Looking for Advice

[Zavenoa]

I recently installed a new system in my 2010 Corolla, but I'm still looking to make some tweaks to it. I'm just getting back into car audio, it's been a while since I've had anything decent in my car. The biggest two things on my list right now are replacing the Head Unit and possibly switching from a ported to a sealed box. Here are the specs of my current setup.

Head Unit: Clarion CX501 Double-DIN (Thinking of Upgrading to Pioneer AVH-X4500BT)

Dash Kit: Metra 95-8204

Wiring Harness: Metra 70-1761

Steering Wheel Control: Metra Axxess ASWC

Front Speakers: Polk Audio DB6501

Rear Speakers: Polk Audio DB691

Subwoofers: 10" Infinity Reference 1062w

Enclosure: Atrend E10Dv B Box (Thinking of Switching to a Sealed Box)

Mono Subwoofer Amplifier: AudioPipe AP15001D 1500W Mono D

4 Channel Speaker Amp: Pioneer GM-6500F

I plan on doing the big 3 upgrade when I find the time and upgrading the alternator as well. I only notice slight headlight dimming when the subs hit at night, so I don't think I need another battery, the big 3 and alternator upgrade should take care of it. The mono amp I bought said I should be using a 1 farad or higher capacitor, but everything I've read has said they are worthless, so I don't think it's worth it. Additionally, a bad capacitor fried my last system, so I don't plan on buying another one unless I absolutely have to.

Some of the wiring I've used is Oxygen Free Copper, some is copper clad aluminum. For the most part, everything carrying a signal is OFC, while things like the grounds are copper clad aluminum. I don't know if the OFC wiring makes a difference or if it's just marketing hype, so I tried to use it in the places I thought it would matter.

I originally went with a ported box because the last system I installed was garbage (I was broke) and I had no idea how hard a set of nice subs would hit with a half decent amp pushing them. I'm starting to think that was a bad choice. I listen to all types of music, but primarily I like hard rock (Linkin Park, Disturbed, Rage Against the Machine, etc) and Techno (Daft Punk, Pendulum, Prodigy, Skrillex, etc). Although the subs hit really hard in a ported box, I know I would get better frequency response in a sealed box and as it is I'm not using half of what the subs can put out in their current configuration. I'm wondering if any regular dual sealed 10" box will work or if it's worth spending the money on something like the Rockford Fosgate P3-2X12 1200 Watts Dual Rms Subwoofer Enclosure. There's a big difference in price, and I'm not sure that it wouldn't be better spent in another area.

As far as the head unit goes, I've seen several great reviews on the Pioneer AVH-X4500BT. I really want a head unit that is compatible with the iPhone 5 and works well with it.

Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I wouldn't say that cost is not a concern, but another few hundred or even another grand wouldn't break the bank. I want to get this system sounding right with clean bass and the full range of sound. A lot of that has to do with tuning it right, which I'm working on, but I'm sure I've made some mistakes in the equipment I've purchased (like the head unit) or am missing some things that would help. Eventually, I may try and tighten the trunk with sound proofing to reduce rattle, but I want to get the system right first.

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[NIHL8ION]

Yes: Capacitors are pretty much pointless, don't waste your time and money on those, do the Big 3, and YES: OFC does make a big difference over CCA, it takes nearly double the gauge of CCA to equal the current flow of OFC at SAFE temperatures... As for the box / enclosure: Don't even waste your money on a pre-made box. Have a box built, or build one yourself if you're up to it, the enclosure is one of the most important things in any subwoofer system! There are plenty of ppl here who can help you with an enclosure and / or build one for you. As for the Pioneer: If you have an Ipod or Iphone I really like the user interface on the Pioneer decks as far as ipod playback, pandora, and app mode (with supported apps), I love my Pioneer head unit. Sound deadening is also a must have for good cleaner sound output, don't use any cheap asphalt based crap, use real butyl based product... As for any other questions or help just ask away we are here to help //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/cool.gif.3bcaf8f141236c00f8044d07150e34f7.gif

 

[jar1zx 10+ year member]

Avh-x8500bhs works well with the iPhone 5

You just have to run a HDMI cable and the USB cable that comes with radio to a ( I think it's call a vid adaptor) and the radio controls the iPhone 5 thro blue tooth. Don't buy the pioneer kit iPhone kit for the 8500 all it has is a HDMI cable and some other dual USB cable that don't even fit the radio. Wasted 50-60 bucks

Check into app radio extensions if you have a jailbroke phone. It makes most all apps work with the pioneer radios with advanced app mode, 2013 models with HDMI hook up

Apple took the analog vid out of the iPhone 5 so pioneers fix with rest of their line up is a $120 cable (VGA I think) that pioneer has sold now for over a month that won't work till pioneer puts out a update for the radios.

The update is supposed to be in spring but last I checked it not out yet

Till update is out the 4500 will not show vid,pics,GPS, or any apps. But it will play pandora and your music

Hope this helps

 

[jar1zx 10+ year member]

I just check the avic forum and someone claimed the firmware update was out for the avic's and pioneer hopes the update will be out next week for the rest of the radios

So if he's on the level disregard what I just said and buy you the $120 cable and you should be good

And if you wait awhile the new ones might be shipped with the update

 

[jar1zx 10+ year member]

I just checked pioneer website and the update is out for the avic's

 

[Zavenoa]

I bought the AVH-X4500BT, so all I need now is the $120 cable for the iPhone and updating the firmware and I should be good? I'm less interested in video playback at this point, but may be interested in it in the future. I mainly care about audio playback.

 

[trumpet 5,000+ posts]

I bought the AVH-X4500BT, so all I need now is the $120 cable for the iPhone and updating the firmware and I should be good? I'm less interested in video playback at this point, but may be interested in it in the future. I mainly care about audio playback.

If all you need is audio then you don't need the $120 adapter and all that nonsense.

 

[Zavenoa]

Ok, I think I've got everything I need now. I just picked up the Pioneer adapter CD-IV202AV and an Apple Lightning to VGA Adapter. I believe I can then plug my lightning to USB cable into that and then just plug the adapter into the phone and I'll be good to go with the firmware update.

 

[Zavenoa]

I didn't like the AVH-X4500BT so I returned it and bought the AVH-X8500BHS, which is what I should have done in the first place (always ends up this way when I try to save a buck and go with the cheaper model). I realized after doing the math that for $110 I could get a FAR better model, glad I realized it while I could still return all of the crap I bought for the AVH-X4500BT.

Pioneer AVH-X4500BT: $320

CD-IV202AV: $90

Lightning to VGA Adapter: $40

Total: $450

Pioneer AVH-X8500BHS: $515

Lightning to HDMI Adapter: $40

3ft HDMI Cable: $5 (Don't buy Pioneer's CD-IH202 HDMI Interface Kit, apparently it's just a regular HDMI cable and another USB Male to Female cable like the one that came with the Head Unit)

Total: $560

 

[naughtyca 10+ year member]

If all you need is audio then you don't need the $120 adapter and all that nonsense.

I agree, I didnt think you needed to change the deck anyways if you dont care for video playback, you dont need OFC running 2k and under. i think the issue with your set up might be your sub and sub box. you should have changed those 2 first and check your electrical to make sure you are getting most out of that AP amp, you need to get at least an extra battery and get rid of the capacitor.

 

[Jeffdachef 5,000+ posts]

the problem with atrend boxes are, they are tuned too high and sound like crap with a lot internal turbulence. Small things like adding 45 degree blocks in the corner, sanding down the corner, correct port length, good seals, fiber glass resined interiors and box cubic feet all adds up. It makes a hell of a difference switching from a cookie cutter box to a well designed box.

 

[NIHL8ION]

Does the OP need OFC? - NO, not right now, but what if he upgrades down the road? WHY in the fvck would you want to have to go back and do it all over again?! Do it once, do it right... CCA svcks

 

[Jeffdachef 5,000+ posts]

^^^ soo true wasted soo much money going from 4 gauge then 0 gauge CCA then finally 0 gauge OFC. You never know how big you want your system to become but time and time again, people prove themselves wrong when they say "i just want a little bass bump"

 

[NIHL8ION]

^^^ soo true wasted soo much money going from 4 gauge then 0 gauge CCA then finally 0 gauge OFC. You never know how big you want your system to become but time and time again, people prove themselves wrong when they say "i just want a little bass bump"

LOL I did the same **** thing awhile back when I got 0/1 CCA for a really cheap price & I remember thinking to myself "This will do what I need it to do" LOL Never again ! It's not the money aspect of it that grinds my gears, it's the time spent on the same job twice lol !