New to Kizashi club

[AlexTheGreat]

Hey guys I'm new to the Kizashi club and I've been searching for people who understand Suzukis cause where I'm at, no one knows what a kizashi is. Anyways I was wanting to do some DIY projects on my 2012 Kizashi SE and I wanted to know your input on the RRM short ram intake and I also wanted to change my radio system because I hate the one I have. Any help is greatly appreciated. Like I said I'm new.

[murcod]

Hi, welcome.

There are quite a few threads on here where people have replaced the factory head unit with an aftermarket double DIN unit. There is a Suzuki OEM double DIN dash fascia which looks the best (as far as colour and integration) as well as aftermarket versions. Try the search function on the forum and you should find a lot of info.

Your head unit appears to the the bottom spec Panasonic, if you want decent sound then it's certainly a good move to upgrade it.

The RRM intake has also been discussed. I think (from memory) there are issues with the long term fitment of it - things breaking? If you're after a power increase you'll probably be disappointed.

[AlexTheGreat]

Thanks you. I'll look into search these topics.

[murcod]

Here's a couple to start you off:

http://www.kizashiclub.com/forum/viewto ... =32&t=1112
http://www.kizashiclub.com/forum/viewto ... =28&t=2149

[sx4rocious]

If it's the sound of the unit that turns you off about it, I'd recommend you change the speakers first. The Panasonic unit is actually fairly good as far as stock units are concerned, but the entry spec speakers are very cheap paper coned things that really don't do it justice.

Another idea would be to add a small amp. Alpine makes one that integrates directly into stock wiring and DRAMATICALLY affects output and sound quality. It goes for about $135 on Amazon and worth EVERY penny.

If the actual operation of the unit is the issue, then spend the money for the features you want the first time. I recommend purchasing something from one of the more established brands. You can save money by purchasing lower-end speakers because they are all made in the same place anyway, but Head Units are drastically different between brands. Navigation, sound quality, and onboard power, you can't beat Alpine. Features for the money, budget minded power and sound quality without an outboard amplifier, JVC definately takes top billing there. Kenwood and Pioneer are decent, but mediocre IMO, although the app radio by Pioneer is pretty cool for what it is. Stay FAR away from Walmart units!!! Wiring is about the ONLY thing worth the money at any real department store...

My recommendations include partsexpress.com for lower-level speaker and amplifier brands if you check their clearence and buyout sections of the website. Crutchfield is the best in just about all departments and their customer service is unparalleled. Amazon isn't bad, but only if it's cheaper than the first too.

Have fin, and welcome to the club!

[murcod]

If it's the sound of the unit that turns you off about it, I'd recommend you change the speakers first. The Panasonic unit is actually fairly good as far as stock units are concerned, but the entry spec speakers are very cheap paper coned things that really don't do it justice.

I'd normally agree with those comments. It's exactly what I did with my Kizashi which had exactly the same head unit/ speaker set up. The result weren't as good as they should have been (I'd used the same Focal speakers in my previous vehicle with it's stock head unit and the results were amazing). The reason why it sucked was because the Panansonic head unit is extremely low powered. So you need to do both the head unit and speakers for decent sound.

You can save money by purchasing lower-end speakers because they are all made in the same place anyway....

That would be a huge mistake - they're not all made in the same place!? You'd be better sticking with the stock speakers than replacing them with something cheap. Buy decent quality speakers with a high sensitivity eg. Polk and JBL make some decent speakers that don't cost the earth. (You will need to make custom woofer spacers if heading down that path. The factory speakers have spacers built into them.)

Features for the money, budget minded power and sound quality without an outboard amplifier, JVC definately takes top billing there. Kenwood and Pioneer are decent, but mediocre IMO, although the app radio by Pioneer is pretty cool for what it is. Stay FAR away from Walmart units!!! Wiring is about the ONLY thing worth the money at any real department store...

I used to think the same until I purchased a JVC head unit for the wife's XL-7. I'd class it okay for audio quality, but the bluetooth handsfree for phone calls is shocking. There are very few adjustments that can be made to improve things either. I've got a Kenwood in my Kizashi and it is so much better - like a million times better for both audio quality and bluetooth phone calls. Having said that, the user interface on it sucks. It is a 2010 model though and no longer made. The wife's JVC is a newer model (KW-AV60BT) double DIN - I can't get over how bad the bluetooth is on it. It sounds like she's stuck in some sewer pipe and the head unit is down the opposite end to her.... .... You can't even tell the call is on handsfree with the Kenwood.

[sx4rocious]

Actually, almost all speakers made by Kenwood, Orion, Kicker,Soundstream, Alpine, etc. are assembled in Tempe Arizona. There's an industrial park there with several assembly plants that build the speakers to order according to what the actual manufacturers ask for. All the factories are actually owned by the same company and simply take orders like McDonald's or Wendys does. At least that's what they did years ago. The cheaper companies like Lanzar, Boss Audio, Memphis, Targa (owned by Pioneer), Dual (which is a subsidiary of Kenwood I believe), and all the other fly-by-night companies purchase outdated or obselete tech and designes from the more expensive brands and have them assembled buy the same people in AZ. Basically, if you buy a new set of Lanzar component speakers MY 2014, they are basically the exact same speaker as Pioneer components were in MY 2010. If you want proof, look at the point of assembly. I would almost guarantee if you look at about anything BUT your Focals (which I believe are hand-built in California and 2 or 3 times the price of anything I've mentioned) you'd see Tempe AZ.

This is also done with many source (Head Unit) companies as well, but newer Technologies are far more important. For instance, Panasonic, Eclipse, and I believe Kenwood are all owned and manufactured (or were, it's been a while) by Fujistu. Companies like Dual often purchase older tech from companies to save money on R&D. It's basically a win\win for both companies. Most companies never actually see the finished product at all outside quality control.

I agree high sensitivty is a huge factor especially with a stock source unit. Many "cheaper" companies offer high sensitivity units that actually sound pretty good. Drastically better than the stock units. In fact, as a dealer many years ago, I sold Alpine when they first started shipping the "R", "S", and "E" series speakers. I found that underpowered systems (stock head unit powered) actually sounded BETTER with the $100 "S" series components than the $350 "R" series. This is why I stated the OP could actually save a bit of $$ on speakers. Most people aren't going to amplify mids and highs in the first place, so money is wasted purchasing speakers that only outperform under higher power.

All in all, it's up to the consumer. If it were me, I say scrimp on the drivers and spend on the electronics. I've tried this MANY times in my soundoff career including one car I helped build that hit 150 Db using 4 10" subwoofers that cost less than $100 a piece. The secret there was the Soundstream Continuum amplifier, Pheonix Gold balanced line drivers, and Audio Control bass expander. The car went on to place in the Midwest finals Sound Q+ competition using the same "S" series component speakers I mentioned before...