i bought my truck used and it already had an after market stereo system in it. there is a pioneer head unit, 2 rockford amps,4 6x9 MB QUARTZ and 2 12" kicker subs behind the seats....im wondering what it would take to put in a complete factory infinity system ( other than finding one 4 sale ). it did not have the infinity system from factory and does not have the pillar mount for the speaker so i know i would need A pillars. i have no idea what wiring is still there from the factory so lets assume none. id like a complete system so what should i be looking for ?? head unit ( cd ) 4 speakers plus the 2 in the pillars, is there an amp involved ?? anything else ? also what years and diff models can i buy ( durango, ram etc and what years ) anyone have a system 4 sale ?? thanks guys, scott

Take it from someone who designs OEM sound systems. You don't want a factory Infinity system. At the risk of stepping on toes (sorry guys), Infinity systems are pure cheap crap. A small amp mounted on each speaker takes speaker level signals and amplifys them further. If you really insisted on having the OEM system, you have to run +12 volts into each door to power the little amps. I haven't reversed engineered a Chrysler product for a few years, but the speakerswere just basic paper cone with a little whizzer cone in the center. Build on what you've got, and you'll be a lot happier.

The '97 I just got has the Infinity system. While it is pretty good for a factory system it's nothing to write home about.

From the description of the system you have I'm sure you have better sound (assuming it was installed and wired correctly)

This is definitaly a different question anyone I have ever seen. I havn't heard of anyone wanting to go back to the factory systems. Most "permium" factory systems don't have very good frequency repsonse, they are of low wattage. They really can bring out the music like a good aftermarket system can. But if you want to down grade, thats your option. You will proably just have to search ebay for the things that people are selling. I dunno, I know the MB makes some great stuff. I dont understand this one man.

WHY! But if you insist, I'll sell you mine[laugh] [laugh]

I'd even pull the wiring for you, even trade for what you've got:D

Chris

BTW, a 97 had the tweeters in the top of the doors, in front of the window switches. You don't need pillars.;)

I just threw away my factory system. It's garbage. THE headunits sell on ebay for $100+ for some reason. I tossed my speakers in the garbage and sold the HU. Didn't even bother to check what the speakers would sell for because they suck so much.

I bought a new $200 MP3 HU + 4 $25 speakers + free shipping + all wiring + wiring harnesses + adapters + directions for $210 (2 rebate+friend referal discount) on crutchfield and sold my stock HU for $100. Total cost $110.

The whole system and the tweaters are junk. I'm thinking about hooking up little speakers to my CB radio there though (?).

Originally posted by njoverkill
THE headunits sell on ebay for $100+ for some reason.

I'm thinking about hooking up little speakers to my CB radio there though (?).

Never thought about that, I may try the CB trick, key word is MAY though, it's loud enough with the two 25W PA speakers right under the cab pointing towards the curbs (when they're turned on to yell at someone:D [whistle]).

Chris

Originally posted by njoverkill
I just threw away my factory system. It's garbage. THE headunits sell on ebay for $100+ for some reason.

Yup.....the head units arent even worth the $100, IMO

OK OK forgive me for my moment of ignorance [laugh] [laugh] ill keep what i have. i just thought maybe it would sound as good as my wifes BOSE in her trailblazer since its the high end dodge stereo. what i have is very very loud with huge loads of thump at the turn of a knob... almost to loud for my ageing ears... LOL scott

you could always get rid of the subs....find some punk to sell them to....[laugh]

With stereo equipment, aftermarket is always better....

Originally posted by dieselcrazy
.......i just thought maybe it would sound as good as my wifes BOSE in her trailblazer.....

Glad you like it! ;) ;)

Hey, Commatoze, since you are a designer can you help us out? There have been many questions about upgrading our Infinity systems, and there is much confusion. The consensus seems to be that it is trash. I don't like mine. Could you post (maybe start a new thread) a decent replacement system, not expensive, including head unit, 4 speakers, tweeters. I am not interested in amps and subs, too much space and complexity.

One complex bit I am interested in, I would like to plug earphones into the HU or a dashboard socket and turn off the speakers. Is that possible? TIA for sharing your expertise.

dieselcrazy, sorry I hijacked your thread.

That's an excellant question Rare1. Come on Commatoze, I know you get a 6 figure income to design systems for the other guys. Please do a freebe for us "Dodge Boys"!

Originally posted by Rare1
One complex bit I am interested in, I would like to plug earphones into the HU or a dashboard socket and turn off the speakers. Is that possible? TIA for sharing your expertise.

dieselcrazy, sorry I hijacked your thread. Doesn't sound very safe...

commatoze ..... did u engineer the bose/ trailblazer set up ??

Originally posted by dieselcrazy
commatoze ..... did u engineer the bose/ trailblazer set up ??

I did just the amplifier and processor. It's a team effort with others designing the loudspeakers. The head units are not ours, but we'll be doing that soon too.

I'd rather plead the fifth on aftermarket recommendations. I'm not really into it that much anymore. I still have the OEM system in my truck! :D Generally, when I listen to aftermarket systems, I find too much high frequencies and outrageously excessive amounts of low frequencies. I don't like being homoginized by pumping subs. I think if a lot of these guys with "super systems" had their system EQ'd to a proper frequency curve they'd probably go [yuk] "What the...!" Whatever sounds good to you. That's the key.

Originally posted by Commatoze
I think if a lot of these guys with "super systems" had their system EQ'd to a proper frequency curve they'd probably go [yuk] "What the...!" Whatever sounds good to you. That's the key. I'm just curious how you guys do this, I hope I'm not asking you to give away any trade secrets here--do you measure and plan the equalization for the system with the vehicle off and sitting still, running at 70 down the highway, or what? I have a fairly modest aftermarket system; a couple of amps that total ~350 watts RMS, 10" sub, 6 1/2" components up front, and an eq curve that sounds decent running at 70 sounds way too boomy when I'm sitting still.

All of our new amps "massage" the signal in the digital realm. So, we either take a digital signal directly from a DVD or CD or in the case of a terrestrial radio signal, bring it thru an A-D converter before processing it. Each vehicle brand model is EQ'd separately and whether or not it's equipped with leather or cloth interior. Several models might be using the same amp, but it's programming may be vastly different. In a "sound garage" the EQ is done using a series of microphones placed at each seating location, and "road noise" is introduced into the garage area at simulated speeds. After it's EQ'd and "massaged" (which may include some selective compression) the signal is brought thru a CODEC and then amplified.

Originally posted by Commatoze
All of our new amps "massage" the signal in the digital realm. So, we either take a digital signal directly from a DVD or CD or in the case of a terrestrial radio signal, bring it thru an A-D converter before processing it. Each vehicle brand model is EQ'd separately and whether or not it's equipped with leather or cloth interior. Several models might be using the same amp, but it's programming may be vastly different. In a "sound garage" the EQ is done using a series of microphones placed at each seating location, and "road noise" is introduced into the garage area at simulated speeds. After it's EQ'd and "massaged" (which may include some selective compression) the signal is brought thru a CODEC and then amplified. Thanks for the rundown. I'm a bit surprised by the compression, I guess. I'm not one of those guys who claims he can hear a difference between a 14 awg speaker wire and a 12 awg wire, but I can definitely hear the difference between an MP3 and a CD track of the same song. I've always attributed that difference to the compression, especially on the lower end, although I sometimes notice a bit of attenuation at the higher end as well.

jfpointer,

I think he means dynamic compression. That's the process of reducing the difference in volume between the quitest and loudest sounds in a signal, so the loudest parts are less loud.

I could see the advantage to this in car applications - When you're cruising down the road at 70, say you are listening to a quiet passage in some music, and you turn up the volume to bring the music above the noise floor. Then, a really loud passage comes along, and you'd get blasted! :)

Originally posted by condensr
jfpointer,

I think he means dynamic compression. That's the process of reducing the difference in volume between the quitest and loudest sounds in a signal, so the loudest parts are less loud.

I could see the advantage to this in car applications - When you're cruising down the road at 70, say you are listening to a quiet passage in some music, and you turn up the volume to bring the music above the noise floor. Then, a really loud passage comes along, and you'd get blasted! :) Like commercials on TV. [laugh] I guess in that case you might lose some "drama" but not necessarily signal content. For example, the cannon shots at the end of the 1812 Overture are supposed to be LOUD... ;)