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after trying for a couple of months to sell my 05 EX (details of which can be found elsewhere in old threads), i figured it might be worth it to forget selling it and buying an R32. soooo....
the E went into teh shop Monday.
this is wha'happnin:
- Kenwood DNX9140 Navi/badass head unit.
- Kenwood Sirius doflotchie (wanted HD Radio also, but only get one or the other on this unit. only major failure i can pinpoint, and not that major IMO)
- back-up camera (mounted to the bottom of the brake lamp inside the tailgate)
- iPod connector and USB connection wired into the glove box
- JL Audio HD750/1 subwoofer amplifier installed where previous McIntosh CD Changer was mounted.
- MBQuart QSD216 (the last of the great Qs) components front, with custom crossover mounting in the door panels with removable covers. (the things are enormous. bigger than many excellent home audio crossovers. plus they look rad.)
- the Quarts will now be biamped (!!!) off of the McIntosh MCC404 that previously served the Memphis SoundQs both front and rear.
- the memphis mids from the front are going into the back location and will be powered by the McIntosh MCC302 that previously served the subwoofers.
- the McIntosh rotary sub control is being replaced by the JL Audio version, since the subs (JL10w6 x 2) are being powered by said HD750.
I was originally going to go with the Alpine IWA505P1, but after a disastrous conversation with a rep in which i found that:
a) the unit freezes almost daily if you have more than 2 modules (bluetooth, HD Radio, Sat Radio) connected, and resets. big pain if you're using the navi in a city.
b) Alpine has no plans to make the 505 iPhone 3G compatible. ever. answer to that question? "next year's models will be compatible." the kenwood is already 3Gs compatible, with no issues.
I was hesitant to purchase kenwood, but after operating it and reading about it a bit, i feel comfortable with the purchase. the amps in the back make up for any loss in sound quality, which may be a moot point in general.
Biamping the fronts took some time to decide on. It gives me much more control and EQ power overall, but makes tuning quite a bit fussier. it'll probably take a few hot saturdays with a friend or two before I have it nailed.
I havent yet figured out what to do with the McIntosh meters...they arent too deep, but I can't come up with something yet that wouldn't look slapdash or added-on...we're thinking on that.
but hey...I imagine its worth it. Im honestly really glad i decided not to sell my element...shes been such a great car, no one could ever pay me what shes worth.
which is good - losing that McIntosh system may have been slightly insane.

pics'll be up when i pick her up.
the E went into teh shop Monday.
this is wha'happnin:
- Kenwood DNX9140 Navi/badass head unit.
- Kenwood Sirius doflotchie (wanted HD Radio also, but only get one or the other on this unit. only major failure i can pinpoint, and not that major IMO)
- back-up camera (mounted to the bottom of the brake lamp inside the tailgate)
- iPod connector and USB connection wired into the glove box
- JL Audio HD750/1 subwoofer amplifier installed where previous McIntosh CD Changer was mounted.
- MBQuart QSD216 (the last of the great Qs) components front, with custom crossover mounting in the door panels with removable covers. (the things are enormous. bigger than many excellent home audio crossovers. plus they look rad.)
- the Quarts will now be biamped (!!!) off of the McIntosh MCC404 that previously served the Memphis SoundQs both front and rear.
- the memphis mids from the front are going into the back location and will be powered by the McIntosh MCC302 that previously served the subwoofers.
- the McIntosh rotary sub control is being replaced by the JL Audio version, since the subs (JL10w6 x 2) are being powered by said HD750.
I was originally going to go with the Alpine IWA505P1, but after a disastrous conversation with a rep in which i found that:
a) the unit freezes almost daily if you have more than 2 modules (bluetooth, HD Radio, Sat Radio) connected, and resets. big pain if you're using the navi in a city.
b) Alpine has no plans to make the 505 iPhone 3G compatible. ever. answer to that question? "next year's models will be compatible." the kenwood is already 3Gs compatible, with no issues.
I was hesitant to purchase kenwood, but after operating it and reading about it a bit, i feel comfortable with the purchase. the amps in the back make up for any loss in sound quality, which may be a moot point in general.
Biamping the fronts took some time to decide on. It gives me much more control and EQ power overall, but makes tuning quite a bit fussier. it'll probably take a few hot saturdays with a friend or two before I have it nailed.
I havent yet figured out what to do with the McIntosh meters...they arent too deep, but I can't come up with something yet that wouldn't look slapdash or added-on...we're thinking on that.
but hey...I imagine its worth it. Im honestly really glad i decided not to sell my element...shes been such a great car, no one could ever pay me what shes worth.
which is good - losing that McIntosh system may have been slightly insane.
pics'll be up when i pick her up.