Upgraded Audio in my CX-7.

[CX-7owner]

joojk(omg)

 

[cricket1977]

what unit are you using for the ipod text? just curious because i know all i get with mine is a bunch of numbers and crap that don't mean anything

 

[CX-7owner]

(omg)

 

[CX-7owner]

(omg)

 

[rayslab2001]

Hi CX-7's=LOVE,

was it difficult to install this unit you have?

Cheers!

 

[CX-7owner]

(omg)

 

[NOT2BAD]

how did you hook up the rca for the amp

 

[CX-7owner]

(omg)

 

[Int3grity]

hell I am still waiting on radio install kit so I can get rid of this oem bose radio and put in my alpine, just sitting on the shelf collecting dust.

 

[lisevolution]

You can use something like the JL Audio Cleansweep too if you're looking to add external amps to an existing stock stereo. That would also help to solve most of us with the nav systems problems about adding an ipod line as that does provide a line in as well.

 

[otakonx]

Looks great. I have the 4 speaker CX-7 and I'm looking to add tweeters at the very least but I'm afraid to cut up my brand new car. Do you know if the doors are modular?

 

[CX-7owner]

(omg)

 

[otakonx]

Yes they are, just one and I think two(maybe three) plugs for the driver side. Very easy removal of the panels just don't forget to pop out the door handles from the panel before moving the panel away from the door.

Ah Cool, so no cutting needed. I don't know much about car audio so hopefully this wont sound that dumb. What did you splice the tweeters into to hook up to the head unit?

 

[CX-7owner]

(omg)

 

[otakonx]

I tapped into the door speakers with a crossover.

Makes sense. Did you get a chance to power the speakers yet from the amp? I found a nice pair of Pioneer 4-ways on sale. I remember you saying you used Infinity Kappas in your setup. How do you feel about Pioneer vs other brands? I'm not trying to go for high-end more like middle of the road but anything is better than these stock speakers - they sound like styrofoam cups and string. And with the windows down, forget it - I can't hear crap.

 

[CX-7owner]

Makes sense. Did you get a chance to power the speakers yet from the amp? I found a nice pair of Pioneer 4-ways on sale. I remember you saying you used Infinity Kappas in your setup. How do you feel about Pioneer vs other brands? I'm not trying to go for high-end more like middle of the road but anything is better than these stock speakers - they sound like styrofoam cups and string. And with the windows down, forget it - I can't hear crap.

Infinitys are VERY GREAT, Crutchfield.com has great deals on Infinitys and Excellent customer service. Pioneers are good, Infinitys are GREAT. Everything is running off of the stock amp. I haven't had the chance to hook up a new amp. The whole system sounds wonderful, probably because The Infinitys I bought run at 2Ohm over the 4Ohm stock woofers, and all together, theres about, 10 tweeters in the car. But I do recommend swapping out those horrible paperweights with something much better(Infinitys). With a new amp the sound Could be 34X better. Overall the sound from the stock amp is great for now, and new speakers would improve the sound a lot.

 

[chillinchileno]

Looks great. I have the 4 speaker CX-7 and I'm looking to add tweeters at the very least but I'm afraid to cut up my brand new car. Do you know if the doors are modular?

get some components to replace the factory speakers. it will sound x10 better than just adding a tweeter. Circuit City carries POLK components and its a huge improvement compared to the factory speakers.

keep i mind....they might add extra labor b/c the speaker sizes aren"t EXACTLY the same, but its no big deal and completely worth the extra bucks.

 

[otakonx]

get some components to replace the factory speakers. it will sound x10 better than just adding a tweeter. Circuit City carries POLK components and its a huge improvement compared to the factory speakers.

keep i mind....they might add extra labor b/c the speaker sizes aren"t EXACTLY the same, but its no big deal and completely worth the extra bucks.

Thanks for the info. For the time being, I've actually turned the treble all the way up since it's summer and I'm driving with the windows down a lot. All the lows wash out the highs when the volume is turned up. Gahhh, terrible so I need to do something soon...

When looking up all these speakers over the past week I've notice stores usually show RMS and Peak Power info. For example RMS 150w, Peak 300w. Is it safe to say 150w would be what a factory head unit powered speaker would output?

 

[CX-7owner]

(omg)

 

[UpNorth]

if you do get speakers get these, the volume almost doubles when you install these, because they run at 2OHM http://www.crutchfield.com/S-2AjjwSmSQad/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=52200&I=1086822CF
worth every penny IMO.

Thanks for the tip and link for the speakers. I am pretty clueless about this kind of thing, but wouldn't mind a little upgrade. I know that you said the installation you did for yourself was easy, but imagine yourself as a far less skilled and experienced person. I'm kind of intimidated by the idea of taking apart the door panel. (Or for that matter, letting someone else. The dealer has left a number of marks and scratches on various service visits so I'm getting paranoid.) With these speakers, do you need to take off the door panels, or is that only necessary if you are doing something more?

Thanks for your advice and patience with my total ignorance.