Allright i don't know that much about audio but a little to get me by.

What i want to do is keep the stock HU in my 01' and try to get the best sound out of it. Would my best bet be to get the 03' HU and amp?
I allready have new fronts , Kenwood XR71P, and new rear speakers right behind the seats, Kenwood XR51P.

I'm up for anything that will improve the sound but when someone sits in it they don't see a change.

 

I put an after-market head unit in my car but with DJQubes audio controller https://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=190610 I can keep the radio door closed and everything looks stock. I don't know what kind of power the newer OEM head-units put out but judging on my 04 stock system, it isn't much.

JeffA

 

i had a stock head unit with an amp and new front speakers, it never sounded that great i got a new clarion deck and it was the single biggest differnce in any audio system i have ever heard stock stuff doesnt put out clena sound

 

You would get better sound quality by replacing the headunit and keeping everything else stock, rather than the other way around.

 

Yea i know that it would be the best idea for the sound of the system...but i really just want totally stock look when you sit in the car. So would just an amp be the best idea?

 

What is the point of having it "look stock"? Once the radio door is up, it looks stock and no one knows what you're running until you put the door down.

You can't make the stock system sound better by trying to upgrade the speakers or add an amp and not change the headunit. That's the main reason the stock system is shitty to begin with. Go with an aftermarket headunit (one that fits within the radio door - Alpine, Clarion, Eclipse) and upgrade the speakers. You won't have to add an amp, but it'll sound 10x better.

 

Totally right on.... specially in an '01, a new HU will make a world of difference.

 

I also agree. Grab a new HU that will fit in the space.

Mine is an Alpine:


Then when you close the door, it still looks stock:


I use Modifry's DCI and get even more function out of my dash controls, and if you hide the eye right, it looks great.

If you want an amp, tuck it under the seat or in the space underneath the softtop well and noone will know!

Good luck, you will appreciate the sound so much more when you make the change.

JJ