Stock head unit question

[ZPV]

Anyone running just an amp and sub from the basic stock head unit? not the touch screen head unit but the most basic one.

[11blackSTi]

It will sound much better than stock because you can turn all of the bass off from your door speakers. Won't sound as good as if you get a decent (you don't have to spend much) head unit. The output from an aftermarket unit will make your door speakers sound a whole lot better. I would recommend head unit, sub, and amp. Later on if you want further upgrade then go components in the front.

[csilkman]

I just installed a new HU and the sound is night and day. I have a Sound Ordinance sub on order. With just the HU the sound is louder and much clearer with a range of tuning options.

I'm going to power the door speakers with the HU and the amp is built in powered. All I can afford to do right now.

[EJ257]

As said, it will allow you to dial the bass away from the speakers, so they can focus only on the mids/highs (and will be a bit clearer). Also, if you get a 4- or 5-channel amp, you can amplify the stock front speakers and the sub (bridge channels 3+). Down the road, when you come time to install components, you'll already be set. Get something that's at least 75W RMS per channel. Don't go overboard with the sub; I only throw 250W at my JL 10W3, and it provides the perfect level of bass, where you get a kick in your seat when it hits, while isn't rattling too bad (considering I haven't done all the deadening I want to), and is barely audible outside the car (so I'm not being obnoxious).

The benefit of adding an aftermarket H/U is you can dial in the EQ settings to better suit the music you listen to, and for the car it's installed in. I bought a microphone that helps get a pretty good baseline EQ tune on the unit, and I usually dial it a bit from there with some of my music.

[ZPV]

I ended up getting speakers/tweeters (JL C2) in the front & a JL 10w3 in a ported box in the trunk with a JL XD700/5 amp running everything. I still have the stock head unit and stock back door speakers. I hooked up a bass knob to controll the subwoofer alone. It sounds really good, gets really loud and the bass is perfect for the car. Im going to add a kenwood double din dvd/nav system w/ back up camera & steering wheel controls & the JL C2's in the back doors next.

[EJ257]

Im going to add a kenwood double din dvd/nav system w/ back up camera & steering wheel controls & the JL C2's in the back doors next.

Skip getting rear speakers. Spend that money on proper sound deadening and audio tuning (if you're not familiar with it), instead.

[ZPV]

Skip getting rear speakers. Spend that money on proper sound deadening and audio tuning (if you're not familiar with it), instead.

Yeah im thinking about deadening the trunk. You think JL C2 rear speakers would make any noticeable difference? & what do you mean by proper audio tuning?