Help me upgrade my audio

[skategoat]

I am not an audio weenie so my expectations for hi-fi are pretty low. However, I was surprised by how bad the sound is with my stock HU and speakers. This is the base non-JBL system on a '04 SR5. I would describe the sound as muddy. Really bad on the high frequencies.

I wll upgrade but want my interior to look as stock as possible. Can any Scion attest to the improvement on sound? Does just replacing the HU do enough or do I need to replace the speakers and add an amp?

Does the 6 disc Scion unit give you better sound or just more discs?

Opinions wanted.

Thanks for your input.

Henry

 

[Derek]

you really can't go wrong with the scion head unit...

It LOOKS stock, but sounds so much better than the stock CD player. On top of that, the steering wheel controls still work, the back-light on the single disc matches the interior perfect, and you can put ~150 MP3's on a single CD and play them with this head unit. I feel it was the best $100 I'd spent in a long time, and have no regrets doing the upgrade.

If you have any other questions, just let me know.

 

[skategoat]

Is it easy to pull the head unit? Any special tools required?

Thanks,

Henry

 

[greasefingers]

I have taken my HU out four times so far. All you need to do is follow the instructions previously posted. Someone wrote a fantastic post with pics. I used a 10mm socket to remove the screws. If you use a screwdriver for prying anything, I didn’t; then cover the screwdriver blade with electrical tape. This avoids scratching the interior parts.

 

[Derek]

here is a link with detailed instructions...

http://www.castulucci.com/projects/carpc/oemnaviaccess/

yes, it looks intimidating, but once you get past the initial fear of breaking something, you'll be fine

 

[skategoat]

I'm not afraid of taking my truck apart. I did it all the time with my Audi - because something was always breaking.

Now I just have to find a Scion head unit.

Henry

 

[DaveS]

There are a few on ebay.ca right now - there have been some comments elsewhere that the 6 disc changers are fairly delicate and dont survive shipping sometimes... I am still plucking up the courage to open up the dash on mine...