Replacing Stock Stereo

[MikeCuzzy]

Hey guys,

Stereo in my car has just about had it, and I have already put new speakers (150W) in the front because the old original ones died.

So I am thinking it may be time to upgrade the head unit and rear speakers.

Not looking for anything fancy, just want nice clear music, also no need for a subby or such because there is only so much bass in Bon Jovi and Van Halen- there will never be doof doof playing

Any advice would be much appreciated.

 

[acarmody]

If you only want good clear music, get a decent H/U, a good 2-channel amp, and a very good set of front door speakers. Forget rear door speakers.

How much would you be looking at spending?

 

[MikeCuzzy]

Oh look not too much, maybe < $200 and the fronts are decent already, any recommendations on good H/U's? Also why do you say not the back?

 

[PeterVX2]

Just got rid of my original head unit from a VX2 equipe, CD palyer went bezerk. Had a JVC U346 head unit installed with the original 6 speakers and the difference in sound quality is staggering.

The CD's sound is now full range, I can hear sounds that I have never heard before. Even the radio now sound good on AM. The 4 X 20 watts RMS output is more than adequate. There is really no need for an amp. Try a new head unit bt itself, if its not enough horsepower for you, then put in an amp.

It appears to me that there has been big improvements to class D amps in head units in recent years. There is far less distortion.

But if you do go for an AMP, a class AB probably still has lower distortion at listenable power levels.

 

[lufkin]

Also why do you say not the back?

where do you sit when driving? its called setting up a good front stage

 

[acarmody]

I can guarantee you won't get much for $200. A decent H/U is about $150 and most places will charge about $80 to install it. An amp will cost you about $200 plus $40 for a wiring kit, and then about $80 to install that.

Maybe go a H/U now and put an amp in later, will work fine.

 

[Philthy]

All you'll get for $200 is a basic headunit. The rest can wait

 

[MikeCuzzy]

Well there's no need for Dolby 5.1 straight away, might just start off with the H/U, see how we go.

 

[Mayte123]

Mate get some Alpine S type 6x9's and put them in your rear parcel shelf (if you have a sedan). they will fill you car with plenty off bass when you need it and are under 200 including the covers if you go to the right place. Then just cut the wires from your rear speaker and run cable from there to the parcel shelf (under the seat through the back) The only hard thing to do is cutting the top of the parcel shelf with a knife. That way if you get a new head unit and no amp you can just keep all the wiring to the head the same and its just plug and play and no messing around with amps. hope that helps. Took me about an hour or so to do.

 

[MikeCuzzy]

Alright have been looking around, what do we think about this one:

Pioneer DEH1250MPG (CT 6) MP3/WMA Car CD Tuner | Car Sound, Car CD Tuner : JB HI-FI

Ignore the whole "JB HIFI" thing, if they can't figure out the resolution of computer monitors I won't trust them with stereos. Just curious if this is a) a good h/u or b) a good price for said.

Mike.