A few questions about upgrading stock stereo....I know should be in car audio but....

Sacramento M3 · #1 (**permalink**) 03-19-2002, 07:54 PM

the car audio section is kinda sparse and Im not really getting replies over there. Besides this relates to E36 since it is 95 M3

(thought I'd try to push my luck a little...

Basically I want to know if Nakamichi CD-45z cd player is any good?
Can 6x9's be put into the back deck fairly easily with some cutting?
Can the Kenwood KGC-9044 equalizer fit in the cubby hole in front of the shifter? (Is it DIN sized?)

Thanks for any info everyone!

Baby M3 · #2 (**permalink**) 03-19-2002, 08:02 PM

Nakamichi makes one of the best cd players for cars. It's not flashy looking or fancy in terms of appearance but it does have clean sound, outputs, etc.

Sorry, don't know the answer to your second question.

No, a Kenwood KGC-9044 ain't gonna fit your sunglasses compartment. It's not the DIN problem. The sunglasses tray has a metal pipe blocking just right behind it. A full DIN unit is too deep to go in there. Try an Alpine ERA-G320 or 3342 sound field processor. It uses a mounting DIN face and stores the brain elsewhere under the seats or trunk.

I have an Alpine 3342 in my car. It was selling for around $600 in 1995. The ERA-G320 is a newer model and sells for about the same price.

The sound field processor is a lot better than an equalizer. It offers sound adjustments such as fine tuning your music as "concert", "hall", "rock", and "live". It's really amazing. In my opinion it's much much better than an equalizer.

Jon

Quote:

Originally posted by Sacramento M3
the car audio section is kinda sparse and Im not really getting replies over there. Besides this relates to E36 since it is 95 M3 (thought I'd try to push my luck a little...

Basically I want to know if Nakamichi CD-45z cd player is any good?
Can 6x9's be put into the back deck fairly easily with some cutting?
Can the Kenwood KGC-9044 equalizer fit in the cubby hole in front of the shifter? (Is it DIN sized?)

Thanks for any info everyone!

SoGold · #3 (**permalink**) 03-19-2002, 08:18 PM

The Nakamichi CD players are all very good, and have a stock appearance. As for speakers, you'd be better off going with 6.5's cause they wont distort when you turn them up, and you wont have to hack out your rear deck.

OT: Since you are both also from Sacramento, will you be going to bimmerfest? Would anyone like to organize a caravan to meet up with the SF Caravan down to SB??

LDORADO325 · #4 (**permalink**) 03-19-2002, 09:01 PM

I put some 6 1/2" in the rear deck. You have to cut the hole a little bigger in the rear deck, i think the stock ones are only 4" or something.

chonkyfire · #5 (**permalink**) 03-19-2002, 11:46 PM

Hey I'm in SF! What's all this about a bimmerfest in sac town? I just got my ride so I'd love to go!

DougsM3 · #6 (**permalink**) 03-20-2002, 12:48 AM

The Nakamichi CD-45z is a great player, but it doesnt play burnt cds well and also the amber doesnt match bmw amber.

Doug

vfr-rich · #7 (**permalink**) 03-20-2002, 04:50 AM

>Basically I want to know if Nakamichi CD-45z cd player is any good?

Nakamichi decks sound really good, although they are not known for reliablity. As for CD-R's it really depends on how they are made, and the brand of disc. Burning slower is better, and in discs, you get what you pay for. Words to live by.

>Can 6x9's be put into the back deck fairly easily with some cutting?

Yes, but why? Get some good components up front, and stealthboxs for the rear.

>Can the Kenwood KGC-9044 equalizer fit in the cubby hole in front of the shifter? (Is it DIN sized?)

Nope, a DIN anything will not fit. I guess you have about 3 inches of depth there.

bozack · #8 (**permalink**) 03-20-2002, 09:29 AM

I have one of those Alpine sound processors from my last system in my old car. Do those need an amp to run? I was planning on getting a new ALipne deck and wanted to hook the processor up without having to wire any amps up immediately.

bozack · #9 (**permalink**) 03-21-2002, 02:11 PM

^bump