Schoshe Dash kit installed W/JVC KD-HDR1!

[StickShiftCamry]

Ur horrible picture is making everyone hate the set up, it just looks messy with that US $ in the pocket. Trust me folks, a nice Double Din screen set up, or a stylish radio would look just fine. Those that don't have the Factory Nav. option should jump to this. Get a reciever w/ three pre-outs (for those that don't want to spend the extra $$ on a double din) and a built in High Pass filter (usually the $200+ model recievers have built in cross overs), so ur door speakers will only play mids and highs and the bass gets routed to the sub-preout..

 

[CX-7owner]

The hazard light switch is broken so, they probably won't stick out that much.

 

[cpaino]

I'm sorry to say this CX but it doesn't look that flash imo. I'm sure is sound's great but it does down-grade the dash. I understand where you're coming from as in the audio saying "s*** in - s*** out". So starting with a quality signal is the way to go. I love quality audio but not at the expense of the design of the interior not to mention integration with the steering wheel audio controls & dash display.

It's a shame that Mazda can't supply a "reasonable quality" OEM system given that in Australia the CX7 is a $40K - $50K vehicle.

I would love to hear of anyone who has added an amp and speakers to the OEM unit with some level of success.

 

[CX-7owner]

I understand where all of you are coming from but, I like the way it looks and my thoughts on that whole matter are sound over looks, like substance over appearance, Sure the standard audio looks pretty but it sounds like sh*t, even after $300+ speakers, and a sub. It does look better in person, I will say that.

 

[astraelraen]

I just finished my amp/sub on the factory radio (non-bose)

The oem stereo definately has a "bright" note to it, but I don't have "audiophile" ears, and it sounds alright to me. I really like the way the oem stereo looks, so it works for me unless I can find a double din unit that I like. I'm running 3 way 6x8's in the doors. 2 front tweeters mounted in the little black inserts up in the doors and 2 rear tweeters mounted in the strut panels in the back cargo area. It sounds pretty nice running it at 2 ohms through a 50 watt rms amp.

If you really want high quality stereo though, I would definately say connecting a 4 channel amp + new speakers to the oem stereo isn't for you. I haven't completely tuned mine, so I'm sure I can tune it a little better.

 

[07LiquidCX7]

I understand where all of you are coming from but, I like the way it looks and my thoughts on that whole matter are sound over looks, like substance over appearance, Sure the standard audio looks pretty but it sounds like sh*t, even after $300+ speakers, and a sub. It does look better in person, I will say that.

Should have done a 6 channel setup like the Audiocontrol EQS with one amp for your speakers and one for the sub. Would sound super nice and you get to keep the factory head unit which would do no processing. So it can't mess up the sound. This is the path I am going once the wife and I throw some money together. Schoshe's dash kit looks terrible. You should dress it up somehow, maybe paint or something. I am a big audiophile and have built alot of systems for customers, but I couldn't look at that everyday. Just my opinion though.

 

[StickShiftCamry]

I understand where all of you are coming from but, I like the way it looks and my thoughts on that whole matter are sound over looks, like substance over appearance, Sure the standard audio looks pretty but it sounds like sh*t, even after $300+ speakers, and a sub. It does look better in person, I will say that.

Hey, dont worry, i'm on ur side on this one, sound over looks, one can easily get a nice lookin DoubleDin and steering wheel ctrl adapter. It's all about 3 pre-outs its all about controling the subwoofer level independant of the rest of the speakers. As long as ur after market reciever has these essentials, ur gonna be soundin good u don't have to spend $$$ on a RkfrdFsgt/Palm thingy they have out, its too much $$ and work when u can get a $40 dash kit and start from there. Mine will be set up for deep low frequencies when the Kkr L7 is in. Below 50hz cutoff for the L7 with a nice boost @ 40hz, can't wait.

 

[07LiquidCX7]

^That is low... what are you going to be using to pick up the mids? Unless you only listen to Rap & R&B... then you don't have to worry about it. What size L7? I just did an install with 2 12" L7's in an e39 BMW 5 series and they were super loud on the lows. Boosted them on the mids to pick up the slack, but they were LOUD.

 

[StickShiftCamry]

I'll use the simple crossover network built into the Pioneer AVIC D3, it has a built in High-Pass Filter. I'll increase the 1k - 16k eq bands. My beutiful Sony MP-70 CD Reciever will do the job nice, as it has a built in 7-Band EQ and a high-pass/low-pass crossover, but it's a single DIN. I'm not gonna go crazy replacing the speakers, cuz it's a lease, but since mine is the basic FWD model, I may have to add a couple of tweeters for the front stage. My L7 is the 2003 S8 L7 (8"), does the job just fine seriously, mine is the dual 2 ohm design, gonna use 1 ohm class D Sony Mobile ES (Have been using it in the Camry since '02, not typical Sony, its Sony ES.

 

[07LiquidCX7]

Glad to hear it's the ES. I used to run some of the ES equipment. Their entry level stuff isn't great. Oh ok it's an 8. You should get plenty of mids out of that. You going to do a ported box or bandpass? Hard to get the 8's to hit that low unless you're using a cheater box tuned to a certain frequency. Definitely want to see pics when you get it all in.(2thumbs)

 

[nikedout]

In dask radio kit and harness

Listed below is the name of the place you can get the stereo install kit for the Mazda CX7
You can tell them that Anthony from Marine Max sent you!

 

[StickShiftCamry]

Mids?

Glad to hear it's the ES. I used to run some of the ES equipment. Their entry level stuff isn't great. Oh ok it's an 8. You should get plenty of mids out of that. You going to do a ported box or bandpass? Hard to get the 8's to hit that low unless you're using a cheater box tuned to a certain frequency. Definitely want to see pics when you get it all in.(2thumbs)

Trust me, My S8L7 is giving 10" L5 output. I bought the 8" to save space for the Camry. Sweet spot is @ 40hz, what mids? Also I use the Vented Kicker Box specifically designed for the 8", you can call it a "cheater" box but just take a look @ the dual 2-ohm S8L7 specs. When it was installed in the Camry, w/ certain music, it would set off warning chirps on near by cars. Thats a no Joke 8", from crutchfield back in 2003, look up the specs.

 

[Gray Ghost]

I'm sorry to say this CX but it doesn't look that flash imo. I'm sure is sound's great but it does down-grade the dash. I understand where you're coming from as in the audio saying "s*** in - s*** out". So starting with a quality signal is the way to go. I love quality audio but not at the expense of the design of the interior not to mention integration with the steering wheel audio controls & dash display.

It's a shame that Mazda can't supply a "reasonable quality" OEM system given that in Australia the CX7 is a $40K - $50K vehicle.

I would love to hear of anyone who has added an amp and speakers to the OEM unit with some level of success.

I think the Bose system in the CX sounds great. I don't know what others are looking for but it is a great stock system with good clean sound and steering wheel controls. I have the Bose without Nav. stock system. I have a Tom/Tom that meets my Nav needs. People always comment how cool the inside of the car is. I would def. recomend the GT in this cuv. It seems most of the people that don't spend the money up front will spend it on custom jobs that don't look as nice and work with the existing features in the auto.

 

[StickShiftCamry]

I think the Bose system in the CX sounds great. I don't know what others are looking for but it is a great stock system with good clean sound and steering wheel controls. I have the Bose without Nav. stock system. I have a Tom/Tom that meets my Nav needs. People always comment how cool the inside of the car is. I would def. recomend the GT in this cuv. It seems most of the people that don't spend the money up front will spend it on custom jobs that don't look as nice and work with the existing features in the auto.

Steering wheel controls are easy to program w/ adapters. This $1,000 Bose, package is nothing compared to a $1,000 aftermarket package. Most ppl want seperate subwoofer level control maybe.

 

[CX-7owner]

Haha I just notice how badly I misspelled Scosche, But That BOSE sound is only about 700 dollars since its only packaged with the sunroof, But it still needs some better adjustment for what you pay, it needs to improve on the overall sound quality too. It really would not be worth the extra money if it was packaged alone, but since it comes with the sunroof you don't really have much of a choice. 700 invested in an aftermarket system would sound leap bounds better than stock BOSE.

 

[StickShiftCamry]

I finished installing my single din set up today, sound is unbelievable, the class D-monoblok is pushing madd bass, and the 4 door speakers are pushin mids and highs. I'll have pics up soon, the set up looks nice because the radio face has an aluminum look which goes well w/ the aluminum look trim on the dash. For now, here is the link to the pic of the reciever I have installed until a Double Din. http://www.crutchfield.com/S-N8U4zl...ab=morephotos&pi=1&i=158CDXMP70&display=L#Tab

 

[UpNorth]

Hey CX-7=love,
Congrats on the install. I'm sure it sounds amazing, which if you care, is all that really matters. That said, I think it looks fine too, especially with your dash kit. (And i'm sure it is handy to have another ready spot to stash things.) It may not be a perfect match in terms of pure styling, but that's not the measure of success. Your experience and enjoyment is.

 

[CX-7owner]

Hey CX-7=love,
Congrats on the install. I'm sure it sounds amazing, which if you care, is all that really matters. That said, I think it looks fine too, especially with your dash kit. (And i'm sure it is handy to have another ready spot to stash things.) It may not be a perfect match in terms of pure styling, but that's not the measure of success. Your experience and enjoyment is.

Thank you(2thumbs)

 

[tree20s25]

First off, if you get the factory Nav Unit, you are paying to much for somthing that is a bonified piece of crap. for the cost of adding a factory nav unit, you can buy a really nice aftermarket double din unit, and still have money left over, and a unit that works ten time better. I actually work in the car audio business, and see these factory units all the time, and the way they work is a friggen nightmare. DON"T BUY FACTORY CRAP!!!

 

[lisevolution]

First off, if you get the factory Nav Unit, you are paying to much for somthing that is a bonified piece of crap. for the cost of adding a factory nav unit, you can buy a really nice aftermarket double din unit, and still have money left over, and a unit that works ten time better. I actually work in the car audio business, and see these factory units all the time, and the way they work is a friggen nightmare. DON"T BUY FACTORY CRAP!!!

I have the nav unit and have worked in the car audio space for a long time... I don't now because I like making $ but besides working retail I also ran my own company for a few years doing this work. You are correct that the aftermarket systems are better, but I purchased the factory unit because I am done with all the bull-s*** that comes from having aftermarket stereo equipment in your car. I've had some of the best equipment on the market in both my personal and show cars and without fail, something always takes a s*** at the worst possible time. Unless you're willing to spend the money a very good custom install the dash kits do not come close to matching the dash integration of a factory nav unit. For all it's drawbacks and admitted lack of low end punch this Bose system sounds excellent in the CX7 and will more than satisfy the majority of owners.