Infinity system upgrade

[MHudson1]

I have been underwhelmed with the performance of the Infinity system in my new 2003 quad cab. Just seemed too bass heavy and no real tone adjustment. I just swapped out the head unit for a Alpine 9815 and it's much better, more control over everything. Anyone else have a similiar experience, and did you end up changing anything else.

 

[Chipstien]

Of yeah I changed everything. But my experience was just the opposite of yours. Not near enough bass for my liking. I ended up going with the top of the line Pioneer Premier DEH-P940MP with a Audio Control Three. 1 Parametric EQ and Line Driver. The Pioneer is Cool but the hi-tech menus and multple keystrokes to do anything get old after awhile. I am just waiting till Alpine adds a tuner to their 16 Gig hard drive deck. That is what I really want.

 

[JWChessell]

MHudson1:



I'd be interested in more information on your swap to the Alpine unit -- instructions on how you did it, how long it took, and how much it cost? I'm a life-long musician with a fair sense of hearing, and I think there is TOO MUCH bass in the Infinity unit -- in order to understand speech clearly -- such as NPR News for example -- I have to minimize the bass and maximize the treble. Any info will be gratefully received.

 

[MHudson1]

JW,

 

[MHudson1]

JW, It's a real easy change. You need a dash adapter, a wiring harness and a antenna adapter, you can get those from crutchfield or sound domain fo about $28. Alpine 9815 is about $350 to $450 online, even try ebay. dash pulls off after removing the screw in the bag holder, unscrew stock unit, plug in the new harness and antenna adapter and you're done, about a hour. BTW I'm also a life long musician and gigger.

 

[jzaremski]

Originally posted by MHudson1

I have been underwhelmed with the performance of the Infinity system in my new 2003 quad cab. Just seemed too bass heavy and no real tone adjustment. I just swapped out the head unit for a Alpine 9815 and it's much better, more control over everything. Anyone else have a similiar experience, and did you end up changing anything else.

I don't know why you'd hear much if any difference, since the Infinity system's EQ is stored in the amplifier and not the radio.

 

[sfr1047]

MHudson1,



Do you have the steering wheel controls?

If so can you still use them?

 

[MHudson1]

I don't have the steering wheel controls. As far as the stock amplifier having the eq goes I think that is DC marketing hype. What the amp does is have a crossover or a bass blocker for the dash speakers and a split capacitor for the center speaker. There is a definite improvement with the new head unit in both tone adjustment, clarity and overall volume. The speaker level inputs on the factory amp are fed a cleaner signal IMO.

 

[jzaremski]

As far as the stock amplifier having the eq goes I think that is DC marketing hype.

No, not at all. The stock amp uses a 32-bit ADI 21065L DSP to handle all EQ, crossover, and time correction functions for the audio system. When installed in this system, the radio defaults to flat output curve and lets the amp handle everything. The Alpine radio also outputs a flat response.

overall volume.

That's because the Alpine unit is feeding the amp inputs with an 11 V rms signal rather than the 7. 5 V rms from the factory head unit. The trade-off here is that while the Alpine head will appear to ramp up volume quicker, the factory amp is still fixed gain so you'll run into clip limiting quicker too. The system's peak SPL output isn't going to change.

 

[sfr1047]

I swapped out the head unit in my 96 with an Alpine unit and the difference in sound was very noticable. Much fuller at lower volume. The stock speakers sounded great.

 

[2ndgen2500]

i swaped out my head unit for the alpine deck. then instaleld MB quart components in the doors, along with jl amps. and a jl stealthbox with 2 tens. install is very easy... . i had the steering wheel controls. but i cannot use them now.

 

[JRG]

Can/would you upgrade the rear door speakers for more of a mid-bass driver?



JRG

 

[jzaremski]

Originally posted by JRG

Can/would you upgrade the rear door speakers for more of a mid-bass driver?



JRG

You could, but I'm not sure how much good it'll do. #1 reason is that the rear channels are high-passed, so some of the bass is already filtered out by the amp. #2 is that there aren't a whole lot of 5-1/4" speakers out there that'll get you much in the way of low-end.

 

[RI RAm]

Is it possible to replace radio without losing steering wheel controls?? Is there a kit you can but or something?

 

[Chipstien]

Yes there is a box that, while spendy, alows use of the steering wheel controls with decks that have wire-less remote controls. I thought I had saved the site but I can't find it so you will have to try a search. Sorry

 

[MO'Donnell]

Originally posted by RI RAm

Is it possible to replace radio without losing steering wheel controls?? Is there a kit you can but or something?

Yep -

www.soundgate.com On page 9 of their on-line catalog it shows interfaces for steering wheel controls. I wouldn't be surprised if Crutchfield's carried their stuff.

 

[Dane]

Here's what I did -



In the doors I made a custom baffle using Morels. a VERY sweet front driver setup



http://www.morel.co.il





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In the rear I used Peerless for rear fill and Madisound Sledghammer 10" woofers



http://www.peerless.dk



http://www.madisound.com/



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All that in a regular cab I'm running old school Rockford Fosgate amps and a Alpine head unit.

 

[Stroker Smoker]

Has anyone bypassed the Infinity amp without making a mess out of the wiring. Im not impressed with the infinity system either when using an after market radio - tone control is horrible. I have had systems sound better by just using an aftermarket head unit and good aftermarket speakers.



I suppose I could run new wire to all of the speakers and use my old Punch 200a4 I got laying around, That would definately sound good... and force me to replace all of my speakers.



Phill

 

[Cooker]

Originally posted by Stroker Smoker

Has anyone bypassed the Infinity amp without making a mess out of the wiring.

This would not be all that difficult. I don't have the schematic in front of me at the moment but this sould be pretty easy to do.