Need opinions Audio & Headunit Upgrade

Some months ago I installed the following

$290 Alpine KTP-445U Universal Power Pack

https://www.amazon.com/Alpine-KTP-4...&keywords=ktp-445u&sprefix=ktp,aps,218&sr=8-2

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_091ISC165/Focal-Integration-ISC-165.html?omnews=16007489

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_091IS690TY/Focal-IS-690TOY.html

All 3 dash speakers replaced with these:
https://www.crutchfield.com/p_108R3032CM/Infinity-Reference-REF-3032cfx.html

I thought that would be sufficient to make up for the head unit and for awhile it was. But now I'm wanting more out of it and tired of trying to dial it in with the minimum Entune functions.

I'm looking to add this amp and sub to match the RMS on the focals:

$100 Pioneer TS-A2500LS4 10” Shallow Mount Component Subwoofer, 1200 Watts Max Power

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B082FR4BX7/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?smid=A2UQKNL1HDAXZA&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07N8KKR6X/ref=ox_sc_act_title_7?smid=A368NRREMFACJX&psc=1

I'm not looking to break the bank and I've landed on the Kenwood headunits. I played with some in a BestBuy and the kenwoods seemed alot more responsive than the Pioneers. Is now a good time to buy? Seems like everything is sold out and I can't find any real discounts/deals unless it's a refurbed previous year model. I want the wireless car play, HD radio, etc.

I was looking at the DMX907S but realized it wasn't an HD screen (bestbuy didn't have higher models on display). How big of a difference is this gonna make? I've looked at the DMX957XR and the DDX9907XR but the price gets pretty high on some of these units and the improvements seem minimal at face value.

Curious what everyone's opinions are for the headunit/amp/sub. Any real changes from the previous years models? Wait until new units come out and try to snag one mentioned at a discount? Not sure how easy it'll be to unload the Entune (with nav) to help cover the cost.

 

I dont know much bout aftermarket radio but seems like most folks on here prefer the kenwood brand. You get the hd screen but only on the higher price tag model.

You will like that d9705 amp. I just installed the same one on my Sequoia which i bypassed the factory jbl system. I am using the Joying 10" intel radio though. The amp is real power house. Even on factory speakers the amp make it sounds so much better.

 

Actually just bought 2- pioneer TS-SW3002S4, shallow mount 12’s. Found a deal I couldn’t pass up on eBay. So I’m gonna have to find a diff amp around 800 rms on a sub channel (or one mono one 4 channel). I’ll know in two weeks if it was fraud or not lol.

 

Think I’m gonna get these amps

$240 PIONEER 2400W MONOCLASS D Mono AMP (GM-D9701)

GM Series 2,400-Watt Monoblock Class D Amp

Infinity REF-704A Reference 4-Channel, 70w X 4 Amplifier

Infinity REF-704A 1000 W Peak (400W RMS) Reference Series 4-Channel Amplifier

wondering if I need to run bigger speaker wire for the doors with 70 watts per channel

 

I dont think you need bigger wires for the door. Im planning to run the Hertz k170 and k165 set in the future. Like most people on here they kept the same wiring. The package they purchased from tech12volts doesnt say anything about running new wires. These speakers are rated at 75w rms.

Those 2 amps look to have plenty of power and should do the job just fine.

 

Aaaaaaaaand the subs got taken down by EBay due to suspicions on the sellers account. Looks like I’m back in the market for subs unless somehow they still get delivered.

 

Dang. That sucks. Sometime it's too good to be true. The search continue.

 

Have you seen the Kenwood DMX1057XR?

 

Is $999 for a Kenwood DMX1057XR too much?

 

I have. I personally don’t care for the floating units. I haven’t seen one for $999 though

 

I think they're cool. I have one for sale.

 

Talk to James @tech12volts. Im sure he can work with you and your budget.

 

I think I'm clear on the amps and subs now. Gonna go with the pioneer shallow 12's and the last amps I linked above. Just gotta decide on the head unit now. Small shops are appointment only due to covid and bestbuy only has low end units on display so it's hard to judge without seeing. Gotta decide if the HD display is worth the extra $150-250.

 

Well worth it.

 

Running the pioneer and infinity amps will put me at a little under 800 watts rms (decided to go with infinity ref1200s subs due to price and run them at 4 ohms).

Am I gonna be good electrically or do I need to upgrade battery, alternator, etc.? Not looking to run this project budget any higher. Should I wait and see if I have any dimming issues? I’m seeing wildly different opinions on capacitors.

 

Take a look at this article from Crutchfield. That may help answer your question.
https://www.crutchfield.com/S-aq2s8d5hUUf/learn/learningcenter/car/cable_gauge_chart.html

Also this site. Listed 4 gauge kit is good up to 1000w rms.
https://www.mtx.com/library-quality-wiring

 

Crutchfield.com
Good prices and easy to compare items

 

I'm good on the wiring. Just wanna make sure i'm gonna have enough juice for everything without any issues.


i was gonna go with the pioneer subs but then they started jumping in price. For half the pioneer price I'll try the Infinity subs

 

I think you will be ok with factory alternator and battery. Guess you can up the battery to like a yellow top or those xs batteries. Dont know much bout those.

 

Kenwood ddx9905s is what I have and I love it!

 

And it's in the $500 range.