I never thought there'd be such a difference by changing the head unit, but not the speakers ... wow! I picked up a Sony CDX-F5510 (last years model) on sale at Circuit City ... $130. And to think I'd thought the engine mods had bitten ...

 

Haha. Sell the sony and buy an Alpine and you'll really see the difference. Just kidding. Changing the head unit is a big improvement. And trust me, the sound system bug bites a lot harder than the bombing bug. Mine took me from a head unit and a set of 2 ways to another new head unit, components, amps, subs, etc. I've got close to 2000 watts of sound blowing through mine now.

 

Hahaha, true that! I started with replacing the head unit at about 900 miles to adding a MTX box under the rear seat, then added Polk Audios in the doors, then an Alpine HU and Alpine amp for the door speakers and a JL 1000 watt amp with a 12w7 eventually replacing the MTX box. It POUNDS now!

 

I went from a sony head unit to an Alpine head unit. Replaced the pioneer 2 ways with polk components. Put an alpine amp on that. Then stuffed 2 Audiobahn 8oow RMS 12's under the seat with a 1500w amp.

 

I'll 3rd on that............I have had so many different stereo combos in my truck in the last year it ain't funny!! Start out with something, then it doesn't sound good enough so that gets changed......and on and on and on

I guess it's safe to say that I'm never happy with anything....it can always be better



~Nick

 

Wow! I think I'll upgrade the speakers, add an amp, maybe a couple of small subs and that'll do me.

I know there's an issue with the front door speakers. Has anyone found a replacement that works without modification? 6x9 fronts and 6.5 in the rear, is this correct?

I was actually looking for an Alpine deck, but got such a good deal on this Sony. For the dollars I wanted to spend, I don't think there'd be much, if any, difference in sound quality between the two units ... plus this one has more bells and whistles (XM ready, mp3, Atrac3, pre outs ... for sub too, etc.).

Anyone know where to buy a small disco ball to replace the dome light?

 

That's funny!!! The only thing that you might notice you dislike about your Sony, is after time they start to skip pretty bad especially in rough trucks such as ours. I had one in mine for awhile and ripped it out cuz it skipped pretty bad and got annoying. But sometimes it's hard to pass up a good deal.


~Nick

 

I had issues with the connector on the back coming loose.

 

I hope not, that's the reason I got rid of the factory POS! Maybe I'll be forced to buy that Alpine after all.

 

I'm on my second Sony...first was an M8805x, loved that thing, sounded awesome with my setup Now I have an XAV-A1 DVD player, sounds good, but I gave up some quality for the DVD capability. Neither one ever skips, unless I'm beating it in a plowed field or something stupid

Never had any issues like you guys are saying I'm fighting a problem now though, the sound just cuts out. Head unit stays on, and keeps playing, but it's like my amps are shutting down. Havent looked very hard though, need to check all my power connections, and my turn on leads. There are times I hate being lazy

Good luck with the "I'm stopping there" stuff, never works for me...long block in shop for "work"
Chris

 

I've always had good luck with Kenwoods...never lost one as I have with other head units. (Pioneer) Runnin' Pro-Audio 6.5's components in front, Pro-Audio two-way 5.25's in the rear, 2 10" Pro-Audio subs with a 100 x 4 & 600w x 1 Planet Audio amp...an Alpine 11 band EQ to balance it all out! You don't need it any louder!

 

6.5 Components work well. Just make a baffle out of plywood or mdf and mount the 6.5 woofer where the 6x9 goes. Sorry thought the pics in my gallery showed the tweets but they don't . I've got Phoenix Gold ZR components up front with their 10" counterpart subs under the back seat and I'm very happy with my setup. Of course my ears may be different than yours.

Can't help you with the disco ball though