Alright, i'm thinking about upgrading the system in my 2005 GT with the Shaker 500. i've tried using the search feature, but every time i put some thing in, it throws an error message at me. i have taken some time to do a little research before i start being a pain in the *** asking dumb questions.

First off, i've been fairly pleased with the factory system for what it is, but playing my iPod through the radio just isn't going to fly any more. there are few things in life that **** me off more than static in my music. so i was looking around for ways to hardwire it and found a cable by Brandmotion on Crutchfield that supposedly lets you control the iPod through your stock radio controls and charges it at the same time, which like what i need.
http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Produ...01N&tp=120
anybody know anything about this product or have one?

Second, i want new speakers... the factory speakers just aren't cutting it. i work for Best Buy (obviously not in car audio) so i do get a nice discount on the stuff we carry, but i do realize that we don't carry everything and that i may need to get a few things elsewhere. i've played around with some of the speakers in our store and really like the Infinity Reference speakers, but we don't have the Kappa's on display which are the ones i'm really interested in. the Alpine Type-R's are alright, but they don't have enough highs IMO from what i heard. so if there's any input i can get on either of those or something comparable, let me know. next question: two-ways or component? i know component sounds a lot better, but are they worth the extra work? where would i mount the tweeters? could i get by with some nice two-ways?

Third, what can we do sub-wise? i don't want to mount anything in my trunk because i need the space for moving stuff (i'm in college). so i figure i'll just upgrade the door subs, but it sounds like a lot of guys are having problems with that... i would assume it needs to be a shallow mount sub, so i was looking at the 8" shallow-mount that Pioneer makes or maybe the Kicker. i don't know anything about car subs... what's better than what or anything. all i know are general things like RMS.

Fourth, what all do i need to power all of this stuff? i know i need an amp if i'm going to spend the money on all these new speakers and subs. but i want the smallest, lightest, easiest to hide amp possible while still getting the power i need. is there anywhere to mount an amp in these cars besides the trunk? how many channels? this area is probably where i know the least.

Lastly, what do i need to do about the HU? i really like the stock HU because it looks... well, stock... i hate the cheesy look of aftermarket singe DIN HU's, but i don't want to spend the money on a nav/dvd/touch screen unit. also looked at the DD HU from Pioneer, but i read some reviews that said it scratches way too easily and the illumination is way too bright. i love the in-dash 6 disc changer, speed sensitive volume, and the ability to quickly switch the sound to fit All Seats, Driver's Seat, or Rear Seats on the stock unit and am afraid i would lose those functions with a new unit. i always keep it on Driver's when i'm the only one in the car, but when i have a passenger, i switch it to All. sooooooo, i read on Crutchfield about sound processors and they seem to be what i'm leaning toward right now. anybody have any input between the Rockford Fosgate 360.1, JL Audio Cleansweep, or Alpine PXE-H650? this is probably one thing i'll have to get elsewhere since BBY only carries the 360.1 and from what i've read, that's the last one on my list right now. but is a sound processor just like a band-aid for not getting a new HU or will i still get good sound from it? if i absolutely have to, i'll get a new HU and try to do something creative with the extra space because i think the delets and pockets look pretty tacky. maybe try to wire in the center channel single din speaker alpine sells or something.

anyways, i don't know if i got everything out there, but it's a good start. basically i need help big time. i want it to sound good... not the best of the best or anything... but still good, cost around or less than $1000 not taking my discount into consideration, and finally be able to listen to my iPod with NO INTERFERENCE WHATSOEVER. i can't believe i spent $120 on this POS Monster iCarPlay (before i worked for BBY)...

I appreciate any and all input, thanks guys.

 

1. We Best buy sell a nice ipod adp. that will let you see what songs are playing throught the dispaly on your factory deck.

2. I wouldnt waste your money on the kappa unless you want ear bleeding highs. Reference are nice and im a fan of the type r, i think they have a nice smooth sound from the tweeter. Compents do sound better bc of 2 big things the crossover which let you controls the db level and that it separtes the music so everything isnt just coming form one arealike in a"2 way speaker". Tweeter locationA pliar? Really where your factory speaker location is, it is pretty high up on your door some compents may not benfit you too much.

3. Check out at work on the harmon accomations for the infinty reference 8" woofer its like $40. It is slim and sound pretty good. I buddy brought one for his cobra and I built a small sealed enclousre for it and it hit hard for one 8".

4. Apline PDX amps we carry 2 of them a mono and a 4 ch. amp. Very small and light and they put out a ton of power for what they are.

5. I have the 360.2 and love it, the 360.1 is good too just doesnt have as much audio control, no aux input, and i dont think you can save muiltiple setting like on the 360.2. Make sure you check out rockford site and make sure your phone will support the 360 software or go buy a palm with bluetooth.

 

yeah, i was looking at those alpine amps. i didn't realize how small they were until i started reading reviews about them. they only weigh like 7lbs a piece.

i know for sure my phone wouldn't support any of that stuff, it's 4 years old. one of the first camera phones samsung ever made. i should be getting a new one in the next few weeks. trying to decide whether to go iPhone or stick with verizon and get the new LG Dare.

what harmon accomodation are you talking about? and i haven't been able to find any 8" subs from best buy at all.

i understand how and why components are better, i just don't know if it would be a big enough difference to justify all of the extra work on the install...

thanks for responding and sorry about the lengthy post before.

 

On toolkit go to accomodations and then go to car audio. There it should say infinity or harmon/jbl accomodations. When you click on that it should take you to a website were you have to put in a username and password. Then when you get on the accomodations page on the left side bar you have to pick infinity car. Then about 1/3 of the way down they should have a 8" infinity reference sub. Maybe they took the accomdation away i check tomorrow when im back at work.

Yeah if you dont want to go throught the hassel of mounting tweeters and everything just stick with the coxials bc where the speaker placement is in your car it should still sound good, bc the factory speakers sit so high in the door panel.

 

oh ok, i just didn't realize that Harman owned Infinity... was just wondering why an Infinity sub would be under Harman...

i work tomorrow so i'll look into it. thanks.