I didn't do anything amp-wise. Sure, for a more noticeable improvement, you should upgrade the amp and head unit as well. But I was just looking for an inexpensive upgrade, and speaker replacement is a noticeable improvement.

The factory speakers in the doors are components, inside a 6"x8" enclosure. So it's a 3-1/2" midrange, and a 1-1/2" tweeter. The rear speakers are a simple 6"x8" 1-way. Both door and rear deck speakers are cheap, paper-cone speakers.

The Pioneer TS-A6871R speakers are 3-way, with the 6"x8" woofer, a 1-5/8" midrange, and a little itty bitty 3/8" dome tweeter. But the real difference is that the construction is sturdier polypropolene (reinforced with some kind of fiber), and the speaker magnet is quite a bit heftier than the tiny factory speakers. When you pull the factory speakers out, and compare them to the Pioneers, you can visually see the quality difference. And when you plug in the Pioneers, you immediately notice a clearer, less muddy sound.

Plus, I have to give a plug to Crutchfield. I've bought several sets of car speakers from them over the years, for my older Z28s and Mustang GTs, and Crutchfield is top-notch to deal with. They supply you with simple step-by-step instructions, right down to each screw to take out, and best of all, they provide free wiring harnesses so you don't have to cut any wires - the factory harnesses plug right in - making it possible to revert to stock at any time.

As far as factory speakers go, at least in American cars, the Shaker 500 speakers are not horrible. But they are inferior to all but the very cheapest aftermarket speakers.

 

I just want to know if this unit can be used with the factory Shaker 1000 subs, because i am going to be dropping some cash to upgrade those subs and i want to have nav, guages, and DVD (optional though)

 

Heres mine... I'm going to build up the rest of the stereo this summer.

 

Hmmm looks great! How's the performance of it?

Actually, it's a lot shinier looking then I expected it to be...does it stand out a lot on the interior? I think I would try to get rid of all of those logos (DVD, MP3, PIONEER etc), perhaps that would help.

Tell me more

 

That's what I was thinking...

I have the dark charcoal interior (with dark IUP), so it may blend in better.. or at least I hope it would.

 

Performs great I dont know how long my stock speakers will hold up to it. The EQ settings and differnt soundstages are a nice change from just bass and treble controls. Dvd playback is nice no complaints there and the Navi is good from what I've used so far. It is a little shiner then the rest of the interior but it looks like it belongs there from what friends have commented thus far. My favorite thing is it still has a **** for the volume that was a big plus in my book being silver helped too Also you can set the color of the keys to anything you want, great option for those with Mycolor.

 

Who's got the best pricing on the D-3?

 

Crutchfield was running some specials with it you should check their site. It was $999, I got a free backup camera with mine but I think they also had some other offers with it.

 

Here is my set up. I used the Pioneer AVH-6800 and upgraded all of the speakers. Using better amps and speakers really makes the system sound much nicer. I call it the shaker 2000 system!

 

i got mine new on ebay for 790 bucks u cant beat that and thats including shipping............it gets here on monday i cant wait to install it it just sick............

 

Well, I took the plunge. I ordered the AVIC-D3 last night from Crutchfield. I'll post a review w/pics once I get it installed. I have a track rental to get ready for and will be installing some suspension parts along with a shift light and a line lock so it will probably be the end of the month before I get around to doing the install. I'm going to pull most of the interior out and apply some sound deadening when I do the stereo install so it will probably take at least a week to complete once I start.

 

I have the D3 installed does anyone here using it know how to equalize the sound from the dvd and the rest of the sources? The dvd volume is way lower then the other sources and when I change it from dvd to like Sirus it blows my ear drums out then when I change back to dvd I cant hear it sound is too low.
Thanks Ken

 

Bill - I never did thank you for your reply...

I was talking to a friend and they suggested Focal K2P. I was snooping on the site and found they had some "slim" speakers that might work in the door. is it ok to replace the two components with ones of different sizes?

http://www.focal-america.com/Product...lyglassV2.html

 

no problem, you're welcome!

as far as the Focals fitting, I'm no expert. My knowledge of what will fit is limited to what Crutchfield shows on their site. So, if you look at some of the components on their site that do fit, you should be able to compare the measurements to the Focals and determine if they'll fit.

www.crutchfield.com

 

I though Kristina was talking to me...





So Kristina, are you going to pull the trigger on the D3 or wait for something else?

 

Scothew is installing mine today!

 

hehehe...hey by the way, i got my new My Sticky Pod in the mail...if there's decent weather this long weekend I might try out my new camera! Can't wait...

Anyways, yes, plan is still for the D3, it's just a funding issue now. With saving for a new condo (being built now) and furniture and paying off the car fully (almost there...) you can see the PRACTICAL side of my brain says "not now". that side of my brain rarely wins a fight though...

 

How's the D3 with the nav when you have to take the disc out to play cd's after setting your course? Does it work good, Crutchfields catalog says it stores a few alternate routes as well. What does it do when you go off course and such?

 

I made some Mustang backgrounds for the D3. I haven't tested them out yet; let me know what you think.

Here are the two backgrounds I used. You can tile these on your AVIC for carbon fiber with no logo. Click to enlarge.