Friendan

Hmm...I don't doubt you got better sound with that setup, but it just doesn't do it for me...I really prefer the stealth stock look.

Beeg, I use my iPod with the fm transmitter too, and it just doesn't cut it for me. I NEED good sound!!!

theedge

Youll like that Alpine, I love my 9815.

Does that model have the Digital Time Correction?

Ezra944

Friendan- How do you like the Alpine? i just recently put the same head unit in my 944. Its great with the iPod and that the unit can play the satelite radio. I absolutley love the Alpine.

ljibis

Friendan - what kind of shop are you having do the work? I would like to upgrade my speaker and add a self-powered sub, but I'm afraid to take it somewhere that will rip it up. Are you giving them a tutorial on how to replace the rears? Do they have specific experience with '44's?

I got a really good deal on a nice Kenwood Excelon unit...it's a year or so old, I'll post the model number when I can remember it. I was an Alpine guy for a long time, but it's been surprisingly easy to change.

Friendan

I get my stereo installed tomorrow morning! (Well, it's late...so actually in a few hours )

I'm not sure if the stereo has digital time correction, but it is one of the better units, and can handle pretty much anything, like if I want to get an amp/equalizer/sub etc later on. Like Ezra says, it's Sirius-ready too, so I can get satellite radio if I want.

ljibis, I'm having a very reputable stereo shop install the stereo. I shopped around alot, and I could have easily gone the Best Buy Route: pay for a crappier deck, and have some $8/hour kids rip up the inside of my car. But I decided to pay a bit more, get good components, and talk to the guy at this shop I'm going to, who told me about their history and reputation, and that a couple of his guys have 20 years experience or more. Oh, and they have worked on 944's before, and I reminded them about the finnicky rear panels before they quoted me.

I was looking at the Kenwood Excelon, but I got the Alpine for less than the Kenwood, and I'm pretty sure it's a better deck.

jeeper31

I have the Alpine 9813 and love it. Presently have Boston Acoustics 4" components in the front and Infinity 4x6 plates in the rear under the windows. Running the KLA sub on the rear passenger cubby with an Alpine amp in the drriver's rear cubby.

Friendan

Well guys, IT'S DONE!!!

And OH MY GOD! I'm in heaven!!! I absolutely LOVE this new stereo!

I picked up the car this afternoon, and I've had a HUGE grin on my face all day...I was VERY pleased with the service I received, I feel I got a good deal, and the guy seemed to care about my car as much as I did. One thing did change though, the Boston's were too tight a fit in the doors, so he put in some Alpines at the same price!
He introduced me to the tech guy who put it in when I got there in the morning; the guy has like 25 years experience, and he was nice too. Afterwards, the salesguy came out and sat in the car with me, showed me how it worked, and made sure I was happy.
He even told me this: They had the speakers all wired up with the stock wiring, and they weren't happy with the sound. So they actually rewired all 4 speakers with new wiring, and ate the cost!
And they even found money under the seat and left it on my ashtray, instead of pocketing it...

So now I have a sleek new head unit that controls ALL of my music, through my iPod, that hides comfortably in the glovebox! It's really cool...if you imagine for a moment that you don't have an iPod, it's just like turning on the radio or popping in a CD, but instead I get to hear WHATEVER I WANT, AS MUCH AS I WANT.

I was skeptical of the navigation system through the deck for the iPod, but I'm actually ok with it...it's a little slow scrolling through the playlists (I guess because it has to process it or something), and because the display has big letters, I might need to rename some playlists and so forth just to make it easier to whip through...but all in all, I'm friggin stoked! The iPod also charges while in use, so if I take it somewhere it's fully charged!

So, finally here it is:

Pic 1 - The old stock Blau and CRUMBLING (literally) speakers
Pic 2 - My new equipment!
Pic 3 - The new install! iPod hides away nicely, and when I leave the car, I disconnect it and throw the faceplate in the case, grab them and go!

UDPride

I had help but I didnt the install myself in the 930 and with equal (or better) components I dont think it sounds as good as the professional install I had done in my 951 about 6 years ago.

I got all the 930 components from Rod Birch, but I guarantee it would have sounded better had he installed it. I think it will sound better if I get one of those rear seat woofer boxes b/c right now the air cooled has no woofer and must use the regular speakers for that channel. I think thats half my problem.

I agree though, stereo installation is equal part art and craftsmanship as it is pure components. Its not easy to do well.

ljibis

Thanks for the information. I'll probably do mine in the spring which will allow plenty of time to shop it around. Did they connect the factory antenna amp too? I would love good radio reception in my '44.

The install looks great and I'm glad to know that it met your expectations. It sounds like you got great service, too, which is increasingly rare.

My only fear is that once I replce the stereo, something really major will go wrong mechanically. I have great luck that way...

AndyK

In the description on the Alpine website, it says that head unit has the ability to change the button and other display lights to AMBER! Did you try to change yours yet?? Looks like you found a killer installer--congrats!!