Looking for experiences with North Baltimore area professional installers of audio equipment. Looking to get a new HU, speakers, possibly an amp, and want to keep the dash controls (use of the Lucid product seems good). Being that the S is a bit rare, it would be good to hear good news about work done specifically to an S.

Thanx.

 

I had speakers and head unit installed at Tweeter, no complaints. My understanding is Alpine is compatible with the remote controls of our S. I chose and had a Kenwood installed (before I knew about the Alpine ).

I would think most professional installers (not necessarily Best Buy/Circuit City types) would do a good job, but I don't have any experience with others.

John

 

Thanx John. There is a Tweeter located in Towson, I have been there and the staff seemed pretty competent. That branch had not done an S before, so they recalled, and basically I am looking for some endorsement of an installer (may have to take my chances, though).

I have pretty much decided on an Alpine, but I think it does need a jig to become compatible. You may want to check out the Lucid website, it has said jig and may work with your Kenwood.

How happy are you with your setup, ie. what you describe just uses the internal HU amp? This is one decision point for me, to go with the Alpine 7894, which has a beefy internal amp (for a HU), or if I will need to add an external Amp to be truly satisfied.

 

I purchased a Kenwood KDC-MP819 (it is MP3 compatible) and Boston Acoustics RC620 speakers. And I an reasonably pleased with them, good presence, although I would like a little more base response (but I really don't want to go the Sub W route). The amp in the unit is plenty to drive these, and I am considering an additional set of speakers for behind the seats.

My remote controls do work with the inclusion of an adapter, so I have channel and volume control. However the Alpine should give full functionality of the remote controls.

I had the install done in the Glen Burnie location, they did a good job with no problems and were very tender with my baby

Besides expense, I was not considering the Sub W because of the rattle that would be caused and also the extra weight/loss of space in the trunk.

I met some folks at an event and "LT'S S2K" had a nice setup with speakers behind the seats, looks like a good way to go as far as I am concerned, it adds enough extra oomph to the sound with the top down. PM him I am sure he would be glad to fill you in on the details.

Good luck

John

 

I would think most professional installers (not necessarily Best Buy/Circuit City types) would do a good job, but I don't have any experience with others.

John [/B][/QUOTE]

Whats wrong with circuit city instalers?, i'm not saying i'm the best but the job gets done right!!

 

Oh boy am I embarrassed, sorry Casas I did not mean to imply that you personally were not a capable installer. I was just going on my personal experience at a local Best Buy and when I asked a question about my installation (adapter to get the remote controls functioning) the guy said it could not be done, well long story short I had it installed and working when I went to Tweeter. Also the selection of component accessories at Best Buy was not as extensive as at Tweeter.

I apologize again if I offended you.

Regards,

John

 

The selection of audio are obviously not as good at Best Buy or Circuit City and the prices at Tweeter are at or above retail, you're usually better off going to a car audio store just in general. However, the installers at Best Buy and Circuit City are usually really good with installing speakers and head units, there is usually no compromise of work quality at those places and they stand behind their customer service... expensive custom jobs though it's usually best to find a good car audio specific shop.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Sorcerer
[B]
I have pretty much decided on an Alpine, but I think it does need a jig to become compatible.

 

True! For custom installs a large store is NOT!! the place to go. as far as prices most shops will install equip even if you didn't buy it there; the net can get you better prices and its the same stuff.

Sorcerer: The 7894 is a great deck (hard to find right now but good) If you run speakers off the HU the clarity will be dependent on the type they are. EX: if you are not too smart and decide to fit polk Momo components in the doors you will DEF. need an amp. If you need any help or recomendations let me know Or if you get brave and want to DIY , you could probally benefit from my experience.....LONG.... with mine. Any how GOODLUCK

Hotredjohn: I wasn't offended; but thanks. alot of people treat large corp. installers as crap, when if you saw the kind of work that MOM & POP shops did you would cry! (picture a rats nest). Thanks for clearing that up though

 

I had Circuit City install Infinity separates in the door and an MTX amp in the truck. Made a world of difference. I got the whole thing done for around six bills.