components or sub with stock hu??

[michaljerzy86]

so i'm looking to upgrade the factory sound, and my main issue is clarity and bass. the sound as is, with the treb at a +3 and the bass full at +6 i get pretty clear and loud audio, with a decent amount of bass. up until today, i was convinced that i wanted a single sub and a mono amp powering it. so i figured once it was in, i'd have the stock hu settings for the bass at 0, or -6....when i did that though, the sound was so-so...average at best. my question is should i just go for the sub and hope that it will all sound better once combined, or go for good components with better bass levels

[dentinger]

from what ive heard, your going to need an amp to run components properly.

i have alpine type R components, and 2 12" alpine type R subs, and it still sounds plain to me without the subs on.

go with the sub for starters. thats what i did. then i did the speakers, upgraded the subs and amps, added in some caps, a deck, etc etc.....

i've known people with just one 10 or 12, and it sounds amazing.

[p-o-g-i]

I would recommend going with a good set of quality aftermarket mids; replace all the mids. If need be, add a 4 channel amp. Adding a sub would be the last thing I would do..... but then again, I go for crisp clear quality over bass.

[michaljerzy86]

I would recommend going with a good set of quality aftermarket mids; replace all the mids. If need be, add a 4 channel amp. Adding a sub would be the last thing I would do..... but then again, I go for crisp clear quality over bass.

sorry what are mids? i just thought speakers were divided into the categories of full range and component

[Hives]

Check out the classifieds section. I think there is a set going for like $40

[Gizzmo_jr]

Suppose it depends if your an audiophile or not. I'm fine with the stock system and thumpin' 10" in the back. I'll upgrade the stock speakers eventually but all still running off the stock headunit (sub is off a LOC)

[michaljerzy86]

Suppose it depends if your an audiophile or not. I'm fine with the stock system and thumpin' 10" in the back. I'll upgrade the stock speakers eventually but all still running off the stock headunit (sub is off a LOC)

and it all sounds good?
what treb/bass settings are the speakers at

[Gizzmo_jr]

For me I'm more then happy. Treb +3, Bass +5

[mazdas3sporte]

After my extensive research and going to 4 diffrent shops I found out that if ur gonna keep a stock HU u might as well not even get the system, the sound diffrence between a stock HU and something like Alpine 9887 or Pionner P-600 is like the diffrence between water and fire. why not just get a cheap head unit even, anything aftermarket is gonna sound better than stock H.U

[skunk2]

i would start with a component set up front and a 4 channel amp before i even put a sub. your setting of +6 for bass, does it not sound distorted on high volumes?

[Gizzmo_jr]

Wait sorry, when I've got the sub on it's 0 for me. I don't have my sub in at the moment hence why I said +5 for me. Yes, anything above 0 is distorted.

[cwp_sedan]

I've upgraded both and am still running on the stock head unit. Over the quality is pretty good for the amount of money spent. Obviously if you buy a new head unit or amp some speakers the sound will be 10x better. This is how I would do it...oh wait, this is how I DID it... :)

Like Gizzmo, sub and amp off the stock deck using a LOC (line out converter). I've integrated a sub volume control which helps a lot. I would upgrade the speakers later.

Next I would worry about the front speakers. I am running JBL components straight off of the stock deck and to me they sound amazing. I'm sure they would sound even better off an amp but I don't feel like spending the money.

That's my opinion though. If you don't really want to replace the stock deck, don't. There is quite a bit of quality in the OEM deck for what it is.

My current settings with the components and sub control...

Bass -2
Treble +1

[Gizzmo_jr]

cwp_sedan, I'll be looking for your JBL's this summer when I upgrade. I know we tend to agree on our cars and I'd take your word on the better components.

[cwp_sedan]

cwp_sedan, I'll be looking for your JBL's this summer when I upgrade. I know we tend to agree on our cars and I'd take your word on the better components.

No problem! :)

[p-o-g-i]

sorry what are mids? .....

mids refer to your interior speakers (front and rear).

[michaljerzy86]

After my extensive research and going to 4 diffrent shops I found out that if ur gonna keep a stock HU u might as well not even get the system, the sound diffrence between a stock HU and something like Alpine 9887 or Pionner P-600 is like the diffrence between water and fire. why not just get a cheap head unit even, anything aftermarket is gonna sound better than stock H.U

have you seen the 2010 hu!? lol

[xxSlidewaysxx]

sorry what are mids? i just thought speakers were divided into the categories of full range and component

Essentially there are three "ranges" for speakers:
Highs(tweeters)-small in size and higher frequency range usually 5000 Hz and up
Mids-They carry as low as 80 Hz, depends on your preference, up to 5000 Hz
Subs- Only run low frequencies, 40-120 Hz, deep bass that sh1t you can feel

[forbidden]

You need to identify your problems clearly. If you do not like the sound of the system, change the speakers. Realize that all speakers sound different and come in different sizes. You need ones that are right for YOUR application and not someone elses (we all hear different).

If you go to component speakers, yes they tonally sound better (for the most part) BUT the one thing lacking is how efficient they are. Now a basic coax speaker (2way,3way etc.) is going to be far more efficient. It will play louder with the same amount of power vs. the components. This is why if you are headed the component speaker route that a amplifier is recommended. Whether you go with it right away or not is up to you. Just know that the speakers real abilities will not come forth until you have some power behind them.

A subwoofer is going to reproduce accurately (in the proper box) the bass response that is going to be limited in the front and rear speakers. The worst thing in the world for you to do is to crank up the bass setting on the head unit and cause all sorts of clipping for the speakers to reproduce as distortion. If you need more bass in the system than the speakers are reproducing now, you need a subwoofer. The amount of craving for bass response will dictate what size and type of system would be right for you.

As far as the stock headunit vs. aftermarket goes. The aftermarket will wiin with the overall abillities and options but for overall basic performance it is more than adequate. If you like the look of the factory unit and want to keep it that way and are looking to add front or rear or a subwoofer system to your car, look to a basic LOC (and get basic and limited results) or use a proper interface adaptor (like the Audio Control LC6i or similar) and have far superior control over the system. A interface adaptor is the go between the factory head unit and the new amplified speaker system.

Ideally in this case, I would be looking at a good set of front speakers if you wanted better sound, a 4 channel amplifier and a sub to match the amp. Use the front half of the amp to bring life to the new component speakers, the back half to run the sub. End result is a tonally balanced system, better sound quality, much better bass response, the ability to control the subwoofer independent from the main speakers and the flexibility to continue to expand the system.

[Flagrum_3]

^Forbidden.....nice post! ...couldn't have said it better!


Then;



After my extensive research and going to 4 diffrent shops I found out that if ur gonna keep a stock HU u might as well not even get the system, the sound diffrence between a stock HU and something like Alpine 9887 or Pionner P-600 is like the diffrence between water and fire. why not just get a cheap head unit even, anything aftermarket is gonna sound better than stock H.U


Obviously you haven't heard enough systems!!...For 2 years I ran my system directly from the oem hu, using a LOC and the sound killed many systems I heard!!....even some with aftermarket decks!!.Alot of what you hear depends on mostly your speaker choices and matching your amperage....and I always run my system at flat response....no bells and whistles!
I've since upgraded using the JL Cleansweep and although the sound is better and comparable to a 'quality' aftermarket deck, most people probably would not notice the difference.


_3

[Hives]

I'd choose the Sub. Did it before, and found it to be better. Just a 10inch with 250watts rms should be good enuff for your liking.

[Aitch]

I completely agree w/ forbidden, the system he described is basically my setup (stock HU, components and sub on a 4 channel amp). The SQ is great, very balanced and clear, while being quite economical. You can do it in stages too, starting with the components only.

[jcutner]

How much would you guys ballpark in cost, for the price of your systems?

Or would you rather not think about it lol :)

[Thrizzl3]

when i bought my system off off another member i only paid $460 for the amp and the box, another $100 for the capacitor, $100 for a crap install which required another $50 for re doing the shit connections that were done. $710 plus a $50 deck. im pretty much done still i get my components in the summer:)