Avalanche stereo upgrades.

[readymix]

No real questions here, just posting up what I have done and what is in the works.
I'll update as I remember things or as progress is made.

The vehicle in question is my wifes 2002 Z-71 Avalanche.
So far I have done the following:
Alpine IVA-D100

Alpine MRA-F350
5-channel Digital Theater amplifier
17-band parametric EQ (five bands for front, rear, and center, two bands for sub channel)
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica]Surround Processors: This amp has three surround sound processors built-in:[/FONT]

• [FONT=Arial, Helvetica]Dolby Digital: Plays Dolby Digital soundtracks in as many as six discrete channels (5.1) [/FONT]
• [FONT=Arial, Helvetica]DTS: [/FONT] [FONT=Arial, Helvetica]Plays DTS soundtracks in as many as six discrete channels (5.1) [/FONT]
• [FONT=Arial, Helvetica]Dolby Pro Logic II: Simulates 5.1 channel playback from a stereo source (CD, FM Radio, etc) [/FONT]

Alpine SBS-05DC center channel speaker

More to come after dinner

 

[readymix]

Also have this stuff

Vizualogic 7" headrest monitors

Alpine Blackbird Navigation.
This is hooked up through a dock and displays on the IVA-D100.

Here is the dock:

I also have the cable for interfacing the wifes I-Pod to the IVA-D100.
That way it is all controlled through the headunit.

Lastly I have currently installed an older MTX PRO 1502 amplifier driving two 8" RF Punch subs in boxes under the rear seats.
The 8's are shot from abuse so we are going to replace them and all 4 door speakers with some cool stuff.

 

[readymix]

The midgate is going to be modified to hold two 12" subs, which will be drives at 300W each by the 1502 MTX.
The set up will look something like this:

For the doors I am getting the Pioneer Premier TS-C720PRS component sets. They retail for around $550/set but I found a good deal on them.
They will be driven by the MRA-F350 @ 50W rms each.

 

[Babaganoosh]

My parents own a avalanche and are possibly looking into installing there own stereo. Where does that center channel mount?

 

[kevin400ex]

here ya go for those pioneers http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_7537_Pioneer+Premier+TS-C720PRS.html

 

[readymix]

Same deal I found on the Pioneer's.

I mounted the center channel speaker where the factory 1 1/2 DIN radio was, and I mounted the IVA-D100 down lower in the dash, in the section that was for a slave CD player.
I'll get some pics up as soon as I can.

I do know that the AVY radios changed over the years from 1 1/2 DIN to double DIN, and the center console to dash area changed. That will all affect how and where you mount things. ONSTAR is another catch to installing anything aftermarket, but it can be worked around.

 

[readymix]

No Go on the pioneer. I have spent the last two days on the phone and I went to every local place around here......No one can get them right now.
So now I get to start researching speakers again. So far this is how it pans out.

Top choices:
Image Dynamics
Zapco
Memphis

Everything else I am not impressed with. What a PITA

 

[Babaganoosh]

Same deal I found on the Pioneer's.

I mounted the center channel speaker where the factory 1 1/2 DIN radio was, and I mounted the IVA-D100 down lower in the dash, in the section that was for a slave CD player.
I'll get some pics up as soon as I can.

I do know that the AVY radios changed over the years from 1 1/2 DIN to double DIN, and the center console to dash area changed. That will all affect how and where you mount things. ONSTAR is another catch to installing anything aftermarket, but it can be worked around.

Nice, I bet that would look pretty sweet and sound good as well.

 

[readymix]

I am down to two speaker choices now.
Image Dynamics CTX 65CS....$179
Image Dynamics CXS 64........$359
The prices difference is huge and so are the differences between the two. I am having a hard time wanting to spend over $700 on components for the truck though. They are bad ass though.

 

[readymix]

I just ordered the Image Dynamics CTX 65CS components for all 4 doors.
I also took the mid-gate out of the Avy today and am working on getting the adhesive off of it, where the carpet was mounted.
I used Acetone to kill the adhesive, but it still sucks.

 

[readymix]

The subs were just delivered by UPS.

 

[kevin400ex]

i was gonna say on the components look at diamond audio, clif designs, focal, jl audio, mb quart, or boston acoustics.

 

[readymix]

I heard the BA and thought the highs were far to sharp for my ears.
There is a company called Rainbow that makes some bad ass speakers but they were a little more than I wanted to spend......and the name is gay

I just finished installing the subs and box to the midgate. Cutting fiberglass with a router sucks.

 

[mr.smartass]

Brian we need progress pics damn it! Is this more for the movie aspect for the kids or do you guys just jam out that much?

 

[readymix]

I have had the DVD stuff in it for a while. This is just upgrading the subs and door speakers.

I have the two 12's wired and man do they hit hard.

I'll get some pics of it when I am done finishing the box.

 

[readymix]

Here are some pictures that I just took.

 

[kevin400ex]

I heard the BA and thought the highs were far to sharp for my ears.

it depends on the tweeter thay have with the set. i have heard some just as you describe, but by changing the tweets it sounded completely different.


your install looks clean, nice work

 

[readymix]

Still not done though.
I am anal when it comes to this stuff and the wiring is driving me insane. It will all be perfectly neat and hidden before I am done.

 

[mr.smartass]

Super clean!