sparky01
Active Member
I should know this but can anybody tell me how I would found out what stereo system I have?
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How to tell what stereo system I have
- Thread starter sparky01
- Start date
Hey sparky. Window sticker for one.. if it doesn’t say Harmon Kardon, however it’s spelled, or Alpine, you got lucky and scored the standard 6 speaker standard system.
For head units you only have the 5 inch screen, the 8 inch, or the 12 inch. This sounds somewhat dirty, but that size is in order of sound quality. So I hear.
Now I said you got lucky, because the Alpine system is the SAME system with the SAME PART NUMBERS but with the addition of a center dash speaker and a terrible subwoofer.
If you get the 6 speaker, plain vanilla one, you can swap out the speakers and enjoy far better sound. I did that, and it’s the best 500 bucks I’ve spent. I tried to have a sub added today, but it’s a real shift show.
For head units you only have the 5 inch screen, the 8 inch, or the 12 inch. This sounds somewhat dirty, but that size is in order of sound quality. So I hear.
Now I said you got lucky, because the Alpine system is the SAME system with the SAME PART NUMBERS but with the addition of a center dash speaker and a terrible subwoofer.
If you get the 6 speaker, plain vanilla one, you can swap out the speakers and enjoy far better sound. I did that, and it’s the best 500 bucks I’ve spent. I tried to have a sub added today, but it’s a real shift show.
I also have the basic 6 speaker system in my rebel. What speakers did you end up getting? I was thinking of just replacing the dash speakers for now but not sure what speaker would be best since all the ohms wattage stuff confuses me. Not even sure what ohms the stocks run at and I hear if you get different ohm or speakers that require lot more power the system will sound bad.
I know a lot of alpine folks are going with these for the dash but would it also sound good for the basic 6 speaker system or would it be under powered? https://www.crutchfield.com/p_206DSC3504/Kicker-43DSC3504.html?tp=105
I went to a very opinionated audio savant in San Diego. If you live here, go to Cutting Edge Audio and don’t worry about that stuff.
He put in Inifinit’s. Their midrange. The front door speakers are component speakers with a separate tweeter, so he made a bracket for the dash. Sounded much better and is much louder.
until today.. with the subwoofer. That’s it’s own challenge, apparently.
but for me, finally, in my life, I have more money than I do time, so I kick down a few bills for a pro to handle this stuff.
If you’re a noble DIY’er, it appears to be a straight swap straight to the Infinitis.
You can tell if you have the alpine system if the center speaker on the dash says Alpine. If you have Harmond Kardon I think you will also see large speaker grills on the ceiling above the rear seats. if none of the above apply you probably have the basic 6 speaker system
renzo2213
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Easy way to tell is look at the center dash speaker. If it’s alpine, it’ll say alpine, if it’s Harmon kardon, it’ll say harmon kardon. If it doesn’t say anything, then you have the base system. Another way to tell is to crank it all the way up. If your ears hurt, it’s the harmon kardon, if it just sounds normal, alpine, if it sounds like a video recorded from an android phone, you guessed it, base system lol
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Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
DennisY
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Benca, can you fill us in a little more on exactly what Cutting Edge did for you? I live in San Diego so I'm curious but not understanding what you are describing.
Where did he put the Infiniti speakers? A bracket for the dash? What was that for? Does that just stick out in plain sight?
Did they do anything for you about the subwoofer?
I bypassed the factory sub and put in dual 10 inch subs under the rear seat, adding a subwoofer amp to the mix. That set up rocks. I did not replace any other factory speakers nor to I feel that I need to. I have the factory EQ set to where my set up sounds awfully good to me.
Just curious on what set up you wound up with after your visit/expenditure with Cutting Edge. Their web site doesn't get into the gory details really so I can't tell much about them. Thanks in advance for your response.
sparky01
Active Member
Thanks for replying especially the heads up on the Harmon and Alpine systems I'm glad I have the base model stereo. I am assuming you were able to keep your OEM head unit and it has enough to power the upgraded speakers? I have the 8.4" display.
Morning all. I just replaced my door speakers with Kicker and my dash with Kenwood excelon. Now the system sounds like crap. I'm assuming its due to not enough power to run the better quality speakers. Two questions: 1. I'd like to add an amplifier to run all of the speakers and a new subwoofer. Recommendations? 2. Subwoofer location? Assuming under the seat box or can I get a combination behind seat amp/sub panel?
rick619
Active Member
If you replace the speakers, need to connect an ANC (active noise canceling) bypass.
If not doing an amp or DSP, the ohm's (2, 3 or 4 I think) need to match the OEM. Otherwise you're going have strange issues. Read up on other threads on here, it will make more sense. Start with the ANC bypass. I'm guessing that's your problem. If not, you need it anyway.
