Is it worth it to replace the factory stereo...?

Dilweed · Post by **Dilweed** » Tue Oct 17, 2006 11:54 am

...in addition to just the speakers??That's what a sound tech told me. He said that these stereos are very good, and that they're generics built by Eclipse. Replacing the stereo for an aftermarket deck is a misnomer, I guess? Replacing those crappy all-bass/no tweeter speakers has done wonders to my sound, but I can do better. I don't need anything super crazy loud; just clear. I'm still missing some backing vocals, etc. in various songs. Very picky ear (I'm a drummer), and I wonder about the deck now. OR... do I go to an amp and dance that little roundabout route? I'd rather do what's easiest. How about little tweeters on the upper doors, like the M&T package has? The tech guy also said that that'd be a waste and wouldn't help.Hmmmm...Thoughts? Experiences?

CAN-AWD-VIBE · Post by **CAN-AWD-VIBE** » Tue Oct 17, 2006 12:28 pm

im not too sure about you tech guyim not too sure that delco is made by eclipse.these decks are not that great.tweeters in the door make a big difference.you dont need an unless you really want to. A good deck will probably be just fine for you.But if your really picky, a nice 4channel amp and a couple subs will really bring it all together. just get a deck

GMJAP · Post by **GMJAP** » Tue Oct 17, 2006 12:30 pm

If you don't mind, what speakers did you replace the the OEMs with?EDITOr I guess I could just read your sig.

LUVROK · Post by **LUVROK** » Tue Oct 17, 2006 1:21 pm

Last I heard the factory head unit didn't come with a 24bit DAC. Sure it may be decent compared to some lower end aftermarket head units but that doesn't mean much. Being made by Fujitso Ten doesn't mean much either, if it even is.

Dilweed · Post by **Dilweed** » Tue Oct 17, 2006 7:48 pm

So, a new deck woud make a difference? Hmmmm... I did enjoy my old Kenwood on my '95 Neon. Nothing too special, but very good sound for what it was. Wow...Thanks!

Dilweed · Post by **Dilweed** » Tue Oct 17, 2006 7:52 pm

I have good tweeters on the Punch speakers, too. Does anyone recommend getting more installed up high by the window area?I'm attributing the missing sound to all four speakers being low down in the doors, front and back....Thanks!

shane_c · Post by **shane_c** » Tue Oct 17, 2006 10:08 pm

I have the 4 speaker stereo. I still have the factory deck but replaced the speakers with Infinity. The sound quality was a great improvement. I had an aftermarket deck installed for a day but took it out because I couldn't find the proper mounting kit and didn't feel like ordering one. But I can say that the aftermarket deck provided much better sound than the factory one.

Dilweed · Post by **Dilweed** » Wed Oct 18, 2006 12:01 am

Sweet, shane. What make was the aftermarket deck? That's good to knowthat it was better than the factory unit... I was told by the tech guy that it wouldn't make a difference. Grrrrr....

Jahntassa · Post by **Jahntassa** » Wed Oct 18, 2006 4:56 am

Pretty much any aftermarket stereo will help your sound over the stock radio.Aftermarket radios (especially Pioneers) have much better amplifier circuits, not to mention signal processing and better FM recievers.Not to mention the amplifiers are more powerful than the pitiful stock one.

shane_c · Post by **shane_c** » Wed Oct 18, 2006 6:29 am

It was a Sony GT500 I believe. At some point I will order myself the dash kit and get an aftermarket deck though. I'm looking at getting a Kenwood DPX301 or 501 though.

Dilweed · Post by **Dilweed** » Wed Oct 18, 2006 7:09 am

Quote, originally posted by Jahntassa Â»Pretty much any aftermarket stereo will help your sound over the stock radio.Aftermarket radios (especially Pioneers) have much better amplifier circuits, not to mention signal processing and better FM recievers.Not to mention the amplifiers are more powerful than the pitiful stock one.Do you mean that I need to get an amp in addition to the deck, or just the deck for that improved sound quality? (Loved my Kenwood in my old Neon!)

CAN-AWD-VIBE · Post by **CAN-AWD-VIBE** » Wed Oct 18, 2006 7:10 am

an aftermarket deck has a larger internal amp then the OEM

jake75 · Post by **jake75** » Wed Oct 18, 2006 7:53 am

IMO the Vibe, like most if not all in this class, is so noisy that a better sound system is sort of a waste of money. But I'm half deaf (so says the wife) so what do I know. I CAN hear what I am not supposed to hear though.

CAN-AWD-VIBE · Post by **CAN-AWD-VIBE** » Wed Oct 18, 2006 11:00 am

Quote, originally posted by jake75 Â»IMO the Vibe, like most if not all in this class, is so noisy that a better sound system is sort of a waste of money. But I'm half deaf (so says the wife) so what do I know. I CAN hear what I am not supposed to hear though.I dont get it... isn't that why a better system is required?

Jahntassa · Post by **Jahntassa** » Wed Oct 18, 2006 11:14 pm

Aftermarket radio has a better amplifier built-in. And exactly, better sound system means you CAN hear it and drown out the road noise.

jake75 · Post by **jake75** » Wed Oct 18, 2006 11:38 pm

Quote, originally posted by CAN-AWD-VIBE Â»I dont get it... isn't that why a better system is required? I was thinking you could not hear/appreciate the "quality" over the engine/road noise.

4azdmunky · Post by **4azdmunky** » Thu Oct 19, 2006 8:50 am

**** can the HU and put a carpc in it, you'll love it.

4azdmunky · Post by **4azdmunky** » Thu Oct 19, 2006 8:52 am

cheapest way to fix a problem ...turn the music up

Dilweed · Post by **Dilweed** » Thu Oct 19, 2006 8:56 am

"carpc"?

4azdmunky · Post by **4azdmunky** » Thu Oct 19, 2006 9:03 am

http://www.mp3car.comsmall home built PC that plays music, movies, XM, GPS, OBDC, etc..I do recommend spending the extra $$ for a touch screen.If you build it right you can have something that boots in 8 seconds.

CAN-AWD-VIBE · Post by **CAN-AWD-VIBE** » Thu Oct 19, 2006 11:11 am

Quote, originally posted by jake75 Â»I was thinking you could not hear/appreciate the "quality" over the engine/road noise.I think it's more like "what engine noise, all I can hear is tunes"

Merzbow · Post by **Merzbow** » Thu Oct 19, 2006 11:37 am

I think the stock headunit is fine. Granted I've had it replaced 3 times, other than that, the sound quality it produces is great for me. In my opinion, buying a $300 headunit is a waste. Most of my friends have had to buy new ones every couple of years so I'm not going to bother wasting my money on one.As far as the door speakers are concerned, I could probably use them, but now that I have the 6x9s in the back, they completely drown out all of the door speakers including the tweeters so I dunno...I already have too many amps in my car as it is so I don't really wanna deal with a third amp for new door speakers lol...

Serg4u · Post by **Serg4u** » Thu Oct 19, 2006 11:55 am

I've have had my $500 alpine deck for 2 years, and use it 6-7hrs a day M-F.when I had my stock deck it didnt sound as clear as it does now......yeah I have a corolla, but I dont see many stock decks out performing aftermarket ones.I say its worth it....whats your budget look like?Get a deck get a amp, and you'll love the sound!Audio is always my first upgrade in my cars

4azdmunky · Post by **4azdmunky** » Thu Oct 19, 2006 11:59 am

HOLY CRAP BATMAN!Nice rig, did you do the fiberglass work yourself? Looks cool, nice and fluid.Who needs trunk space anyways, they are only good for moving dead hookers.How does your alt hold up? Did you upgrade it?

Merzbow · Post by **Merzbow** » Thu Oct 19, 2006 12:15 pm

Freestyle and his fiance actually built the box itself, that is why it is blue, his Vibe was blue.Right now I am fiberglassing and shaping side panels for either side of the box which will be wrapped in grey padded leather to allow the box to smoothly flow into the side of the Vibe. Still running on stock alternator, had to ditch the original battery but the semi-new one I have now works great. No problems yet.As far as trunk space is concerned, I have a 1991 Taurus Wagon GL as my work car so I just use that beast when something needs moving Basically, I'm just sayin I have all this gear in my Vibe and it's all branching off of the stock headunit and sounds amazing. I can cause earth quakes from blocks away

LUVROK · Post by **LUVROK** » Thu Oct 19, 2006 2:27 pm

3 band equalizers don't do it for me. Another reason to go to an aftermarket head unit. But again, a $150 HU isn't going to be much different from a stock one.

Merzbow · Post by **Merzbow** » Thu Oct 19, 2006 3:28 pm

Yeah you're right about t he equalizer

Dilweed · Post by **Dilweed** » Thu Oct 19, 2006 7:48 pm

Quote, originally posted by Serg4u Â» I say its worth it....whats your budget look like?Get a deck get a amp, and you'll love the sound!Audio is always my first upgrade in my carsOnly $200 or less. Plus, I have p215 50 r17's to replace with something better for Maine driving. (Not sure about that yet...)

Is it worth it to replace the factory stereo...?

Is it worth it to replace the factory stereo...?

Re: Is it worth it to replace the factory stereo...? (Dilweed)

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Re: Is it worth it to replace the factory stereo...? (Dilweed)

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