How to install a great sound system in your FJ - Page 6

Briman42487 · 04-12-2007, 09:41 PM

Quote:

robsatx previously said:

Quick Question to the guys talking about time alignment . . .

Without spending a lot of money on a good head unit or audio processor - how are you going to perform time alignment?

At the same time, I want to reiterate:
The purpose of this thread is to put in a great sound system without breaking the bank. If you take time to read the first post, you will see that I am not saying this is the best of the best, but will sound way better than speakers schlepped everywhere and 1000X better than stock . . .

If you want to put a thread together on how to install the "ultimate" system, I am sure a few people on the board would be interested. But I think for the most part, a great system for under $1,000 (I will see how close we get to this number) would be where most people would like to be.

I have seen people spend over $15K on a sound system. I am trying to help people put a very nice system together and have the satisfaction of doing it themselves. Not to mention the experience to be able to work with better systems after performing their initial install.

Some of you guys obviously know what you are doing, but a lot of guys here have real jobs and no time to mess with the time to research, planning and learning how to install a system. I am hoping i can help them out with that.

I am sure I will gain from this post and hope it will help other toyota owners get the system they want.

From the words of zig ziglar . . . you can have whatever you want in life, if you help enough other people get what they want . .

time delay can be found in head units from alpine, eclipse, pioneer, etc... you can pick up a close to new unit for around 200 bucks if you look around. i personally use a much more sophisticated processor, but my current head unit has it built in, but i have the alpines features defeated. you dont have to break the bank to get a decent audio system, but you arent going to get a deck, replace the highs and mids, put an amp on them, and get a bass setup and amp for under 1000 bucks. take into account: all installation costs; dash kit, harness, wiring, power cable, RCA's, MDF, screws, silicon, liquid nails or industrial strength wood glue, wire connectors, fuse holder, T-block, etc... i bet you ahve close to 400-500 bucks right there.

RipsFJ · 04-12-2007, 09:53 PM

He probably would have a better chance with $2,000, but lets see what he comes up with. It's his project .... let him do his thing.

robsatx · 04-13-2007, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Briman42487 previously said:

time delay can be found in head units from alpine, eclipse, pioneer, etc... you can pick up a close to new unit for around 200 bucks if you look around. i personally use a much more sophisticated processor, but my current head unit has it built in, but i have the alpines features defeated. you dont have to break the bank to get a decent audio system, but you arent going to get a deck, replace the highs and mids, put an amp on them, and get a bass setup and amp for under 1000 bucks. take into account: all installation costs; dash kit, harness, wiring, power cable, RCA's, MDF, screws, silicon, liquid nails or industrial strength wood glue, wire connectors, fuse holder, T-block, etc... i bet you ahve close to 400-500 bucks right there.

Hmmm, I thought I did my homework. The last head unit I have seen from Alpine with the features above was on the 9853 (cost was $400 + $125 for the ipod option $525 - this was on my last install). Very nice unit Ipod controls kind of sucked. Can you provide some model numbers on head units with active xovers and time alignment - for around $200? Would be great if it has an ipod interface.

Here is my list so far:

Alpine 9885 & Ipod Controller $265 Ebay
Kicker ZX350.2 $165 + $14.95 (square trade two year warranty) $179.95
Kicker ZX400.1 $155 + $13.95(square trade two year warranty) $168.95

$613.90 shipped so far.

Getting great pricing on the following:
ID Speakers and Subs
FJ Amp Wire/power kit includes patches and speaker wiring.
Speaker Mounts
Sub Box(es) pending . .

Briman42487 · 04-14-2007, 12:11 AM

Quote:

robsatx previously said:

Hmmm, I thought I did my homework. The last head unit I have seen from Alpine with the features above was on the 9853 (cost was $400 + $125 for the ipod option $525 - this was on my last install). Very nice unit Ipod controls kind of sucked. Can you provide some model numbers on head units with active xovers and time alignment - for around $200? Would be great if it has an ipod interface.

Here is my list so far:

Alpine 9885 & Ipod Controller $265 Ebay
Kicker ZX350.2 $165 + $14.95 (square trade two year warranty) $179.95
Kicker ZX400.1 $155 + $13.95(square trade two year warranty) $168.95

$613.90 shipped so far.

Getting great pricing on the following:
ID Speakers and Subs
FJ Amp Wire/power kit includes patches and speaker wiring.
Speaker Mounts
Sub Box(es) pending . .

i see, you have a little issue with finding good deals that dont back you up. a 9855 even can be found for around 200 bucks right now.

robsatx · 04-14-2007, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Briman42487 previously said:

i see, you have a little issue with finding good deals that dont back you up. a 9855 even can be found for around 200 bucks right now.

The 9855 (55) is discontinued. The items I have purchased are all in production and still easily available. Still don't see a head unit for $200 that has the features you are talking about. The 9885 (85) is a brand new unit - this year I am pretty sure and the ipod features are WAY better than the old 9855 you are talking about.

Don't mean to be rude, but it seems like you are just "knocking" this thread. If you are going to be helpful, please list some head units for $200 - with time alignment and active Xs. Otherwise, I will just bypass your comments.

I finished the first round of pics. It shows newbs how to wire their head unit, to their amps and amps to drivers. Even labeled all the pics (positive and negative) so they don't have to learn audio engineering basics.

Next round is how to power your amp, install fuses and dist blocks.

The last phase will show them how to tune the system as best as possible without time alignment. However, by placing in the right spot will sound way better than dash mounting.

If you have better ideas for the money, please create your own thread. Please don't be "knocking" mine. When this thread is done, most anyone will be able to install a great sound system without spending a ton of time researching how to put it together.

Briman42487 · 04-14-2007, 04:23 PM

Quote:

robsatx previously said:

The 9855 (55) is discontinued. The items I have purchased are all in production and still easily available. Still don't see a head unit for $200 that has the features you are talking about. The 9885 (85) is a brand new unit - this year I am pretty sure and the ipod features are WAY better than the old 9855 you are talking about.

Don't mean to be rude, but it seems like you are just "knocking" this thread. If you are going to be helpful, please list some head units for $200 - with time alignment and active Xs. Otherwise, I will just bypass your comments.

i'm not knocking your thread, but simply correcting your seriously wrong theories. i dont mind someone giving out info, but someone giving out bad information drives me up the wall.

the 9855 is an 05 model. i do not think the 85 has a active crossover in it, regardless, 9853s and 9855s are easily found. the only difference is they use a different ipod cable. the new decks use a kce4221, the 06 down use a kce420i. actually, because of the 3 lines of display on all the higher end alpines, scrolling is easy. the only deck out there that is really a ipod users dream (it doesnt have an internal cd player), which i have ordered is an ida-x001. it restores the mp3 to a higher quality sound.

so it really comes down to what you want in a deck that gives you the price. if you want all the cool features, step back and find a new 05 model, there are lots out there. there is nothing wrong with used or older stuff when you are on a budget. sticking to new stuff only will result in a less capable audio system. i could take a $1000 a build twice the stereo with used stuff than someone could with $1000 and only new stuff.

RipsFJ · 04-14-2007, 04:51 PM

Quote:

robsatx previously said:

The 9885 (85) is a brand new unit - this year I am pretty sure and the ipod features are WAY better than the old 9855 you are talking about.

And the 9885 does have a HPF built in.

robsatx · 04-15-2007, 09:10 AM

Quote:

RipsFJ previously said:

And the 9885 does have a HPF built in.

Yes, an HPF is a filter to keep low frequencies from hitting your mid and high drivers. A limited version of an active X. But I am sure you know that by reading your comments.

I was asking for a head unit that has active Xs and Time alignment for $200. It does not exist.

Thanks for the info! Would like to keep this thread moving in a positive manner.

RipsFJ · 04-15-2007, 03:48 PM

I think the best you will do is the pioneer DEH-P7800MP. It has a 3-way x-over and time alienment.

You can find it here.

It comes with the ipod controller, which would be a nice feature to have.

Here it is without the ipod controller.

robsatx · 04-15-2007, 04:36 PM

Quote:

RipsFJ previously said:

I think the best you will do is the pioneer DEH-P7800MP. It has a 3-way x-over and time alienment.

You can find it here.

It comes with the ipod controller, which would be a nice feature to have.

Here it is without the ipod controller.

thx, I would consider it, I already got the 9885 . . .I will keep this unit in mind for future installations for a buddy of mine. I will give him the instructions, but I will not help on the install. Mentioned it earlier, do not do installs for friends or family. Just a good rule to live by - at least in my case.

If this unit is good - I will read the reviews, I will use it to create instructions on how to install a unit with time alignment and active xs.