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Headunit and Audio Upgrade

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Old Jan 4, 2013 | 09:01 AM
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Default Headunit and Audio Upgrade

Hey guys. Just got my 05 S2K and the first thing I want to do is upgrade the audio. Im looking for some tips as to good headunits to get. What I want is bluetooth ready to run spotify off my iphone which is my exclusive source for car music. I also like to podcast from my iphone on my commute.

Also, I'm looking to upgrade the speakers and possibly add an amplifier/woofer. I'm new to the car audio scene so I'm not familiar with all the terms such as tweeters, amplifier, sub-woofer, two way, and three way etc. What is important to me is keeping the stock look. I would like every speaker to be flush and, if possible, placed within the stock panels. I'm sure this sounds like a broken record, but vibrations and rattling is my antichrist. I don't need to be bumping bass and setting off car alarms. I just want clear and good sound with some healthy bass to listen to the music as it was meant to be heard. I have yet to experience top down interference since it's winter but I want to be ready for the summer to be able to blast Skynyrd on my hoons.

Any suggestions for specific brands and models? How is Best Buy and their Geek Squad with regards to service in this area?
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Old Jan 4, 2013 | 10:40 AM
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LooK around in the audio forum, lot of info there
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Old Jan 4, 2013 | 12:26 PM
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You obviously bought the wrong car...
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Old Jan 4, 2013 | 01:01 PM
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Originally Posted by s2000maniac
You obviously bought the wrong car...
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Old Jan 4, 2013 | 01:42 PM
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Originally Posted by Emil St-Hilaire
Originally Posted by s2000maniac' timestamp='1357334784' post='22246244
You obviously bought the wrong car...
Lol audio isnt a BIG deal to me. I'm not some lo-rider. The most important thing to me is having the iphone connectivity which im sure just changing the headunit will solve. The real question is if there are speakers/amps that seem to fit better with the s2000 as opposed to the competition. I may not even change the speakers, but if there is an application that works then I would consider it.
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Old Jan 4, 2013 | 02:32 PM
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No shame in nice tunes in any car! I lost the argument back in '02 with a guy here named Lucid who invented the rear speaker for the AP1. The tweeters in the roll bar Honda "borrowed" from here as well. That said head over to the electronics forum (there is no "audio" forum) as it is where stereo stuff is covered. I'm sure you can find your answers there. If you are installing yourself the last pinned thread at the top of the forum, by Darknight, is the install bible.

Utah
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Old Jan 4, 2013 | 02:38 PM
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Thanks man. I'll look over there. There's no way in hell I'm installing lol. I'm looking to go to best buy. I get electronics lol. I'll install a header back exhaust before I install a head unit.
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Old Jan 5, 2013 | 08:34 AM
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bestbuy is overpriced. go to an independently owned shop
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Old Jan 6, 2013 | 05:01 PM
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hmmmm i put my sound system in, in stages.

First was the head unit cause i really wanted USB connectivity. So i picked up a pioneer premier series single din head unit.

Then i realized that the stock speakers and tweeters couldn't really take the extra power from the H/U, cause it kept cracking and mudding at any where even near half the volume the deck could put out.

So then i changed the speakers/tweeters to alpine type R SPCS. Then i realized....the sound sounded hollow, cause it was pushing the deck too far.

So then i added in a 800W 4 channel Pioneer Premier Amp.

Then i realized...that i had no bass at all and no rear fill. So next came a light weight custom 1/4" MDF box to fit the tool tray with a 10" JBL Sub. All in all i don't think i added much weight to the car if any. The speakers were heavier by a total of 1lb. The sub+box was 2.4 lbs more. But since i removed the spare tire i guess i didn't gain any weight.
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Old Jan 7, 2013 | 04:32 AM
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Originally Posted by errie806
Hey guys. Just got my 05 S2K and the first thing I want to do is upgrade the audio.
Definitely check out the electronics subforum (where this thread belongs).

Originally Posted by errie806
I just want clear and good sound with some healthy bass to listen to the music as it was meant to be heard.
Unfortunately that's all highly subjective stuff. You really need to get out to listen to the options to find what suits your preferences.

Originally Posted by errie806
Im looking for some tips as to good headunits to get. What I want is bluetooth ready to run spotify off my iphone which is my exclusive source for car music.
There are tons of headunits with bluetooth that will fill that requirement. How about some other criteria to help narrow down the options?

Are you looking to retain the dash controls?

Originally Posted by errie806
How is Best Buy and their Geek Squad with regards to service in this area?
Depends on who you get. Try asking for shop recommendations in your local subforum.

Originally Posted by errie806
The most important thing to me is having the iphone connectivity which im sure just changing the headunit will solve.
There are aftermarket interface kits for the stock radio. You can also get a head unit with a built-in interface. It really all depends on what you want. Based on your goals, you probably want the latter.

Originally Posted by errie806
There's no way in hell I'm installing lol.
I wouldn't discount the idea if you end up just replacing the head unit. If you get an Alpine and Modifry's PnP harness you can do so in about 10 minutes with no soldering required. There are even detailed guides in threads in the electronics subforum.
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