System advice

[BigRondo]

Anyone have these: Polk Audio db571? Any thoughts about them? Crutchfield has them for $74.99 a pair. I was thinking about getting them, along with a Sony CDX-GT700HD head unit for $179.99. Feel free to give your honest opinion! Thanks, Rondo.

 

[PandorasCustoms]

I have never actaully used this type, but I have heard and installed a bit of Polk products. They are a pretty good mid-to-high end manufacturer. This of course will not be some ground stomping sound, since it is one of their lower end models, but I am sure you can expect good quality from their products.

Crutchfileld is a good place to buy them from as well since they will supply the Harnesses Speaker adapter plugs for no additional charge.

 

[BigRondo]

Thanks for the reply. I'm just looking to upgrade my stock system so it doesn't need to rattle the fillings out of my head. Lol! Any thoughts on the Sony CDX-GT700HD head unit? Thanks again.

 

[PandorasCustoms]

The 3-band equalizer is nice, something that most Sony head units have.
I am not a fan of the new button layout, but I am also very old fashioned when it comes to this section of head units.
If you have an iPod this unit will be good as well with the ability to charge and play it at the same time. I don't like that the USB port is on the front of the unit, but it does make it more accesible. My wife has a Sony with the port on the rear, and we have a cable permanently placed inside of her glove-box for use with our iPod.

Overall, it looks like a good buy. Let us know how the HD tuner turns out. I have been interested in getting one myself, but haven't gotten around to doing a lot of research for it.

 

[BigRondo]

Yea, that's the reason I was thinking about the CDX-GT700HD, the HD, USB, & Aux Port. I Have an iPod, Zune, & GPS so I can use all three with this unit. I won't be getting it real soon. I'm in the research stage right now. I will post when I purchase and install whatever I get.

I'm open for suggestions on speakers and head units so post up!! Thanks

 

[DMacLennan14]

i have those polk audio speakers in my ex. the highs are good, but low end is not that great. if you do not have a sub, i would not suggest these speakers. as for the head unit, sony has turned into garbage since they introduced xplod. for $180, you can get a good alpine or kenwood head unit with the same or more options.

Alpine CDE-102

(dead links)

here are a couple that may interest you.

 

[PandorasCustoms]

as for the head unit, sony has turned into garbage since they introduced xplod. for $180, you can get a good alpine or kenwood head unit with the same or more options.

That is a personal statement that won't really help the buyer.

I have actually seen nothing wrong with any of the Sony products recently. I have installed plenty, and own one in my wifes car myself. I can not complain about hers at all, as it has even more features than my Pioneer Premier.
Their first-gen Xplod stuff was pretty horrible to use and was all centered out the bass-head world, but second-gen on they have rectified that and have some decent stuff out their for use.
If personal opinions were being involved, I would say that Kenwood is garbage. You have to push and hold a million different buttons to get to different menus. Yeah, they may have some cool features, but I don't want to spend 45min trying to set the EQ on my head unit.

 

[jrford]

i have an older set, i think the ex571 also from crutchfield (2nd thumbs up), harness are key, also they had a special $30 a pair. . .discontinued or something.

I've also mounted BA sx58. . .
(Update: SX Series 5" x 7" 2-way Speakers (SX-85) are the ones i got, not the sx58, typo)
Boston's more efficent, cleaner highs, all around much crisper. .

Polks duller more low end to them, had them for 4 years in all 4 doors with a basic oem deck, had to turn the bass to max. . .cheap better than stock

if you can go a little more i very much like the infinity kappa's . . . .

aftermarket HU might make either shine. . .especially the BA. Right now i have the BA's in the rear doors and use the polks up front give more level balance F/R with the oem radio. .. .

 

[BigRondo]

i have those polk audio speakers in my ex. the highs are good, but low end is not that great. if you do not have a sub, i would not suggest these speakers. as for the head unit, sony has turned into garbage since they introduced xplod. for $180, you can get a good alpine or kenwood head unit with the same or more options.



here are a couple that may interest you.

DMacLennan14, thanks for the reply. These units will not work for me as I would like to have HD Radio built-in, iPod controls, & front AUX input.

That is a personal statement that won't really help the buyer.

I have actually seen nothing wrong with any of the Sony products recently. I have installed plenty, and own one in my wifes car myself. I can not complain about hers at all, as it has even more features than my Pioneer Premier.
Their first-gen Xplod stuff was pretty horrible to use and was all centered out the bass-head world, but second-gen on they have rectified that and have some decent stuff out their for use.
If personal opinions were being involved, I would say that Kenwood is garbage. You have to push and hold a million different buttons to get to different menus. Yeah, they may have some cool features, but I don't want to spend 45min trying to set the EQ on my head unit.

PandorasCustoms, thanks. I think I have decided on the Sony CDX-GT700HD as it has all the features I'm looking for.

i have an older set, i think the ex571 also from crutchfield (2nd thumbs up), harness are key, also they had a special $30 a pair. . .discontinued or something.

I've also mounted BA sx58. . .
Boston's more efficent, cleaner highs, all around much crisper. .
Polks duller more low end to them, had them for 4 years in all 4 doors with a basic oem deck, had to turn the bass to max. . .cheap better than stock

if you can go a little more i very much like the infinity kappa's . . . .

aftermarket HU might make either shine. . .especially the BA. Right now i have the BA's in the rear doors and use the polks up front give more level balance F/R with the oem radio. .. .

jrford, thanks for the input. I was looking at the BA's. They, along with the Kappa's, might be out of my range.

How can I tell if I have a factory sub? I have the grill deal in the rear on the driver's side. If I do have a sub, can I incorporate it into my new setup?

Thanks for all the replies. I haven't installed any after market equipment since the mid 90's and I'm a little out of touch!

 

[DMacLennan14]

How can I tell if I have a factory sub? I have the grill deal in the rear on the driver's side. If I do have a sub, can I incorporate it into my new setup

you said a grill on the drivers side correct? is there a grill on the passengers side?
i believe if it has that grill in the back(passengers side), it has a sub behind it. as far as aftermarket integration, in my 2004, i used metra part #70-5521 to integrate the factory sub to an aftermarket deck. i know some of the 2004's had the newer style harness and some had the older style, but i forget which one is which(black or grey). if your harness is the same as the one in the #70-5521, then it will work. if not, just check out metraonline.com and there is probably one for your ex that integrates the factory sub.

on a side note, the reason i was trying to steer you away from sony is because i have been installing for the past 10 years and i have seen A LOT(at least 40-50 since the "xplod" name) of sony head units come back to me smoking. when i remove them from the vehicle, i notice that the head unit had burnt up. i was just trying to let you know that before you spend a lot of money on something that has a reputation for breaking. i have seen a combined 3 units from other manufacturers(alpine, kenwood, eclipse, pioneer, clarion) in that same amount of time. i know there are other manufacturers out there, but those are the ones i have been working with.

hope this helps at least a little bit!

 

[BigRondo]

you said a grill on the drivers side correct? is there a grill on the passengers side?
i believe if it has that grill in the back(passengers side), it has a sub behind it.

Here's what I have:

(dead links)

Since I have no sub can I assume that I have no amp as well? If I still have an amp does anyone know where it is? Thanks

 

[snickstx]

This is what's behind the grill on the driver's side. It's not a sub! What the hell is it?

Since I have no sub can I assume that I have no amp as well? If I still have an amp does anyone know where it is? Thanks

Driver's side is rear A/C

No sub, no amp. Amp would be under trim right behind rear passenger door, near the front of your netted side compartment.

 

[snickstx]

Also, if you decide to amplify in the future check out the JL Audio XD600/5. This will amply run your full range system plus a smaller sub...great if you retro in a factory subwoofer box. Per JL, it will start shipping sometime in August. It will hopefully end up being the center piece of my ever growing future stereo build.

As far as the brand, I have to admit I stopped buying Sony years ago for a number of reasons. However, just about any aftermarket HU will offer better sound quality and more features than the crippled factory decks.

 

[BigRondo]

Also, if you decide to amplify in the future check out the JL Audio XD600/5. This will amply run your full range system plus a smaller sub...great if you retro in a factory subwoofer box. Per JL, it will start shipping sometime in August. It will hopefully end up being the center piece of my ever growing future stereo build.

As far as the brand, I have to admit I stopped buying Sony years ago for a number of reasons. However, just about any aftermarket HU will offer better sound quality and more features than the crippled factory decks.

Thanks man Since I have no sub I guess I need to go with speakers that have decent low end. The quest continues.......