Complete System Install in 2008 Honda Pilot

[leeped4 10+ year member]

Thanks everyone for the help, how about this; ignoring price completely, how is this system looking?

 

[mike11202 10+ year member]

Thanks everyone for the help, how about this; ignoring price completely, how is this system looking?

It looks ok, theres no way I'd ever waste that much money on an ok system.

You can get amazing sound with that budget. Your paying full msrp price on those products and paying for the install bascially getting *****.

 

[bigbangtheory 5,000+ posts]

I don't know how some shops are around your area, but we have some shady shops in my area. I ended up paying 500 bucks for an install, that I could do myself, 100x better, but couldn't as my back was screwed up and I was impatient. They messed it up so bad that I ended up taking it out and redoing it with a screwed up back, which just messed my back up more. And yes, I did take it back to have them redo it...........which they refused to.

So be careful, sometimes you have to fight with them and some people screw up installs because you didn't buy their product. I have seen it many times, hell I used to work for an audio store that did it. Happens more than you think.

Like others have said, buy it offline as it will save you a lot. Then pray they hook up the shit the right way.

What I think you should do...........do it yourself. Isn't that hard and hell I did it with 2 shitty discs in my back.......actually took it all out and re-installed it, lol! 500 smacks later and a more messed up back and install at that time was sounding good, lol!

 

[Enellz 10+ year member]

where in Nashville are you getting it done? My family owns Z's tight whip's down there

 

[skateboardkid 10+ year member]

Not looking at price I would change the sub out with something not-pioneer.

Try going to SSA and pricing things out even for $1500 your could get much better equipment.

I recomend 12" ICON and sundown 1000D for $499 which is about what you pay MSRP for pioneer, but this is all warantied as well through SSA, it will murder the pioneer in output and clarity at high volumes, I can gaurantee this to you.

http://www.soundsolutionsaudio.com/shop/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=150

Diamond audio M661 6.5 components are $219

those Hertz are great and if you dont want to deal with deadening you can have them do all that for you.

For get the External HU amp it is gonna cost you a couple hundred MSRP and you could easily do a 75x2 to 150 x 2 amp for around $300

Sundown audio SAX 100.2

http://www.soundsolutionsaudio.com/shop/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=21

so for $800 from SSA you got 100 x 2 for the hertz and 1,000rms going to a 12" ICON

Or get the Diamonds and your at $1k from SSA and have them install and deaden your whole car with a custom sub box and you are still way under the original $2500.

Best of luck we really just want you to have a slamming system and for 2500, you deserve a great system.

 

[MisterGrubbs 5,000+ posts]

High prices, but if it's worth it to you then I say go for it.

What I would personally do is order the items only from a certified seller, that'd save you some money or let you upgrade gear.

Then, find someone locally to install it for you that you can trust off the boards, or simply get that shop to install your shit for you.

 

[FLOSSINON24S 10+ year member]

i agree with the others. order your equipment online and do it yourself. If you need help I would be willing

 

[moh.vze.com 10+ year member]

never ever price match at crutchfield!! just check out the top 10 car audio site on the home page of caraudio.com

Yeah. Crutchfield is VERY expensive.

The only thing I like about crutchfield is great customer service.

I remember buying my headunit off there but I only did it because i had a $30 off a purchase of 75$ or more I think.

 

[tonkpils 10+ year member]

man there are shops around here you could get much better equipment for a cheaper price

 

[IDSkoT 5,000+ posts]

Yeah. I don't think audio shops are fair-- ever.

I can't blame them, if they get money from people who don't do homework (no offense) more power to 'em.

But, as everyone else is saying, get your stuff from the websites on the main page and also check the classified section. Even if it's used, it still works... and if it breaks, it can be fixed! Most amps can be fixed for around $100 bucks, depending on what's wrong with them, and unless you burned out the motor, a sub can be reconed.

I'd go for another sub. If you're willing to spend $2,500 dollars, we can help you out and get you a really b/a system.

And, again, if you can spend a day or two after work installing, you can get a noticeably better set-up... and, idk about other people, but I feel accomplished.

 

[leeped4 10+ year member]

@bigbangtheory - I know several people who have used the installer that I'm using. I went to a few, and the difference was noticeable as soon as I walked in the door. Their installs are the real do and they do great work.

@enellz - I'm actually getting the install done in central nj, I go to school in Nashville. The name of the installer is Sound Automotive.

@skateboardkid - Thanks for the tips man, I looked at all that and it definitely looks as though the ICON sub & amp will destroy what I'm currently looking at. Only issue is that cargo space is crucial, hence why the installer recommended the listed sub and amp combo for me. I own a mobile dj business and I frequently need all of my cargo space, even on long trips. With the slim box, I can still enjoy my sub and pack all my gear in my truck.

On that note, can you recommended a shallow sub either in an enclosure or one that could potentially be fabricated to the stock location in the pilot? This would require the installer to build out on the existing location and seal the setup, but we discussed possibly doing this and they would be able to do it. I think 10" is the biggest sub that fits there.

@MisterGrubbs (and anyone else questioning the professional installation) - I appreciate all the encouragement that I can do this myself. With enough time and energy, I don't doubt that I can. However, let me put it this way - as a dj I am constantly working to convince clients that they are better off hiring a professional to run their event. I have done it for years, and I know the ins and outs of music selection, working with guests/clients, etc. In contrast, many ultimately go the cheap route, renting a speaker system and using an iPod. The so-called iPod weddings simply aren't the same. A professional dj is essential for an event to be the best it can possibly be.

With enough time and effort, I could probably learn everything I needed to know to install an incredible system in my truck. However, I'm not an expert. I want the install done right, and I have no problem paying for that. Just as I will always believe it is best to hire a professional dj, I think the same can apply to car audio -- I would much rather pay for a professional to do it properly the first time around (you only get married once, right? //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif )

Where I am concerned is if my system is not the best it can be; I'm totally open to ideas about switching equipment, buying online, etc.

So here's what I'm thinking:

-Stick with Hertz speakers

-Change sub/amp, either fabricating something in stock location or getting a better slim enclosure

-Reduce price (hopefully) by ordering everything online

Any ideas about a slim sub enclosure or something that would work well in the factory location? Keep in mind that cargo space is crucial for me, and I'd rather not have a huge sub enclosure which I would have to leave behind on the majority of my road trips.

Thanks again for all of the help.

 

[leeped4 10+ year member]

I should also add that I'm not looking for something too crazy, but rather something that sounds good inside the vehicle. And I don't need to turn it up extremely loud either.

 

[Junior22 10+ year member]

its a good thing you are utilizing the forums before u finalize ur purchases ...

you can learn a great deal just by reading threads that are similiar to yours ...

theres a ton of equipment you can choose from .. read up on the gear thats been mentioned ... watch vids at realmofexcursion.com ... so u can get alittle insight as to what your in store for and make the purchase right the first time

 

[leeped4 10+ year member]

Any thoughts? Any suggestions for alternate shallow subs and an amp?

 

[Wkbdkid 10+ year member]

IDK how shallow you need it but how bout a 10 or 12" RE SE an any 600 watt amp, so say a kicker zx750. Both of those are under 200 each an you can get em both warrantied on ebay.