Best, easiest, cheapest STOCK stereo mods

[protege571]

Best, easiest, cheapest STOCK stereo mods?

Hi,

First time post. Just bought a Protege5 with the indash CD changer and would like to improve the sound quality. I was wondering what you all recommend that I can do to improve the sound while doing the least amount of disturbance to the stock system. I would want to keep the stock HU. What I would like most is more bass.
Do you think maybe an AMP alone would do the trick? Or do I need new speakers to get a better bass punch? I am not interested in a subwoofer. (want to keep the room in the hatch).
Thanks.

 

[protege571]

HI All, I welcome all replies but noticed a nice thread in the protegeclub.com site called "stock head +amp?" that answers my questions.

One question: what do you think is a better upgrade first, amp or better speakers? Thanks.

 

[Sir Nuke]

hello protege571 and Welcome to our happy little corner of the net, and to our Club. There are TWO BIG fridge'S in the corner with anything you can think of in them...help yourself...of course only take what you can LEGALLY have. (stash)

make yourself at home on one of the big fluffy couches, kick your shoes off, put your feet up on one of the tables, yes we are allowed to do that, mom don't care....and take it easy.

oh...btw....every once in a while a food fight breaks out...so you may not want to wear nice clothes here.

Welcome!! (stash)


if you dig around enough between this site and "the club" you will find numerous threads where this very subject is addressed....I have preformed the upgrade to my stock system already....added the amp.....upgraded the door speakers....and I also added the sub....

to answer your last question.....add both at the same time. the stock speakers won't handle much at all....when I removed mine I found out just how tiny their magnets were...and they are stamped 25watts. I can only assume that is MAX handling power....

if you have any specific questions about the upgrade, how I did mine, where to mount things....how I routed wires....whatever...feel free to send me a PM or Email.

 

[protege571]

Thanks Sir Nuke! I see that you are very knowledgeable about audio and am glad there are many experienced people such as yourself generous enough to help out.

On a sidenote: how many speakers should I replace? I haven't even looked at how many is in the car (just bought it yesterday).

And where is the best place in the Boston area to get this service done?
Thanks!

 

[1sty]

Where are you in Boston, I work at Tweeter in NH!

There is a 4 channel versionof Sir Nukes amp and it can be run to just the stock speakers. The stock speakers will easily handle the power so long as you keep the high pass filter on the amp enabled to keep the lowest bass off of the speakers.

Unfortunitly to get low bass, bass drums, hip hop beats, low bass guitar notes, and many clasical insturments, there is only one possibility, Subwoofer. A sub doesn't have to be loud large or intrusive, on the contrary for the most part it should be none of those. A single 10" such as Nukes will leave your trunk with plenty of free room and it cal always be removed if needed.

You may want to start by just replacing your speaker as that will impove sound quite a bit. If the sound after that is good but not loud enough or if the speakers you choose need alot of power then you can add the amp without replacing the factory head unit.

Adding an amp or new radio won't change the sound so much as allowing more volume without distortion.

Either way if you want feel free to come see me at the store or give me a budget and a overall goal along ewith any future addition you think you may want add I can find you some prices.