03-06-2003, 03:37 PM
LZ, I used to think mom & pop stores were the best place to go, but my next install will be at Best Buy or CC - I do plan on buying the gear on my own, however. I'm sure most small stores are good, I just had a really bad experience with one and most of the others here suck so my options are go out of state or go corporate. Since I'll supply my own gear, corporate isn't so bad.
As for Bose speakers, they really are the best out there - car audio, home audio, Hell even their headphones are sweet - but they all cost way more than they should, but being the best out there they can charge a load of $$ and obviously people pay it. Me, I wouldn't unless I were buying a new car and they were an option in the radio package.
Pioneer makes a solid head unit, but they can be too bassy at times, especially with finicky subs - if you buy a Pioneer, it's best to listen to it. You should listen to any unit you buy, but especially a Pioneer. Kenwoods are nice when they woork, but they do break often and most times they're expensive to repair. I personally like the sound of Sony heads, I have an old one that, when it's connected properly, really kicks ass. It's about 10 years old now, so I can imagine how the newer models sound.
My wife's Altima came with a stock Nissan Radio/tape/CD player and I was gonna take it out and go aftermarket, but I might just replace the speakers and drop in a box with 2 amps. The CD player NEVER skips and the radio comes in crystal clear. My beat up Sable has my Sony in it, but it needs major work, those assholes really fucked up the installation.
Keyser, Nissan will probably charge you an arm and a leg for that Bose system. They tried to charge my wife $45 for a small, plastic nub that you screw into the floorboard which in turn holds the floormat in place - $45 fucking dollars for a piece of plastic that's no bigger than a penny. made a big deal out of it and since we brought the car in for routine (and covered) maintenance, one of the mechanics just gave me the piece on the side.
Also, if you have an alarm on your car, make sure you tell whoever does the install about it, and tell them not to fuck around with any of the power or sensor connections. One time I had a system installed where they sistered up the power lead right off of the power lead for my alarm and anytime it went off, I blew a fuse in my head unit.
As for Bose speakers, they really are the best out there - car audio, home audio, Hell even their headphones are sweet - but they all cost way more than they should, but being the best out there they can charge a load of $$ and obviously people pay it. Me, I wouldn't unless I were buying a new car and they were an option in the radio package.
Pioneer makes a solid head unit, but they can be too bassy at times, especially with finicky subs - if you buy a Pioneer, it's best to listen to it. You should listen to any unit you buy, but especially a Pioneer. Kenwoods are nice when they woork, but they do break often and most times they're expensive to repair. I personally like the sound of Sony heads, I have an old one that, when it's connected properly, really kicks ass. It's about 10 years old now, so I can imagine how the newer models sound.
My wife's Altima came with a stock Nissan Radio/tape/CD player and I was gonna take it out and go aftermarket, but I might just replace the speakers and drop in a box with 2 amps. The CD player NEVER skips and the radio comes in crystal clear. My beat up Sable has my Sony in it, but it needs major work, those assholes really fucked up the installation.
Keyser, Nissan will probably charge you an arm and a leg for that Bose system. They tried to charge my wife $45 for a small, plastic nub that you screw into the floorboard which in turn holds the floormat in place - $45 fucking dollars for a piece of plastic that's no bigger than a penny. made a big deal out of it and since we brought the car in for routine (and covered) maintenance, one of the mechanics just gave me the piece on the side.
Also, if you have an alarm on your car, make sure you tell whoever does the install about it, and tell them not to fuck around with any of the power or sensor connections. One time I had a system installed where they sistered up the power lead right off of the power lead for my alarm and anytime it went off, I blew a fuse in my head unit.