Car Audio for Baleno

[shobhit15]

Hi

I want to install a car audio system for my new Baleno VXI. Although it comes with Kenwood system, I want to exchange it with a CD player system. Please advise me on my available options. These are the features I'm looking for :

Price Range - under 10,000 after exchange
Speakers - Atleast 4
MP3 CD compatible
AM/FM
Cassette Player
Good and reliable company

[Stryker]

Well, tell you what. I just bought a Baleno Lxi and put in this music system:

Sony XPlod CDX-F5510 (MP3/CD/AM/FM - No cassette player)
Infinity 6002i rear speakers
Sony 4" front speakers

The total came to 12250/- or so. Since you are looking at the Vxi which already has a base model Kenwood system, you will get a better price on exchange. The sound quality is amazing, you should hear those Infinity speakers thump out the bass and the higher sounds come out great as well.

All in all, it may not be an audiophile's system but is definitely a good system given your budget.

[shobhit15]

Stryker I wish to know was your system installed using couplers. Its is a plug-n-play kind of thing where u just plug in teh stereo system and it does not void the warranty.

[v1p3r]

Hey

My setup on my Baleno is:

Pioneer 5750 Head unit CD/WMA/MP3 (no cassette)
Pioneer 6990 6"x9" 5-way rears (the best rears!)
Sony 4" fronts.

This should fit in your exchange budget pretty easily. If possible, try for components up front. Well worth the extra money.

[Stryker]

@shobjit15, the system was put into the car before delivery by the dealer himself. He told me it was plug-and-play and the warranty is not voided by this. I am not sure if the warranty ceases if you install a system somewhere else, i.e., not at the dealer.

Oh, I must add that the system supports WMA and the Atrac music formats also.

[shobhit15]

Stryker -> Teh dealer told me that the warranty does not get void even if you get it fitted from anyone apart from the dealer. The only thing is wire should not be cut and it should be plug-n-play.

[speedfreak7116]

Go for a pioneer system u get really neat ones for like 8k (Mp3/ACD/FM...no cassette) and i heard from this JBL dealer that pioneer system with sony explod speakers or subs is a good combination...

[v1p3r]

The Maruti warranty IS void if anyone other than the dealer touches the electricals. Get it installed by the dealer, but buy it elsewhere.

In my experience, Sony Xplod speakers s*ck. Not the subs, but the speakers. Go for Pioneer or JBL.

[Sam Kapasi]

<<<Sony XPlod CDX-F5510 (MP3/CD/AM/FM - No cassette player)
Infinity 6002i rear speakers
Sony 4" front speakers>>>>

Strykers system seems to be the one I wld recommend. Infinity is a JBL brand (sort of like our Lexus) but it depends on the kind of music you listen to.
Lets put it this way, if you like 50cent, JBL's your choice. If you like Dave Matthews, go for Infinity.
Also if you put the JBL GTO636e in the rear and GTO426e in the front, it would sound quite nice. Together they would cost you about 6.5k
Sony make some nice head units at sensible prices.

[v1p3r]

"Who needs all this Engine-Vengine??
Cars were made for Sound!"

Too true, Sam. Too true!

[Sam Kapasi]

Originally Posted by v1p3r

The Maruti warranty IS void if anyone other than the dealer touches the electricals. Get it installed by the dealer, but buy it elsewhere.

In my experience, Sony Xplod speakers s*ck. Not the subs, but the speakers. Go for Pioneer or JBL.

Not true. The electrical warranty is void if you CUT any of the wires. Today most reputed car Head unit manufacturers will throw in a car-specific harness (a plug in) at no extra cost.
I've often found that car dealers aren't good at doing anything other than selling cars

[v1p3r]

Actually, they suck at selling too!

Thing is, they installed my system at no extra cost. And I didn't read the fine print, and didn't want to take any chances. Since the system works fine, I'm ok with it.

Isn't Infinity a sub-brand of JBL?

[Sam Kapasi]

Yes. It's like our Lexus.

[Trident]

Originally Posted by shobhit15

Hi

I want to install a car audio system for my new Baleno VXI. Although it comes with Kenwood system, I want to exchange it with a CD player system. Please advise me on my available options. These are the features I'm looking for :

Price Range - under 10,000 after exchange
Speakers - Atleast 4
MP3 CD compatible
AM/FM
Cassette Player
Good and reliable company

Are there any reliable Sony/JVC/Pioneer head units that play cassettes, audio CDs and MP3s? I have a good collection of audio cassettes and hate to loose them.

[Sam Kapasi]

Hi Trident,

Welcome. There are double din units from JVC and Pioneer that do that. Double Din meaning, twice the height of a regular car stereo head unit.
Will fit in a baleno but not in all cars. Another option is to buy a tape deck and attach a cd changer to it.
If I was you, I'd seriously consider losing my tapes. Tapes are almost redundant now and quite not worth it. Buy CDs of current music and convert your old tapes (if the musics rare) to cd.
Cheers