i've only had my s2k for a week - and i love it - but the audio is a little weak!!!
i have a few things left over from my previous car and thought i might use them in the s2k.

i have (currently sitting in the dining room)
jl VR600 components speakers
RF 401s punch amp

my thought is to buy the S-Pods - and put the JL components there. then use the amp (the RF) to drive those plus the stock door speakers. for now i'd like to stick with the factory HU and not worry about a sub - those might come later.

my question is - for those who have done a similar upgrade: how much difference will this make? my guess is that the factory HU is pretty underpowered and that adding the amp will give it a decent "kick" - as will the addition of the S-pods + the JLs. also - does the stock HU have decent outputs for amps and/or a sub? should i bite the bullet and replace the factory doors speakers too?

thanks to all who can add their knowledge and wit on this topic...i've been reading through the electronics forum and have learned (i hope) a little already - but would like to get some add'l input.

thanks guys!

 

Your first plan of action should be a new headunit, stick the JLs in the doors, and use the amp to push them. If you really want spods, get a 70 dollar pair of infinitys or alpine speakers, and use the stock speakers as paperweights in your office.

 

Amping the stock speakers is useless..

 

What Model year have you got? The '04 Head Units are almost tolerable in your situation. But I agree with both of the above posts. Don't amp stock speakers, and use your amp to power the fronts, not your rears.

 

its a MY04...

thanks for the replies. will the 5.25" JLs fit in the stock openings w/o too much modification (aren't the stockies 6.5")? or would i do better to just buy some 6.5"s? is there that much difference in sound between the 2 sizes?

i do have a clarion HU that i could replace the HU with..at some point. but i'd like to keep the stock one for a while at least (and retain dash controls w/o having to spend more $$ on one of the 2 conversion options). any knowledge about the output(s) on the back of the stock HU?

thanks!

 

If you're wondering if it has preamp outs, the answer is no, but here is info on what is coming out of the back of the OEM HU:

MY04 Head Unit Connector Pins:

1 Yellow/Green 11 ---
(Antenna Amplifier)

2 White/Red 12 ---
(Switch Ignition Input)

3 Green/Red 13 ---
(Radio Remote Switch Input)

4 --- 14 Yellow/Blue
(Mute Circuit Input)

5 Red/Yellow 15 Brown/White
(Passenger Rear Speaker (+)) (Passenger Rear Speaker (-))

6 Blue/Yellow 16 Gray/Red
(Driver Rear Speaker (+)) (Driver Rear Speaker (-))

7 Green/Black 17 Light Green
(Passenger Door Speaker (+)) (Passenger Door Speaker (-))

8 Green/Yellow 18 Gray/Red
(Driver Door Speaker (+)) (Driver Door Speaker (-))

9 Red/Black 19 ---
(Illumination Dim Control)

10 White/Blue 20 Black (Ground G502)
(Fuse 22 - Battery Input)

 

I checked up on the JL speakers you mentioned, they seem to be 6 inches rather than 5.25's. I think that using these components up front with the amp is the way to go.

I agree with NFR. Get cheap Alpine's or Infinity's for the rears, you can use the amp power these as well.

Your HU is fine if you are not expecting audio excellence. Save some money, so in time, you can get a really good one; don't get a cheapo replacement as there won't be that much improvement.

 

I'm with NFR and Willie

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by jay3737
my question is - for those who have done a similar upgrade: