Factory head with new speakers

Valsport · April 20, 2004

I'd like to know from someone who's done this. What kind of improvement will I get over factory speakers with (for example) infinity kappa's in the front doors and rear doors, but still only running the factory head? Is an amp the only way to go here?

rhilton · April 20, 2004

Is an amp the only way to go here?

Of course not, don't be silly..

You will be amazingly surprised with the difference aftermarket speakers will do for you. Will blow those "premium" speakers out of the water.

-Now about the amp.. If you don't want to go through a lot of hassle, hard work, irritation, and other things like that, you'd be alot better off to just get a new head unit (deck). The amps for normal speakers (not subs) are for people who really really like their music loud, and who have a problem with their subs drowning the music out.. I doubt this is where you want to be if you're keeping the factory unit

But replacing the factory speakers will make music sound better.

you know about crutchfield.com I assume... check them out. Very knowledgeable.

http://www.crutchfield.com/

mhraracing · April 21, 2004

I replaced my factory speakers with Infinity componets in the doors and Polk in the pillars. The sound is soooo much better then the stockers.

I highly recommend replacing them.

Oh yeah...still running my factory head unit.

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?...showtopic=26874

atomoverride · April 21, 2004

I am currently running a stock head unit with all sony speakers. The sound is noticably better over all. The quality is crisper and so forth. When I had a sony deck installed I did notice that it was louder and cleaner, so I am going to be finding a new stereo very soon to fix this. I am just waiting till my xm runs out so I can swap and then add xm again later.

Anyone looking to buy a factory cd/tape/xm deck out of a 2003 truck? only 9 months old.

99GoldSilverado · April 21, 2004

I have Polk db series 4x6 in the back and Polk db series 6 1/2 components in the front doors. Got them from Crutchfield. Came with all necessary hardware and connectors. Even hit a special where I got the second pair at half price. Sound great with the factory CD player.

MrQuadrasteer · April 21, 2004

I am currently running a stock head unit with all sony speakers. The sound is noticably better over all. The quality is crisper and so forth. When I had a sony deck installed I did notice that it was louder and cleaner, so I am going to be finding a new stereo very soon to fix this. I am just waiting till my xm runs out so I can swap and then add xm again later.

Anyone looking to buy a factory cd/tape/xm deck out of a 2003 truck? only 9 months old.

Did you have that Sony conected in the 03 ??

I heard replacing the 03 units was a hassle because it's integrated into the computer. I'm planning new speaks all around with subs and a couple amps... off the stock unit. We'll see how it goes...

Anyone got more info on these swaps ??

smoke

Valsport · April 21, 2004

Well then I guess I'll give some new speakers a shot then!

asilverblazer · April 23, 2004

I would like to add an amp to my factory head unit (am/fm cassette with cd player below). I already have installed some after market speakers. What do I need to know to install an amp?

OmniGLH · April 28, 2004

I think you'd get better sound going the other way - leaving the stock speakers, and adding a better HU. The quality of sound coming out is only going to be as good as the quality of sound coming in. I added an aftermarket HU to an otherwise stock system in my '02 Z71 and there was a HUGE difference in sound quality.

Wingnut · April 28, 2004

I think you'd get better sound going the other way - leaving the stock speakers, and adding a better HU. The quality of sound coming out is only going to be as good as the quality of sound coming in. I added an aftermarket HU to an otherwise stock system in my '02 Z71 and there was a HUGE difference in sound quality.

No flame here...But you might change your mind on that, if you could hear my setup.

Seriously though, upgrading any portion of the stock setup should greatly improve sound quality. You will get many opinions on which is better to replace first, the speakers or the head.

Although you should keep this in mind ...You will lose some lows, and possibly even the lower end of your midrange sound. This is becuase the factory speakers are designed to play the full spectrum of sound without the benifit of a sub. Aftermarket speakers -for the most part- are designed for specific frequency ranges, and complement each other much better if you have a full setup with subs, and dedicated tweets.

You will still notice a huge increase in clarity in what you hear when you replace the stockers.

Good luck with your stereo! Keep up posted.

asilverblazer Posted on Apr 22 2004, 07:02 PM

I would like to add an amp to my factory head unit (am/fm cassette with cd player below). I already have installed some after market speakers. What do I need to know to install an amp?

Asilverblazer, start your own thread in the audio section, and you will get more responses to your questions.

more.power · April 29, 2004

There are several companies that make plug in modules for you to add amps to facotry HU's. www.soundgate.com has lots of great kits to add amps or aux inputs, etc. I have always used aftermarket HU,s but I am leaving my stocker in this time. It has XM, in-dash 6 disc and steering wheel controls. The advantage of using these modules is most of them plug in and don't require any cutting of stock harnesses to keep the serviceman happy and allow you to return it to stock when (if) you trade it in.

Enjoy,

Bill

Valsport · April 29, 2004

Yeah I'm not going to be swapping heads either, with these newer trucks I think it looks much better keeping the factor head in there. I've pondered installing a 4 channel amp in there with speaker level inputs to power new speakers, but its something that I've never done before and I'd most likely have it done. This is were that cost factory comes in. I can get my parts (speakers and amp, maybe some speaker wire) for around $250, but the install was estimated at $275!!! THis is why I'm backing away from trying to add more power and just replace the speakers for now, although I'm probably not going to get that great of sound running of the factory head alone.

Wingnut · April 29, 2004

Don't be intimidated by installing an amp yourself. It's really easy.

You will need either an amp that accepts the speaker wire for an input, or a couple of LOC's (Line Output Converters)...These are about $20 apiece, give or take.

You can do it yourself in an afternoon if you are even the slightest bit mechanically inclined.

Not to mention the fact that we are here to answer your questions if/when you run into problems.

**Click here** to see the thread (and pics) about my system...Pretty much what you are wanting to do, except that I went with two amps, and a couple of subs....But they are all added the same way that you will need to do. Your's will not be nearly as complex though.

Save the money and do it yourself...Any questions....Well...That's the very reason this board exists. Ask away.

Xao · May 5, 2004

Just to add a question related to this one....

I am thinking about getting a WT model that only comes with the AM/FM 4 speaker setup, can this unit support the 6 speakers if two additional speakers were installed?

Also, where does Chevy install these two additional speakers for the 6 speaker setup vs. the 4 speaker config.

Thanks!

99GoldSilverado · May 10, 2004

Just to add a question related to this one....

I am thinking about getting a WT model that only comes with the AM/FM 4 speaker setup, can this unit support the 6 speakers if two additional speakers were installed?

Also, where does Chevy install these two additional speakers for the 6 speaker setup vs. the 4 speaker config.

Thanks!

The extra 2 speakers are the tweeters in the front doors. I don't know why they count them as speakers since they are part of a component (sort of) set.