Hu Or Speakers

frugalsob · March 2, 2009

Hey everyone. Looking for some opinions here. I want to get more "clean" volume out of my stock system. Just wonder which of these two scenarios would be better. Stock HU and aftermarket speakers or aftermarket HU and factory speakers.

What are your thoughts?

DofD · March 2, 2009

Which stock HU do you have? How much of a budget do you have?

Better solution would be a new HU and new speakers. You can find pretty good deals on eBay to save some money on the parts.

dsmazz · March 2, 2009

You won't get clean volume from the factory speakers or from the head unit. You really need to switch both. The factory head unit does not have enough power to drive high end speakers.

frugalsob · March 2, 2009

That's what I was afraid you guys were going to say... The factory hu is just the standard single disk.

mattjulien · March 2, 2009

IMO if you are on a budget, like i was, i would get a nice high power HU. I switched my stock for a 52wattsx4 Sony and it sounded 100% better....is it as good as BOTH a HU and nice speakers??? HELL NO. But it DOES sound very nice and gives very good control..not to mention I can plug in my Ipod, see the disc and song titles, have a remote, etc.

thecraft · March 2, 2009

If you want clean volume, then you need an amplifier (with new speakers). Headunit (stock or aftermarket) power alone is pathetic at best.

Z71kris · March 3, 2009

I would get the HU, indash DVD. Then when you get more $ get speakers and amp 'em for the best sound!

mattjulien · March 3, 2009

I would get the HU, indash DVD. Then when you get more $ get speakers and amp 'em for the best sound!

I wouldnt recommend the indash DVD HU. The HU amplifier sucks and the motor in the flip up mechanism blows every 2 seconds...(speaking from personal experience)

Z71kris · March 3, 2009

mine has lasted for 3 years, and my buddies lasted about 6... you got a bum deal I think...

mattjulien · March 4, 2009

mine has lasted for 3 years, and my buddies lasted about 6... you got a bum deal I think...

Its highly possible I did...may I ask which brand you have? My friend and both bought Duals and both of ours failed within a month. After that I went and bought my Sony.

thecraft · March 4, 2009

mine has lasted for 3 years, and my buddies lasted about 6... you got a bum deal I think...

Its highly possible I did...may I ask which brand you have? My friend and both bought Duals and both of ours failed within a month. After that I went and bought my Sony.

That's why. Two of my friends bought the Dual flipouts from Walmart. One was defective out of the box, the other started having problems just a month later.

Cheap Chinese electronics FTMFL.

LousCrew · March 4, 2009

I would get the HU, indash DVD. Then when you get more $ get speakers and amp 'em for the best sound!

I wouldnt recommend the indash DVD HU. The HU amplifier sucks and the motor in the flip up mechanism blows every 2 seconds...(speaking from personal experience)

i disagree, the new indashes are great. I personally would get a double din, not a flip up. I've got the Alpine IVA-205 and it is awesome! And the newer 505 is even better.

Which leads to my answer to the original question: HU or speakers first? I say the HU. The HU is the most important piece of every sound system, whether you want bass or sound quality. Plus, a good HU is what you can build off of in the future once you decide which direction you are going in. Don't waste your money on aftermarket speakers while keeping the factory HU. Speakers are generally cheaper than a good HU, but don't let that sway you. Save a little longer if need be, but I would definitly get the HU first.

But, the best route, budget permitting, would be purchase both together.

thecraft · March 4, 2009

The HU is the most important piece of every sound system, whether you want bass or sound quality.

I have to disagree. If I wasn't concerned with features like an EQ, USB input, and Bluetooth, the headunit would be pretty low on my list of importance. A proper installation and good amplification is much, much, MUCH more important for good sound quality and clean loudness.

Jnk · March 4, 2009

The HU is the most important piece of every sound system, whether you want bass or sound quality.

I have to disagree. If I wasn't concerned with features like an EQ, USB input, and Bluetooth, the headunit would be pretty low on my list of importance. A proper installation and good amplification is much, much, MUCH more important for good sound quality and clean loudness.

I have to disagree with you and go with LousCrew. What person upgrades speakers, amplifies them and doesn't worry about an EQ and SQ/signal to noise ratio. The stock HU lacks big time. If he replaces speakers(no amp) and then switches from the stock HU to aftermarket he will notice a difference let alone amp powered speakers. There is no comparison between the two. That is what makes the whole system sound better. If you are gonna just swap speakers for aftermarket and not add any amps or subs whatsoever then keep the factory head unit. A factory HU can only be improved by a JL Cleansweep or RF 360 and look at how much those things cost. Take baby steps, add an aftermarket HU and go from there. I did it in three steps personally. HU, amp/sub, amp/components. Do your research on brands and check out different prices. A good double din HU can be found in the $500 range. There are many that cost more but start atleast with something like clarion, pioneer, kenwood. Stay away from all that other crap that will just cause you headaches.

Footnotes: If you are spending money, spend it and do it the right way even if it is in steps.

thecraft · March 4, 2009

The HU is the most important piece of every sound system, whether you want bass or sound quality.

I have to disagree. If I wasn't concerned with features like an EQ, USB input, and Bluetooth, the headunit would be pretty low on my list of importance. A proper installation and good amplification is much, much, MUCH more important for good sound quality and clean loudness.

I have to disagree with you and go with LousCrew. What person upgrades speakers, amplifies them and doesn't worry about an EQ and SQ/signal to noise ratio. The stock HU lacks big time. If he replaces speakers(no amp) and then switches from the stock HU to aftermarket he will notice a difference let alone amp powered speakers. There is no comparison between the two. That is what makes the whole system sound better. If you are gonna just swap speakers for aftermarket and not add any amps or subs whatsoever then keep the factory head unit. A factory HU can only be improved by a JL Cleansweep or RF 360 and look at how much those things cost. Take baby steps, add an aftermarket HU and go from there. I did it in three steps personally. HU, amp/sub, amp/components. Do your research on brands and check out different prices. A good double din HU can be found in the $500 range. There are many that cost more but start atleast with something like clarion, pioneer, kenwood. Stay away from all that other crap that will just cause you headaches.

Footnotes: If you are spending money, spend it and do it the right way even if it is in steps.

It is still not the most important thing. If I was on a tight budget, I'd start with an amplifier and sound deadening rather than an aftermarket headunit.