Audio recommendations

[Kraeken]

I need some advice. I want to improve the sound in my 07 SE. I don't have the JBL system, just the regular one. To me, my stereo sounds like it puts out WAY too much bass. I listen to many things from opera to death metal, but mostly hard rock and metal via CD or iPod. Most of the time I have the settings on Bass -2 or -3, Treble+1. I barely hear anything from my tweeters for some reason.

I think upgrading my speakers is the wisest choice for me. I think I can call in a favor and get either Panasonic, Audiovox, Dual, or JVC speakers at dealer cost.

Any advice?

I was listening to my iPod through the stereo in my wife's BMW X3, and the sound absolutely blew me away. I don't know what she has, but its nothing we paid extra for!

 

[Kraeken]

Also, if I do indeed have tweeters- if I get 6x9's that are 2 or 3 way, will it mess with the sound, since high frequency signals will be going to 2 separate sets of tweeters?

 

[flashbolt]

I think you'd probably get more of an improvement in sound quality if you upgraded your stereo. I put in a new alpine receiver with sirius/ipod/usb/cd and got an adapter so i could keep my steering wheel controls. It sounds about 10 times better now.

I'll probably end up buying the alpine power pack amp when it comes out and upgrading the speakers over the summer, but for now it sounds much better.

There's also a lot of write-ups in the audio section of the forum with a lot of good advice.

 

[Clemsonfan15]

^ He has it right. I'd go with a new HU first.

Go with 6.5" over 6 x 9s up front.

 

[bigdon]

agreed

There are a lot of topics here I don't know beans about, but I do have a lot of
knowledge and experience with audio equipment... so here's my 2 cents...

If you only upgrade the speakers, it may end up sounding worse.
Those speakers are matched specifically to that head unit in the
amount of power they operate at efficiently.
Most after market speakers require more power than the standard
head unit will supply, so new speakers, generally, will not sound as
good as the stock ones because they will not be as efficient.
This is of course, without adding additional power via an amplifier.

I have the same stereo in my 4R, but I want more bass .
That will be taken care of when I have saved up the funds to purchase a Toby Ranger.

 

[Kraeken]

Cool, thanks for the advice!

I think my best option may be to go with a Scion head unit. They seem to be relatively cheap, provide noticeable improvement to sound quality, and work with iPod. And no bling!

However there seems to be some cutting involved, which makes me a little nervous. I'm also wary about compatibility with the 6 CD changer as well as the existing AUX input. I'll need the input because I'm 99.9% positive that if I ever want to plug in my iPhone, it will not work because only "approved" components will work with the 3G iPhone.

 

[Kraeken]

I'm an idiot- it just occurred to me that the cd changer is in the stereo itself.

Anyway, I just bought a T1808 off ebay for $99 with shipping! Now I need the iPod cable. I see the SC12235 is $70, but there are others on there for like $25. Are the cheaper ones worth it? I'm concerned with audio quality, as well as the fire hazard- I see many car fires due to homemade and cheapo wiring.

Last question, and I'll shut up. I'm installing this in my 07 Sport. Will I be needing to cut my trim, or does fit like it was meant to be there?

Thanks for all the help, it is appreciated. I can't always seem to find what I need doing a search. But I'm saving all the relevant pages I can find related to installing this.