I want to replace my stock stereo... any suggestions?

[jrm27]

Hello all,

I've got an 02 Sport that I love. I love nearly everything about it except for the stock stereo. It just sounds terrible. I'd like to replace it and I'm coming here for some advice as I am inexperienced with car audio.

As nice as it would be to have a DVD player available to me in the car, I think I'll pass on that option and just use my ipad when the need arises. So, basically I'm looking for something that is single-din, has a CD player, and a USB jack (or two) to run my ipod through. I'd prefer a stereo which had an ipod input that didnt use the 1/8inch headphone jack, but instead took the audio from the dock connector.

If I can get picky, I'd even like something with a nice readable screen. I've got nothing major against the old alarm clock style screens, but wouldn't mind having something that renders text and stuff a little more smoothly... if that even makes sense.

If I go with a single-din, I know that will leave me with an empty space in my dash. Are there different accessories I can out in that spot? Even a shelf that will hold my ipod would be nice!

Any ideas? Thanks all.

-jon

 

[Millerad1651]

Go to Crutchfied.com and go to "outfit my car". You enter your info and it will pull up all stereos that they have that fit your ride, and you can pick all the functions you want. If you go with a single din, they include a tray for free with the install kit if you ask. Otherwise they may send a backplate that lets you center the stereo. Plus they send detailed instructions and all the wiring harnesses you'll need. I've been buying audio equip. for my vehicles from them since '98...great place.

this is what I got by the way...
JVC KW-XR610 CD receiver at Crutchfield.com

 

[RG79]

Hello all,

I've got an 02 Sport that I love. I love nearly everything about it except for the stock stereo. It just sounds terrible. I'd like to replace it and I'm coming here for some advice as I am inexperienced with car audio.

As nice as it would be to have a DVD player available to me in the car, I think I'll pass on that option and just use my ipad when the need arises. So, basically I'm looking for something that is single-din, has a CD player, and a USB jack (or two) to run my ipod through. I'd prefer a stereo which had an ipod input that didnt use the 1/8inch headphone jack, but instead took the audio from the dock connector.

If I can get picky, I'd even like something with a nice readable screen. I've got nothing major against the old alarm clock style screens, but wouldn't mind having something that renders text and stuff a little more smoothly... if that even makes sense.

If I go with a single-din, I know that will leave me with an empty space in my dash. Are there different accessories I can out in that spot? Even a shelf that will hold my ipod would be nice!

Any ideas? Thanks all.

-jon

Get the Pioneer fh-p8000bt its a great unit even has built in bluetooth. It's double din so there would be no need for the pocket, also it's one of the few pioneers that have the iPod cable coming from the back of the deck thus no need for dangling cables in front of the head unit......

 

[RG79]

Pioneer FH-P800BT

 

[BucknutBob]

Sound comes from the other end...

Hello all,

I've got an 02 Sport that I love. I love nearly everything about it except for the stock stereo. It just sounds terrible. I'd like to replace it and I'm coming here for some advice as I am inexperienced with car audio.

As nice as it would be to have a DVD player available to me in the car, I think I'll pass on that option and just use my ipad when the need arises. So, basically I'm looking for something that is single-din, has a CD player, and a USB jack (or two) to run my ipod through. I'd prefer a stereo which had an ipod input that didnt use the 1/8inch headphone jack, but instead took the audio from the dock connector.

If I can get picky, I'd even like something with a nice readable screen. I've got nothing major against the old alarm clock style screens, but wouldn't mind having something that renders text and stuff a little more smoothly... if that even makes sense.

If I go with a single-din, I know that will leave me with an empty space in my dash. Are there different accessories I can out in that spot? Even a shelf that will hold my ipod would be nice!

Any ideas? Thanks all.

-jon

If it's really SOUND quality you want, you're starting on the wrong end of the chain. Start with a quality set of speakers--changing the head unit won't help if the factory speakers are, well, like factory speakers (usually paper cones that wear out quickly). A simple, moderately-powered 4-ch. amp will make a world of difference in your sound--you want the head unit to only provide the music signal, not the power (if you want clean sound). Also, consider larger, name-brand wiring--those "lamp cords" attaching the factory stuff create tons of resistance, and kill a lot of the musical spectrum. Good luck, Jon!

 

[jrm27]

Thanks all! This is great info. That Pioneer looks nice, I'll have to dig into that a bit. I was also looking at this Sony. Any thoughts on that model?

BucknutBob, I am interested in good sound quality. Very much so, but I have no idea where to begin with amps and speakers. I'd love some new speakers, even if just in the front for now. Do you have any recommendations? Also, I'm concerned that the truck is so loud and suffers from road noise. I'd rather hate to dump some serious dough into amps and speakers, and have it only be a marginal improvement due to road noise. How would you suggest combatting that?

 

[Millerad1651]

That Sony is nice, and from what it sounds like you want, it would be fine. Any aftermarket HU will make your stock speakers sound better. I haven't changed the speakers in mine, and it sounds great after getting the new HU. I added a powered sub enclosure under my drivers seat, and I am extremely happy with it. It doesn't wake the neighbors, was relatively cheap, easy to install, and sounds great.

 

[BucknutBob]

Stereo tips

:jump:

Thanks all! This is great info. That Pioneer looks nice, I'll have to dig into that a bit. I was also looking at this Sony. Any thoughts on that model?

BucknutBob, I am interested in good sound quality. Very much so, but I have no idea where to begin with amps and speakers. I'd love some new speakers, even if just in the front for now. Do you have any recommendations? Also, I'm concerned that the truck is so loud and suffers from road noise. I'd rather hate to dump some serious dough into amps and speakers, and have it only be a marginal improvement due to road noise. How would you suggest combatting that?

Millerad had a great suggestion to help--Crutchfield is an excellent source for components AND info regarding quality and needs. I'm not sure how the '02 is set up in front for speakers--my 2nd Gen models had awful locations in the dash, pointed at your kneecaps. Doors or kickpanels are best for imaging, especially if you go with component (separate woofer and tweeter) speakers. Stick with big name brands, and don't buy the cheapest model they have--I tend to go for something in the middle, to keep the price down but still get good stuff. You DON'T need a ton of power with amps--just make sure the speakers you choose have a high sensitivity rating (meaning they respond well even with lower power). Be sure the speakers will handle the highest rating on the amp, or you're likely to blow them eventually. As for road noise, there are products like Dynamat that come in sheets, are applied under your upholstery/carpeting, and deaden a lot of noise--plus they help cancel out vibrations that will "color" the sound (distortion). Road noise is the main reason for subs in vehicles, because low frequencies get lost in the background noise. For subs, a ported enclosure needs less power, but it usually makes "boomy" bass--for tight, musical bass, use a sealed enclosure with plenty of power. There is a great older book by Joe Pettitt (Cartech) called "High Performance Car Stereo" that gives tons of good info--I highly recommend it before you buy anything, and especially if you plan to install it yourself. Have fun, and good luck!