How important is upgrading my hu?

[hondarider 10+ year member]

I have about $500 for hu, sub, and sub amp. I would make the sub box. So my question is if i don't plan on upgrading the stock speakers does it matter if i upgrade the hu? If i didnt get a hu i could get a better sub and amp. What do you think i should do?

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[JimJ 5,000+ posts]

Why bother adding the sub if your front stage can't keep up?

 

[M@nJo 10+ year member]

dont be one of those hoodrat monkeys where you only hear bass but no lyrics.

 

[johnson 10+ year member]

ill sell my Kenwood KDC-X589 for under $150.

A HU is the main part of your system. It does most of your processing and controlling. I would say it's the first thing you should get.

What kind of HU do you have now? Does it have a preout so you can connect your amp? If not, the amp needs to be able to use line level inputs (your stock speaker wires in your car) instead of RCA inputs. If you do add a subwoofer to your stock system, itll sound like *** because all you'll hear is bass. I dont have my components installed yet and I have to turn down my IDMAX to -11 on my HU so it blends with the stock speakers.

edit: dammit im too slow to type tonight.

 

[copperhead069 10+ year member]

What kind of HU do you have now? Does it have a preout so you can connect your amp? If not, the amp needs to be able to use line level inputs (your stock speaker wires in your car) instead of RCA inputs. QUOTE]

or just buy a line level converter to convert the speaker wires to rca jacks

 

[hondarider 10+ year member]

So you think i should upgrade my hu and that will be enough with my stock speakers to "keep up" with the bass?

 

[stones 10+ year member]

What sort of vehicle are you planning to put the subs in?.

 

[JimJ 5,000+ posts]

So you think i should upgrade my hu and that will be enough with my stock speakers to "keep up" with the bass?

No.

 

[hondarider 10+ year member]

What sort of vehicle are you planning to put the subs in?.

Probably a 2000 pontiac grand prix

 

[johnson 10+ year member]

So you think i should upgrade my hu and that will be enough with my stock speakers to "keep up" with the bass?

You want amped speakers. Id get that before a subwoofer.

 

[Randy Savage 5,000+ posts]

Upgrading the radio is not as important as it once was IMO.

With cars coming with systems that integrate some non-audio related features and functions into the factory radio...it makes it an inconvenience to change the radio...plus with the huge improvements that have been made in OEM integration(JL Cleansweep, JBL's new unit), it's not as big of a priority it once was.

 

[Ricky616 10+ year member]

you would need to upgrade the front speakers because if you dont all you will hear is bass i went like that through a whole week i even had the bass all the way down and i still couldnt hear the lyrics that much after i replaced the front speakers and added tweeters it sounded so much better if i where you i would buy the front speakers and a amp for the speakers

 

[Chevyaudio 5,000+ posts]

Upgrading the radio is not as important as it once was IMO.
With cars coming with systems that integrate some non-audio related features and functions into the factory radio...it makes it an inconvenience to change the radio...plus with the huge improvements that have been made in OEM integration(JL Cleansweep, JBL's new unit), it's not as big of a priority it once was.

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ie GM Class II data retension harness=dammn near 100 bucks, but I agree with Jim no point in upgrading sub stage with a weak front stage.

 

[hondarider 10+ year member]

you would need to upgrade the front speakers because if you dont all you will hear is bass i went like that through a whole week i even had the bass all the way down and i still couldnt hear the lyrics that much after i replaced the front speakers and added tweeters it sounded so much better if i where you i would buy the front speakers and a amp for the speakers

I dont want that much bass just some that will sound ok and get loud everyonce in a awhile.