Hi All, I just bought my second '07 Azera Ultimate two days ago. This is going to be my car. My wife's is in the shop; some vandals came by last Sunday in the wee hours of the morning, pulled our mailbox post off, and used it to damage the side of the 2-month-old black Azera - my wife's car - then to completely shatter the windshield. Glass EVERYWHERE. They also smashed a window in the vacant / for sale house across the street. Soo-Dae is going to be out of commission for at least 3 weeks (2 weeks from now), quite possibly longer. $2000 worth of damage, not including any 'secondary' damage, like replacing the stereo if glass got inside the CD player. An early xmas present.

Anyhow, no more SOB story about (two month) old Soo-Dae, meet Thor:

(IMG:http://www.andywhalen.com/images/cars/thor/100_2837s.jpg)

More photos: http://www.andywhalen.com/images/cars/thor/

The Infinity Surround stereo is of course phenomenal, ESPECIALLY compared to the absolutely crummy stereos in my '90s Jaguars and recent-past BMWs. Happy days! :beer:

BUT... no auxiliary inputs. Nrts! I am an MP3 person these days, I've been using a cheap cassette tape adapter for my MP3 player in the Jag but obviously that's no longer available to me. My phone/mp3 player does not have FM transmitter. So I need to be able to plug it in somehow - bluetooth or otherwise.

I found this thread for stereo removal:

http://www.hyundai-forums.com/index.php?showtopic=19315 :banana:

Easy! OK, out comes the stereo, very nice. I have two questions regarding what's back there, before I start tearing it apart:

First, is there any kind of RCA or other auxiliary input on the stereo that I could just use to run a line to? I can get whatever kind of adapter - but just wondering if there's any open ports on the factory head unit.

Second, and very importantly: Is that thing a standard double-DIN unit? Could I get, say, hmm... a double-DIN navigation :whistling: headunit and just swap 'em out (with the appropriate wiring harness adapters of course)?

Many thanks in advance to all the other fellow Azera owners on this forum who have had the fortitude and insanity to dive in and start mucking with the electronics on a $30k car that's still under warranty! :beer:

Cheers! :)

-Andy

This post has been edited by andyman32: Dec 30 2007, 10:01 AM

Nice ride...~> http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Product/Ite...019&c=3&tp=5684

http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Product/Ite...3&tp=5684&avf=N <~ SWEET

This post has been edited by Brazzel: Dec 30 2007, 09:57 AM

Wish I had seen your post earlier, I could have helped you with everything!!!

You are aware that the factory unit does play MP3 loaded discs, right? At a good quality burn rate (192kbs), you can get about 150 songs on one disc. Multiply that by 6 and you have A LOT OF MUSIC!!!

At one point, I had one disc loaded with R&B, another with Hip-Hop, one with Rap and another with Jazz. The left 2 slots open for Misc. :)

I replaced my factory unit with a Pioneer double din unit, you can very easily have done the same thing using a double din nav unit, as long as you pay attention to how it opens up. If it dropped down before opening or if the face flipped out and was lower than the bottom edge of the unit...you would have had a problem. If the face slid outward...then you would be good to go. That was the only issue since installing the dash kit meant the lower part of the aftermarket unit would sit back in the dash a good inch.

To answer your questions...not a lot back there to be honest, a good amount of room to work with when installing. There are no RCA or other inputs into the factory stereo. Your best bet if you wish to keep it OEM is to go with the FM modulator. However...a buddy of mine has a wireless FM modulator that worked like a charm too. No wires to run, just set the station that allows for the clearest signal and enjoy. He played a movie on his laptop and piped the sound thru the van speakers that way. He just said, set the FM on 88.3, .5 or .7.

You know...Clarion has a VERY nice double din unit...take a look and let me know what you think.

(IMG:http://www.hookedontronics.com/brands/clarion/more/dfz_675mcnew.jpg)
CLARION DFZ675MC
Hope you're enjoying your sounds!!!! If you have any questions, feel free to hit me up!!!

Mike

P.S. Sorry to hear about the vandals, it's a **** shame that folks just come along and tear something up that isn't even there's with no shame or 2nd thought!!!

This post has been edited by allmet33: Jan 30 2008, 05:00 PM

Here's another option for you. Alpine makes excellent head units...this one has USB input, satellite ready, iPod and Bluetooth ready AND has a detachable face...only $683

(IMG:http://www.hookedontronics.com/brands/alpine/more/iva_w205.jpg)
Alpine IVA-W205

Man... I used to like clarion stuff, but d*** has it gotten ugly.

Another cool unit is the Alpine IVA-W505. Has the ability to use the blackbird or if you want an OEM grade unit then go with the NVE-N872. The IVA-W205 also supports the NVE-N872. If you want to use XM you will need an XMdirect 2 kit. You can however reuse your antenna with an adaptor. Too bad the IVA-W505 isn't out yet.

Thanks for the reply, that sounds good. I kind of pulled back on installing a nav unit in the Azera. Too expensive and too much potential complication. And I'd fear the sound wouldn't do quite as well as the factory surround sound unit. (Both of our Azeras have the external amp.) So I think I'm just going to get MS Streets & Trips and a nav sensor for our mini laptop.

I do know it plays MP3s on CD, a feature I haven't used yet - but boy, I wish it did have a SD card slot like that Clarion, or at least a USB port to plug in an adapter! That would be perfect. I use SD cards in my cell phone and my home and work computers.

Cheers!
:beer:

One thing I can guarantee you...almost any aftermarket radio you put in (of quality) will sound even better than the factory set up. I thought the same because I really did like how good the factory stereo sounded. My first change was the speakers in the door. I went with Infinity Kappa series coaxials in the front and rear doors. I left the factory center speaker, tweeters and sub intact. The difference was significant, however...I knew it could be even better. When I put the Pioneer unit in I chose...OMG!!! The music is so crisp and clean, not to mention the sound shaping tools that are at my finger tips. Not only that, there are functions available in aftermarket units that you just don't get with the factory unit. Especially you get a unit that comes Bluetooth ready, iPod ready, satellite or HD radio ready, then you have options like USB input, SD card slots...WHEW!!!

My friend, let me be one to tell that if you're simply worried that changing the stereo will make your music sound worse...you don't have to worry about it at all. Are there a few hurdles to jump in the process...sure. It seems that Scosche doesn't quite have their wire harness set up right, but with a few quick mods...everything'll work just as it should.

If you have any questions, hit me up!

allmet33;

I read with interest your comments about new head units such as the Clarion DFZ675MC and the Alpine IVA-W205. Is there a Pioneer or Kenwood unit that would be equivalent to these? :liebe011:

Do the head units you recommend work through the existing amplifier in the car? Or is it bypassed by the new equipment? I remember you said that the existing speakers in the Infinity system are 2 ohm impedance. The head units I see so far are 4 ohm impedance. If a new head unit works through the existing amplifier to all existing speakers there would be no problem with speaker impedance. I would not want to replace all speakers. :unsure:

What are your thoughts?

Joe

Well...Pioneer does have a new unit out that's simply amazing. I mean...the Pioneer unit I have is great and love it still. The new unit is the FH-P800BT. I think once you look it up, you'll find it to be a rather amazing piece. Here's a link to the Pioneer website so you can read up on it.

One question I would have is...do you want a multi-media system in your car or do you just want a sound system in your car? As you notice, the Clarion unit is really just for music, whereas the Alpine unit is an in-dash multi-media center.

Pioneer FH-P800BT double-din head unit

Kenwood has a nice unit that's capable of quite a bit as well, the DPX502

Kenwood DPX502 double-din head unit

Personally, I think the Pioneer unit looks so much slicker!!!

With the correct wire harness, either unit can be wired to work with the existing factory amplifier. One thing to note (as I have found), when you turn the unit off...there is a possibility of a clicking noise to be heard. After contacting Infinty's OEM division, the explained that the aftermarket head unit may turn off too fast and the rest of the system (factory amp) hasn't had time to power down, thus the click or popping noise is heard through the speakers. It's not a big deal, but it can be annoying...I've actually gotten to the point where I tune it out. I was told that a capacitor can be installed on the power wire to the aftermarket head unit to eliminate this popping noise from happening. I may attempt this in the near future.

Anyway, back to the subject at hand. You can use pretty much any aftermarket head unit with the factory amp as the wire harness allows you to tie right in. You can by-pass the factory amp, but that means running new speaker wire to the speaker locations...basically a lot or work, but it depends on what type of system you're building.

Only the door speakers are a 2 ohm impedence, but that has nothing to do with the head unit. The output impedence of the head unit is 4 ohms and the input impedence of the factory amp is 4 ohms, it's the output impedence that is determined by the configuration of the speakers used. The only requirement needed is an amplifier that is stable pushing any given impedance. You can actually use 4 ohm speakers in the door if you desire, but you won't be getting the full performance capability of the amplifier.

Replacing the speakers is a preference thing. If you want crisper, cleaner sounding music...you'll eventually change them out. Don't get me wrong, the factory Infinity speakers are quite good, but...I guarantee that if you switch them out to a pair of Infinity Kappas or JBL GTO Series speakers...you'll hear a difference.

If you have any other questions or need help with anything, feel free to email me (washingtonm@sec.gov).

Mike

This post has been edited by allmet33: May 16 2008, 02:37 PM

Since the system will play MP3 and WMA files on a CD why not just put your files on a re-writeable CD? I put over 500 songs on one CD using the WMA format. That gives you benefit of accessing songs thru the LCD display.

It's a little bit more work to X-fer them onto a CD but much less than opening the dash.

WMA has a higher compression ratio but MP3s will work as well but with less songs on the CD.

I haven't tried putting music on a DVD but I don't see why it would not work. With a 4.5Gig DVD in WMA format you could get all the songs written since you were born

You can do that, but to get 500 songs onto one CD, the quality you're copying at is less then desirable if you're really into how your music sounds.

Trust me, opening the dash to install a new head unit really isn't that difficult.

You can download MP3's/WMA/AAC files onto a DVD, but...you must have a head unit that reads that type of disc. The factory head unit in the Azera will not read a DVD (I've tried it already).

Another down side to putting THAt much music on a single disc...one tiny, tiny scratch and that could affect 20-100 songs! LOL There are definite pros and cons, but in the end, it boils down to what a particular user wants to do. Personally...I prefer going with a head unit with a USB input an then you can buy a large capacity thumb drive and keep your music on those...don't have to worry about scratches and they are read just as a CD is.

Personally, I changed my head unit out because I wanted more sonic control over my music as well as the option of expandability (like adding an aftermarket sub). Granted, I went from 6-disc in-dash to a single, but in the end...you can only listen to one CD at a time. It might have been different if the factory head unit had the capability of shuffling between all the discs, but you can only shuffle a single disc.

This post has been edited by allmet33: May 16 2008, 02:57 PM

I'd much rather have a hard drive based mp3/nav system than use cd's. The azeras mp3 reading ability leaves a lot to be desired. Mine skips all the time, even with quality cd's burnt at the slowest speed. Even a little spec of dust, my deck will just stop playing the song.

Again, it boils down to user's preferences. You can pay all that money for a hard drive based unit, or you can save major coin and get one that has a USB input. Most hard-drive based units will only provide you with 10 gigs for music (which is more than you'll ever listen to at one time).

I never had a problem with the factory head in my Azera reading discs that were burned correctly. Never skipped or anything...it's still sitting up in my garage as a matter of fact!

You can replace the hard drives in the pioneer unit with minimal hacking to get 80gb of mp3 storage along with the 20 required for the nav.

But I'm too cheap to do all that.

Wtih all due respect... the need for the "best" hi fidelity sound and the reality of the range of most of our ears... is light years apart.

My CD NEVER skips and I can increase the quality of the CD just by increasing the sample rate... so I can "only" get 350 songs instead of 500?

Blaming the CD player doesn't hold water. If my CD starts to skip... the bumper to bumper warranty comes to play.

You may be right in what the best fidelity is and what our ears perceive, but the average listener can discern the difference between an MP3 burned/samples at 96kbs vs. 256 kbs.

For my tastes, I find my sample rate only allows me to geta bout 150 songs onto a standard 700 MB cd.

This post has been edited by allmet33: May 16 2008, 03:57 PM

Yeah...you can do that and in essence void the warranty that comes with the unit as well.

Do you realize...with 10 gigs of music, you could put the player on shuffle and not hear a song twice over the course of a month of your regular everyday driving???

I was upset that Kenwood discontinued the music keg they had available back in like 2002-2003. It was an outboard 10 gig music hard drive that various Kenwood head units could control like an iPod. I'm not sure why it wasn't so successful...personally, I'd rather have a unit I can remove and make changes to vs a unit that stays in the car all the time.

allmet33;

I looked on Crutchfield's website at the Pioneer FH-P8000BT and I really like the list of features. It has Bluetooth capability plus Sirius or XM satellite radio, HD radio, and there is an adapter that lets you use the existing steering wheel audio controls. Nice!

I think the Clarion DFZ675MC did not have the ability to control it with the steering wheel controls.

The Pioneer unit has a more sensitive FM radio than most others I have investigated.

Thanks for the mention of adding a capacitor to the head unit power input to eliminate the speaker "pop". This is really good to know about so it can be done during the installation. :thumbsup:



Leaving the factory amp in would by far be the easiest for me. With a bad back, I would not want to spend a lot of time in tight spaces. It sounds like using the original speakers plus the factory amp or changing to the Kappa speakers with the original factory amp would deliver the sound that would be OK with me. The Kappa speakers could always be added later on.

I still need to investigate a few others and look at the Bluetooth compatibility issues before making a final decision. :beer:

Joe

You compress an MP3 or WMA too far and the quality DEFINITELY suffers. In fact I can still hear audio compression in some 192kb/s files. I only rip my CDs at 256 or 384. And I know that doesn't compress nearly as much but if you're into something complex like a sweet jazz band tune, or some soft classical, or some sadcore indy rock, you can hear it at 192... badly at 128.

I'd take a USB connection over ANY other kind. For the simple reason that it allows you to access static memory space. In fact, even better than USB would be a headunit with a SD card slot. My MP3 player is a Creative Zen with only 4GB internal space - the smallest one, intentionally, because it has a SD card slot... one that reads SD-HC cards (which is exactly why I decided on this one!). I now have 4GB, 8GB and 16GB SD-HC cards, as well as several 1GB and 2GB and several dozen 512MBs - they cost a few bucks apiece and I use them like floppies, carry them in my wallet, in the slots designed for quarters.

With a SD-HC card slot you could go get a 16GB card the size of your thumb nail for $60 or $70 on Newegg... more expensive than CD-R or DVD-R media, I admit, but I defy you to find more convenience! Plus (BIG plus), static memory has NO MOVING PARTS. Meaning, unless you cut it in half with scissors, it DOES NOT BREAK. Neither it nor the player; not ever. They don't depolarize; they don't 'wear out'; and there is nothing mechanical whatsoever.

Admittedly that's of minor import. Car CD & DVD players these days are fairly robust units and unlikely to develop mechanical problems after 10 years... something home, computer & gaming drives that see frequent use do not have in common.

Still... Consider storing nearly 4 DVDs' worth of MP3s on a single 1" x .75" wafer. THAT is listening bliss.

Built-in hard drives do fail. They are still just mechanical, magnetic hard drives. I don't care for big hard drives in a gaming system and CERTAINLY wouldn't bother in a car, THAT is a breakable element.

I'm so smitten with flash ram I even got an Asus Eee, a ultra-portable (and ultra-cheap!) laptop that has a 4GB flash drive built in. That's its hard drive... and it will never, ever, ever break! It also has a SD-HC card slot, so I can expand its memory at will. USB port with a thumb drive is effectively the same thing, just a few bucks (very few) more expensive than a SD card for the same amount of drive space.

</end tirade on merits of flash memory>

This post has been edited by andyman32: May 16 2008, 06:07 PM