stock head unit and still be good

[>>SQL<< 10+ year member]

What are your goals?

Do you plan on adding a Subwoofer?

The basic, simple, and quality system would be something like this

Use a Basic LOC Line Output Convertor | eBay

Get a decent front component speaker set that has a set of 6.5 mids and 1" tweeters along with their own crossover (all comes as a set) $150

Use a 4 channel amp - 2 channels will run the front component speakers the other 2 channels would run a small subwoofer in the rear of the car

The factory head unit rear channels would still power the factory rear speakers (these are just used as rear fill and are not near as important as good quality front speakers)

This 4 channel amp would work very well for you MB Quart ONX4.125 - 1000W RMS ONYX 4-Channel Car Amplifier/Amp

Subwoofer would be up for discussion depending on how important bass vs. storage room is to you.

 

[LosIsATool 5,000+ posts]

What are your goals?Do you plan on adding a Subwoofer?

The basic, simple, and quality system would be something like this

Use a Basic LOC Line Output Convertor | eBay

Get a decent front component speaker set that has a set of 6.5 mids and 1" tweeters along with their own crossover (all comes as a set) $150

Use a 4 channel amp - 2 channels will run the front component speakers the other 2 channels would run a small subwoofer in the rear of the car

The factory head unit rear channels would still power the factory rear speakers (these are just used as rear fill and are not near as important as good quality front speakers)

This 4 channel amp would work very well for you MB Quart ONX4.125 - 1000W RMS ONYX 4-Channel Car Amplifier/Amp

Subwoofer would be up for discussion depending on how important bass vs. storage room is to you.

I would not advise a cheap LOC. Your factory HU drops certain freq as the volume goes up to protect the factory speakers. If you dont get a good line driver processor unit that will happen at the amp also

 

[>>SQL<< 10+ year member]

I would not advise a cheap LOC. Your factory HU drops certain freq as the volume goes up to protect the factory speakers. If you dont get a good line driver processor unit that will happen at the amp also

Well this is true however I am frugal and what I do is turn the gain up on the amp and keep the volume lower on the headunit.

Getting a good line driver processor is better, however the OP seems to just want a louder but still clear system. I think he can start with a basic system such as I outlined and if the bug bites him he can upgrade it down the road.

 

[fullwoofer2121 10+ year member]

I am going to run 1 hdc3 12 with an audioque aq 1200 as my sub and amp. I look at it like this. I like to judge a setup by when someone drives by you. I want that hard heating bass and my highs to bring the music up load enough to be heard over the bass where you can make out the music. so back for bass and fronts for highs. midrange blending bass doesnt matter to me really.

 

[fullwoofer2121 10+ year member]

another question. since so many factory decks are so different and dont have the usual default type settings on bass, treble, ect will it be harder to tune and set the settings on the amp and the factory deck. most after market head units all have the same number setting as far as volume and bass numbers it worries me the factory deck wont be able to get it just right and cause disortion or will not right run.

so does anyone have a aftermarket head unit for $150 they reccomend or under that will get the job done well.

 

[zako 10+ year member]

Another option is to keep your factory stereo stock and instead invest into an aftermarket processor like JBL-MS8. Right now they're on sale for $500. It has a line driver, 8 output channels, automatic equalizer, 2-way active, 3-way active, and center channel front stage capability and a real surround sound processor that will actually use your rear speakers. 8 channel amplifier good for 18watts RMS at 4-ohms per channel is included. It's still a good idea to have a better head unit with the MS-8 so you can send a low voltage signal instead of using line out signal. However, if the choice is between a head unit vs MS-8, I would totally go for MS-8. No head unit for that price can fully match MS-8's potential.

 

[fullwoofer2121 10+ year member]

what about the audiocontrol lc6i? could I get a good aftermarket cd player for 220-250.

 

[04murdalanche]

Got a JL Audiom Cleansweep for sale if you're interested! pM me