vondy21

I have searched all over this site and no one seems to agree on what to do.
Can you get good sound by adding aftermarket amps and speakers while keeping the stock head unit?

I keep finding partial answers to this. Has anyone done it and liked it?

Please let me know so I can plan my attack on the stock system.

Thanks

vondy21

thanks

retrodrive

Yes, you can get a lot better sound. All you need is a line converter (converts HU output to RCA) and replacement components for the actual stereo. Mind you, it might sound worse if you get low quality components. Just go to any audio shop and ask them, don't believe anything dealer says as far as equipment goes though.

Mean Gene

V - Like Pete says, stick with quality components & it's a simple upgrade. My first system was a speaker upgrade to Diamond Audio HEX 5.25's all around & a JL IBU-4 10" sub. I put the Diamonds on a RF 4 channel amp & a RF mono amp powered the JL. I'd still have that setup if I hadn't decided to get back into competition back then. The stock head unit was just find for that application, IMHO.

vondy21

Thank you so much!

Whats a good quality line converter?

How about some MQ Quarts for the front?

I already have a 4 channel and mono amp... Clarion.

What do yall think about that setup?

Percy

[QUOTE]Originally posted by vondy21
[B]Thank you so much!

Whats a good quality line converter?

***Check out the AudioLink II. Good stuff. Stay away from the Navone Engineering...questionable internals and manufacturing at best, imo & ime of course. ***

How about some MQ Quarts for the front?

***Some people have had good luck with them, but, ime, they're VERY shy on midbass and the tweeter gets a bit too bright for some.***

I already have a 4 channel and mono amp... Clarion.

***Good stuff. ***

Percy

vondy21

so if not the mb quarts.... what do you suggest???

clarion?
kicker?
etc......

retrodrive

For replacing speakers in stock locations, dynaudio works the best.

Percy, do you know the whole thing about Clarion?

vondy21

...and size speakers do you recommend for the dynaudio...
ie. System 240MKII ????

What about a sub? Size 10" right...free air....brand?

Thanks for your help!

DPGS430

The 240's will fit great in the front doors after some modifications. You will need to remove the stock enclosure all together and fabricate a board or baffle made from your favorite wood (MDF is the easiest). When I purchase a new vehicle I always go the LLC route. After a few months though, I end up taking all of the stock equipment out and replace everything with aftermarket.

Have fun!

Jim

Percy

Retro,

Clarion and McIntosh are part of the same company...and that's Clarion. But, make no mistake, McIntosh still does their own thing. Clarion (Japanese) just pumps money into the american company (Mc). The last co-op they had was during '97. Mx406 head unit from Mc and DRX9255 were pretty much similtaneously designed together. Both designs, if I recall correctly, were from Mc but Clarion did their own designs with the 9255 as finishing touches.

Clarion does borrow some technology/patents from Mc. Power guard being one of them.

Percy

retrodrive

Oh no man, there is more then that. I have a lot of dirt involving Clarion I can tell you in PM. As long as it does not get all out

Percy

Retro,

Send me the PM!

Percy

TTurboPimp

iTrader: (12)

I suggest you use the search engine for this. You will find a ton of threads on this subject, and you will come out of that with a ton of options and opinions. Personally, I have Boston Pro 6.5 seperates front and rear and love them. But, once again, you will get alot of different opinions using the search feature.

Good Luck.

Jackco711

Ive spoken to a number of audio shops who wont touch my car without putting in a new HU. I have NAV so this is not an option. However recenlty its been sounding like one of my speakers is blown and Ive been thinking about replacing them with aftermarket speakers. I happen to like the MB Quart speakers so theyd be my first choice but I was also thinking about just buying the Nak speakers and Amp from a CL member. Would I be able to switch to the Nak system with relative ease or would I need to retrofit either the amp or speakers?


thanks,

Jackco