Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Audio Sony Car Audio

Eh...i doubt that anyone would hear the difference. Besides, Kicker's amps have less than a stellar reputation in recent years.

im considering just buying another amp like it and running two. or if this one craps out im gonna get a nicer one. but for my purposes it really performs consitantly well.

oh and another thought on the moron who had problems with an amp like mine, he used really small power wire. I am usuing a 4 gauge rockford fosgate amp kit, it was a little pricey but if I feel the need to get another amp I should be set

Well, let me tell you my sony experiences. the headunits are cool, except one i had for about 2 years.... but i think that came from not cleaning the lens on the CD player. The old subs from 2 years ago, i went through 5 12"s cause the wire going into the cone kept tearing. I had to go with a better brand (RF). The amp I have is the mono one that is 1 ohm stable, and its good enough (for now). I have the 7" LCD headunit now, but I havent had it long enough to find anything wrong with it. Sony is decent, top 3 in HUs and top 10 in amps, but i can name 50 brands for subs that are better.

The only time I've ever had to clean the lens on a CD head unit was on one that I'd gotten from a wrecking yard (an OE Mazda AM/FM/CD). It had been sitting in a very dusty warehouse. It would play non-burned CDs and 74-minute CD-Rs just fine, but it had trouble seeking to tracks on 80-minute CD-Rs.

I tried one of those cleaning discs--it didn't help.

Then I took the cover off, got a q-tip, put some 90% isopropyl alcohol on it, and wiped the lens off. Dried the lens with the other side of the q-tip. It played 80-minute CD-Rs just fine after that.

I then installed that Mazda CD player in my mom's 97 Ford Escort using a Metra kit (also obtained from a wrecking yard, normally they're about $50) and it looked very stock, a look no Sony head unit made in the last couple of years is even remotely capable of.

Total cost of install: $65

Mazda CD player....$45
Metra kit..........$10
Misc wiring+plugs..$10
The look on people's
face when they see
a Mazda CD player in
a Ford.............$priceless