New guy here. Beem lurking for a very long time sucking up info. Thanks! :)

So I buy a Sony radio (CDXGT610UI) for my car. I own a 2000 Mustang GT Vert.


Nice unit and pretty good reviews.

So I go to Circuit City and buy all the the stuff that I need and decide to let them install the unit. I get call about an hour after I drop off the car that it's ready but with one issue, there is a popping sound each time the unit goes on and that's because of the amps from the factory unit. They tell me the way to get rid of the pop is to bypass the amps (very common) and it should be fine. Well another $70.00 later I get the call the car is all set. I get in the car and get my first listen and my car door speaker sounds like it's blown. Wait, not sounds like IT IS! :evil: I get the crew giving lame excuses like it was blown before I got there or I'm only noticing it now because of the new stereo. Bull%^&@!

On top of it all there is no bottom end. "Well sir that's because we had to bypass the amps and that knocked out your subwoofer" Well I DON'T HAVE A SUBWOOFER GENIUS! I said this sounds like a piece of crap AM radio. My blood is boiling and I ask if I can sit and play with the stereo for awhile to make a decision on what to do and there before my eyes there is a RIP IN MY LEATHER SEAT. I tell the little maggot installer and I get the old we cover everything bull.

I called the main store manager and he's talking to little maggot installer now. Just waiting for a call that will sound like every car repair shop I've ever dealt with in the past couple years.

So, I'm no car stereo expert but I've installed a couple and I'm no slouch when it comes to audio equipment but I'll ask anyway. Is it possible that a new car stereo will drop all the bottom end because of the factory car amps are bypassed? I think it should still sound as good as the old unit.

no, it shouldn't make any difference. they pulled the same sh*t on my friends suburban. they couldnt figure out why things werent working right. 2 hours later when I arrived, I had to suggest bypassing the factory amp. idiots

years ago, when I had them do my bimmer, they butchered everything and i ended up with unnecessary rips in my carpet. not to mention overcharged me, and suckered me into ****** decisions when I didnt know anything about audio. yeah, don't use circuit city. notoriously bad installers. plain and simple.

only rule of thumb is if you had factory amps, you should replace them with one. if you're lacking the umph that you have prior to the install, that's just strictly a difference in power. you're now relying on the RMS wattage of the head unit. which is probably 15w per channel =/

Thanks for the info, truz05. Lacking umph is one thing but absolutely no bottom end is another. I should at least be able to hear a change in bass when using the bass control but there is absolutely no difference. Right?

Is it possible that a new car stereo will drop all the bottom end because of the factory car amps are bypassed? I think it should still sound as good as the old unit.

Yes.

Is it possible that a new car stereo will drop all the bottom end because of the factory car amps are bypassed? I think it should still sound as good as the old unit.

Like Cicatriz said, yes it is... but usually only if there was a sub in there that isn't being utilized anymore... is it the Mach 460 sound system?

The problem is more likely having speaker(s) wired out of phase of each other (even only 1 miss wired speaker will do it). Take it back and make sure they get the polarity right (that's assuming you don't have the mach sound system).

On a side note... I used to work in Circuit's install as an assistant manager and they do have insurance against installer f-ups... Make sure they take care of ALL the problems...

Like Cicatriz said, yes it is... but usually only if there was a sub in there that isn't being utilized anymore... is it the Mach 460 sound system?

The problem is more likely having speaker(s) wired out of phase of each other (even only 1 miss wired speaker will do it). Take it back and make sure they get the polarity right (that's assuming you don't have the mach sound system).

On a side note... I used to work in Circuit's install as an assistant manager and they do have insurance against installer f-ups... Make sure they take care of ALL the problems...

I have the lower-end Mach radio system without the subwoofer.

I have the lower-end Mach radio system without the subwoofer.

Like I said earlier, the problem is probably speakers wired out of phase, especially since you said the bass adjustment doesn't seem to make ANY difference.

Well I had the freaks at CC look at the car again after talking to a weasel of a manager.

The tech that was there who didn't work on my car seemed to know his stuff and was rather surprised at the crap work that was done. He ended up not bypassing the amps. Now I have bottom end sound and for the most part it sounds really nice. The only problem is the initial pop/electrical noise on power-up. I can't believe there is no way to avoid this problem.

Well I had the freaks at CC look at the car again after talking to a weasel of a manager.

The tech that was there who didn't work on my car seemed to know his stuff and was rather surprised at the crap work that was done. He ended up not bypassing the amps. Now I have bottom end sound and for the most part it sounds really nice. The only problem is the initial pop/electrical noise on power-up. I can't believe there is no way to avoid this problem.

Something along these lines (http://www.crutchfield.com/S-xaZEoxpxywe/cgi-bin/prodview.asp?I=142C4FDK5) might help (if something like it isn't already there).

Thanks! I'm gonna give them a call today.