Audio / Stereo Component Review & Evaluation

I have upgraded my audio system recently. Have been doing the work myself and it has been a project that, although I enjoy doing it, is much more work than I originally projected. That said, I thought I would give my thoughts and reviews.

My project:
I installed new door speakers, sub-woofer speakers, amplifier and receiver. I am very pleased with my results and the car looks absolutely stock, except for the receiver.

Door Speakers:
I removed the OEM tweeters and mid-range woofers. Installed Hertz HSK 165XL component system consisting of 28mm tweeter, 165mm mid-range woofer and a cross-over. Installation of the speakers required enlarging the OEM openings. Re-used OEM woofer grill to retain stock appearance. Installed cross-over in the OEM amplifier tray under the dash.

Overall impression ... I am very pleased. There is a nice distinct separation of high and low frequency. Speakers deliver clear sound with very low distortion, even at high volume levels. I recommend these speakers combination as it is a direct fit into my F360.

Sub-Woofer
I wanted to retain the OEM sub enclosure, which is not really a very good enclosure as the speaker size is only 5.25" and it does not have a large volume. The only replacement 5.25" sub woofer that is really rated as a sub woofer is manufactured by Focal. I installed two Focal 13KS speakers which are rated as a sub woofer in the original OEM enclosure. Focals install in OEM encloser without any mods. But, to re-use the OEM speaker grills, had to modify them. Easy mod though. Results are good. The enclosure does not provide enough volume to deliver optimized bass response. Although the speaker is rated to 30Hz, I estimate that with my enclosure the low response is only around 50Hz or so. Bottom line, much better than OEM sub woofer. Bass response is very good and powerful. I have set my crossover on the amp to 85 Hz ... but may raise that a bit as I experiment with tuning it in. The Focal speakers are very expensive, but if you want to keep your enclosure small, they deliver excellent response. I recommend Focal and would definitely buy them again.

Amplifier
My car originally had a CD changer in the front luggage compartment and I wanted to use that location behind the panel to install the amplifier. There are several manufacturers that have good, high-quality amps that would fit there. I decided on the Hertz HDP-4 which is a 4-channel amp rated at 150 watts per channel at 4 ohms. I was able to install the amp in the CD changer space ... perfect fit. With the panels back in place, the luggage space looks very clean. I installed a metal grill to provide ventilation for the amp to dissipate heat. Overall, the amp delivers very clean power and has easy to set up controls for setting up the sub channels and the speaker channels. Very nice sound. Seems like a good high-quality amp and I would recommend this unit.

Car Receiver
My experience with the car receiver(s) has been mixed. I put together my requirements which consisted of (in priority order):
- Good visibility for display panel, especially in bright light with light car interior
- HD Radio built in ...you can get add on HD receiver, but adds to cost and you
have to find a location in an already tight space
- USB outputs (at least one, prefer two)
- Bluetooth phone and audio streaming
- Pre-amp outputs
- CD player was not issue. I hardly ever use CD anymore. That capability was not a factor.

I got the Kenwood Excelon KDC-X997. An excellent unit, very high quality, nice options to set up. Overall I was very pleased with this ... except the display. The display is not very bright although allows adjustment of color and contrast. But I could never adjust it to be able to see it in bright light. The combination of glossy front panel and dim output combined to make it unreadable in daylight in Arizona. I like the fact that the Kenwood has two USB outputs. One in the rear and one on the front panel. I ran a USB cable to the glove box to install my USB drive and used the front USB to plug in my iPhone. This unit probably would have been fine if I had a dark interior (e.g., black leather), but the tan leather is too light and it reflects on the front panel washing out the display. I returned it to Crutchfield (they have 60 day return policy).

I got a second receiver to try out. This time trying the Pioneer DEH-X9500BHS. I like the controls on this unit better than the Kenwood, but the functions are not as good. Pioneer seems to cater to the younger generation with various shenanigans like modulating the display to the music, they provide a built DJ like function with something they call Mixtrax. You can turn off these functions, and I did that. But if hit the Mix button accidently on the front panel while listening to music on USB drive, you re-enable it. The equalizer not as good as the Kenwood. The display is a bit more visible than the Kenwood as it is slightly brighter. Like the Kenwood, you can adjust the color of the display and keys ... nice feature to make the colors match the Ferrari dash colors. But, if you cannot see the display in daylight it is moot. The Pioneer has two USB outputs, but both are the rear. Not a big deal, as I can run a second USB cable to snake somewhere to use for my iPhone. So far, I still have the Pioneer installed, but I have ordered an Alpine unit to replace it. It is good thing Crutchfield has their no-question return policy. Overall, I prefer the Kenwood over the Pioneer, but because the display is too dim on both units, I am going to try the Alpine.

I have not yet received the Alpine CDE-HD149BT yet, but I have high hopes. It is a bit more expensive than the Kenwood or Pioneer and only has one USB output. The display is non-adjustable (only white), but I hope that without the color adjustment, it should be brighter. It also has pre-set buttons for radio stations on the front panel. I think I am going to like that better than the function wheel to select pre-sets. I think I can live with only one USB output and will keep the connection inside my glove box for that. Should work out OK. Can't give any review yet as I have not yet installed the unit. I will add more detail next week or so.

Summary
The speakers are the most important component in a car audio system. I really like the Hertz / Focal combination. If I had the extra cash, I may have sprung for all Focal speakers, but the door speakers would have cost me another $500 or so.

The amp is the second most important component. It is critical to have an amp that delivers clean power at high volumes ... especially in the Ferrari. The Hertz amp does that and does it very well.

The receiver, or head unit, is the least important component as any of the newer units will probably deliver good quality output to the amp. So deciding on which receiver boiled down to the form and function. So far, the display has been the weak point of the two units that I have tried ... and I am hoping that the Alpine will be the one.

I will gladly answer any questions and I welcome others to add to this thread with reviews of their own. It would be nice to understand what others are doing.

Steve
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Mitch, this is not a very constructive comment is it? You do not explain what the 45dBA is in reference to ... I think I know, but there are others who do not. Also, it is demeaning of anyone who merely wants to make improvements that suit themselves merely because you may not think it important. Perhaps, you would be better served to keep these kinds of comments to yourself.

 

Sean,

I do not consider myself an expert ... I performed some research ... but my experience is limited to the upgrade I performed on my car and some people that I have talked with.

First, in looking at your amp(s), they appear older units. Newer amps can be had that are much more compact and easier to mount, such as under the seat or neatly tucked away in the luggage compartment. In my case, the amp fits ideally behind a panel in the luggage compartment and it is completely out of the way and the installation looks totally stock.

Your older Alpine probably looks dated now. A new after market head unit will probably look better ... and offer more options for connectivity. Unfortunately, it may not merge seamlessly with the Ferrari dash. Other than installing an original Becker radio and then using a remote system, I do not know how you can achieve the "look" are seeking. I have a neighbor with a '54 Packard who kept the original AM radio for looks, but hid a away a remote audio system. Works great, but pain in the butt to pull out the remote, tune to station or play from iPod, etc. But, he does retain the original look.

About your sub woofer question ... I re-used the existing OEM sub woofer enclosure, but to your question. IMO, you do not absolutely need a sub woofer to have satisfactory sound, but you do need good quality door speakers. In my case the door speakers consist of a tweeter and a mid-range woofer ... which is not rated for the lower frequencies. So, I needed to supplement them with a sub woofer. You could replace your door speakers with co-axial speakers, which may provide the low end oomph you are looking for, but everything I have learned tells me that co-axial speakers are not as good as separate tweeter, mid-range and sub-woofer.

You may want to investigate using a thin-profile sub woofer as they can be installed in more compact spaces and do not take up as much room as a larger enclosure. IMO, these compact subs are probably better than the OEM enclosure that I have in my 360, but I opted to maintain the OEM look. For example, you could check into something like this ...

http://www.hertzaudiovideo.com/schedaProdotto_en.asp?id=5&idcat=43&idprod=152&numid=3&numcat=5&numprod=1

I have heard good things about this unit from Hertz and the dimensions are 20" x 4" x 12". So it may fit behind one of your seats without causing too much cramping.

Focal (very good reputation for their speakers) has a powered sub-woofer that is only 14" x 10" x 2.8" high. Something like this might just fit under one of your seats .. Crutchfield sells this unit for $300 and they offer 60-day no questions asked return policy.
Focal IBus 20, high fidelity subwoofer easy to integrate in your car.

JL Audio also has a micro-sub but theirs are a bit deeper, but smaller width x length. Here is link to their smaller unit ... CP106LG-W3v3 - Car Audio - Subwoofer Systems - FlatWedge? - JL Audio

Bottom line, if you can find the room that suits you, I would stick with using a sub woofer. I think you will be happier in the long run ... but that is only my opinion and you have to be the judge. You can always try an upgrade without the sub and see how it sounds and decide after the fact.

Good luck and kind regards,

Steve

 

In my original post I mentioned that I was not entirely satisfied with the Kenwood or Pioneer CD Receivers. I have now installed the Alpine unit and, in my opinion, this is the best of the three. The most important aspect for me is the display ... and the Alpine has the most readable display. The glossy front panel still has too much reflection, but the white on black display is the most readable of the bunch. The Alpine has only one rear USB port, but I think that is adequate for my needs. A BIG PLUS is the Alpine has preset buttons on the front panel. I originally thought that the preset buttons would not be that big a deal ... but, they really are.

Overall, the Alpine unit has a higher quality feel as well. I know this is subjective, but from the ease of installing the radio to the overall touch and feel of the buttons, etc. The Alpine is superior. The actual specs are about equivalent and I do not notice any difference in the overall sound between the three units. That is due to using high quality speakers and amplifier.

Steve

 

Hi Deiger,

The Alpine I chose does not have a tilting display. That would be nice I think. There is still some reflected glare, but I am going to apply a piece of 3M anti reflective film to see if that improves. You see this film being applied to the face of cell phones. Will let you know how that works.

I wanted to preserve stealth with respect to the sub woofer enclosure. As you know, the existing subs in there consist of a single 5.25" speaker and a 5.25" passive radiator. The only company that makes a 5.25" woofer that could be considered a sub woofer is Focal. According to their specs, this little speaker can deliver response down to 30Hz, but when placed in the original enclosure, the response is more like 50Hz. So it does not provide earth shaking bass, but it is more than adequate for me. I believe the bass notes are crisp and clean. If near Phoenix, we could arrange to meet you so you can hear for yourself. I also know of another chatter in the San Francisco area with the same setup. My taste in music are similar to yours, so IMO I think you would be satisfied. There are alternatives that might work if you want a bit more bass from your subwoofer. For example, Focal makes a flat subwoofer with its own amplifier that is designed to be installed under the seat. It is only 2.8" high. Their model number is IBUS 2.1 for about $650. I think JL has a bit larger one that would sit on the shelf behind the seat. My pref, though, was to go with the original enclosure and to upgrade the woofer in there. There is chatter here who has started cottage business making subs that are dimensionally the same as the original enclosure with additional volume that would be the little space above the enclosure for holding your owner manuals. He is using 8" woofers and he indicates they are working great. I think he is asking $1500 or so. Check here http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/360-430/411395-spider-subwoofer-project-part-2-a.html

I do not know if Polarized sun glasses would affect your view of the display. I don't use Polarized lenses. You may want to contact Crutchfield and ask those guys. I got my receiver from them and they were very responsive to my questions.

Steve

 

I have seen in the past that Alpines had that funky blue color, but they seem to have changed their ways (at least mine is changed). The display itself is white on black and cannot be changed. The buttons' illumination color is variable. You can choose from four colors (I believe). I set mine amber and it matches the dash illumination in the car. No more funky blue.

Steve

 

I don't have any personal experience in other Ferraris, only mine. But what I have seen and heard from others, Ferrari cars were traditionally equipped with pretty lousy stereos. Not that they are low quality, e.g., Becker radios are good quality units, they just suck in terms of function. It is the speakers (or lack thereof) that I find difficult to fathom. In my 360, the original owner paid a couple thousand $$$ for the upgraded stereo ... that was just awful. The speakers were very low cost ... I would think one could buy them for less than $100 on the market. The power amp was a tinny, 3 channel affair about the size of two packs of cigarettes and I doubt has the capacity to drive high wattage ... maybe 50 watts per channel (and that would be generous). Certainly not worth the cost of the option. We recently sold a 2002 BMW M-roadster (a Z3 with the M engine). This is a small 2 seat sports car. It had as standard equipment a great little sound system with a separate power amp, 8 speakers and a sub woofer. It put the Ferrari system to shame.

In the Ferrari model range, one can order as an optional extra the "High Power HiFi System". If I were a betting man, I would bet that it still is pretty weak compared to other car marques.

IMO, if I were to purchase a new car today, I would probably get the standard hi-fi system and use the money one would pay for the option upgrade to get a professional shop to upgrade the sound. The only problem with that logic is that some companies bundle the hi-fi option with other options such as handling package or sun roof or such nonsense.

Steve