Upgrade Part 2: New Head Unit //05.24.2015
(Writeup in progress)
Scroll down to see details of original stereo upgrade.
3.5 years after the initial stereo upgrade, and going back and forth with different music services and phones, and Bluetooth vs USB connectivity, I had gotten in the habit of using my now iPhone directly to stream via Rdio. It was very distracting and a general pain needing to navigate the phone to chose songs/playlists, etc. vs the head unit.
I kept my eyes open for new options, and finally stumbled on the Pioneer AVIC-8100 NEX.
Scroll down to see details of original stereo upgrade.
3.5 years after the initial stereo upgrade, and going back and forth with different music services and phones, and Bluetooth vs USB connectivity, I had gotten in the habit of using my now iPhone directly to stream via Rdio. It was very distracting and a general pain needing to navigate the phone to chose songs/playlists, etc. vs the head unit.
I kept my eyes open for new options, and finally stumbled on the Pioneer AVIC-8100 NEX.
Stereo Upgrade // 10.21.2011
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Being a bit of a music nut, upgrading stereo components is usually one of the first things I do with a new car...this one is no different. To do the work, I went to Benchmark Motoring. A very high-end shop that I know would do the work right, and if I ever have a problem with any of it: they'll take care of it. Amazing what they usually work on. When I walked in their shop back to see my car, I walked past a Ferrari and an Audi R8 v10, never mind the Bentley in the showroom. Funny enough, I was browsing their website and their home page picture carousel includes this pic below. That's mine on the left..then a Maserati...then a GT3 ;-)
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Resources:
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Anyway, this is what was installed:
I chose this deck over Alpine because of Bluetooth audio capability which the Alpine equivalent did not have. Another feature I use frequently is the built-in traffic update capabilities and proactive prompts for re-routing.
I think they did a good job with the faceplate (it is custom) and I learned something: they leave a bit more texture on all of their faceplates because they've found otherwise, small scratches show up way too easily. I still have the option of going back and having them smooth it out, but they highly recommend against it, and from a look perspective it looks well integrated (pictures show more contrast than there actually is). I'm 95% certain I will leave it this way. Additional advantages of custom faceplate vs. dash kit: note chrome trim at bottom of plate, and the beveled edges towards the head unit.
- Pioneer z130BT deck with:
I chose this deck over Alpine because of Bluetooth audio capability which the Alpine equivalent did not have. Another feature I use frequently is the built-in traffic update capabilities and proactive prompts for re-routing.
- Focal 165 KRX2's for the front (leaving stock speakers in rear just for some fill)
- Alpine PDX-F4 for Focals (bridge 4 channels into 2 for 2x200w, rear stock speakers just powered by deck)
- Alpine PDX-M6 for sub
- JL Audio 10w6 sub installed into back left of trunk
I think they did a good job with the faceplate (it is custom) and I learned something: they leave a bit more texture on all of their faceplates because they've found otherwise, small scratches show up way too easily. I still have the option of going back and having them smooth it out, but they highly recommend against it, and from a look perspective it looks well integrated (pictures show more contrast than there actually is). I'm 95% certain I will leave it this way. Additional advantages of custom faceplate vs. dash kit: note chrome trim at bottom of plate, and the beveled edges towards the head unit.
Took the opportunity to load a custom boot screen, too:
For the trunk, the carpet is not a perfect match. In these pictures it looks way worse than it actually is in real life. Good fit and finish otherwise, and the JL certainly performs very well. (BTW - they left the option open for me that, if I\they run across better matching carpet in the future, they'll redo for free. I might chase some down, but again - real life doesn't look half as bad as the picture shows, so I'm not that motivated at this point).
A nice touch they added without me having requested it (or paying for it!) - - the center mount for the amp rack :-)
A nice touch they added without me having requested it (or paying for it!) - - the center mount for the amp rack :-)
As for the sound: it is awesome. I came from DSL / Dynaudio and Zapco, and I'm loving this setup. The Focal's are a step above the Dyn's that I had, and the sub is a step up, too, based on having more space in the RS4 trunk vs. my S4 trunk (the DSL sub was very shallow in physical depth). The little Alpine amps not only pound out some serious decibels, but I love the SQ of the entire setup.
All in all - very happy and enjoying my drives even more now!
All in all - very happy and enjoying my drives even more now!
Update // 04.09.2013
I came back from being out of town for 5 days, and opened the trunk to find the amp rack was hanging on by a thread! Two front most mounts, the metal had worn through from the tiny back and forth rocking it had to endure of the past 2 years. Thankfully, Benchmark stood by their work: I brought it in, and in a day they re-welded and re-painted the rack. All better now.
