Audio newbie looking to upgrade stock system

[caubs]

Hey guys,

I was hoping you could provide a bit of guidance to a guy who's very new to the car audio scene.

I'm looking to upgrade from a stock audio system in my 2013 Mazda CX-5 (it's brutal), just wondering what you guys would suggest based on my needs.

My one concern is that the steering wheel's mounted controls and the USB in the armrest compartment still function properly.

The benefit that I also like from getting a new head unit is I plan to install a back up camera and the stock head unit doesn't have an input for this.

As far as features, reading my Ipod through USB, GPS, HD Radio are my main requirements. I don't really care about CD/DVD playback.

The stock system has 4 speakers, not sure how much of a benefit it'd be to upgrade these. I don't want to modify the actual interior panels of the car at all.

Any suggestions?

Thanks!

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[LosIsATool 5,000+ posts]

Youre going to lose that USB unless its tapped into and spliced. You can just move it to the glove box. Steering wheel controls have a module to add on.

 

[trumpet 5,000+ posts]

Your GPS requirement raises the cost quite a bit. Do you have a budget in mind? I would leave the speakers alone and wait to hear them off a new radio. It can make a big difference just changing the radio.

 

[vaiboy 10+ year member]

The factory usb port in the armrest wont function anymore, but you can add an aftermarket port in the armrest fairly easily. Pac-Audio.com Product Details | iPod Integration for your car and More by Pac-Audio - Connecting you to the future

 

[caubs]

Youre going to lose that USB unless its tapped into and spliced. You can just move it to the glove box. Steering wheel controls have a module to add on.

Module, like an extra piece?

I know to install, I'm going to need a few pieces from Metra:

95-7522B

90-7903

40-HD10

But I would need something else to have the steering wheel controls functioning on the new head unit?

Isn't that USB already run to the stock head unit (it recognizes my ipod when I plug it in)? I can't imagine it'd be too difficult if the wire is already running to the stock head unit to include it in the new head unit's install, or am I way off on this?

Your GPS requirement raises the cost quite a bit. Do you have a budget in mind? I would leave the speakers alone and wait to hear them off a new radio. It can make a big difference just changing the radio.

I don't think I'd want to go beyond 1k in terms of budget, but obviously if I can get something cheaper that fits in to what I'm looking for and is reliable (don't really want outdated maps on the GPS), that'd be ideal.

 

[vaiboy 10+ year member]

You will also need a steering wheel control interface like this Pac-Audio.com Product Details | iPod Integration for your car and More by Pac-Audio - Connecting you to the future

The USB runs to the harness for the factory head unit, you would need to identify all of the USB wires in the harness, tap into them and solder them to a male USB plug to connect to the back of the new head unit. It actually sounds easier than it is, or you can save yourself the headache and pull apart the armrest drill a 3/4" hole and run a new USB cable to the new head unit. Then you will still have a functioning USB port in the armrest.

 

[caubs]

You will also need a steering wheel control interface like this Pac-Audio.com Product Details | iPod Integration for your car and More by Pac-Audio - Connecting you to the future
The USB runs to the harness for the factory head unit, you would need to identify all of the USB wires in the harness, tap into them and solder them to a male USB plug to connect to the back of the new head unit. It actually sounds easier than it is, or you can save yourself the headache and pull apart the armrest drill a 3/4" hole and run a new USB cable to the new head unit. Then you will still have a functioning USB port in the armrest.

Oh okay, so the head unit will plug in to this module in one end, then the wiring of the steering wheels controls will plug in the other side, and I just basically tuck that module in behind the head unit once it's installed?

As for head units, I'm considering the Pioneer AVIC-X950BH. I like the traffic update feature in the GPS, and it essentially has all the features I want + some. What do you guys think about it?