Fiberglass Work AND Kenwood vs. Clarion

eh-fow · 04-05-2000, 08:14 AM

I am about to get my system installed in my A4, but I have two delemas. The first is the placement of the front speakers. I am going with Infinity Pefect 6.1 component set (like an MB-Q Q series 6.5"). The thing is these bad boys are beefy and they are big. I have found a great installer (Sound Solutions in Chatilly, VA) and they told me I can either do some kicks or the doors. We made a mock kick and I decided that without the deadpedal I am going to go crazy, so screw that. Anyway, he wants to rip the door apart, fiberglass the bottom half, vinyl it, and put the whole thing back together. I just would like to know if anybody else w/ similar speakers has done this (not just 6.5" mind you, I'm talking BIG 6.5"). Any pics???? Any comments???

Also, I am trying to decide between a Clarion ProAudio DRX9575Rz or a Kenwood Excellon KDC-X915. I can get both for about the same price, so my concern here is quality and looks. I have heard that the Clarion's don't mount up too nice.

Thanks,

Dan
99 A4 1.8TQMSX K04 Santorin
http://a4q.tripod.com

siberian · 04-05-2000, 11:47 AM

I posted a reply before but apparently it didn't show up so let's try this again.

I just bought the 915 yesterday. I don't have it installed yet but here's why I chose it over everything else..... and believe me I've done a LOT of research.

IMHO the Clarion doesn't hold a candle to Kenwood. The Kenwood is much more estetically pleasing. The sound quality on the Ken is great, it has 4.5 volt output, built in adjustable crossover on each output channel, built in eq, (this gives you total system tweeking ability from the drivers seat and you don't have to buy an external crossover network!) and the red lighting is a dead on match for the Audi interior. The graphics/text on the face plate blends well with the red... it is a blue, fine pitch dot matrix display with a black background.... very clean looking, and since it's such a fine pitch dot matrix, the text doesn't look cheezy like some other dot matrix displays that some of these companies vomit out.

I have heard three different shops in the last year tell me that they have dumped Clarion because they haven't been doing a very good job at standing behind their products. I know Kenwood is a good company to deal with because I had a Kenwood deck many years ago (it was their top of the line head unit at the time) and it crapped out after only two and a half years. The local repair center wanted like $250 to fix it... and I paid something like $400 for it new. So I wrote a friendly letter to Kenwood explaining how I was disappointed because I thought I was getting a quality product (after all, I did pay top dollar for their best head unit) and had to pay such a high cost to fix it after only two and a half years. A few days later I get a call from the customer service manager. She gave me two options.... either they would split the repair cost with me, or, I could pay them $75.00 and send in my unit, and they would ship me a brand new model. So I opted for option #2. I thought it was really great that they were willing to work with me. It's not often you get good customer service from such a large company.

Anyway, I got mine for $519 from ABT in Chicago. I kicked in an extra $50 bucks and got a four year extended warranty. (the standard is two years).

eh-fow · 04-05-2000, 03:54 PM

siberian · 04-05-2000, 08:01 PM

Larrytt · 04-05-2000, 09:34 PM

<FONT COLOR=RED SIZE=2>Larry</FONT>

</a>
180TTQ Garrett Stage II, Borla, H&R, V1, Stereo, Harness Bar, Deist 6pt Harnesses

<a HREF="http://larrytt.tripod.com">MyWeb

pbarrow · 04-06-2000, 09:39 AM

I guess my research matches yours, because I thought the Kenwood was the best looking and sounding deck I could find too. I also ponied up for the MBQ "Q" Series in the front doors, coax's in the rear (rear tweeter location sucked big time anyway) and an Eclipse sub driven by an Eclipse amp (warms up the Quart's a bit). The install was entrusted to Rick @ Quality Auto Sound because my car is an Avant and I wanted everything super stealth. Can't wait to pick it up! I will post pics later.

eh-fow · 04-06-2000, 11:38 AM

Dan
99 A4 1.8TQMSX K04 Santorin
http://a4q.tripod.com

eh-fow · 04-06-2000, 11:41 AM

Dan
99 A4 1.8TQMSX K04 Santorin
http://a4q.tripod.com

siberian · 04-06-2000, 12:43 PM

JA6SON · 04-06-2000, 02:54 PM

No question. It has more features, sounds just as good, and will look a ton better.
Jason

04-05-2000, 03:54 PM	#3
eh-fow New Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Mar 2000 Posts: 268	Cool... I just ordered the Kenwood (got a real nice deal) __________________ Dan 99 1.8TQMSX K04 Santorin

04-05-2000, 08:01 PM	#4
siberian AudiWorld Super User Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Mar 2000 Posts: 14,865	what did ya get it fer?? __________________ Don't ask, just accept it

04-05-2000, 09:34 PM	#5
Larrytt Elder Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Mar 2000 Posts: 22,171	Kenwood KDC-X911 works great in my TTQ and it works and looks great in A4's! <FONT COLOR=RED SIZE=2>Larry</FONT> </a> 180TTQ Garrett Stage II, Borla, H&R, V1, Stereo, Harness Bar, Deist 6pt Harnesses <a HREF="http://larrytt.tripod.com">MyWeb

04-06-2000, 09:39 AM	#6
pbarrow AudiWorld Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Mar 2000 Posts: 125	eXcelon/Eclipse/MBQ installing TODAY! :-) More... I guess my research matches yours, because I thought the Kenwood was the best looking and sounding deck I could find too. I also ponied up for the MBQ "Q" Series in the front doors, coax's in the rear (rear tweeter location sucked big time anyway) and an Eclipse sub driven by an Eclipse amp (warms up the Quart's a bit). The install was entrusted to Rick @ Quality Auto Sound because my car is an Avant and I wanted everything super stealth. Can't wait to pick it up! I will post pics later.

04-06-2000, 11:38 AM	#7
eh-fow New Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Mar 2000 Posts: 268	I've gotta pal who manages a car stereo place so I got it near invoice!! Dan 99 A4 1.8TQMSX K04 Santorin http://a4q.tripod.com __________________ Dan 99 1.8TQMSX K04 Santorin

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04-05-2000, 11:47 AM	#2
siberian AudiWorld Super User Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Mar 2000 Posts: 14,865	Clarion vs Kenwood I posted a reply before but apparently it didn't show up so let's try this again. I just bought the 915 yesterday. I don't have it installed yet but here's why I chose it over everything else..... and believe me I've done a LOT of research. IMHO the Clarion doesn't hold a candle to Kenwood. The Kenwood is much more estetically pleasing. The sound quality on the Ken is great, it has 4.5 volt output, built in adjustable crossover on each output channel, built in eq, (this gives you total system tweeking ability from the drivers seat and you don't have to buy an external crossover network!) and the red lighting is a dead on match for the Audi interior. The graphics/text on the face plate blends well with the red... it is a blue, fine pitch dot matrix display with a black background.... very clean looking, and since it's such a fine pitch dot matrix, the text doesn't look cheezy like some other dot matrix displays that some of these companies vomit out. I have heard three different shops in the last year tell me that they have dumped Clarion because they haven't been doing a very good job at standing behind their products. I know Kenwood is a good company to deal with because I had a Kenwood deck many years ago (it was their top of the line head unit at the time) and it crapped out after only two and a half years. The local repair center wanted like $250 to fix it... and I paid something like $400 for it new. So I wrote a friendly letter to Kenwood explaining how I was disappointed because I thought I was getting a quality product (after all, I did pay top dollar for their best head unit) and had to pay such a high cost to fix it after only two and a half years. A few days later I get a call from the customer service manager. She gave me two options.... either they would split the repair cost with me, or, I could pay them $75.00 and send in my unit, and they would ship me a brand new model. So I opted for option #2. I thought it was really great that they were willing to work with me. It's not often you get good customer service from such a large company. Anyway, I got mine for $519 from ABT in Chicago. I kicked in an extra $50 bucks and got a four year extended warranty. (the standard is two years). __________________ Don't ask, just accept it

04-06-2000, 11:41 AM	#8
eh-fow New Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Mar 2000 Posts: 268	PBARROW!!! Are they fiberglassing your doors too?? Dan 99 A4 1.8TQMSX K04 Santorin http://a4q.tripod.com __________________ Dan 99 1.8TQMSX K04 Santorin

04-06-2000, 12:43 PM	#9
siberian AudiWorld Super User Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Mar 2000 Posts: 14,865	you lucky dawg! I'm dyin' to get mine installed but it'll be a few weeks. __________________ Don't ask, just accept it

04-06-2000, 02:54 PM	#10
JA6SON New Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Mar 2000 Posts: 28	GET THE KENWOOD!!!!! No question. It has more features, sounds just as good, and will look a ton better. Jason

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