Hey guys...i have the stock 1 cd HU still and plan on keeping it. Would new speakers make it sound a lot better? Or buying a sub or amp be better? thanks

 

the BIGGEST improvement to overall volume, sound quality, and the best start for any system is a 4 channel amp and new speakers.

It REALLY depends on your budget, but it doesn't sound like you want to really cause seismic damage or set records. For that, I would suggest some Polk speakers (they are soft on the ears, but also very musical). I use MOMO series, which are $100 or less a pair on Ebay. As for the amp, that's a toughie...maybe try the HiFonics ZX6400. Fantastic amp and a great price on ebay new.

The sub and head unit can come later...

 

whoops

 

thanks a lot...if i choose an amp that looks like the one i'll go with. What exact speakers would i need? size that is...would i need all 4?
http://search.ebay.com/search/search...ers&category0=
thanks again

 

Just curious, can you put in a sub and still use the stock head unit?

 

Yes.

For any amp, you need a line-out converter to hook up to the stock h/u.
Then run the line-out to your amp for your sub or your multi-channel for your door speakers.

I've never been impressed by sound quality using this method. Better than stock, but not near as good as an aftermarket system with amps.

 

Check out Niche audio. I put an new set of 5x7 in the front doors. They are so crisp and loaud and clear without an amp. They set me back about 100 bucks. I cant wait to do the rear (5x7 also). I also put 2 10s under my rear seat. it pounds like crazy.

 

Dude, why do you want to keep your stock headunit. Its really going to hold you back. .

 

One reason that I like to keep the stock head unit is because of thieves. Most everyone I've arrested for entering auto tell me they "check cars". In otherwords, they look through the windows first and see if there appears to be anything inside worth stealing before they go to the trouble of breaking in. I've had several tell me that they first look for vehicles with large stereo manufacturer decals on the rear windows. See, advertising does pay off.

 

The very first thing I do when I modify any vehicle's stereo system is cut the power to the rear speakers (and if time allows, take them out and throw them in the trash...).

The sound quality you receive if you runa 4-channel amp to only one set of nice components (1 channel to each woofer and 1 channel to each tweeter) is infinitely better than anything I have ever heard with rear speakers. Honestly, you never get much benefit from the rear anyhow (unless you mount the rear tweeters off the headliner, facing your ears in the front...

 

The best bang-for-bucks method: Leave the head unit, change all 4 speakers to quality brand-name aftermarket ones that have as high as possible sensitivity rating [db] and you'll truly be amazed at the sound output, sound quality difference, less distortion and overall clarity.

I thought the stock system was pretty dang good, all things considered, but after taking the above metioned approach, I was amazed! Like day and night, chalk and cheese, Ford and Dodge . . .

Purchasing an aftermarket 4 channel amp along with the above mentioned is the way to go [IMHO] but it is a more expensive route. Can be a lot more expensive as a high quality 4 channel amp with more than 50WRMS power rating is not cheap.

Good luck.

safe driving.

 

your my new best friend