New System. Head Unit Important?

[MT523]

Never had an upgraded sound system so I'm a noob but I'm getting ready to upgrade the stock system in my 09 Explorer. New speakers, one 10" sub/ported box, amp. I can list the brands/models but can I add the head unit last and be ok? Technically do I need one?

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[Papermaker85 5,000+ posts]

The head unit takes the signal and processes it and turns it into and analog signal. IMO next to installation and speakers its very important. if you run a DSP then the DSP can improve the signal but starting with a good head unit IMO is the key..

 

[MT523]

Wow cool I'm glad I asked. I will go with the speakers and head unit first.

 

[Jeffdachef 5,000+ posts]

Never had an upgraded sound system so I'm a noob but I'm getting ready to upgrade the stock system in my 09 Explorer. New speakers, one 10" sub/ported box, amp. I can list the brands/models but can I add the head unit last and be ok? Technically do I need one?

head unit should always be the first not the last. New speakers is always the last

Head unit, subs, and 4 channel amp for the speakers then new speakers. Your stock speakers will sound VERY different on more power and a good head unit. It becomes a completely different beast.

 

[MT523]

head unit should always be the first not the last. New speakers is always the last
Head unit, subs, and 4 channel amp for the speakers then new speakers. Your stock speakers will sound VERY different on more power and a good head unit. It becomes a completely different beast.

Sounds good. Of course I figured out everything except the head unit. I will do research and pick one and get the sub/amp after.

 

[BOOMINGRANDPA 5,000+ posts]

Never had an upgraded sound system so I'm a noob but I'm getting ready to upgrade the stock system in my 09 Explorer. New speakers, one 10" sub/ported box, amp. I can list the brands/models but can I add the head unit last and be ok? Technically do I need one?

yep they all got on me about it, recommended kenwood x301 ($119)22rmsx4, 5v preamp outputs and 24 bit da convertor as well as hp over for mids which i really needed usb, bt it's amazing.. i used to sell and owned many $400 hu's 15 yrs ago and they were like a 8track tape players compared to this thing.. it has time delay (alignment) like my ht receiver (u tell it where u sit and tell it how far away u are from each speaker so sound from each gets to u at same time wow)....

 

[Jeffdachef 5,000+ posts]

yep they all got on me about it, recommended kenwood x301 ($119)22rmsx4, 5v preamp outputs and 24 bit da convertor as well as hp over for mids which i really needed usb, bt it's amazing.. i used to sell and owned many $400 hu's 15 yrs ago and they were like a 8track tape players compared to this thing.. it has time delay (alignment) like my ht receiver (u tell it where u sit and tell it how far away u are from each speaker so sound from each gets to u at same time wow)....

the technology nowadays is great huh? especially with how cheap it is and having a quality DAC and strong pre-outs as well as all the sound options. A unit like that would have costed $200+ 3 years ago and 500+ 8 years ago.

 

[Boomin_tahoe 5,000+ posts]

Hu 1st, speakers last. Speakers 1st then HU.

There's no specific order of buying/installing. I myself have been piecing equipment together when $$ allows. Once I get everything needed/wanted, then I start the install.

Hell, if it were me, I would start with electrical 1st then adding audio.

Planning is also important. In case you hit snags along the way....and there's always something. trust me.

 

[Jeffdachef 5,000+ posts]

Hu 1st, speakers last. Speakers 1st then HU.
There's no specific order of buying/installing. I myself have been piecing equipment together when $$ allows. Once I get everything needed/wanted, then I start the install.

Hell, if it were me, I would start with electrical 1st then adding audio.

Planning is also important. In case you hit snags along the way....and there's always something. trust me.

that gets into the veteran realm of orders lol You know its gonna be a big system when you gotta add an alt first.

 

[MT523]

Hu 1st, speakers last. Speakers 1st then HU.
There's no specific order of buying/installing. I myself have been piecing equipment together when $$ allows. Once I get everything needed/wanted, then I start the install.

Hell, if it were me, I would start with electrical 1st then adding audio.

Planning is also important. In case you hit snags along the way....and there's always something. trust me.

Ok I gotcha. So if I want to buy everything online (amp, head unit, speakers, sub), and take to a shop to install, the best plan would be to get everything and pay one installation fee? The reason I wanted to get the speakers first is to install them myself, and at least have a little bit of a better system until I get everything else.

 

[Jeffdachef 5,000+ posts]

Ok I gotcha. So if I want to buy everything online (amp, head unit, speakers, sub), and take to a shop to install, the best plan would be to get everything and pay one installation fee? The reason I wanted to get the speakers first is to install them myself, and at least have a little bit of a better system until I get everything else.

thing is, without proper installation techniques most aftermarket speaker swaps tend to sound like sh*t especially with the stock head unit which has a built in EQ curve that was meant soley for the stock speakers. with newer 08 and up cars, it actually takes a lot just to get better than stock sound.

Aftermarket speakers need -

- sealed deadened doors and acoustical treatments

- proper signal processing aka good head unit with 13 bands of EQ, 24 bit dac, time alignment, crossovers etc.... just to have a proper tune

- an amplifier, you wont get far without one.

hence thats why Its recommended that you do the speaker upgrades last because that needs the most extensive work installation and tune wise which will not happen if you are missing any component that is necessary to the install.

You can have the most expensive speakers in the world sound like complete trash in a stock head unit on stock head unit power that will get stomped out by the flea market special in a proper install and tune with proper power.

Same with subwoofers, dont ever buy a pre-built ported box. Its complete garbage, you need a properly designed enclosure meant to sound good and get loud as in nothing on ebay or amazon or whatever prebuilt junk the car stereo shop pushes at you.

 

[BOOMINGRANDPA 5,000+ posts]

well it would be cheaper to install hu and amps same time i guess, since they gotta hook rcas to back of hu.. u can do speakers later and subs yourself

 

[MT523]

thing is, without proper installation techniques most aftermarket speaker swaps tend to sound like sh*t especially with the stock head unit which has a built in EQ curve that was meant soley for the stock speakers. with newer 08 and up cars, it actually takes a lot just to get better than stock sound.
Aftermarket speakers need -

- sealed deadened doors and acoustical treatments

- proper signal processing aka good head unit with 13 bands of EQ, 24 bit dac, time alignment, crossovers etc.... just to have a proper tune

- an amplifier, you wont get far without one.

hence thats why Its recommended that you do the speaker upgrades last because that needs the most extensive work installation and tune wise which will not happen if you are missing any component that is necessary to the install.

You can have the most expensive speakers in the world sound like complete trash in a stock head unit on stock head unit power that will get stomped out by the flea market special in a proper install and tune with proper power.

Same with subwoofers, dont ever buy a pre-built ported box. Its complete garbage, you need a properly designed enclosure meant to sound good and get loud as in nothing on ebay or amazon or whatever prebuilt junk the car stereo shop pushes at you.

Sounds good. Thanks for the great info. Depending on the installation cost I will either get everything piece by piece and take to them all at once, or take it to them piece by piece as I buy each item.

Where would you buy the box? Something like this?

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_777BB1075V/Sound-Ordnance-Bass-Bunker.html?tp=61651

 

[Boomin_tahoe 5,000+ posts]

that gets into the veteran realm of orders lol You know its gonna be a big system when you gotta add an alt first.

Yup...depending upon what's going into the vehicle.

Gonna be doing a build log soon my s10. 1st thing I'm gonna do is the electrical. Pics of course will be provided.

 

[Boomin_tahoe 5,000+ posts]

thing is, without proper installation techniques most aftermarket speaker swaps tend to sound like sh*t especially with the stock head unit which has a built in EQ curve that was meant soley for the stock speakers. with newer 08 and up cars, it actually takes a lot just to get better than stock sound.
Aftermarket speakers need -

- sealed deadened doors and acoustical treatments

- proper signal processing aka good head unit with 13 bands of EQ, 24 bit dac, time alignment, crossovers etc.... just to have a proper tune

- an amplifier, you wont get far without one.

hence thats why Its recommended that you do the speaker upgrades last because that needs the most extensive work installation and tune wise which will not happen if you are missing any component that is necessary to the install.

You can have the most expensive speakers in the world sound like complete trash in a stock head unit on stock head unit power that will get stomped out by the flea market special in a proper install and tune with proper power.

Same with subwoofers, dont ever buy a pre-built ported box. Its complete garbage, you need a properly designed enclosure meant to sound good and get loud as in nothing on ebay or amazon or whatever prebuilt junk the car stereo shop pushes at you.

Sounds good. Thanks for the great info. Depending on the installation cost I will either get everything piece by piece and take to them all at once, or take it to them piece by piece as I buy each item.
Where would you buy the box? Something like this?

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_777BB1075V/Sound-Ordnance-Bass-Bunker.html?tp=61651

Prefab are crap.