head unit question
- Thread starter BROOKLYN
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From what I've heard, yes it will.
I've heard a mix of two, when I had a post asking advice wehther to upgrade the head unit or speakers first. I had one say head unit and one say speaekrs. Both seem like they knew what they were talking about.
But I went with a head unit just because.
I've heard a mix of two, when I had a post asking advice wehther to upgrade the head unit or speakers first. I had one say head unit and one say speaekrs. Both seem like they knew what they were talking about.
But I went with a head unit just because.
ovrrdrive
New member
I hate to post a differing opinion, but you can absolutely upgrade the speakers and have better sound with the stock HU.
Do your ears hear the head unit or the speakers?
The head units in factory vehicles are usually of pretty high quality. I recall Honda stock units being made by Alpine about 20 years ago, but I have no idea if they still are.
I have seen factory HU's place in stereo competitions after having added amps and speakers to them. The main thing they need are better speakers, more power, and a way to equalize the sound.
The factory stuff isn't that bad, it just lacks the bells and whistles the aftermarket stuff has. However, if you simply change speakers, you may not be all that impressed until you also add an amp. More power will almost always make the sound better because it gives you more dynamic headroom, as in it gives you more useable volume before the head unit starts clipping.
In my wife's last T4R I added an amp and a woofer to the stock system and it actually sounded pretty good. It really exceeded my expectations. I'm usually not a fan of line level converters, but it sounded really clean. I'm going to reinstall the woofer in the new one when I get a chance. Really all the stock system needs for her listening tastes is more bottom end.
In a nutshell, it's best to upgrade everything at once if you can, but you certainly can replace pieces and parts as you see fit. If you are not adding an external amp, you won't see a huge increase in sound by changing the speakers unless you go with really good speakers (Infinity, Alpine, BA or the like...), as I said before, the stock stuff isn't all that bad. Changing the HU to an aftermarket high power unit will give you better sound quality out of the stock speakers, but it will also increase the likelyhood of them blowing after a while.
Personally, I really wouldn't have a preference between adding an amp and speakers to the stock HU or changing the stock HU and changing the speakers too. Best would be new HU, amp, and speakers of course...
If I was going to only do one thing, I'd add an amp and woofer to the stock system as my first choice. Second choice would be a nice set of Boston Acoustics speaker replacements and leave everything else stock. An additional amp to choice #2 will make a big difference.
I personally wouldn't do a HU change unless it was to a very nice HU with a ton of features. I definitely would NOT change to a Walmart $150 Pioneer. There are a few nice ones that I would consider, but they all seem to cost upwards of $500. That isn't going to happen for quite some time.
Sorry this post has seemed to ramble on, I was typing as I thought which is rarely a good thing.
I may not have given you the answers you were looking for, but discussion is always good. And discuss the issue, I have definitely done.
Do your ears hear the head unit or the speakers?
The head units in factory vehicles are usually of pretty high quality. I recall Honda stock units being made by Alpine about 20 years ago, but I have no idea if they still are.
I have seen factory HU's place in stereo competitions after having added amps and speakers to them. The main thing they need are better speakers, more power, and a way to equalize the sound.
The factory stuff isn't that bad, it just lacks the bells and whistles the aftermarket stuff has. However, if you simply change speakers, you may not be all that impressed until you also add an amp. More power will almost always make the sound better because it gives you more dynamic headroom, as in it gives you more useable volume before the head unit starts clipping.
In my wife's last T4R I added an amp and a woofer to the stock system and it actually sounded pretty good. It really exceeded my expectations. I'm usually not a fan of line level converters, but it sounded really clean. I'm going to reinstall the woofer in the new one when I get a chance. Really all the stock system needs for her listening tastes is more bottom end.
In a nutshell, it's best to upgrade everything at once if you can, but you certainly can replace pieces and parts as you see fit. If you are not adding an external amp, you won't see a huge increase in sound by changing the speakers unless you go with really good speakers (Infinity, Alpine, BA or the like...), as I said before, the stock stuff isn't all that bad. Changing the HU to an aftermarket high power unit will give you better sound quality out of the stock speakers, but it will also increase the likelyhood of them blowing after a while.
Personally, I really wouldn't have a preference between adding an amp and speakers to the stock HU or changing the stock HU and changing the speakers too. Best would be new HU, amp, and speakers of course...
If I was going to only do one thing, I'd add an amp and woofer to the stock system as my first choice. Second choice would be a nice set of Boston Acoustics speaker replacements and leave everything else stock. An additional amp to choice #2 will make a big difference.
I personally wouldn't do a HU change unless it was to a very nice HU with a ton of features. I definitely would NOT change to a Walmart $150 Pioneer. There are a few nice ones that I would consider, but they all seem to cost upwards of $500. That isn't going to happen for quite some time.
Sorry this post has seemed to ramble on, I was typing as I thought which is rarely a good thing.
I may not have given you the answers you were looking for, but discussion is always good. And discuss the issue, I have definitely done.
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good point.. i was going by my own experience with the 96 4runner. but i do agree that factory HUs have gotten much better so i cant say that my experiences would include the newer models.
then again, factory speakers could be pretty good and the hu and wiring could be all bad : )
i think you hear the weakest part of your system, weather its the speaker or wires or amp or HU. you can have really clear speakers and a bad signal...and they will clearly reproduce a bad signal. thats just in my experience. i guess its up to you to decide which one that is.
but yea... it probably would be better to just wait and do it all at once. its much easier for sure
then again, factory speakers could be pretty good and the hu and wiring could be all bad : )
i think you hear the weakest part of your system, weather its the speaker or wires or amp or HU. you can have really clear speakers and a bad signal...and they will clearly reproduce a bad signal. thats just in my experience. i guess its up to you to decide which one that is.
but yea... it probably would be better to just wait and do it all at once. its much easier for sure
atomic punk
New member
The answer to the original question totally depends on the volume at which you will be listening to music. If you aren't at high decibels, then speaker replacement will make the most difference. If you want MAX LOUDNESS, then amps and speakers will do that for you, you can keep the head unit turned down and your THD will remain looooow.