What is the best sequence of upgrading?

[Battmann]

Hi Bros

 

I am thinking of changing my stock. Currently a HU, two front and two back speakers.

 

I am thinking of the following sequence:

(1) HU and front component speakers

(2) Amp - 4 channels

(3) Subwoofer

 

Not sure how much should I put aside for step (1). I have just an average ears for sound system. So I guess any after market product would sound good to me.

 

I hope to get a slightly above average HU and a super clear front component speakers.

 

Any recommendations? And what do you think of the sequence?

 

Thanks in advance for your advice.

[Kaiserdome]

Hi bro,

 

This thread might be helpful

 

http://www.mycarforum.com/forum/Aftermarke...ge_1st_P1000686

[Siaoice]

hi bro,

if possible, do everything once and for all.

save all those installation $$ and trouble.

 

well, if budget constraint, then no choice lar.

 

cheers

[F1fan]

Hi,

 

Think your sequence is pretty much correct IMHO. For me, source is the most important, so upgrading head unit is probably the first to consider. Rubbish in, rubbish out. Once you change your head unit, you can listen to the differences.

 

Then you can consider getting a better pair of component speakers to replace your stock. Again, you can appreciate the 'changes' in the sound quality and character.

 

Replacing Head unit and front component speakers is a very straight forward job, would not need to take a very long time. You can leave your back component speakers, no need to change. They are just for ambience sound, most likely you will fade more of the sound to your front components.

 

Amps and subwoofer can come in at a later stage, when you have appreciated your sound system and requires a further upgrade.

 

Hope this helps.

[Wbucket]

If you are really an average ear, I would suggest holding back on the HU first. Not all aftermarket would sound significantly better than your stock. For me, HU is an important upgrade and should take up the largest percentage of your total ICE budget. So if you are trying to save on this, I rather you don't upgrade. Just do the component speakers first.

 

......anyway, when you said "slightly above average HU and a super clear front component speakers", what budget are we talking about here?

[Headshok]

yo bro, wat HU u usin at the moment..

 

IMHO, here's the sequence for differenet pple:

 

for ppel who like SQ and vocals.. all that kind:

 

first is HU.. HU to stock speakesr, confirm got change in sound..i've heard D2 to stock speakers.. power liao..

then followed by amp with speakers.. then after that lup sub.. can liao.

 

BUT ..

if u bass freak like me,

 

first thing is put sub with amp, if got more budget, amp with components and sub.. 1 time finish liao.. HU next time if got spare cash then change.. hehe.h. i upgraded everything, but still usin stock HU.. serves me well, and i'm not a SQ person.. so don wanna waste $$ (unless i get a damm good deal lah). heheh

 

 

BUT if ur an everyday normal listener and ur car is new (new cars come with pretty decent HUs, unless urs is the OEM ones.. ).. then IMHO, change HU is optional lah..

 

have fun man!

[Jeffteng]

always choose ur speakers first jus remember this simple ruling~

 

Mini Compo, using good speakers, will sound better then

GOOD Amps and cd players, using Mini Compo speakers.

[Dwoon]

  Quote

Hi Bros

 

I am thinking of changing my stock. Currently a HU, two front and two back speakers.

 

I am thinking of the following sequence:

(1) HU and front component speakers

(2) Amp - 4 channels

(3) Subwoofer

 

Not sure how much should I put aside for step (1). I have just an average ears for sound system. So I guess any after market product would sound good to me.

 

I hope to get a slightly above average HU and a super clear front component speakers.

 

Any recommendations? And what do you think of the sequence?

 

Thanks in advance for your advice.

 

 

I just my installation of componenet speakers, sub and amp. I was very surprised with the sound quality and the clarity coming out of my stock HU (no brand stated on the HU somemore).

 

If you have an average ear like I do, I don't think a change of HU is necessary until all others are in and the sound is still lacking.

 

Try it out first....... for myself, I'm done for the foreseeable future.... don't intend to change out stock HU unless I want MP3, CR-R/RW , DVD capabilities etc later on.

 

Cheers!

[Wbucket]

An interesting comparison. But a discussion with my bro (more into home system) kind of shows that the focus is a little different between home system and car audio. Seems like HU is a major part for the car audio, but not in the home system's case.

[Jeffteng]

yah i agree HU is important especially when Car is concern, but i am speaking in terms of choosing a sound system without touching the HU,

 

so probably in this case he gotta decide to get a HU first and then the speakers and so on and so forth.

[Wbucket]

But he say he is an average ear. Most average ear might get some S$200-300 HU, hoping for some improvement only to be dis-appointed, thus I would advise upgrading HU at a slightly later stage, when he is poisoned enough to spend more on HU.

 

Changing stock front co-axial to a decent component speaker (even without amp) would be a more notice-able improvement because co-axial and component are totally different class of speakers. Plus they usually install crap speakers in front, even my bro's civic is also like that.

[Jeffteng]

haha bro u r evil~~~ heh heh he will get poisoned easily like this~~~ heh and then after that, he will want to upgrade this upgrade that~~~ MEI WAN MEI LIAO~

[Wbucket]

[Xiaogary]

For me, I also will suggest change front speaker first, add a amp 2 channel if u dont intend on adding rear speaker powered by amp. If want a rear speaker powered by amp, then buy 4 channel. Unless ur boot have lots of space for amps, then buy 2 channel now and 2 channel later. Plus u can connect 2 leftover channel for ur subwoofer (mini one since power output is barely enuf to drive from the leftover 2 channel).

 

Then to add subwoofer decently, add a monoblock class D amp and a subwoofer. So either u end up with 4 channel amp + monoblock amp or u end up with Monoblock amp + 2channel amp + 2channel amp. Or if without rear speaker powered by amp, u end up with 2 channel amp + Monoblock amp. Or if u run active for front, 4 channel amp + Monoblock amp.

 

If running active setup, then u need 4 channel for each set of component speakers, meaning front 4 channel, rear 4 channel, subwoofer monoblock.

 

HU not that important la, wait u get good speakers already and still find that u cannot get the sound u want, u can try to change HU for more tuning function to tune to your preference. Or u can get a 7 channel pre-amp with subwoofer control (I chose this at first, only cost $150+ and can tune until very nice already, but later change HU bcos need internal crossover to run active for front speaker).

Edited December 13, 2005 by Xiaogary

[Kanr]

good recommendation!!

[Wbucket]

I beg to differ that HU isn't important. You have been around long enough, you should know the best HU are those with limited features but great processing ability. But good HU seems to come at thousands (S$) and are petty much for the hardcores only. For softcore ones like us, maybe wouldn't appreciate the HU as much.

[Laserolla]

If budget constrainst, u can change your front to component speakers first.

I have done it for my FL G9 and the improvement is definitely there.

 

Now I am abit tempted to upgrade further after realising this improvement.

With component speakers, I got this much. Just imagine with a better HU, amps and subwoofer will do.

[Xiaogary]

Ok maybe I rephrase:

 

For budget owner or for easy-to-satisfy-ear with basic equipment (not high end), HU doesnt make much difference since the equipments or the ears cannot stand out the quality. I mean u use very good HU, but speakers cannot poduce that sound means cannot produce that sound.

 

But for those high end SQ people with good speaker, HU is the important one for sound clarity, Good source, good outputs like what u guys said "rubbish in rubbish out".