Next Step In Audio

[98GTKid]

Well lately my stock HU has become boring. Distorted bass up front, not enough control over individual speakers and my sub/amp. I think it should hit even harder than it does and sound a lot cleaner doing it.

So I've decided to upgrade to an aftermarket HU. Problem is, my whole reason for keeping the stock HU for so long is because it was well, stock.
People would look in my car and see nothing interesting to steal.. and keep walking on over to that lexus 'over there'.

I don't have a lot of money to allocate on this, 180 bucks maximum is going to have to get me the HU and everything I need to install it. Crutchfield has always seemed the way to go and their customer service/support is truly amazing.
My question is, does pioneer incorporate 'bass blockers' for individual speakers, or where I can atleast tweak my soundstage up front so they don't sound like their blowing up when my sub is droppin the bombs? This is what i'm looking at because I've been told it is a major SQ upgrade. http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Product/Item/Main.aspx?g=300&i=130DEHP4UB&tp=5684&tab=detailed_info

What do you all think? And is there a pioneer you would recommend more?
I've also had trouble in the past mounting them flush with the dash when installing for a friend. I want it to be as LEAST noticible as possible and it's hard to achieve that when it sticks out an inch past where the stock one did.

[Blackhawk]

To get it to fit flush you'd have to remove that bracing in back, not a big deal, a few members have done it with no problems. You're trying to get the speakers to get a different signal than your subs with the new HU? Turn the sub volume or level up a bit so it gets more from the settings then the others do. If you get good speakers they'll have corssovers too so you can set the cutoff.

[Jibo]

Looks to be abotu one Model down from what I am currently running and from the sounds of it, has many of the similar features the oen I do has, you will get very clean sound out of it, and it looks like this model will have the High Pass filter as well so you can tune your soundstage the way you like. Honestly nobody is going to be able to tell you what you will like, you have ot go play with some for yourself first to get a better idea.

[ChaunB3400]

If you use ebay..You can get an outstanding unit for very little coin

Pioneer DEH-P7800MP
Pioneer DEH-P6800MP
Alpine CDA-9885
Alpine CDA-9886

All of which would be great and should be under $200 on ebay

[98GTKid]

Well I don't exactly like to go the ebay route on electronics.. although I've never had any problems just personally you have no idea what people have done with items before selling them to you.

I bought the DEH-P4000UB from crutchfield. It comes with the dash kit, antenna adapter, harness adapter, and directions. I've always liked crutchfield so I went with them. It's the 2008 model and to be honest, I was considering the DEH-P5000UB but really there are a lot of features i'm just never going to use on there so why not just save the money.

I'll give you guys a review on it once it's all installed. Once I get it I gotta run my RCA's to the recievers preamps because right now I'm using line level converter from the rear speakers to the amp. Hopefully it's not too challenging to get the trim off to run it under the carpet. and around back of the reciever. lol.

[Blackhawk]

The trim should be like on 99+ GAs, pull up on them and it'll unclip.

[Mr03SC/T]

get a JVC XG 700 .... its a double din unit that fits perfectly....u will need a double din kit.

[Blackhawk]

You have a 2 DIN opening, he has a 1.5 DIN, he'd have to modify his bezel to fit a double DIN HU. The Double DIN is 01-up.

[98GTKid]

Correct. I bought the unit from Crutchfield.com because they supply everything needed to install it. Which saves me roughly 40 bucks. I'm expecting the unit to be here tomorrow, as I have already recieved my tracking number :).

I'm soo excited! I've never had an aftermarket H/U in my own car.. well not one that I didn't later find out was hot lol. (makes you wonder some of the 'deals' people are willing to cut you on 'brand new' stereo equipment eh?)
Anyway, this is the 3rd time I've bought form crutchfield and imo they're customer service is the best in the industry.

It says I may have to cut something out of the back to fit the HU in. Gotta love cutting stuff lol.
Got my fingers crossed for tomorrow. If all goes well I will take pics step by step and do a little tutorial if anyone thinks it could be helpful.

Have a nice night guys! Keep your fingers crossed for me!

[Blackhawk]

You have to cut the backstrapped support piece to get it to fit flush, not a big deal, a few members (Matt95GT IIRC) have done it with no problems.

[98GTKid]

Can it be unbolted and taken out? Either way.. its goin in the day I get it.
My rear 6x9 speaker wires run to a line level converter into RCA's then to the amp to supply the signal for my Kicker. I have plenty of cable to run to the front of the car to the preamps. Will this offer higher SQ over just leaving the line-level? I'd bet my paycheck it would..so. I have to run it on the passenger side because the power cable is run on the drivers side. I just don't want this to look ghetto but, I'm not payin circuit city to do it either after I watched them install my sub and amp and it took about 35 minutes.

[Blackhawk]

You have to cut the support piece out.
You'll have higher SQ and more control over the sub if you run RCAs to the HU. It won't look ghetto if you run it under the trim panels and carpet.

[98GTKid]

Okay. Well its coming tomorrow for sure. Can't wait to tear into it. Since i'm going to continue upgrading my sound system I want to go ahead and replace my battery cables. Advance Autoparts up the street from here has 0 gauge or maybe thicker battery cable wire and I was wondering how many feet I would need?

[Blackhawk]

Just do the big three upgrade, you probably only need 4 gauge.

[98GTKid]

I installed it! Woo! Nothing like the satisfaction of doing something yourself. Got it installed in the dash before work.. drove to work without the trim on the dash. Come home, ran the RCA's to the preamps under the trim and carpet. Put trim back on dash, wasted a lot of windshield washer fluid while putting trim back on because it kept pressing down on the button. lol


It was worth my time, because this time, I got higher SQ. I can hear my front speakers now! Even when the bass is a bangin'. Sounds nice and clean. Plus I got to learn the tricks of the trade. Overall I'm very glad I did the DIY route, I got to save 129.99 and what I learned was priceless.

If anyone needs help installing their headunit. Shoot me a pm, i'll be glad to help!

[98GTKid]

Pics 4 u.