Aftermarket CD players

[05speed]

Has anyone changed from the stock CD unit??? If so show some pics and what kind id love to see sumtin else in one before i change mine if i even end up doin so.

[AtlantaDave]

Have you thought about getting an iPOD and doing away with CDs altogether?

[eshea]

And I believe with the Bose system, you need to replace EVERYTHING - speakers, etc - not just the HU.  I plan on doing it when the weather is warmer (along with intake, DP, etc).  Oh, and when I have money.  But weather is more important 

[Flashman]

Has anyone changed from the stock CD unit??? If so show some pics and what kind id love to see sumtin else in one before i change mine if i even end up doin so.

Why? If you want an MP3 CD player, you can change out the 6-disc changer for an MP3 player unit from Mazda. Otherwise, not sure the advantage, unless you are thinking of going to a DVD w/ pop-out screen.

[05speed]

yea i have an ipod and a nice kenwood from my old car so i though about gettin the ipod connector to go with it so i could control it through the cd player. If you are repacling everythign, then what kind of door speakers and all are you planning to get and what size are they.

[eshea]

Honestly I haven't given it a lot of thought quite yet since it's still a few months off.  I'm curious to see what aerodramatics.com releases before then as there's been talk on the other boards about what they're releasing.  Also not sure what I'll do about the windblocker speakers...whether to just disconnect em, whether to put two "real" speakers in the middle of it...or what.  We'll see what whim I'm on come spring.
Once I do decide on a setup and get to work on it, I'll certainly take pics and fill people in.

[05speed]

O aight nice

[05speed]

Does any one know where i can get an installation kit for an aftermarket cd player for the msm cant find one on crutchfield or cardomain? Any other places you guys know of?

[AquiaMSM]

What kind of kit are you looking for.....wiring harness?  The surround?  Are you looking at putting a double DIN system in...or just a normal sized one? 

Here is a surround kit for a regular sized stereo system...

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-mgm6SExaYVV/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=112200&I=142MA1537

And here is a wiring kit...

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-mgm6SExaYVV/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=103000&I=120707903

Greg

[Quicksilver]

If you replace the head unit, you still have two amplifiers to deal with. One small one for the rear speakers, and a larger one for the front speakers. I'm not a big fan of Bose (all market hype and a reliance on equaliZation instead of simple component matching) - but I doubt that you'll gain much from a electronics swap, at least audio quality wise. Most electronics today sound the same with low distortion and a flat response curve. I don't know if an after-market head end is compatible with the BOSE amps. If you decide to swap out the amps too, I don't know the impedence of the factory speakers. It they are very low and not industry standard, than an aftermarket amp (either seperate or built-in) may not work with them.

Now, if you just want more funtions (MP3?) or more bling, go for it, but I agree, you might have to do a full swap.

Finally, the Bose system, a funky as it is, can be made to sound kinda flat by setting the bass, treble and top up/dn parameters. The head end works fine for me, has plenty of power, and still sounds better than the stock stereo in my old 2000 NB.

[AquiaMSM]

If you replace the head unit, you still have two amplifiers to deal with. One small one for the rear speakers, and a larger one for the front speakers. I'm not a big fan of Bose (all market hype and a reliance on equaliZation instead of simple component matching) - but I doubt that you'll gain much from a electronics swap, at least audio quality wise. Most electronics today sound the same with low distortion and a flat response curve. I don't know if an after-market head end is compatible with the BOSE amps. If you decide to swap out the amps too, I don't know the impedence of the factory speakers. It they are very low and not industry standard, than an aftermarket amp (either seperate or built-in) may not work with them.

Now, if you just want more funtions (MP3?) or more bling, go for it, but I agree, you might have to do a full swap.

Finally, the Bose system, a funky as it is, can be made to sound kinda flat by setting the bass, treble and top up/dn parameters. The head end works fine for me, has plenty of power, and still sounds better than the stock stereo in my old 2000 NB.

I agree QS....if I were to change (although I'm not) it would have to be the entire system.  Our setup is just to funky/proprietary to change one or two pieces...

Greg

[msydnor]

I've had a few other cars with factory bose, all required the entire system to swap out to change anything. I guess I'm getting old, I have no desire to change mine.

[AquiaMSM]

I've had a few other cars with factory bose, all required the entire system to swap out to change anything. I guess I'm getting old, I have no desire to change mine.

Yep...and while the system isn't great...it is better than a lot of factory stereo systems I have had in the past....and I would rather use the money it would cost to replace the entire system....for other mods.

Greg

[Flashman]

If you replace the head unit, you still have two amplifiers to deal with. One small one for the rear speakers, and a larger one for the front speakers. I'm not a big fan of Bose (all market hype and a reliance on equaliZation instead of simple component matching) - but I doubt that you'll gain much from a electronics swap, at least audio quality wise. Most electronics today sound the same with low distortion and a flat response curve. I don't know if an after-market head end is compatible with the BOSE amps. If you decide to swap out the amps too, I don't know the impedence of the factory speakers. It they are very low and not industry standard, than an aftermarket amp (either seperate or built-in) may not work with them.

Now, if you just want more funtions (MP3?) or more bling, go for it, but I agree, you might have to do a full swap.

Finally, the Bose system, a funky as it is, can be made to sound kinda flat by setting the bass, treble and top up/dn parameters. The head end works fine for me, has plenty of power, and still sounds better than the stock stereo in my old 2000 NB.

It is a common misconception that a BOSE sound system in a car is designed by BOSE. It is not, the audio system is still supplied by the manufacturer. All BOSE does as part of their 'auto' program is stick some fancy microphones inside the car, play test audio tracks, and generate a series of equalizations to compensate for the car's interior and engine. These are then offerred back to the manufacturer to program into their stereo. BOSE, very rarely, is involved in any speaker selection, placement, or hardware. Their job is simpy to take 'as is' and try to make it sound better through equalization.

Maybe a better label would be "Equalized by BOSE"... But there stereo is only as good as what the manufacturer chooses to install.

I learned this when I used to autocross at the BOSE parking lot in Massachusetts and talked to some of the engineers there.

[05speed]

well i had a full bose system in my old xterra and didnt have to replace all the speakers and stuff when i got a new cd player for it so why would i in this car.Im not a big elctronic buff just wondering what the difference would be.