Car Stereo/Electronics Installer DC Area

**WCH** · #1 06-21-2012, 06:40 PM

Found these old threads:

http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthr...ghlight=stereo

http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthr...ghlight=stereo

http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthr...ghlight=stereo

I'd like to have a stereo and possibly nav installed in my wife's Beetle cab (it's a low mileage '04). Would like to have it done right, willing to pay for it. Like many of you, I've had it done the wrong way and suffered.

Seems to be a recurring question. Any consensus on the best shop(s)?

Thank you, Will

**355dreamer** · #2 06-21-2012, 09:59 PM

Is beetle code word for R8?

**WCH** · #3 06-22-2012, 06:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 355dreamer

Is beetle code word for R8?

R8, Aventador, Veyron ....

**E60 M5** · #4 06-22-2012, 07:25 AM

Sound Solutions would be a good place to start.

**Piper** · #5 06-22-2012, 08:37 AM

Probably not what you're looking for, but will recommend AV Sound Design in Herndon. I've heard good things about Sound Solutions. Hurley's is always a top notch shop, but I don't like them or the way they do business, so while my best answer to your question, I hope you don't go there. AV Sound design has done a good job for me several times. They don't seem like your A team, but I like them personally and want to support them.I can honestly say I've never been disappointed by them. I'm going back there soon to upgrade my Porsche electronics and completely replace my new Corvette GS system.

onboost · #6 06-22-2012, 09:44 AM

Will,

You need to see DSI Electronics on Rt. one in Laurel. They're very thorough, been at it a long time, have experience with high-end cars and the modern electronics contained therein.

www.dsielectronics.com

**MBFerrari** · #7 06-22-2012, 04:58 PM

Car Trendz by Fort Belvoir did some work on my 308 and did a good job. Believe that Junglistluder has had some things done with his 355 there as well. Small shop but the guys know what they are doing.
MB

sunline · #8 06-29-2012, 08:55 PM

I used CAS design in Sterling. without a doubt the best guy around. He did My 360 and was very reasonable and he is the guy doing the work. Only does super high end work. Pro athletes and the like. Did Ovie's and Semin's cars. He knows what components are good and what aren't. Plus he's a really nice guy.

**Piper** · #9 06-29-2012, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sunline

I used CAS design in Sterling. without a doubt the best guy around. He did My 360 and was very reasonable and he is the guy doing the work. Only does super high end work. Pro athletes and the like. Did Ovie's and Semin's cars. He knows what components are good and what aren't. Plus he's a really nice guy.

I might try them out, too. Will look them up. About to need a full install. I like my guys in Herndon, but... Never hurts to shop.

**cheny4** · #10 07-01-2012, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Piper

Probably not what you're looking for, but will recommend AV Sound Design in Herndon.

I had a bad experience with them. Though they are very nice and willing, by the end I realized they were in over their heads. It was a full install ie. head unit, bluetooth, door speakers, sub w custom enclosure and amp. Mostly Alpine and pioneer. The xm unit stopped being recognized by the head unit a few months after installation. They said they knew of this problem and they would replace the xm unit as soon as the new model came out. They would call me. Never did. I tried once but the unit hadn't come in yet. Never heard from them again. After a routine mechanical service when battery was disconnected the XM started working again and I have had no problem since. Sub stopped working. They said the head unit has to be reprog every time the battery is disconnected. Did it again this time without loss of power. Took it in to Hurleys. Wired wrong. Bluetooth has echo because they installed mic too close to speaker. Nice people but not high end. Though Hurleys is quirky they have bent over backwards to make things right. Did a perfect install on rear view camera on my panamera. Looks factory original. When Porsche of Tyson's (never go there again) reprog the CPU in an effort to mitigate the hesitation found in the panamera they deprog the camera. I went to Hurleys unannounced and on the spot called the company who showed me a simple fix. I'm not saying that Hurleys is the best... Just don't bother with AV sound design.

**KJM3SMG** · #11 07-01-2012, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Piper

I might try them out, too. Will look them up. About to need a full install. I like my guys in Herndon, but... Never hurts to shop.

if you try them Bob let me know how it goes. I like the fact they are used to these types of cars. I wonder how their pricing is too... if it's reasonable and work is great, I don't mind paying extra

JoshECS · #12 07-02-2012, 12:41 PM

Chris @ CAS Design is a true technically minded electronics guy. He's done a lot of custom fabrication related installs for me which have included leather work.

Unfortunately he seems to be winding down his operation. I'm personally very disappointed, he's local and does solid work.

Hurley's of course has a solid reputation. I've worked with several cars that he's done install work in. The workmanship has been quality.

**KJM3SMG** · #13 07-02-2012, 02:54 PM

too bad about CAS... so should we not bother going there?

As for Hurley's... site? where are they located?

**Piper** · #14 07-02-2012, 03:22 PM

I'd drive an extra hour to not use Hurleys. They are good. I won't go there.

**junglistluder** · #15 07-02-2012, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Piper

Probably not what you're looking for, but will recommend AV Sound Design in Herndon. I've heard good things about Sound Solutions. Hurley's is always a top notch shop, but I don't like them or the way they do business, so while my best answer to your question, I hope you don't go there. AV Sound design has done a good job for me several times. They don't seem like your A team, but I like them personally and want to support them.I can honestly say I've never been disappointed by them. I'm going back there soon to upgrade my Porsche electronics and completely replace my new Corvette GS system.

I used AV Sound Design to install a complete sound system in my e28 bmw and they did a great job! They installed it exactly how I told them to and even accommodated me same day. Highly recommended!

Quote:

Originally Posted by MBFerrari

Car Trendz by Fort Belvoir did some work on my 308 and did a good job. Believe that Junglistluder has had some things done with his 355 there as well. Small shop but the guys know what they are doing.
MB

Car Trendz did an install in my friend's Lotus Esprit and also did a really great job! I recommend them too, but they are a bit more pricey and tempermental than AV Sound Design. For example, they wanted to charge me extra because my speakers were "too deep" but AV Sound Design installed them without question.

**Piper** · #16 07-02-2012, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by junglistluder

I used AV Sound Design to install a complete sound system in my e28 bmw and they did a great job! They installed it exactly how I told them to and even accommodated me same day. Highly recommended!

I'll be using AV Sound again this time.

JoshECS · #17 07-02-2012, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KJM3SMG

too bad about CAS... so should we not bother going there?

As for Hurley's... site? where are they located?

He's currently not answering calls or emails for me anyways. I stopped by the other day and he was at his new day job, his assistant finishing up a couple projects that are still on hand.

Doesn't seem as though you'll get service at this point.