Recommendations?

P9 combo with dvd changer (although the HU it self may play DVDs perhaps some one can clear this up) Eclipse makes a great HU I think I would only put it second to the P9, but the navagation on the Eclipse isn't as good as the Pioneer IMO because it doesnt have the maps. There is even clarion which mahy be a good option it just depends what you are looking to get out of it.

Focal Utopias - I am amazed at the lowend out of these things! I dont find the tweeters to be overly bright at all, in fact my brother in law says they are a little laid back for him when i have them turned down via the crossovers. Good set, although some Eqing is in order.

10w7s - great subs, but if space is a problem perhaps the 8s. I was amazed with the output from the 8w7 in the HO box although I didnt really get to listen much to it for SQ.

Zapco Amps - Although I sent my 4.0 into protection twice after listening to it for about 3 hours...so I have to talk to the dealer or Zapco, it may have been a fluke but either way its not right. So perhaps looks for another amp, however I feel Zapco is a very good company and I haven't had trouble with any of their other products. I'll keep you posted on the situation with this amp if you'd like.

EQ- Audiocontrol

 

Well, being the Alpine whore that I am, i'd suggest the PXA-H700 (i think that's the model #), along with some type of flipout DVD player for the GPS and DVD's.

For speakers i'd look into something DIY...Scan Speak or Seas Lotus. Everyone is going to have their opinion, no one will agree on these.

Amps: Again, i'm partial to Tru Technology because of their sound and customer service...but i'd look into Zapco as well as Helix possibly.

Subs: Try and audition everything you can. I like the w7 alot personally, but it's not for everyone. You should check out some "super subs" (w7, IDMAX, Brahma) as well as some other quality subs (IDQ, w3v2's, elemental designs O's or something to that effect).

I wouldn't bother with an external EQ primarily because whichever HU you get will probably have plenty of processing options.

 

Well I would go with an AC EQ if you went with eclipse HUs or Pioneer HUs with the exception of the P9 combo (but thats a given ) Each to his own though, go with what ever you feel is right.

 

which ac eq are you suggesting? Eqt? na dont make them anymore. 3.1? na its only a 3 band with sub control. 4.1? na its a gain and sweep controled 3 band. DQX? na looks like hell IMO and not to much adujstabilty on the crossovers but the 1/3 octave is cool. DQS Heard to many bad reviews about them being noisy. EQ24 na doesnt do all 31 half assed if you ask me. Now which AC do you want?


BTW we are an authorized ac dealer at our shop

 

DQX looks like hell?

Looks like all AC products to me.

Are there any real problems with the DQX? Other than no remote unit yet (I was told soon, and very soon).

BTW AC will send you a blank cover, you can get it painted/chromed/powder coated, and they'll silkscreen it for you, and send it back.

 

I'd suggest you check out the JL XR's. I couldn't be happier with mine, I've preferred the sound to most comp sets costing twice as much. The $600 JBL GTi's are the closest price competitors I can find, and I still like the XR's tweet better.

Of course, there's the Viper comp set (also designed by the same famous Dr. who designed the XR's) that looks to be even higher end, normally costs about $400, but SoundDomain has the ludicrous $139 sale going on (until they sell out, I imagine... I think they lost their rights). Buying anything blind is generally something I recommend against.. but in this case, the savings would seem to warrant it... with not much risk.

I'm not a fan of in-car video, personally...
You can't watch it when you are driving, and if you aren't driving you'd be much, much comfier indoors, on the sofa, raiding the fridge, watching the big-screen...
Which means you are installing in-car video for... your freeloading friends?
I'll install stuff for their benefit, when they start paying for it.
As it is, they are benefitting from the sound system.
Unless you're just bling-blingin...

I'd definitely rather spend the money on an MP3 capable head unit, or an XM or Serius enabled one.... something to augment the sound system, rather than adding this goofy thing that you really can't use most of the time, and wouldn't want to use when you can use it.

And I don't do an EQ until after the install is done...
I try to do everything I can to NOT need an EQ...
EQ's are such a headache, sorting out why you need one to begin with, trying to tweak out response anomolies, only able to adjust those that aren't caused by phasing/cancellations...
And adding boost or cut adds phasing issues inherently at any rate...
The headaches involved in trying to properly set up your EQ if you don't have an RTA (or even if you do, believe me!)
Eeek!

I'm happy with my Alpine HU, but Pioneer also has some good stuff.
Unfortunately, with something as classy as a Land Rover, you are going to have some difficulty here, with respect to the aesthetics of your interior.
Most head unit manufacturers recently have decided to give their higher-end head units the most godawful "spray paint silver" faux finish that matches nothing on most people's dashboards. It might as well be green, it'll stand out, contrast from your dashboard. A shame.
But good luck. Cosmetics and integration are always important to me, maybe you are more lax on looks than me.

 

Geo! Good find on that Viper set. I know you said they were designed by the same person that designed the JL XR set. Have you heard them? Might they make a nice upgrade over my current Crystal Mobilesound CPS set?

 

EQT
EQL
EQS

4.1

DQT

I say those becuase those are the ones that I have looked into or heard or have had some experience with.

I dont care about looks. Its an EQ what do you want it to look like? I really dont care as long as it does what it is supposed to. Yes you can find flaws in them like you can anything else you can complain about the 4.1 for what it is, but that what it was designed to do and that is what some people want/need. As far as bad reviews on the DQT I heard one person say that, but that wouldn't keep me from buying it because 90% of the time every one will say somethign different.

Honestly I don't think I would run anything else other than an AC EQ in my system with the exceptio of two. (the Zapco EQ 30s or the P9 combo)

So those are the ones I would use. When I first started looking I almot bought the EQT then the DQT came out so I thought about that but decided to wait on an EQ till I was done with the stereo. Well now I am thinking about something like the EQL or EQS simply because I am looking to make things simplier in my stereo since I am looking to move to home audio, and if I wanted some in dash control I would go with the 4.1 for less than $100 bucks on ebay I would say it is a pretty good buy.

 

Do something like that guy who put the touch screen in the dash of his Audi. He just had a PC hooked up that had GPS and everything you needed in the trunk. Im sure some one has the link and can post it.

 

I don't suggest it by the subs. The magnets may cause issues with the 'puter. I have a buddy who has mounted all his up under the dash, behind the glovebox. I suggest considering a location similar to his if you want to do a computer. I believe all told he only has about $5-600 in the computer. It's pretty sweet.

 

To test the magnet just take a paper clip and run it over all sides of your box. If it gets stuck I wouldnt put the pc anywhere near it.

 

There is a company that makes PC boards that are a lot smaller than the average and they weren't that much like 300 or so with the processor. Again hopefuly some one has the link and can post it so that way you can find out the things he used for it.

 

You would be looking for a computer with a Micro ATX motherboard.

 

I think these 2 sites.....

www.CarTFT.com

and

Car PC done in a Audi

.....have about all you need to now about car PC's

Scott, SC