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I'm looking to replace the stock head unit with the Alpine 9857 and
keep the stock amp and bose speaker for right now. I'm thinking about
doing the install myself. Can someone tell what hardware(harness, interfaces, etc) I need to purchase.
Also, how do I go about removing the old stock HU and
installing the new headunit. Will the sound quality suffer without replacing the speakers. Any advice is appreciated. Thanks!!
If you read the "FAQ sticky" section at the top of this thread section, it'll answer most of your questions.
I'm not a fan of just adding a head unit to the existing system. To me, the improvement isn't worth the money and time spent.
I'd recommend saving for front speakers and a decent amp to do all in one shot. The difference is night and day.
If sound quality isn't that important, then I'd stick with the Bose, or add a sub for more bass.
Scott
You make a good point about replacing the amp and speakers.
I take it that I would very disappointed about keeping the bose
system in for a while and replacing only the HU. I just need something with a ipod interface. My plan is to place the HU this year and replace
the speakers and amp next year.
I went this route. Its not worth just replacing a few things at a time. You waste your time, hooking up adapters, then trying to sell them to someone else. Its easier to just get the whole thing done at once. Also, as long as you are planning a speaker and other installs, I would also look into at least sound deadning the doors. It makes the door speakers a lot more crisper and accurate. Elemental designs is having a clearout sale on their edead mat deadner. Its going for like .60 cents a sq ft.
You are a whopping 10 minutes from my house id be more then willing to help you out if you need a hand installing any of this stuff, ask Dave its what I enjoy. The sound quality will not suffer but its sure not gonna imporve, personally I would do speakers and the what not if you can afford it, it would make a huge difference
I went thru the exact same thing. I had the alpine 9857 installed and my stock speakers didn't sound right, the tweeters sounded ok, but the bose in the doors just didn't like the extra power of the Alpine, it might have been the Pac audio adaptor not being set correctly. I findly gave up and spent about $200 bucks on 2 sets of Polk Audio 6.5 and 5.25" speakers to replace the ones in my Z06. They sound much cleaner, but you won't get much bass out of the doors. I already added a Arc audio sub and RF amp, so bass isn't a problem for me. The Apline seems to have enough power to play the Polks without added another amp.
If you can afford to do door speakers then you might save some $$ on the install adaptor that is needed to get the bose to work. Aftermarket speakers will sound better, in the end. I might upgrade in the future, but for now i will live with the Polks. They sound pretty good for the money sent.
Thanks for the advice guy's. I'm thinking about going the ipod2car route
for right now. This will allow me save the dollars and replace everything at one shot next year. I just want something in my ride to connect my ipod.
Pentavolvo, I may have to take you up on the install help offer when I'm ready.
I wouldnt waste my money on the ipod 2 car adapter, just get the aftermarket deck and ipod integration piece it will work way better and faster then ipod 2 car, its not necesary to replace everything at once its just easier sometimes. I think an aftermarket deck alone makes for a huge improvement
Pentavolvo, yes that why I started looking into the Alpine 9857.The dollars spent on the ipod2car can be used torwards the new HU.
I purchased the ipod2car this afternoon. I going to install in this evening. My plan is to use it for 30 days and return it for the Alpine
9857.
Installed the IPOD2CAR last night temporary until I get the
Alpine 9857. The sound is not bad with the stock bose
system. The device radio controls are not perfect but ok.
Installed the IPOD2CAR last night temporary until I get the
Alpine 9857. The sound is not bad with the stock bose
system. The device radio controls are not perfect but ok.
This is what i reported when i had mine. I was really happy with the ipod interface, minus the quirky non-existant headunit control.
funny story, i was changing out my interrior lights to blue leds and the only change i f-d up was the radio. They worked for a few seconds, then nothing. I couldnt find anything wrong. So i decided it was time for new HU. I went with an eclipse cd5000 and their ipod interface. I went with the higher model basically because it had more color options so that I can match it up to my interior. The HU has the blue that matches pretty close to my leds and also there are a few buttons on the HU that match that factory greenish/aqua color of the LCD on the HVAC.
The eclipse ipod interface isnt all that great. You cant leave it plugged in all the time. LIke when the ipod goes into off mode after 12 hrs or whatever the time is. You have to unplug and plug the ipod back in. Which im glad I put my ipod in a convenient place. Im thinking about getting the rca cables off of my home stereo and plugging it into the aux rca in on the back of the HU cause it might be easier to just use the ipod itself. The scrolling is slow in the HU as well. But i love the headunit, the look and all the diff options
funny story, i was changing out my interrior lights to blue leds and the only change i f-d up was the radio. They worked for a few seconds, then nothing. I couldnt find anything wrong. So i decided it was time for new HU. I went with an eclipse cd5000 and their ipod interface. I went with the higher model basically because it had more color options so that I can match it up to my interior. The HU has the blue that matches pretty close to my leds and also there are a few buttons on the HU that match that factory greenish/aqua color of the LCD on the HVAC.
The eclipse ipod interface isnt all that great. You cant leave it plugged in all the time. LIke when the ipod goes into off mode after 12 hrs or whatever the time is. You have to unplug and plug the ipod back in. Which im glad I put my ipod in a convenient place. Im thinking about getting the rca cables off of my home stereo and plugging it into the aux rca in on the back of the HU cause it might be easier to just use the ipod itself. The scrolling is slow in the HU as well. But i love the headunit, the look and all the diff options
ive got a pheonix gold octane r 8.0.4 4ch amp and a 2way component CDT CL-61A for speakers up front. Removed the rear speakers. Sounds a lot better with out the rears.