Hello everyone,

I searched (for 1.5 hours) the entire forum for my question and no luck. Some of the threads I got are not for 5th Generation.

My Car Info.
Maxima 2003 GXE
Regular Music Head Unit (No Bose)

Question:
I want to replace the music system head unit and speakers. I went to Bestbuy and other similar places like that and they said that they have enough expertise to get the job done. I am not sure how well can they get the job done. Here are the issues:

1. I notice Maxima has separate tweeters but it looks like square shape. The Alpine speakers I liked has round tweeters. How can they fit into square shape? Are they going to cut and make it fit? is it gonna look ugly? I just want to know if someone here has good experience / bad experience.

2. Head Unit? I factory system and 1 and half deck size. It is not a double deck. At least thats what my understanding is. If I get one of this
pioneer head unit, i think it is going to look ugly. I guess I am looking for ideas. Not asking any particular question here. All I want a player with MP3, Bluetooth, USB support (to play USB flash drive) and SD card support (to play mp3 from a SD card and also need to look not ugly. by ugly I mean the factory system just fits so nicely with the car and it looks good. There is no empty space around it.

If I get the pioneer system, my track switch on the steering wheel are going to work? This feature is really important to me to control the tracks while I am driving.

Thanks

Ezish
Maxima 2003 GXE

 

http://forums.maxima.org/forumdispla...sprune=30&f=25

 

How did you start a thread with only 3 posts?

 

.......

 

The covers for the factory tweeters are square but the tweeters themselves are round. They should fit without any cutting. Personally, I would just leave the stock tweeters in since most aftermarket speakers have tweeters built in to them. But they might be a good idea if you plan to add subwoofers and an amplifier.

The factory radio is a double din and the radio you chose is a single din. It will work and fit but part of the face plate will leave an empty storage compartment below the radio. You can use it to store CDs or something. You could also look for a double din radio that has the features that you want, then you wouldn't have the empty space. The only problem is that double din radios are much less common and there aren't many available.
There are adapters for many radios that will allow the steering wheel controls to work with an aftermarket radio. Keep in mind that the radio that you chose, along with many others, come with a remote that is designed to replace the steering wheel controls. Just hang on to it while you drive and it is a descent alternative.

 

Alpine HU and Bose speakers FTW

 

IF you decide to get your deck hooked up by Best Buy or Futureshop, ask them to make or order you a custome frame for your car/model. Most likly they will make the frame for you to fit the deck you want as they did to mine.

Good luck

 

Or just get the GXE kit and call it a day.

http://www.courtesyparts.com/Merchan...de=68750-VENTC

 

I noticed this thread. However, most of the post (I believe) for Maxima 6th generation car. Also I get confused. I was looking for a thread where people only talk about upgrade for Maxima 2003 or 5th Gen.

I am lucky I guess.

I am actually planning to go to Vision/Futureshop/Bestbuy. Where do you think I should go?

Thanks a lot. Thats will make the dash look so much better.

How am I going which head unit will work with the steering controls or adapter available to make it work?


Any other ideas???? I am willing to spend $600. I don't want a DVD player. May be a DVD Navigation system. There are so many out there in the market. So far I looked into Alpine, Pioneer, JVC Head Unit and GRAMIN GPS navigation system. I think I like GRAMIN's interface, easy to understand and easy to use because of the touch screen. GPC is not a higher priority.

The Alpine speakers I looked the tweeters are not built-in. I don't know how good the factory speakers are (non bose), I mean I haven't compared with many other speakers. Any recommendation for speakers/head unit? I live in Canada. so far I only know stores like Futureshop, Bestbuy and Vision. I don't know if there is any other stores are out there?

Thanks for all the help. Greatly appreciated.

 

Yeah my speaker blew out, replaced them with aftermarker, but left the headunit, it's not bad for now.

I still can't start a thread. Oh it says he's a donating member.

 

First off, I know little about speakers because I kept my factory Bose speakers. While many many people on hear complain of the factory Bose quality... 99% of quality issues are due to the new Clarion made "Bose HU". The speakers are actually pretty top notch in my opinion.

However, as far as HUs go... You can get a pretty good Alpine unit. I stand by Alpine all the way because I have had 4 different units in 4 different cars, and even the oldest one I have is still better than most factory units, and still going strong after 7 years.

For examples of great Units:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1166840027382

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1166840027318

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1166840027190


For more options to for HUs, this is a list of head units for a 5.5 non bose maxima.

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-RelV1oG...*block4_head*_

Now I know what your thinking, "these don't really serve as a good replace for the stock unit because of size issues".

Well, if you buy from Best Buy, I don't know how they install the units, but I'm sure they include this:

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-RelV1oG...sp?I=003NDK778

just not sure if it's free or they charge the extra 20 bucks for it.
Also, remember this, it's very important. IF you wish to still have access to the radio, Nissan uses an antenna that is NOT compatiable with MOST aftermarket HUs. You will have to get an adapter:

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-RelV1oG...sp?I=12040NI10


Also note: Pretty much ANY aftermarket HU is going to eliminate the use of steering wheel controls. If you wish to retain the controls with your aftermarket stereo system, an adapter is required:

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-RelV1oG...+wheel+adapter



Then as far as speakers go... you'll have to research. I never bought or installed different speakers, so I can't help much there. The audio forums would probably be a good place to start.

 

Good information, with the exception of the HU suggestions ()

One thing to add, the PAC SWI-X is pretty outdated. PAC now has manuf-specific steering wheel controls, such as the SWI-ECL for Eclipse or the SWI-PS for Pioneer. They work MUCH better than the SWI-X and no IR eye is required.

 

Yeh, I'm limited to Best Buy stuff... I'm not a fan but I love Alpine anyway.

Thanks for adding the part about the adapter, I still have to get one of those...

 

Hardly the 1st person with audio questions regarding a 5th gen....there's a reason for that forum. But since you get confused...

 

i have infinity kappa speakers 45 rms, a 300 watt rms infinity 10 inch and alpine head unit the like $199 one

 

Who cares, and why are you telling us? Trying to raise your post count?

 

I changed out my oem speakers with apline type-R in the front and back. I used components in the front and installed the tweeters on the B-pillar. I left the stock tweeters. depending if your planning on getting a sub or not I would recommend component speakers because I personally think that where the stock speakers are (in the doors frt and bk) doesn't sound very good, so if you get components you can raise up the tweeter and get a fuller sound.

 

Bose speakers FTMFL!!!!!!

 

Mine are fine...


For me, the head unit was the source of all my woes, I was lined up to get new speakers when I changed it out, but after my brother changed his head unit and all his speakers in his 01, I decided the sound difference (which was noticeable but minimally so) wasn't worth the $500+ he spent on speakers. Changing out the head unit to an Alpine made the sound much clearer and louder. The only thing Bose doesn't do real well is Bass. It's not "bad", just not "great". However, I don't listen to rap and I actually like to hear the *music* and not just thumping, so I don't care about bass.

I was able to get a very balanced, clear sound from the mp3 cds I burn (while I admit that regular cds are still a bit muffled), so I'm happy without spending big $$ on speakers. Just not worth it to me.

If you want to thump around town, well, good for you.

 

For 600 just a headunit like that. thats a rip off for a 100 more you can get this one.

http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/pn...543183,00.html

trying looking at alpine also.

 

This head unit does MP3, USB, plays DVD's if you get screens. I believe I payed like 230.00.


Anyways I had fun installing my system do some research and it really isnt that bad. Just time consuming.

 

your ventilator frame doesnt sit to well with that headunit in. you should have gotten a flip up screen Navi . or a indash mount navigation

 

When will this get moved to the right forum?

 

Hey guys what about the existing crossovers (non-Bose), are they any good, say if I were to put a deck and components, or would I need new ones?

 

Most component systems come with crossovers, and yes you would want to make sure to use the ones suited for your drivers.

 

I'm new to the forums -- I need opinions please - What will give me the most bang for the buck? A new receiver or 4 new 6.5inch speakers? I have a 2000 SE with stock stereo.

Thanks!!!

 

"stock stereo" - need more info. Bose or non-Bose.

Though either way, you should replace your radio first.

Where are you located?

 

It's a non-bose stock radio system. I'm in Massachusetts - Beverly.

So, the receiver will improve the sound quality more than speakers?

 

Yes, better to have a higher quality source.

Then later on if you still feel it's insufficient, you can replace the speakers.

 

Does anyone know If I use Crutchfield and their kit & instructions, will it be an "easy" job to replace the receiver? A couple of hrs?

 

Yea, you should be fine. It's not all that hard. There's some how-to's on the forum here too.

The hardest part will be removing the OEM HU from the bracket. The screws holding it in are TIGHT. Use a screwgun at the lowest torque setting. Tighten the screw. Your gun will click a lot because of the low setting. Stop and then increase the torque setting until you have enough torque to tighten the screw enough to hear it 'click'. You just broke the seal of the screw, and can now loosen it using the reverse setting.

There are other threads about this same issue, just search if you're having a problem and you'll find the answer.

 

You can use USB2 for routing the iPod cable behind the HU and into the glovebox, this was right after the install.



Have 6.5" two way Alpines in the rear doors, not sure what brand are up front-they were both on the driver's side when I bought the car and orginals on the passenger side. Anyway, moved them up front when I got the Alpines with the intention of replacing them with 6.5" components.

One thing I can tell you is the improvement in sound is HUGE. More volume, more bass and that's without an aftermarket amp.

 

buy a used dvd/nav/mp3 6.5 in dash double din for starters. It will make the stock system sound sooooo much better. If you want to upgrade past that then an amped component system is the next upgrade. from there subs. this would be better posted in the correct section of the forarm

 

I'd just go with a decent, mid range deck, and some speakers, even if driven off the deck, will sound worlds better than the factory setup. You are lucky, because you don't have the BLOSE junk in your way to cause trouble. I gutted all mine out... Entirely glad I did.

 

almost a three yr old thread from the start/.
i hope this dude aint looking for his answer still

 

Our responses are not for the OP, they're for tmorsey99, who is the newb that bumped the old thread.

 

NEWB!

 

Best Buy is a Rip Off on Speakers buy online install yourself or fine a shop to do it for you Millionbuy.com good spot and SonicElectronix.com both G spots I go with Rockford Fosgate!!

 

^^thank you for this informative post.

 

@ djFrestyl.... who cares? The post is informative and valuable. Thats what counts!

This is a great post as I have a $3800.00 audio system that I had in my older Honda and now this stereo has been wrapped up in a blanket for 4 + years and I always contemplated installing it in the Maxi...

Is anyone using a second battery in the trunk to supplement the Alternator output for the main battery using a switch?
Just wondering if running the battery terminal cables is easy running to the trunk?