Folks -
I swapped out my PCM/Bose/Nav system for a high-end system spec'd and installed by Cartunes in Atlanta. Unfortunately, the car is in the shop now for other mods and I won't have it back for a week or so. I have the invoice in the glove compartment which lists the gear installed, and I'll be able to take better pics when I get the car back. In the meantime, I'll post some crappy pics as well as some thoughts on the system.
Here's a high level of what was done:
- Kenwood DNX-9960 head unit. They offered at least 4 Kenwood options, and I chose the top of line. It has the larger screen and no *****. Looks very slick. Better sound capability, plus 3D look to the Nav. This unit has iPod and Bluetooth integration. Bluetooth was the driver for me doing anything at all, and then I went a bit overboard...
- Amp - I don't really have any details on that - need to check the invoice
- Speakers - all new speakers up front. Amp only powers the front speakers, which includes two 8" subs in the doors.
- Dynamat sound deadening in the doors
- Sat Radio add-on to the head-unit (I haven't activated this yet, and not sure if I will. Wasn't really sold on this feature, and almost had them skip it. We'll see...)
- High-end back-up camera add-on to the head-unit. Kenwood offers two options here and I chose the more expensive one - of course - which allows for various views (each side, wide, straight down, split screen, etc)

Good Points:
- Garmin Nav - I'm used to the interface, based on experience with their Nuvi units. This rocks
- Bluetooth - I wish it was better but it seems to be just as good as any other car system, even OEM BMW, etc. Everyone can tell I'm on a Bluetooth unit, but it doesn't seem any worse than the one my boss has in his 535. I'd move this down to so-so, but I don't think I should really expect this to out-perform high-end OEM.
- ipod integration is very good, including video. The last pic below is from a home video loaded on the ipod
- DVD - the system plays DVDs and the kids love that. My boys are 3, 5, and 7, and I've had the two older guys in the back, watching Curious George. They're super happy about it.
- Back-up camera. This is slick. I need to post some pics for you guys when I get the car back. I still need to get used to the distances, but that will come with time.
- tilt screen - tilts up and down. Not a big deal, but I seem to like the screen tilted down a bit for less glare. I think the screen might be slightly tilted up in the photo below - I'll take some better shots when I get it back.

So-So:
- Sound - terrific sound, but in the front more than the back. The speakers in the back are still stock and just run off of the head unit (not through the amp). I should have paid more attn as we discussed the system design, as I prefer to have a significant amount of the sound coming from the back. I think this is based on my experience driving around cars with 6x9 3-way speakers in the back, and little 3.5" crap speakers up front. I'm just used to a balance of sound where just over 50% is coming from the back. As the guy was delivering the car with the system to me, and we talked it through, he was all jazzed that it was set up like a concert - where most of the sound is coming from the front. He said it should seem like the lead singer is right up at the center of the dash. So - this was a bit of a mis-communication, and a design miss, with me taking a good share of the responsibility. Of course, I do have sound in the back, and it's ok, but not as awesome as the set-up in the front. I can add another amp and two more speakers, but that's another big expense on top of the already astronomical cost of the system as-is.
- Interface - touch screen. Very slick looking but sometimes a pain to operate. I find myself using my phone to find and dial numbers as it's easier (or I'm more used to it), than using the touch-screen interface. My ability and comfort with it should improve over time. Even just adjusting the volume is a bit of a pain - two small buttons in the lower left of the outer edge of the unit, but the buttons are so small. The dial would have been easier, but I just didn't think it looked as slick.

No-so-good:
- Price - I paid a frikkin fortune for this set-up. Not sure I really want to advertise it, but if you must know, just PM me. The guy really sold me up to the high end sound system by saying that it would be $650 just for the Bose interface. I know this has been discussed before on the board and I probably should have called BS. My budget is very fluid, but I try to be value conscious on purchases, and when I buy, I like to buy high end if at all possible. In this case, I wanted to buy the head unit, but wasn't convinced that I should swap out all of the sound stuff. I certainly didn't want to pay $650 for the Bose interface, so i spent a bunch more swapping it all out. Really not sure that was a smart thing to do, but the sound IS awesome.
- I would have been more down on the interface just after install, but I'm getting more used to it, and it no longer seems to be a big negative.
- I guess it's a bit of a negative to miss out on some PCM/Sports Chrono functionality, but the car was so new to me when I did the swap that I never used that stuff anyway. I still use the stalk and the dash display for Sports Chrono, so I don't even really know what I'm missing out on.
- Fit - I would have liked a better fit for this unit. Looks good, but not 100% OEM. The guy says it's due to the large size of the unit, but I'm not so sure. I think it's passable, but for this money, probably should be better.
- Front amp location - they put it in where my tire repair stuff went up front, and just left that stuff loose up front. I need to find a place for that stuff.
- They did a great job removing all the Bose stuff, except the rear subs. They're still there, and but not operational. Maybe I can remove them and use that to store some of the tire repair stuff. I could have them do it, but it would cost $$, of course.

I think that's about it for now. Once again, I plan to add better pics in a week or so. Hope that info helps someone...

 

Awesome! How come you decided to go with this instead of the AVIC Z120BT?

 

I like those guys at CarTunes - they helped me out with a SLI iPod setup I put in our Lexus - kept messing up the NAV, and whatever they did - $75 later - was well worth it, as it has worked perfectly ever since.

I'm tempted to see what they can do with a 997.2 - at some point, if the sound can be better, I may just have to check it out.

 

Mostly as that was what they're selling at Cartunes. I did some research on Amazon etc a while back and it seemed like it was just as good and had the features I wanted. I really don't remember if there was anything specific.
I went to Cartunes as it was recommended by both local P-car dealers, plus some other folks I called (maybe Eric at Bumperplugs, etc). They do the Parrot bluetooth and I was considering that for a bit.

I might go back to have them move my iPod connection to the glove box and to get a Blinder unit installed to combat the Laser guns. I agree with Steve - they do pretty good work there.

 

Ahh okay. Any features that this unit has that the ACIV doesnt have or vice versa? I must say that this one looks good too. Had my mind set on the AVIC but gotta do more thinking now. lol

TIA

 

I wish I could tell you. I did most of the research about 4 weeks ago and it's already out of my head. This doesn't have any kind of Hard Drive (Can't remember if the AVIC does), and I'd be surprised if the AVIC has as good of a back-up camera as this one. And - does the AVIC have Garmin? This does have Parrot Bluetooth integrated, and they are supposed to be the best. So you might want to check that as well. I'll bet you'd be very happy with either one.

 

Sounds like there is a lot that's not great, so why are you so happy? Was this worth the money, or would have been better off with a performance or aesthetic mod? Cartunes is notoriously pricey.
CATTMAN

 

If you look at the specs for that unit it is almost one full inch deeper than most other comparable units so the guy might be right about the size.

I have one of these lying in my garage waiting to be installed, seeing your results make me want to sell it and buy something else

 

I don't think the things that I don't like are as significant as the things that I do like - even though I seem to have typed more text for those items. See my post below.

I think the head unit was worth the money (especially if you get it at a typical discount), but the rest of the sound system is really more than I (personaly) would normally invest in such a thing. Other people spend that much and more all the time, but it's just not typically a priority for me. So - yes - I probably should have spent the money elsewhere, but now that I have the sound, it's not such a bad thing. It does sound awesome. I just might need to add more into the back. The wife is already on-board with that.

re: "Cartunes is notoriously pricey"

It's very atypical for me to not shop around - but that's what happened in this case. They were generally very good about things, and I'll probably see them again about the Blinder, and maybe some work in the back for more sound.

 

Since I'm now running with the head unit in the negative tilt position, the fit is far less noticeable. If the fit was perfect, I would still probably run in that tilt position for less glare. Also, I did get a PM from someone who is willing to help me make some adjustments so that may resolve it.
If I was going to compare this with some other units, I'd need to live with them for a bit. I think there's a trade-off that I made for a slick look with no physical buttons, vs a cluttered look with buttons and ***** that would facilitate a simpler user interface (like for adjusting volume). If I chose the other route, I'd say something like - it sure is easy to adjust the volume, but the unit is a little cluttered with the ***** and buttons.

I'll take/post some better pics next week and I'd be glad to help out with any inquiries about UI or anything else.

In the end, I am very happy and excited about the whole set-up, from the head unit to the sound, and consider it another of the many very cool features of the car. With Bluetooth, iPod, DVD, Sat Radio, Back-up camera, killer sound, etc - I still think this is one crazy mac-daddy system.

 

I had a similar issue with the head unit sticking out too far and Loi sent me a bezel to correct this issue...it fits much flatter now.

You may want to contact him regarding this.

I am also one to shop around a bunch before I buy. But in the case of someone ripping apart my p car to add all kinds of electronics, I went with the shop that knew what they were doing and had the most experience...they weren't the cheapest, for sure. But they did a stellar job and absolutely no issues whatsoever.

I would have gone with the Kenwood, but the shop I dealt with pushed the Pioneer. Both are great units and both have their pros and cons...

Good job! Enjoy it!

 

Great job, very nicely done!
Just a thought, it might look even better if the center console was painted black to match the trim of the unit, like on the newer cars. Again, just a thought. Certainly there's nothing wrong with the current setup.

 

How is the GPS on this HU? From what I can gather, the AVIC Z110BT is great all around but the navigation is not up to par (specially for such a expensive/flagship unit). It could be a key differantiator for people who are deciding between the two units. Anyone and everyone, please chime in! =)

TIA

 

Could you please elaborate on each units' pros and con please? Thanks!

 

Avic411.com and kenwoodforums.com are your friend!

But, to sum up, the pioneer has routing issues and the kenwood has firmware issues...pick your poison.

The pioneer has a much slicker user interface and the graphics are far superior to the kenwood...the kenwood uses better routing software.