Hey Folks,
For the last month I have been planning infotainment/audio system upgrade.
Vehicle: 2013 CX-5 Sport Manual, basic radio (without color LCD), 4 speakers, no bose
Overview of the project:
- Get rid of the OEM stereo
- Use Nexus 7 as a head unit/control center
- Keep steering wheel's controls
- Improve the audio
Setup/Configuration
- Nexus 7 as the main controlling unit. Features I was pursuing:
- Variety of Navigation apps and better live traffic updates
- Nexus will charge via Qi (wireless)
- Debating between cable connection or BT for Audio
- Future expansion - head rest monitors (for babies) via HDMI/Miracast (in couple years from now)
- If Nexus 7 audio isn't great, USB DAC will be installed
- Disadvantage of using the Nexus over double din Nav
Parts/Price:
- Nexus 7 32gb $240 Amazon Warehouse Deals (WD)
- Clarion xc1410 4x50RMS 0.1% THD Distortion to be build in the dash $80 Amazon WD
<strike>- Alpine CDT-HD148BT as a pre-amp, EQ, Crossover, Steering wh operation^ $180 Amazon WD </strike>too much increasing hiss/static buzz<strike>
</strike><strike>- Clarion CZ702 as pre amp, EQ, Crossover, Steering wheel operatopm $140 Amazon WD </strike>too much constant hiss
<strike>- Sony MEX-GS600BT as pre amp, EQ, Crossover, Steering wheel controls^ $169+tax Abt </strike> Realized it has bad SQ and the Android App sucks
- Pioneer DEH-80PRS - $250 Amazon WD
- Sound Ordinance B-8PTD under the seat subwoofer $160 Cruthcfield (new,was on sale -$40)
- Axxess ASWC-1 CANBus steering wheel controls to aftermarket radio $41 Amazon WD
- Metra 70-7903 radio connector adapter $7 Amazon WD
- Metra 99-7522B 1Din install kit with pocket $14 Amazon WD
- Metra 40-HD10 Antenna adapter $8 Amazon WD
- Infinity REF-6502ix for rear speakers for rear doors $95 Crutchfield[/COLOR]
- Polk Audio DB351 for the dash $40 Amazon
^The original plan was to use only 1/2 Din EQ/Crossover such as Clarion EQS746 but I couldn't figure a "easy" way to keep steering wheel volume controls
Chalenges:
- I hate running new power wires: My car had a 25amp "Bose fuse" which made my think the cable is somewhere inside the cabin - it will be used for the Clarion amp
- Power for the under the seat sub (15 amp rated) - wither from the accessoy plug (15amp fuse) or seat heat (20 amp fuse)
- Beside steering wheel remote for volume up and down, I am looking for a way to switch tracks (radio stations) on the Nexus remotely. A inline remote (like for a headset) might be used and mounted behind the steering wheel (operated like a peddle sifter)
Some thoughts about the setup so far:
The Clarion XC1410 is superb amp - small, powerful enough, noise and buzz free clean sound. It is also 2 ohm capable so I had installed way back Polk DB351 in the dash without crossover which means the front speakers are probably 2 Ohms now (I forgot to measure them). The Infinity I put in the rear doors are 3 Ohms as well. So definitely the amp gets 5/5 stars.
Speaking about rear doors, I am disappointed - the $100 high efficiency (93 db on paper) 6502ix didn't really impress me. They do add some mids and highs comparing to the OEM speakers of course, but the bass is actually poorer (weird) - the OEM had much lower bass. So if you don't care much about passenger's sound, leave that as last update.
Pioneer DEH-80PRS improved SQ a lot! However, it lacks some other conveniences like worse BT audio calls (mic-wise) than the Alpine, lack of voice dialing - this means that if you have BT buttons on your steering wheel you will not be able to initiate call (you should be able to hang up). SQ is more important for me so I stick with it (finally). The auto EQ and time alignment worked really well - didn't expect that. And what is nice, the Auto EQ works like a "system EQ" - it improves sound response where your speakers/car lacks. And then, you can still apply EQ customizations. Works really well. I am also happy with the front door OEM speakers + the Polk audio in the dash in parallel (e.g. without crossover) with the help of the Pioneer of course - I was not expecting that, it was awful with the OEM radio (too much mids, highs).
The Sound Ordinance B-8PDT is the biggest disappointment of all - I am still trying to fine tune it (and that takes forever). BTW, with the Sony HU I had installed, this subwoofer was literally making things sound worse. Now with the Pioneer, I can fine tune it (more EQ bands and better TA) and it does improve SQ to certain songs. However, it lacks at others. Currently it is sitting under passenger's seat but i will try moving it in the front footwell. If you listen to lots of hip hop, rap don't even waste your time with this.
THIS IS STILL WORK IN PROGRESS. I AM TRYING OUT NEW CONFIGURATIONS DAILY
For the last month I have been planning infotainment/audio system upgrade.
Vehicle: 2013 CX-5 Sport Manual, basic radio (without color LCD), 4 speakers, no bose
Overview of the project:
- Get rid of the OEM stereo
- Use Nexus 7 as a head unit/control center
- Keep steering wheel's controls
- Improve the audio
Setup/Configuration
- Nexus 7 as the main controlling unit. Features I was pursuing:
*I get 3-5 service stops a day and all those are set in my calendar with locations. Having just a navigation unit would mean manual entry of the address. With the Nexus 7, I just click on the appointment and then click on the location. Saves me time=money.
*Online radio streaming (House/progressive is my genre) - I don't listen to "canned" music, instead I use online stations such as Digitally Imported, and a bunch of radio stations from Ibiza (commercial free). All stations are with custom streaming address combined into one player. NO Pandora/Slacker/Rdio and similar crap.
* I could do all this through one of my phones but since my frequent stops I got tired of plugging in/out
* Tether the Nexus to my unlimited data plan, via BT to save phone battery (enough speed for 256kbps mp3 streams)
* Access to email
- Extras/Bonus with the Nexus 7*Online radio streaming (House/progressive is my genre) - I don't listen to "canned" music, instead I use online stations such as Digitally Imported, and a bunch of radio stations from Ibiza (commercial free). All stations are with custom streaming address combined into one player. NO Pandora/Slacker/Rdio and similar crap.
* I could do all this through one of my phones but since my frequent stops I got tired of plugging in/out
* Tether the Nexus to my unlimited data plan, via BT to save phone battery (enough speed for 256kbps mp3 streams)
* Access to email
* OBD2 and Torque app for funky vehicle monitoring system
* Graphic visualizer
- The Nexus will be removable vs build in - it needs to be elegant though* Graphic visualizer
- Variety of Navigation apps and better live traffic updates
- Nexus will charge via Qi (wireless)
- Debating between cable connection or BT for Audio
- Future expansion - head rest monitors (for babies) via HDMI/Miracast (in couple years from now)
- If Nexus 7 audio isn't great, USB DAC will be installed
- Disadvantage of using the Nexus over double din Nav
* rear view camera will be very difficult to integrate (but not impossible)
* The Nexus 7 screen is bright enough in the sun but it impossible to see it with polarized glasses. If the screen is in portrait orientation it is fully visable
Parts/Price:
- Nexus 7 32gb $240 Amazon Warehouse Deals (WD)
- Clarion xc1410 4x50RMS 0.1% THD Distortion to be build in the dash $80 Amazon WD
<strike>- Alpine CDT-HD148BT as a pre-amp, EQ, Crossover, Steering wh operation^ $180 Amazon WD </strike>too much increasing hiss/static buzz<strike>
</strike><strike>- Clarion CZ702 as pre amp, EQ, Crossover, Steering wheel operatopm $140 Amazon WD </strike>too much constant hiss
<strike>- Sony MEX-GS600BT as pre amp, EQ, Crossover, Steering wheel controls^ $169+tax Abt </strike> Realized it has bad SQ and the Android App sucks
- Pioneer DEH-80PRS - $250 Amazon WD
- Sound Ordinance B-8PTD under the seat subwoofer $160 Cruthcfield (new,was on sale -$40)
- Axxess ASWC-1 CANBus steering wheel controls to aftermarket radio $41 Amazon WD
- Metra 70-7903 radio connector adapter $7 Amazon WD
- Metra 99-7522B 1Din install kit with pocket $14 Amazon WD
- Metra 40-HD10 Antenna adapter $8 Amazon WD
- Infinity REF-6502ix for rear speakers for rear doors $95 Crutchfield[/COLOR]
- Polk Audio DB351 for the dash $40 Amazon
^The original plan was to use only 1/2 Din EQ/Crossover such as Clarion EQS746 but I couldn't figure a "easy" way to keep steering wheel volume controls
Chalenges:
- I hate running new power wires: My car had a 25amp "Bose fuse" which made my think the cable is somewhere inside the cabin - it will be used for the Clarion amp
- Power for the under the seat sub (15 amp rated) - wither from the accessoy plug (15amp fuse) or seat heat (20 amp fuse)
- Beside steering wheel remote for volume up and down, I am looking for a way to switch tracks (radio stations) on the Nexus remotely. A inline remote (like for a headset) might be used and mounted behind the steering wheel (operated like a peddle sifter)
Some thoughts about the setup so far:
The Clarion XC1410 is superb amp - small, powerful enough, noise and buzz free clean sound. It is also 2 ohm capable so I had installed way back Polk DB351 in the dash without crossover which means the front speakers are probably 2 Ohms now (I forgot to measure them). The Infinity I put in the rear doors are 3 Ohms as well. So definitely the amp gets 5/5 stars.
Speaking about rear doors, I am disappointed - the $100 high efficiency (93 db on paper) 6502ix didn't really impress me. They do add some mids and highs comparing to the OEM speakers of course, but the bass is actually poorer (weird) - the OEM had much lower bass. So if you don't care much about passenger's sound, leave that as last update.
Pioneer DEH-80PRS improved SQ a lot! However, it lacks some other conveniences like worse BT audio calls (mic-wise) than the Alpine, lack of voice dialing - this means that if you have BT buttons on your steering wheel you will not be able to initiate call (you should be able to hang up). SQ is more important for me so I stick with it (finally). The auto EQ and time alignment worked really well - didn't expect that. And what is nice, the Auto EQ works like a "system EQ" - it improves sound response where your speakers/car lacks. And then, you can still apply EQ customizations. Works really well. I am also happy with the front door OEM speakers + the Polk audio in the dash in parallel (e.g. without crossover) with the help of the Pioneer of course - I was not expecting that, it was awful with the OEM radio (too much mids, highs).
The Sound Ordinance B-8PDT is the biggest disappointment of all - I am still trying to fine tune it (and that takes forever). BTW, with the Sony HU I had installed, this subwoofer was literally making things sound worse. Now with the Pioneer, I can fine tune it (more EQ bands and better TA) and it does improve SQ to certain songs. However, it lacks at others. Currently it is sitting under passenger's seat but i will try moving it in the front footwell. If you listen to lots of hip hop, rap don't even waste your time with this.
THIS IS STILL WORK IN PROGRESS. I AM TRYING OUT NEW CONFIGURATIONS DAILY
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