New aftermarket headunit install complete. (Apline-iPod setup)
 

So no fancy amps, I haven't replaced all of the speakers, none of that. All I wanted was a nice user interface for my iPod, and something that would clean up the mess that was my previous audio system. (which can be seen in this thread

So now I'm here to give you the "after" images.

http://web.mac.com/alcimedes/iWeb/Si...s/IMG_0634.jpg

You'll notice the guy integrated the four buttons that you actually need from the stock unit into the custom dash. Very nice. The head unit itself was taken apart, and the PCB was hidden where the NAV unit would be.

http://web.mac.com/alcimedes/iWeb/Si...s/IMG_0635.jpg

As you can see, that giant f'ing mess that was down at the passenger's footwell is also gone. Either not needed or relocated. Now it's clean.

http://web.mac.com/alcimedes/iWeb/Si...s/IMG_0630.jpg

And finally here's where the iPod sits. Since it's all displayed on the head unit, and controlled by either the head unit or steering wheel controls (they work now with this unit) I don't need the iPod to be anywhere handy.

looks like a clean job

Why would you go through all that trouble? Kills the resale IMO.

i wont do that on my 8.

i think the center console is one of the main things that define how good the interior looks in the 8.

The center console in my car was horrible when I bought it (used).

I'd rather have a radio/iPod combination that functions well than one that looks stock. :)

As for resale value, I figure there are 100 stock RX8's out there for people to choose from, clean iPod installs are much harder to come across.

I like it, good job. Did you do this by yourself , or had an audio shop do it?

On the positive, it looks really clean and professionally installed/fabricated. On the negative, and IMO, it doesn't look--right. There are curves that do not match the deck and "blank" spots that look like something should be there...

On the neutral, it looks like anyother car dash now.

Just seen the before pictures in your other thread.. compared to that this set up looks friggin' sick and very damn clean. The one thing about the 8 and most Mazda's now is the inablity to put your own head unit it in without major custom work. I have a JVC unit which I've had in my previous cars and I love the thing especialy since I can upload some images to be viewed on the faceplate in a slide presentation and had very nice remote sub control. Was very nice to be able to kill the subs with a few quick clicks of the knob.

For those who said your killing the resale value, it was already killed when he bought the car lol.. if anything he put it back up a few $$.

Well, whatever makes you happy. Nice install.

I think it looks ok, personally If i were having that much work done I would have gone with a 2 din dvd player, but still, nice job.

i like it, but i would want a flipout screen

I guess I should explain. (and if you haven't, please look at the pics from the original install, that was truly terrible).

I bought the car used and the audio install was awful. I used that fact to argue the dealership down a few grand.

This install came about because my car was at the body shop getting some work done and was broken into. The previous head unit was stolen and the body shop felt terrible about it and told me I can get it replaced etc. at no cost to me.

So I took the opportunity to remove the old crap and clean it up.

The headunit is no longer crammed underneath where the passenger's feet go. I can now reprogram the clock/display items without crawling on the ground to do it, and the steering wheel controls actually control the head unit, which it didn't before.

So while most people probably would have gone a different, higher end route if they had this much work done, I was in a situation where I was able to replace what was stolen, not make it ten times better. :)

The group that did the work was Sound Waves here in MN, and I'm very impressed with the quality of work they did.

While the pictures from before showed how terrible it looked on the outside, what you don't see is what a crap job was done with the wiring etc. inside, behind the head unit. That's all cleaned up now too.

Also, having seen the stock headunit/iPod interface I'm happier going this route.

It looks good.

Not sure if I have seen an install that kept the buttons for the top display.

:dunno:

Definitely added to your car.

:)

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