Infinity Stereo Systems in New Cars

[ddegagne]

I have a new vehicle with a stock Infinity, 10 speaker sound system which has a small amplifier (non adjustable) and a supposedly a subwoofer (which rattles with any significant bass.

I am used to custom car audio systems with a good amp and a subwoofer - nothing too powerful, just good clear sound etc. Compared to what I am used to, the Infinity stock system is a piece of crap. All those speakers and the sound is flat, the bass is minimal, there is just no punch to the music.

I want to upgrade the system incrementally and just wanted to get some thoughts on what to do first. Will a good pair of component speakers and a subwoofer do the trick or does the head unit have to go? Should I keep the head unit and get an amp and speakers? I don't want to replace the entire system.

What would you do first (besides totally scrapping the system)?

Don

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[BJ The Man 10+ year member]

Honestly with what you seem to be looking for it will come down to how much you are willing to spend.

I suggest new everything, but for a start, a solid head unit with some EQ controls. This way you might be able to tweak what you have into your likings.

 

[Simek4life 10+ year member]

First of all, you should tell us:

your budget

spl or sq

what all you want ( speakers, subs, batteries etc.)

 

[ddegagne]

I did a decent job in my truck for less than a thousand dollars. Infinity Kappa components, Kicker sub, Pioneer head and a 720 watt Soundstream Tarantula 4 channel amp. I would be happy with the same, but I would like to salvage what I can from the factory system and maybe not have to replace everything.

Is the head unit the most important first step? What about the non adjustable amp with the system. It is buried under the drivers seat. Will it still work with a new head unit or will it override the head settings?

Don

 

[timaishu 10+ year member]

Your car has ten speaks? Where the heck did they put all of them?

 

[jmanpc 5,000+ posts]

My last car had an Infinity stereo. All I could stand to listen to on it was talk radio.

 

[ZeroDfx]

You're a braver man than me to be able to listen to anything on talk radio!!!

My idea of hell would be to lock me in a room with nothing but conservative talk radio going 24/7! I'd tear my hair out in 10 minutes; I'd pierce my ear drums after 2 hours; I'd blow what brains remained after 6 hours.//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/eek.gif.771b7a90cf45cabdc554ff1121c21c4a.gif

 

[ddegagne]

So Zero, now that we know you don't like talk radio and you have made a big mess, what do you suggest I do. lol //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/rolleyes.gif.c1fef805e9d1464d377451cd5bc18bfb.gif

 

[blazeplacid 10+ year member]

what kinda car/suv/truck is it first?

 

[ddegagne]

It is a 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe Limited. They put speakers everywhere but they don't sound good.

What would you do first? The bass is poor. The general sound is flat.

Can a mediocre head unit be overcome by an amp and speakers? Good speakers usually make a difference on their own, correct. I like crystal clear sound with decent bass. I could spend a thousand dollars or so.

Don

 

[Doola36 10+ year member]

I say get a nice HU. I have a Nissan Titan with the Fosgate system which is okay until a certain point. When I replaced my HU with a Kenwood DD it made a big different in my truck. And I have a 10 speaker system in it. But since then I have installed two set of comps with a 4 channel amp.