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Upgrading the sound system - LET'S GO!

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imarihavard

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Okay! I'm just about ready to dive into the audio upgrade on my GT. The factory Bose doesn't sound bad BUT I'm a bit of an audiophile so I have no choice but to make some adjustments. I'm going to have the installation done professionally so it's costing me a mint!!! I know a little about it but not enough to tackle this myself (leave it to the pros).

Head Unit:
New 9" Android car stereo with full touch screen, bluetooth, media players, apps, internet, etc. Now some people have criticized me choosing an "offer brand" unit made in China...I get it - it's not Alpine, Kenwood, etc but I have one in my Range Rover and I LOVE IT! All of the coolest functionality, a nice large touch screen, decent sound, and yes it's cheap (around $200 vs the $2K for the Alpine). Hell, at that price if it breaks I'll just buy another one :|

Speakers:
Going with JL Audio C5 650 components for the doors
JL Audio C2 coaxial 6.5" for the rear
JL Audio 10TW3-D4 Shallow mount sub
(started to go with Focal but it was a bit expensive, checked out Hertz and it sounded great but I had already purchase JL Audio)

Amp:
Alpine PDX-V9 (5 channel 100Wx4 + 500Wx1)
I was told by a custom audio shop that THIS one amp would push the entire system and sound great. We'll see.

Now this may not be a "competition" set up but I think that it's going to sound and look great!
I haven't seen many people on this forum invest into audio upgrades so I may be one of the few but it should be a good move.

The installation is costing me much more that the equipment itself but I really love this car and want everything to be awesome about it and right now the sound system is the ONLY thing lacking....stay tuned my friends! :thumbsup:
 
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#2 ·
I'll be watching this thread closely. I find the factory system in my GTSport ( 2013 , just in case there are different systems in different model years ) to be surprisingly mediocre, given the caliber of this vehicle... But I really hesitate to mess with the integrated multi-media system, without first gaining some comfort level learning what others have done and what it takes to get a much better sound system without compromising any of the various other functions controlled by the main factory unit ..
 
Discussion starter · #3 ·
DSGT said:
I'll be watching this thread closely. I find the factory system in my GTSport ( 2013 , just in case there are different systems in different model years ) to be surprisingly mediocre, given the caliber of this vehicle... But I really hesitate to mess with the integrated multi-media system, without first gaining some comfort level learning what others have done and what it takes to get a much better sound system without compromising any of the various other functions controlled by the main factory unit ..
Click to expand...
This was a concern of mine as well DSGT but the guys that I spoke with have worked on GTs before and said that they will keep the factory unit and functionality by relocating it in the vehicle (like the trunk). This will ensure that I don't lose anything vital but still can upgrade the audio piece. This is ALSO why it will be so costly to do - again, doesn't seem that many are doing it so I will definitely keep everyone updated on how this goes. I'm hopeful for a great outcome.
 
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Discussion starter · #5 ·
ttpopo said:
Sounds like a great upgrade. Personally, any improvement in sound will be met by a decrease in aesthetics. I guess I'm happy i never really listen to the system anyhow...

Why not spend the $$$ on an xpipe?
Click to expand...
Visually it's going to be VERY nice. These guys know what they are doing. I'll post before and after photos
 
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#6 ·
Interested, watching, and waiting.....before and after pics would be AWESOME and an OBJECTIVE pros and cons list please.
 
#9 ·
AaronE said:
decrease in aesthetics? have you SEEN all the buttons from the 1980's under our stock stereo? anything that coveres them up is a win in my book. mars the otherwise classy interior to me...

can't wait to see!
Click to expand...
HAHAHAHA!! This! The new 2018 GTs have an upgraded system and apparently there is (or soon will be) a retrofit kit but it is costly. Imari's route might be a lot more feasible for those more frugal .
 
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Discussion starter · #10 ·
tasnam said:
Interested, watching, and waiting.....before and after pics would be AWESOME and an OBJECTIVE pros and cons list please.
Click to expand...
Will do. It's going to look great - trust me. I found a JL Audio amp (HD900/5) so I'm considering getting that instead of the Alpine that I currently have. I like the idea of the same brand throughout...we'll see. Stay tuned.
 
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Discussion starter · #11 ·
ttpopo said:
I can't wait to see it. What is the head unit?

Make sure they re-use the existing trim. Honestly, i agree with your approach. Spend the $$ on the install not the head unit.
Click to expand...
It's a Chinese made Android-based head unit. 9 inch touch screen with 1080p video playback, dual USB ports, bluetooth phone connection, wifi, internal storage, GPS, rear camera, Google voice and a bunch of other stuff. I've been toying with it to check out the functionality :thumbsup:

The dash kit will be custom made but an exact fit.
 
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#12 ·
imarihavard said:
It's a Chinese made Android-based head unit. 9 inch touch screen with 1080p video playback, dual USB ports, bluetooth phone connection, wifi, internal storage, GPS, rear camera, Google voice and a bunch of other stuff. I've been toying with it to check out the functionality :thumbsup:

The dash kit will be custom made but an exact fit.
Click to expand...
Whats the manufacturer? I'm interested myself ;)
 
Discussion starter · #13 ·
ttpopo said:
Whats the manufacturer? I'm interested myself ;)
Click to expand...
If you search Ebay for 9 inch Android car stereo you'll find quite a few various ones. Most are designed for VW but if you have a qualified professional it can be installed.
 
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Discussion starter · #14 ·
Just as a quick update...I have found the company to do my audio upgrade and install. I have been checking several different shops but THIS one made me feel comfortable and confident with their knowledge of custom work. They have customized GTs before (along with many other exotics like Lambos/Ferraris/etc), the installer then walked through the process with me and gave me complete confidence that he know what he was doing, he also walked me through the shop to show me different projects they were working on and THEN gave me a price lower than the competitors. I booked an appointment for next Wednesday. I'll have them take photos of the progress as they go so that I can share the details with you guys who are interested. Wish me luck....I'm all in on Wednesday!!!
 
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#16 ·
At this point in my new ownership of a '15 GT S, I would be satisfied if the radio worked everyday, period. Three days this past week the Band button was basically inoperable, so that I could not switch between FM, AM, and Satellite. It seems to be very finicky. It works with no problem in the morning, but the instances where it has not occurred during my afternoon drives home. The car only has slightly more than 5K miles on it!
 
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#17 ·
as noted in threads elsewhere, the crazy thing is listening to CD's or using the Jukebox, even with crappy MP3 sample rates, actually sounds GREAT! it's just the radio that sounds like crap. have no idea why compressed music would sound better than OTA.
 
#18 ·
hhntrinh01 said:
as noted in threads elsewhere, the crazy thing is listening to CD's or using the Jukebox, even with crappy MP3 sample rates, actually sounds GREAT! it's just the radio that sounds like crap. have no idea why compressed music would sound better than OTA.
Click to expand...
Have you had issues with the your mp3 files being organized in several different folders, instead of one directory of multiple files?
 
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#19 ·
The radio is especially bad on the convertible. Since the antenna is buried somewhere inside the dash (whoever thought of that should be shot), there is frequent and annoying signal loss with accompanying static, esp. around tall buildings and inside tunnels.
 
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#20 ·
psb1013 said:
The radio is especially bad on the convertible. Since the antenna is buried somewhere inside the dash (whoever thought of that should be shot), there is frequent and annoying signal loss with accompanying static, esp. around tall buildings and inside tunnels.
Click to expand...
My problem is that the Band button becomes completely unresponsive. You can press it until you wear your fingertip out, but no go. I can turn off the ignition and start it back up and it will usually work then. Weird problem, and I'm not sure how a Maserati service department can address that. More than likely it will be working when I bring it in. How can you expect someone to fix a problem that is a gremlin in the system, and shows up sporadically?
 
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Amar720
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