Took me several months to piece everything together and get the full job done, but I am extremely happy with the end result.

I knew I wanted to upgrade the audio in the car, and although the 04 system is a vast improvement over my old 02, it still was lacking. I thought it better to just go ahead and do everything at one time rather than piecemeal, and things went on from there!


Here's the specs:

Headunit: Alpine CDA-9833
with Modifry DCI

Components: JL XR650CSi

Amps: JL 300/4 and JL 500/1

Sub: JL 12w3v2
in custom fiberglass toolwell enclosure

I also have another amp rack in the spare tire area on which sits -

Alpine KCA-410C (Versatile Link) which interfaces:
Alpine CHA-S634 (cd changer)
Terk XM Commander (satellite radio)
Ipod Mini

As i only drive my car at weekends, I decided to make my trunk more show than functional - EVERYTHING is covered in raw carbon fiber.

 

HEADUNIT


SATELLITE RADIO


IPOD (in glovebox)


VERSATILE LINK, CD CHANGER and XM BRAIN on amp rack in spare tire well


SUB and AMPS w/ FULL CARBON TRUNK LINING




and some shots without the flash......




Comments welcome!

 

Not a fan of CF like that myself, but I like the look of the audio setup. What's a satellite radio though as opposed to a regular one? Same as terrestrial tv vs Sky?

Are the components straight swaps or do you have to modify the pods or anything?

And does that Alpine "talk" to the Ipod and allow control as if it were a hoooge CD changer? (I have an iRiver but willing to "defect" if it means easy MP3 in the car)

Finally, don't spose you fancy writing up the install? This along with Euan's GPS aerial is one of many things I want to do to mine over the next few months (once I sort out my - rather shoddy - finances )

 

yeah the carbon is bling for the show scene which i participate in - the crazier the better for the judges!

to answer your other questions.....

Satellite radio is kinda like DAB in the UK - its a premium service that is over and about the terrestrial radio stations. because its satellite, you can drive from the east to west coasts of the US, and listen to the same station.

The components were somwhat of a direct swap - i did need some mounting brackets for the woofers (or you could use your stock speaker baskets with the back cut out. the tweeters mounted directly.

There is an alpine unit available (kca-420i) allows you to control the ipod from the headunit - i tried it for all of 2 hours and decided to sell it. the scroll speed is unbearably slow - and thats on my mini ipod - couldnt imagine what it would be like on a 40gb+ unit. Instead i opted for the versatile link which enables me to add up to 4 auxillary devices to the headunit.

I could do a write up - what specifically would you be interested in?

 

Ah, forgot you were in the States

As for the write up, what I'm really after is how everything connects to everything else really. I can wield a screwdriver with the best of 'em but I'm a bit wet behind the ears when it comes to ICE

 

Changing the HU is pretty straightforward Graham, at least it was for my recent Alpine 9851. I imagine amps and speakers makes it a lot trickier though. I found cable routing much easier than expected however, and that is often the most difficult part of any electronic install.

 

Looks sweet mate.

 

looks although as you have an 04+ the ipod could of been mouted like mine:

 

Satellite radio? Just how much better a set-up is it with that and is this a first?

Very right now

 

I didn't twig he made use of the glove box door itself for the iPod

Chris - he's in Chicago. Sat Radio = DAB. Ish.