GTR AV Install / Upgrade

[Liquid]

Ello, I'm thinking of upgrading the GTR's audio...

I want as little as room in the boot or other places taken up as possible.

I want sufficent base as that i can listen with pleanty of bass inside the car (I don't have to hear it 3 blocks away).

I was thinking something like

(All Prices from JB HiFi)

Kicker Solo-Baric 10" Sub

$420

(I've heard these are space efficent)

Kicker Mono Amp for the sub KX 400.1

$440

Kenwood HU DVD 7" Screen $2480

I'm going with kenwood cause its the ONLY A/V HU that can do MP3s on DVDs. If this isn't so tell me other options please ... I ckecked the pioneer in store and it couldn't

Also, Considering getting a rear and front camera, the rear should hook up to the AV unit for reversing stuff and the front well that'd be nice too

I'd also want to be able to record the video (maybe from both cameras at track days

Another space saving option involves a whole lot more work...

What if, In the middle of the back seat 2 Speakers were placed similar as in the dodge viper..

I'd want the speakers to be inline with the seat. and not be some ugly box strapped ontop of the seat. It'd have to look good.

I know this would be a whole lot more work but if anyone knows any really good custom installers who think there up for the task I'd be interested.

If its either

a) Totally impracticale

B) Insanely expensive (>$5k just for the speaker install)

I don't think i'll consider it.

[Fhrx]

You're certainly doing the right thing consulting people before jumping head first into a $5k plus install.

Just for the record I would use totally different components if I was buying the system but I'll only elaborate if you want me to. I'm more than happy to have a chat with you about your planned system if you wish?

[Liquid]

Yep... i'll listen to what you have to say and will be interested to anything you have to add.

Currently my car has 6" alpine speakers in the back.. not sure whats in the front cause i'd have to pull apart the doors for that

So there fine.

Where are you? (Just noticed ur web address)

I could come by Sunday?

[Fhrx]

Okay then, when is a good time to meet up?

I ask this because it is alot easier to talk about systems and bounce ideas off each other with both you and the car in front of us. Also is saves me having to type a ten thousand word thesis on sound theory and system design.

Mind you, some of the things I'll tell you about you'll find on our FAQ page within our website.

[Liquid]

Any time... Sunday arvo... maybe 2:00pm

Do you have msn?

... or you can email me direct on admin@craig.bpa.nu

[pentae]

Liquid: Your crazy if you buy that Kenwood unit.. fork out a bit of extra cash and buy an Alpine IVA D300e.. it plays mp3s, dvd, is a touchscreen with PulseTouch which means you can feel the buttons being pressed on the screen and it will also destroy kenwood for sound quality.

Dont let any JB HIFI sales person (who dont stock alpine) tell you otherwise

[Liquid]

Does the alpine play mp3s on a DVD?

[pentae]

It plays:

.WMA .MP3 .MPEG and CD-RW and DVD-RW

so in short, yep!

It also supports dolby digital surround sound, and has timing correction which will make whatever you decide to put through it sound absolutely outstanding.

I firmly believe its the best all-in-one HU on the market.. and after asking any car audio place that stocks alpine they all agree.

I am constantly drooling over mine..

They RRP for 3999 but you can bring them down to about 3.5k or lower, if your good.

I amazingly found one for sale second hand and picked it up for 1850 with heaps of warranty left on it. Go try one out and report back with what you think..!

[pentae]

Oh and of course being a touchscreen you can feed a seperate nav component into it.. rumour has it navman are building a 'video out only' unit for under 1000 bucks that i am holding out for to plug into this sucker.

You could also go for a VDO unit but its crap compared to navman and about 3x dearer.

[Liquid]

Ok the reason i'm being really skeptical is that most DVD players will play all the above formats...

However alot of them will not play MP3 on DVD even though they can play DVDs and MP3s

The MP3 capability is for CD-R/RW ONLY.

But yeah... if it does what you say it does then I rekon i might go with that.

[pentae]

This thing isnt just a crummy dvd player.. its more of a multimedia touchscreen. You might not appreciate the coolness and functionality of having a touch screen but i really dont see the point of having a head deck thats just a screen with a bunch of crappy buttons around it?

I havent personally burnt mp3's to a dvd-r yet, but i'd be pretty suprised if it didnt read off it.. please dont buy from JB HIFI.. they are only interested in moving boxes.. the guys at jb hifi are sales people not car audio experts. Go to a real Car Audio place that sell brands like Alpine, Eclipse, Rockford Fosgate etc. You'll know your at the right place if they simply do not sell SONY car audio equipment.

Alpine provide a premium product and have realised that the quality of their product relies heavily on the quality of the installation. Probably because Alpine only do car audio! thats their speciality.. they dont also make stereo hifi etc like pioneer does.

Thats why a lot of the more mainstream box-moving companies like JB are not a licensed alpine dealer.. plus they would rather the huge markup they can put on cheaper equipment like pioneer, kenwood, sony etc.

Disclaimer: Pioneer are actually up there, and their decks are way up there in bang for your buck.. and their hardware looks cool, but they are not very picky when it comes to who sells their products

If I was going to be spending the money you are looking at blowing, i'd rather it was on the right gear and installed by the right people, trust me we've all been woo'd by the "massive blowout specials" that the bigger chains have, but its all just utter crap, the installations are crap and you just end up having a sore ass at the end of it.

So call around tommorow and find someone who has an IVA-D300 on display you can check out.

[Liquid]

Ok Checked out IVA-D300 ... in short... ****ing kicks ass

...getting one.

Also checked Clarion... they don't support MP3 on DVD.

Now the list looks something like...

Alpine IVA-D300 HU

Rockford 4CH amp.

12" 400W Sub With a custom Sub box.

Quart DSE 6" Speakers Front

Alpine 6" Speakers Rear (Cause I already have them)

Dampening in front doors.

Rockford Cabling.

[Fhrx]

With all due respect this might seem like a flipant question but should I bother trying to contact you and continue our correspondance via email champ or are you only interested in going out asap and getting the first thing you come accross?

I just thought we could both save time if you're not overly interested in getting the best sound for your money?

[pentae]

Fhrx: easy bro he's just throwing it out there, instead of doing the sales pitch and closing this guy privately, how about we hear about your thoughts on the forum, thats what we're all here for, to share information?

It would be a cool way for you to promote your business as well. lets hear it

I personally reckon the rest of the list can be changed, but just make sure you get the alpine head deck, I havent come across better in any car..

[Fhrx]

I was only asking.

The reason why is that our 'sales pitches' can take months and involve a lot of testing and planning. I was just asking if he wanted a quick fix install rather than an involved one.

Just trying to ensure I'm not wasting anybodies time, thats all. :P