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Stepping up my game! - new Head unit and Amp

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Old 07-11-2011
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Stepping up my game! - new Head unit and Amp

Welp guys, its time to step it up a notch! I had a bit of an accident last week and shattered the screen on my KVT-512. So onto bigger better things right? Just grabbed a brand new kenwood DDX418 doubel din w/ bluetooth and ipod all that good stuff.. also just picked up a blaupunkt tha2125 2 channel amp on ebay for like $50 bucks since my amp has been giving me trouble. I plan on a total rewire with a new kicker 4ga kit that i got a good deal on as well! pretty excited to get started I will post pics as i go along!

on a side not a little bit nerveous about cutting into my STX carbon bezel...
 
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Old 07-11-2011
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here is a couple pics of the amp with a ps3 controller to give you an idea of size - I plan to mount this under my passenger seat.
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Old 07-12-2011
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"on a side not a little bit nerveous about cutting into my STX carbon bezel... "

you actually only have to trim the inside of the bezel.. its the lip that the stock radio sits up against so even if you dont cut it perfect you cant even see it anyways just take your time good luck with the project
 
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Old 07-16-2011
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Well i ended up returning the Kenwood DDX418. I couldnt stand the fact that there was no rear usb port, i have a serious issue with a giant cable sticking out of the front of my head unit. So long story short I returned the kenwood and very hesitantly picked up the JVC KWAVX740, went to install it and realized I bought the worng kit - the metra 5600 kit is apparently not a double din kit even though that what it said. soo anyway got the 5718 kit and put it all in. So far I am really impressed! The iPod interface is a little bit slower then kenwoods, however the interface itself is much more like the iPod! which is awesome! anyway on to a couple pics!
After i finally got it trimmed out - that took a while!

Just after i got it set up - night pic with flash


I ran the bluetooth mic behind the dash and up the A-pilar and clipped it around the headliner so just the mic sticks out.

SO after everything was done i decided i would clean my truck and detail it - so as i was cleaning the floor I pulled the seat up to find this.

oddly enough, you cant really tell until it goes really deep then you hear it break up.. kinda funny so anyway its disconnected for now and ill prob order a replacment today.
 
Attached Thumbnails Stepping up my game! - new Head unit and Amp-snc00199.jpg   Stepping up my game! - new Head unit and Amp-snc00201.jpg   Stepping up my game! - new Head unit and Amp-snc00205.jpg  
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Old 07-16-2011
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send me your stx besel!lol
 
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Old 07-16-2011
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Looks good!
 
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Old 07-16-2011
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Too bad the sub is an 8 and not a 10. Fi sells better recone kits for RE speakers, but only in 10+. I'd just call RE and ask for a recone kit, unless you're lazy or don't know how to do it lol
 
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Old 07-16-2011
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yeah, i looked into recone kits but i ended up getting 2 new 8's for cheaper. I got two new RE's shipped for $75 bucks so now ill have a spare incase the other one blows.
 
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Old 07-16-2011
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You loving that headunit? Does it have AV outs so you could hook it up to a visor screen or anything
 
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Old 07-16-2011
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yes, it has video in and out - I will never hook up another screen being as I really dont use it for movies. The only reason I have a touch screen is for the iPod interface. So far I am seriously impressed by the JVC.
 
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Old 07-18-2011
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welp ordered two more RE Audio REX8D4's the other night, should be here sometime this week which works out well being as I am on Quarters (Military) for the rest of the week! i am so ready to get everything buttoned up with this and see where i stand.

I ams still getting used to the interface and bluetooth but so far i really like the JVC- It even has a removable face plate which is kinda cool!
 
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Old 07-18-2011
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whole plate is removeable? Interesting.. I'm wanting one :)
 
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Old 07-18-2011
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Yes the entire thing comes off - the bluetooth dongle is located behind the screen. Its pretty sweet actually I was kinda suprised that they had a removable face plate.
 
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Old 07-19-2011
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well my new 8's are out for delivery today - pretty stoked to get them, unfortunately i doubt ill get them in until atleast tomm being as I just had my wisdom teeth removed. Also after looking at the pics of my bezel i realized that my cigarette lighter and 12v source cover stick out.. so I ordered a billet lighter but cant find anything for the 12v source - oh well i guess
 
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Old 07-21-2011
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well now im back on the amp hunt for something around 200w RMS a channel - the blaupunkt is a turd hardcore and clips like a sum betch! and the subs are barely hitting
 
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Old 07-21-2011
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200 at what ohm load?
 
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Old 07-21-2011
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200W @ 2ohm. Im running an old lanzar again for the time being, but i really want to mount something clean under the seat.
 
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Old 07-21-2011
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so you want 200 per speaker at 2ohm? why not run it mono and 400@4ohms. If you want to do that, i know of a decent cheap amp

http://cgi.ebay.com/Soundstream-Pica...item5644006c6e

here ya go. i guess it wouldnt matter with the way you wire it.. but wiring it at 4ohm would probably give you a little better sq. But I just ordered a similar one to power my 8. I dunno how large of an amp you want, so you may not want it.
 

Last edited by ranger024x4; 07-21-2011 at 07:47 AM.
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Old 08-06-2011
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Icon7

I just upgraded to a similar JVC headunit and is completely touch except for a main navagation bar at the bottom. Its soooo sick. Like OP says the Ipod interface is nice and it has lots of inputs/outputs. The mic was missing in the box so i will be installing that tomorrow.
 
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