than FM radio or using an FM modulator.

Now, there's some issues lately with marketing people using the wrong terms, so let me clarify:

FM Modulator: An adapter box that is physically connected to the car stereo's antenna loop. When the input device is turned on, the modulator is activated and takes over a specific signal.

FM Transmitter: A small wireless device broadcasts an FM signal within a 4-6 foot radius for the car stereo to pick up.

As for Jessica Simpson.. Ummm...

[Rex]

Im using the cassette adapter. If you look really close, you can see a wire coming out of the tape slot on the Bose unit. I hid the wire under the dash and routed it around the back and out the left side of the ash tray.

Well done, I see the flat black cable now.

FM Transmitter: A small wireless device broadcasts an FM signal within a 4-6 foot radius for the car stereo to pick up.

Yes, and from what I've heard they are pretty crappy (technical term)

As for Jessica Simpson.. Ummm...

Does your XM have pictures??

[maxnix]

The point is, FM is analog, and even wehn working perfectly (capable equipment is less than .0001% of the available equipment), it still has the limitations built into it by the FCC standards.

Similar limitations due to EQ curve matching for tape decks. Best way would be to impedance match the CD input and lose the CD player.

[PoorManQ45]

Well, almost any audio source is better than standard radio. Most radio stations compress their output signals frequency (usually: 30Hz - 15k Hz). So, even with an FM modulator, your frequency will increase. Making it sound more "crisp" and "clear".

Also, the only thing that was/is wrong with Cassette Tapes is the Signal-To-noise Ratio. It is usually ~65Db whereas CDs are usually above 90Db. Other than that, tapes are very good.