Kizashi Club

I just bought a 2011 SLS AWD w/Nav today. I asked about getting the car w/out Nav because I don't need it and stock stereos are always garbage. Every SLS they had was equipped with Nav, so no going around it. They kept looking at me like I was crazy and insisting that the stock stereo was amazing.

Tested it plenty on the way home (I had to drive 1.5 hrs out of state to find the nearest Suzuki dealer) with a variety of CDs and the verdict?

Guys, this sound system is terrible. Seriously, not good at all in any way. The tweeters are harsh at mid and higher volume, the mids have no kick and the subwoofer may as well not have even been there because it just doesn't perform.

Really? I'm quite happy with my Rockford stereo. Best stock stereo I've had so far. Much better than any stock Honda or Subaru stereo for sure.

Have you played with the equalizer settings?

The Rockford stereo has gotten good reviews from Edmunds as well. Maybe yours is defective?

My previous car I built for car audio competition. We're not talking a stereo to blow out windows (though it is capable of high volume). We are talking a stereo so musically intense that it makes you feel like you are part of the music... or that your music is being played live, right in front of you. People say it's more like an experience than simply listening to music.

When I listen to a stereo, that is what I expect. It's like expecting this car to speed like a Ferrari when I don't have a Ferrari engine or pay Ferrari prices. Expecting more from this stereo was my own fault. I guess I was simply trying to say that while you may think you are listening to a "Ferrari" of a sound system in this car, you aren't. You are listening to a souped up lawnmower by comparison to what an aftermarket car stereo is capable of.

I don't mean for this post to sound negative; I apologize if it is. This really is a bad stereo though guys. If you think it sounds good though, that's great. Enjoy it and don't dig for better (because you will find better, much better, and it's not cheap).

Love my Kizashi so far though.

Maybe something's 'different' about the 2011s...or the ones w/ Nav? I love mine. Best premium stereo offered by auto maker I've owned so far. Had Chrysler's in a 2000 truck, and Ford's in an 1991 Explorer years ago. This one is hands down the best I've owned.

Drem wrote:My previous car I built for car audio competition. We're not talking a stereo to blow out windows (though it is capable of high volume).

Just curious, how much would such a system cost?

babacu wrote:

Drem wrote:My previous car I built for car audio competition. We're not talking a stereo to blow out windows (though it is capable of high volume).

Just curious, how much would such a system cost?

The type he is speaking of? THOUSANDS...

This stereo is NOT great, but it is the best stock stereo I've had in a vehicle and I have owned some nice rides. I think you guys would be blown away if you simply took it in and replaced the sub and crossed it over to only emit low tones and had a seperate dial installed for it's volume. The mids and tweets on this system aren't all that bad the problem is you turn it up and the sound is overwhelmed by horrible bass out of all speakers.

Drem is right about the stereo, though: as factory systems go, it's maybe a bit better than average, but it is not musically involving, and it does get harsh when pushed. Factory systems, even upgraded factory systems are built to a price, and ultimate sound quality is not the primary design motivation. If you want to hear a REAL factory system, listen the the NAIM system in the Aston Martins and Bentleys, but those systems are multi-thousand dollar options in those pricey cars. Custom-designed systems like those that Drem is describing are multi-thousand dollar installations, and involve expensive head-ends, multiple amplifiers and crossovers, and some serious design expertise.

Me personally, I am just a listener (not involved in the industry) with a DIY setup and I would guess I am in a little over 3000 in equipment and another 1000 (on previous car) more in sound deadening, alternator, wire, and battery upgrades. Many others spend more (possibly FAR more) while some may find ways to spend less.

As the others say, it can get even better and the costs only go up (exponentially, especially if you are paying for professional custom installations and/or tuning).

There might be a difference between nav and the standard RF unit, I'm not sure. I'm really torn on how to go about adding my equipment to this car since I see no way of adding my aftermarket souce unit to the car without removing the nav.

For what it is worth, I know that Scosche, the installation kit manufacturer, has an exact replacement faceplate for the Kizashi that allows the installation of a double-DIN head unit which will open up your choices for a dash unit considerably. The front doors shouldn't pose much of a problem, as they are standard 5 1/4 inch woofer openings. The dashboard speaker is a simple 3.5" full-range speaker. Personally, I have always found that separating the woofer and tweeter in the doors, as seems to be practice in many new factory installations, manages to screw up the stereo image, but the tweeter locations are there if you want to peruse that route. There seems to be plenty of room for amplification in the trunk. I have always been partial to Boston Acoustic separates, myself, as their tweeters don't scream at you like some manufacturers do, but your mileage may vary.

One tip that I learned from a prominent British speaker manufacturer: make the tightest possible connection between a speaker's mounting surface and it's basket: it minimizes buzz and rattles, and makes the midrange and bass timing much better.

I am also not a fan of separating the front woofer/tweeter. I may try my hand at fiberglassing by making a pair of kick panels for my components since I purchased the CVT without a clutch petal to worry about on the driver's side.

Does anyone know how the car communicates with the stereo for audible warnings and such? Is it just an aux. input or are they incorporated into the stereo units? How about the backup camera?