I'm scheduled with my local shop SS Customs to have a custom stereo system installed. Since this setup is going to be the most extensive (and expensive) that I've done it's important to make sure the design is exactly perfect the first time. Head unit - Leaning towards PNX-761 PowerAcoustik - Source Units - Ingenix - PNX-761 Amplifier - JBL GTO5355 660wt 5ch (already owned) JBL GTO5355 (GTO-5355) 660W RMS 5-Channel Grand Touring Amplifier Front speakers - 15-MC692 Memphis MClass 6'' x 9'' WoofersEtc.com - 15-MC692 - Memphis MClass 6" x 9" Coaxial Speakers Front Tweets - 15-MC1S Memphis 1" Silk Dome Tweeter Set WoofersEtc.com - 15-MC692 - Memphis MClass 6" x 9" Coaxial Speakers Rear speakers & rear tweets - 15-MCS6 Memphis MClass 6.5'' WoofersEtc.com - 15-MCS6 - Memphis 6.5" MClass Component Speakers Subs - 15-SC10D4 (2x) Memphis 10'' shallow mount WoofersEtc.com - 15-SC10D4 - Memphis 10" Shallow 4 Ohm DVC Subwoofer Dash Kit - Custom Fab Enclosure - Custom Fab and built into spare tire area; fiberglass bottom, hard plexiglass top for viewing. Stock carpet piece can be placed over plexiglass for groceries/luggage. Subs/amp/cap will be viewable through the glass - This should end up being a real show piece. Setup will be similar to this but more ornate: http://lh4.ggpht.com/_LbJ2PNrznJA/RjY5c3TG1EI/AAAAAAAAAI8/2axMtO_KWLg/s400/IMG_0279.JPG Backup Camera - LP2CSB License Plate Frame PowerAcoustik - Accessories - Cameras - LP-2 Steering Wheel Integration - ASWC Axxess Interface: Steering Wheel Control Digital HID headlight conversion & capacitor are also included but specific products haven't been chosen yet. Looks like the amp can push this nicely without risking damage to the speakers. If you have knowledge on 2ohm/4ohm power draw etc please take a look and let me know your thoughts on the setup; I'll update on this thread as the installation begins (2nd week of May) and finish with a photo guide for the do-it-yourselfer.
Wow I love what you have planned. But for the subs, are you going to be cutting into the styrofoam inserts or will you be removing those completely? Also I can't wait for your photo guide, I'm going to be installing a 10" alpine type r subwoofer and might upgrade the speakers sometime in the future.
I'm completely removing the styrofoam inserts, mounting bracket for the spare, and of course the spare itself. The plexiglass lid will be even with where the OEM carpet sits so the stock look will be retained with the carpet in place. This setup will also allow enough sqft for the subs to do their jobs. We'll have vents in the top of the glass by the bumper to allow for the airflow plus a fan to push/pull air on each side to keep things cool.
Never heard of PowerAcoustiks...must be especially high-end. Are they appreciably more so than JVC/Kenwood, Pioneer and Alpine?
Actually no, most consider them a 2nd tier brand to the kenwood and pioneer line. However this Power Acoustik head I'm looking at is a brand new model and the features are really impressive... native navteq, bluetooth 3.0, automatic backup camera switching, up to 250gb hd compatability for lots of movies and mp3s, plays divx, h264, dual zone video for rear seat monitor playback, and most importantly it just looks cool! The only other head I've found with those features is the Kenwood DNX9990HD which costs about $700 more.
I'd be interested to see the speed of the head unit, looking at a kenwood dnx9990hd now based on menu speed but the pics look nice on the ingenix
^Off-topic: That's some awesome MPG you're getting, Tek55. 10-4, so they're the economical off-brand choice (but feature-packed)...bit of a roll of the dice but feature-wise, it definitely stacks up. I already detailed what head unit I own (KW-NT3DHT), but the map update last year (which costs $100) only contains maps from 2009. You should be forewarned this is apparently par for the course with JVC and GPS support...I am less likely to choose them when I upgrade.
I would look at different components if you are going for sound quality. Look for for high voltage RCA outputs with low impedance and 24bit digital to analog converters. You can also simply compare the above stats to a top end Kenwood eXcelon piece and see how they rate. Unless things have changed significantly the components you have chosen are budget items and sound quality is so-so. Still, if you are on a budget and want lots of stuff then it's not so bad and it is a huge step above stock!
