HU or speakers first??

[BluBoy]

Hey all. I really hate asking questions klike this since the answer is gonna be a personal prefference for just about everyone. Anyway, here goes....

Just bought my '03 P5 a couple of weeks ago and I just gotta get a different stereo in this thing. The factory stereo just sounds awful in my opinion. I don't go for the boomy bass and all that, I just want something that sounds realistic...good frequency response all around. I can't afford to get both a HU and new speakers right now so I'm thinking about getting a new Alpine unit now and just using my stock speakers until I can afford to get the speakers I want. I'm not sure where the factory stereo is the most lacking(HU or speakers), but it seems to be in dire need of some help in my opinion. So would I be better off to get the HU first, or a new set of good quality speakers first??

I'm thinking I would like one of the new Alpine CDA-9855 units and a set of four MB Quart speakers. Think that would be a good combo? Again, I realize it's a matter of personal taste but I'd like to hear some thoughts and opinions on the combo...good or bad.

Thanks in advance. (thumb)

 

[RedKatanax9]

Def. replace speakers first. The factory HUs are not bad, the speakers really suck. And even before replacing HUs, amp the speaker will yield you much better sound then replacing just HU and speakers.

 

[Rudy23]

I'll second that, speakers first. Try using Dynamat inside the doors, amazing results.

Replace HU for features.

 

[BluBoy]

Glad I asked. Thanks Much!! Guess I'll head in another direction then.

Would a 4 channel amp be sufficient, or would I get better control and sound if I went with two, 2 channel amps?? Just don't have much experience with what is best....that's why I'm asking. Just don't want to blow a bunch of cash and later regret it and wished I woulda spent it somewhere else.

 

[RedKatanax9]

Glad I asked. Thanks Much!! Guess I'll head in another direction then.

Would a 4 channel amp be sufficient, or would I get better control and sound if I went with two, 2 channel amps?? Just don't have much experience with what is best....that's why I'm asking. Just don't want to blow a bunch of cash and later regret it and wished I woulda spent it somewhere else.

Get 4 channel, less space than 2 2 channel amps, more versatility you can bridge it into 2 channels later if you want more power. Alpine has some nice little 4 channels.

 

[BluBoy]

I've got a small Sony 4 channel in another vehicle that I might use for now. I just wonder about being able to set the balance and fader like I want it with a four channel amp. (boom07)

 

[RedKatanax9]

I've got a small Sony 4 channel in another vehicle that I might use for now. I just wonder about being able to set the balance and fader like I want it with a four channel amp. (boom07)

You can adjust balance and fade if your input is 4 channel as well. A 4-channel amp is essentially the same as 2 2-channel amp, you can adjust each channel individually.

If your Sony doesn't accept (speaker) line level input you will need a line output converter so you can use RCAs to connect to your amp.

 

[niv]

i was running stock speakers and put an alpine 9813 HU in. the diff was night and day. wayyyyyy better. the stock deck is a POC!!! eventually i upgraded the front 5 x 7's but the stockers were fine - they just needed a better unit.

 

[mspdfreak]

Speakers are the most important part of any setup....I'd definitely go there first.

 

[chuyler1]

The problem with upgrading the speakers first is that the head unit only puts out 10 watts per channel. The new speakers will be less sensitive so although it will sound better, it won't be nearly as loud and it will be difficult to get low end bass out of the speakers w/o distortion.

However, other than the power output of the stock unit, I see nothing wrong with it. Unless you absolutely need to be able to play MP3s or you find flashy lights attractive I suggest keeping it and getting a 2-channel amp and a set of components. Forget rear speakers, they're useless (do a search, we don't need to discuss it again).

Here is what I recommend (substitute for your favorite brand)...
$139.95 MTX Audio Thunder 342 (85 watts x 2 @ 14.4v) www.sounddomain.com
$112.95 Infinity Reference 6800cs (5x7" or 6.5") components (90 watts RMS) www.sounddomain.com
$19.99 KnuKonceptz Complete 8 Guage Amp Installation Kit www.knukonceptz.com
$19.95 DavidNavone NE-8V Line Out Converter (LOC) www.davidnavone.com

$292.88 Total Cost.

This setup will sound better than any HU alone or any set of speakers alone. You may continue to power the stock rear speakers off the stock head unit. Later on you can get a second amplifier and subwoofers followed by a new head unit.

 

[BluBoy]

The problem with upgrading the speakers first is that the head unit only puts out 10 watts per channel. The new speakers will be less sensitive so although it will sound better, it won't be nearly as loud and it will be difficult to get low end bass out of the speakers w/o distortion.

However, other than the power output of the stock unit, I see nothing wrong with it. Unless you absolutely need to be able to play MP3s or you find flashy lights attractive I suggest keeping it and getting a 2-channel amp and a set of components. Forget rear speakers, they're useless (do a search, we don't need to discuss it again).

Here is what I recommend (substitute for your favorite brand)...
$139.95 MTX Audio Thunder 342 (85 watts x 2 @ 14.4v) www.sounddomain.com
$112.95 Infinity Reference 6800cs (5x7" or 6.5") components (90 watts RMS) www.sounddomain.com
$19.99 KnuKonceptz Complete 8 Guage Amp Installation Kit www.knukonceptz.com
$19.95 DavidNavone NE-8V Line Out Converter (LOC) www.davidnavone.com

$292.88 Total Cost.

This setup will sound better than any HU alone or any set of speakers alone. You may continue to power the stock rear speakers off the stock head unit. Later on you can get a second amplifier and subwoofers followed by a new head unit.

Holy s*** man that's great! That's less than I was gonna spend on juist a HU. Never had any Infinity speaks but I've heard some in stores that sounded pretty awsome. Prolly be a little more work doing it that way but if it sounds good and saves me a buttload of money, I'm all for it!! Thanks for the ideas and links dude!! (thumb)

 

[Mr. 4500 RPM]

The problem with upgrading the speakers first is that the head unit only puts out 10 watts per channel. The new speakers will be less sensitive so although it will sound better, it won't be nearly as loud and it will be difficult to get low end bass out of the speakers w/o distortion.

However, other than the power output of the stock unit, I see nothing wrong with it. Unless you absolutely need to be able to play MP3s or you find flashy lights attractive I suggest keeping it and getting a 2-channel amp and a set of components. Forget rear speakers, they're useless (do a search, we don't need to discuss it again).

Here is what I recommend (substitute for your favorite brand)...
$139.95 MTX Audio Thunder 342 (85 watts x 2 @ 14.4v) www.sounddomain.com
$112.95 Infinity Reference 6800cs (5x7" or 6.5") components (90 watts RMS) www.sounddomain.com
$19.99 KnuKonceptz Complete 8 Guage Amp Installation Kit www.knukonceptz.com
$19.95 DavidNavone NE-8V Line Out Converter (LOC) www.davidnavone.com

$292.88 Total Cost.

This setup will sound better than any HU alone or any set of speakers alone. You may continue to power the stock rear speakers off the stock head unit. Later on you can get a second amplifier and subwoofers followed by a new head unit.

i say we run this setup on my car...nepoc install day this summer?

 

[chuyler1]

Sure! With two people who know what they are doing it could be installed in an hour or two. The only tough part is getting the speaker wire through the door jam.

You have several options for mounting the tweeter. In The P5 you can put it in the stock location by the rear view mirrors. You can drill a hole just above the speaker in the door or you can mount it coaxially over the driver using a metal bracket.

 

[Mr. 4500 RPM]

Sure! With two people who know what they are doing it could be installed in an hour or two. The only tough part is getting the speaker wire through the door jam.

well ive wanted a good setup...how are those speakers? i mean are they good with bass? will it be enough? will it make the car loud as if i had a sub? i want enough power and loud enough speakers that when i turn up the knob on the HU the music does not crackle real high or sound like crap. basically i am wanting to upgrade speakers and have it hit hard without having subs.

 

[chuyler1]

There will be no crackling. I've heard many good reviews about those speakers, for the price you can't beat'em. However, no speaker is going to make up for the lack of a subwoofer if you listen to rap and hip-hop. If you're a rocker then you can get by with a nice set of 6.5" components but sooner or later you going to want at least an 8" subwoofer.

At the next meet you can listen to my setup. I've got a 75x2 amp powering Eclipse 6.5"s up front.

 

[Mr. 4500 RPM]

There will be no crackling. I've heard many good reviews about those speakers, for the price you can't beat'em. However, no speaker is going to make up for the lack of a subwoofer if you listen to rap and hip-hop. If you're a rocker then you can get by with a nice set of 6.5" components but sooner or later you going to want at least an 8" subwoofer.

At the next meet you can listen to my setup. I've got a 75x2 amp powering Eclipse 6.5"s up front.

i think this will be my next mod...bwahaha...anyways so there is no need to upgrade the rear speakers then?

*edit* how are JL Audio speakers? they worth the money?

 

[chuyler1]

Yes, but you're going to pay more. The infinities retail for $159. The cheapest JL components retail at $250. With my setup, if you were going to spend more money on something it would be the speakers. You can drop anywhere from $112.95 to $1129.50 on components. The best advice is to go around to stores and listen to different sets.

Components I recommend:

Low-end:
Infinity
Alpine

High-end:
Eclipse
JL Audio
a/d/s
CDT Audio
Dynaudio
MB Quart (depends on listener)
Image Dynamics
... and so on

 

[Mr. 4500 RPM]

Yes, but you're going to pay more. The infinities retail for $159. The cheapest JL components retail at $250. With my setup, if you were going to spend more money on something it would be the speakers. You can drop anywhere from $112.95 to $1129.50 on components. The best advice is to go around to stores and listen to different sets.

Components I recommend:

Low-end:
Infinity
Alpine

High-end:
Eclipse
JL Audio
a/d/s
CDT Audio
Dynaudio
MB Quart (depends on listener)
Image Dynamics
... and so on

ok well ill want to do things right the first time and would like decen speakers. i am a moderate spender, i dont like to be cheap but i dont have the u.s. governments military spending!

 

[chuyler1]

Give me a budget and I'll pick some stuff out.

 

[Mr. 4500 RPM]

i really dont know since i dont have the money for it now but hopefully with the summer job i will...but im thinking maybe $400...$450 granted we do the install ourselves.

*edit* idk maybe $400-$500 abouts. it all depends on how i can be swayed but seeing as how i need to get a good amp and stuff id say min 400 and max 500 about there