Stereo wizards - is the Infinity system option worth the extra 1K?

[Walker]

Should I get the infinity and be done with it? Or, could I upgrade the stock 4 speaker system to a better than a OEM system with the extra grand$? I'm not into big sound, but I may be interested in an after market head unit and speaker upgrade at a later date if I could do it for the option price.



As for the head unit upgrade; I've heard you can't swap the Infinity sysmtem because of the amps and canbus (or something to that effect).

 

[BHolm]

I've had two trucks with it and two without. I also have several cars with custom systems I installed. The factory Infinity system is pretty good if your expectations are not to have some top end audiophile system. There is too much bass, it is rediculous. I have the bass set at -4 just to get decent sound. The regular system is really sad though. In my '03s it was limited to fairly low volume. For $1000 you should easily be able to buy a decent 4 channel amp and four REAL Infinity speakers. This would likely cream either factory system. I would also suspect you are right about altering the factory Infinity system. They are pretty heavily integrated into the trucks these days. You would likely lose the steering wheel controls if going aftermarket too. They are handy.



I accept the factory Infinity system as good enough. Yes you can do better but is it worth the hassle and expense? If you go with the low end system, expect to want to change it, pretty marginal as it comes.

 

[p-Bar]

I agree with BHOLM ,these systems have too much phony bass sort of like the 2note subs you here going down the street . I would go after market design it the way you will like.

 

[Carlsummers]

Forget the OEM Infinity. Spend a grand with a reputable aftermarket shop, and get much better sound.

 

[klenger]

I went with the Infinity with 6 disk changer and Sirius. It's not the greatest, but have given up on the money pit of getting a top notch after-market stereo. It's pretty hard to get much for $1000 aftermarket. I think the base boost that was mentioned varies depending on which head unit is installed. I think the 06's use different equiment than previous years, so things could be different now.

 

[Hercules130]

i really wanted the in dash 6 disk changer so i went with the infinity. it is good enough but not great. now that you can get the navigation unit with a 6 disk changer, i would be all over that. sadly it will not fit into an 05

 

[jwduke]

I have the Infinity system, and would have rather spent the money at Best Buy, or some place like that for a REAL system!



If you can order the antenna only, I'd go that route, and add your own system.

 

[CMullen]

I just picked my truck up from having an Alpine radio and speakers with XM unit and the connection for my IPOD. Also added 6 new speakers from Boston acoustics, 2 tweeters, 2 midrange in the front, and 2 combo's in the back. All for $500, installed.



Great Sounds and looks,



Let DC have their infinity

 

[BHolm]

I went with the Infinity with 6 disk changer and Sirius. It's not the greatest, but have given up on the money pit of getting a top notch after-market stereo. It's pretty hard to get much for $1000 aftermarket. I think the base boost that was mentioned varies depending on which head unit is installed. I think the 06's use different equiment than previous years, so things could be different now.

My '06 has the 6 disc and SIRIUS. It cames with wheel mounted controls and I have to agree, I just didn't have the gumption to go through the hassle and compromises of the aftermarket. It still has too much bass, just like my '05 but it works, and pretty well once you get it dialed in. Sure you can do better but six speakers and a head unit for $500 installed, that doesn't sound quite right. I can spend more than that on a head unit alone, especially if you want a cd changer. Then a good amp is going to be at least another $500 and the speakers should run another $500. CMullen, are you sure you didn't miss the 1 in front of the 500

 

[jrlawler]

My advice is to go aftermarket all the way. I bought a Pioneer head unit, Memphis Audio door speakers and a Q-Logic subwoofer enclosure plus power amp that fits under the right rear seat. I can tweak the sound any way I want and it's awesome. Plus the Pioneer has extra jacks on the back so I can plug my iPod in.

 

[WCPoe]

Infinity system

Save your money. I have the Infinity and it definately has too much bass. I run the tone controls almost all the down. I don't know how Infinity let their name get on the system that's in the trucks!!!!!!

 

[CMullen]

Bholm,

it does seem a bit low, but the alpine head unit was 199, the speakers were 300. and the xm was about 100-150.



ok so i cant add..... but its still better than getting what DC wants to give you for that money.

 

[JayWm]

When I ordered my truck I went to the dealer and listened to two trucks, one with and one without the Infinity system. Needless to say my truck does not have the Infinity system. The Infinity is a seven speaker setup. The 7th speaker is not a subwoofer like it should be, but rather a center channel in the center of the dash. The stock sound system needs more bass, not a center channel. Sure would be nice if DC and the other OE's would admit their sound systems sorta suck and put rca output jacks on the back of the factory head units. I'd love to be able to add aftermarket amps and speakers and keep my stock headunit. And I bet I'm not the only one.

 

[JCleary]

I have the infinity, and I think it stinks. There's way too much mid-bass, so much that the doors rattle. I usually have the bass turned to -4, down to -8 when the XM is on.



If I had the option, I would get the lower end deck (which sounds better in the first place) and swap out the head unit, speakers, etc as my budget allows.

 

[Donn]

no way get a good aftermarket one

 

[jwduke]

Save your money. I have the Infinity and it definately has too much bass. I run the tone controls almost all the down. I don't know how Infinity let their name get on the system that's in the trucks!!!!!!

I think its the RDS radio, Gimick Motors uses these too, the one that was in my Monte Carlo had WAY too much bass.

 

[BHolm]

When I ordered my truck I went to the dealer and listened to two trucks, one with and one without the Infinity system. Needless to say my truck does not have the Infinity system. The Infinity is a seven speaker setup. The 7th speaker is not a subwoofer like it should be, but rather a center channel in the center of the dash. The stock sound system needs more bass, not a center channel. Sure would be nice if DC and the other OE's would admit their sound systems sorta suck and put rca output jacks on the back of the factory head units. I'd love to be able to add aftermarket amps and speakers and keep my stock headunit. And I bet I'm not the only one.

That is truely the answer, at least give us the option of upgrading the sound without giving up the handy factory controls and look.



I do have a vehicle with a KILLER factory system, my Cayenne. Of course for what the car cost... . wait a minute, the sticker on my Dodge was over $50k :--) They should be doing better on this

 

[KDillard]

I agree on getting the base stereo and swapping it for a good alpine head unit and 4 speakers. A decent alpine radio is about 280. A decent 4 channel amp is 400 and 4 speakers for under 300. Install it all yourself and youve got a killer system for just over 1200 after install parts and accesories.