Going shopping, '06 upgrade time

[Scratch]

How's it going today folks. I'm starting a build for my 2006 EX, it currently is stock all over, 6-disc double-din with no nav, factory speakers, and the ever present annoying subwoofer rattle from that little clip in the rear left panel.

So I'm trying to narrow down some options, I'm planning to get a functional system that doesn't blow the doors off nearby cars, but will put out solid sound from lows to highs.

My primary goal is to get bluetooth functionality to tie in my Nokia N900 (stock 32GB with a miniSD add-on to 64 total) and be able to interact with calls. I don't need DVD / rear screens / video game tie in, GPS is something I should get since I'm getting a new system. Can't think of much else, I have not bought a new system since way back.

I know crutchfield is a good place to start, but wanted to hear from folks who have upgraded, what they got, and why the like it or hate it.

I am fully aware I will need to get an amp for the sub, and that specific subs are better suited for the stock mounting location (and to add poly-fil behind it, dynamat, etc) but that will all be based off the head unit and how much power it puts out, to balance the speakers and the sub.

Any thoughts or advice would be greatly appreciated.

[rocky]

Several dozen threads already out there.

Using for example " AVIC" as the search item, will bring up the Pioneer Avic system installs.

On another note, I used to be a big Nokia Fan. But the E71X has been a useless disaster. Waiting out the contract (July) then Iphone 5 or whatever is on the market by then.

[Scratch]

I appreciate the heads-up rocky, I think I keep forgetting to hit the search range beyond the default timeframe, so I end up with minimal results on models I've looked at.

I've been a Nokia fan as well, but got fed up with Symbian completely. As soon as I heard about the N900 and the Maemo OS I lost it, I'm a *nix guy at heart and have been loving this phone. Just killing me not being able to set it up in my Pilot

[oejeffrey]

Sound upgrades ?? Hummhh I feel the need to chime in here !!!
Well there are already several really good threads out there relating to sound and sound improvements. I know Groundnpound is building a monster system. Charly has a powerful kicker system as well. You can do a search under my name and see the system I am currently building as well.
If you want decent bass I doubt seriously that there is a head unit out there that can power a subwoofer with any authority. My head unit will probably be a kenwood. Probably the Kenwood DDX-896.
Depending on how much money you want to spend you have lots of options. I know my installer sells a wide range of amps from Arc Audio to PowerBass and I think some Focal. If space is a concern you may want to look at the Arc Minis. AMAZINGLY small amplifiers that put out amazingly clean wattage. Just my two cents worth.
Just depends on three things...How much money you want to spend.....how much time you have to spend...and how you want to hear it

[Scratch]

I'm mostly just looking to rip out panels, fix a few rattles, apply some deadening material & polyfil behind the sub, and while there, upgrade the whole system in order to get better clarity from the system. I don't need killer bass (already did that in another car many years back), just good solid clean sound that lets me load up any tunes from my phone via bluetooth, and accept/make calls.

I'm debating on GPS, as having a double-din screen seems kinda...wasted without GPS, but the cost rockets up once you add any nav into the system. Sadly. Plus I hardly use my GPS for anything but telling me I have XX# miles until the next exit (driving from DC to Huntington WV gets boring).

[oejeffrey]

I had looked at a Nav system and my theorey was... why have nav when there are so many inexpensive gps units out there ??? No need to worry about updates and you can take it from car to car. Perhaps you have a different way of looking at it I do not know ??
In my 05 Pilot I think the subwoofer maybe gets 10-25 watts ??? A single 100 watt amp would make a huge difference and now days the amps are so small that it would be easy to hide one.
I do not know a lot about the single din units. I figured why not use the space honda gave ya & install a DD ?? I do see your point though if you do not want to watch Movies or TV shows....then it would be a waste of space.
As far as speakers are concerned you could go Polk,sony,or even CDT if you wanted to spend the money. You get a huge upgrade in clarity when you go the way of spending a little bit more money rather than just getting whatever will fit in there. You sound like you have some experience in this realm and I am guessing you have a idea of what you want in there....please let us know what you choose.

[oejeffrey]

Any decisions here sir ??? If you need to talk to my installer about ideas he is in Culloden....Hazardous Concepts is the name of his buisness.