What kind of specs on a new HU should I be looking for. Recommendations welcome.

 

You're going to hear many people say Alpine on these boards and I'm now a converted one of them

Can't go wrong with an Alpine CDA-9831.

 

[QUOTE=NFRs2000NYC,Dec 14 2004, 10:11 AM] Garbage in, garbage out.

 

Yea, but the HU still doesnt provide clear, crisp sound that the hi/low converters of which you speak of can transfer to the amplifier.

 

well, considering that u never used one, how do u know that it does not provide a "clear crisp" sound. crisp and clean is a subjective topic anyway. as far as the signal, up to 9.5 volts is strong enough to minimize distortion. the stock unit has a 1bit d/a convertor, just like ur alpine. ur talking about processing differences. minor processing can be manipulated by outboard units. u mean to tell me that an alpine radio will create a better signal? come on. i bet, i can keep a stock radio, use one of those convertors, use a nice 30 band eq, have a great powerful amp, and it will sound just as good.

if u are so big on "crisp, cleaner" sound, how come u are still using a radio with a 1 bit d/a convertor?

for his setup, just a new radio will not make it sound half decent. it does not provide enough power to have decent midbass. an amp however, will increase dynamic range drastically, allow higher decibels without distortion and sound a lot better than just an hu.

i feel this is a better way to go. i can gaurantee a radio will not supress his desire for better sound. it might however sound good the first week if he chooses a new radio, because it is an improvement from before, then listening fatigue comes in to play and he will would want a more.

 

I can tell you from personal experience that the #1 thing that will make a difference in your sound is a head unit. Here's what we did in my friend's truck (Toyota Tacoma)

First thing he did was add a subwoofer+single channel amp for low range (still stock head unit and speakers)

Second thing... bought Boston Acoustics speakers front and rear. With the stock head unit. The aftermarket speakers did make the sound a *little* crisper, but when played at volume, still sounded like crap.

Third thing, he purchased an Alpine head unit (back in the days when 4v rca outputs were the newest coolest thing ) and this made the BEST improvement and most noticeable difference. Everything sounded more powerful, at low and high volume. Afterward he said that if he'd known it would sound this good, the head unit would have been the first thing he purchased.

Two years ago I upgraded the stereo in my M3. The HK system was on the way out, so I bought a Blaupunkt head unit, Kenwood 40wx4 + 100x1 amp, Infinity Reference speakers front and rear, and Infinity 10" sub in custom box. It sounded okay, but there was a ton of alternator noise, so I got rid of the Blaupunkt and bought a high end Clarion Proaudio unit (no internal amp, 4.5V preout, dx10 or something like that I believe). The quality of sound is awesome. My ears start to hurt before the speakers give out at all.

so, either Clarion Proaudio or Alpine get my vote. Best bang-for-buck upgrade, period.

 

I have to agree with the HU upgrade over just adding an Amp. Without getting technical, I've had my own experiences like Will - in every car I've ever owned.

Of the 9 cars I've owned only one kept the stock deck and that was a 2000 Jetta (only because I ordered the upgraded sound package on the car) - I ran an amp and sub off the stock deck with factory speakers and was somewhat pleased with it, but I know(ew) the whole system would have sounded much better at higher volumes with a stronger deck.

 

i understand that the hu will make a big difference. i never said it does not. but you guys need to understand the reason just a stock head unit will sound like crap. the signal is not powerful therefore, u have lots of distortion at low levels. if u add a line driver, i can gaurantee that it can sound just as good as an aftermarket hu.

i agree that with just a stock unit and amp it would not sound great nor good. but have any of u tried mixing a line driver with a stock unit? im assuming no because of the equipment listed, and the fact that some of u insist that it is horrible. nothing listed,(other than hu) can provide a high voltage output.

my boss is using his stock radio in his X5, connected to a EQ with a built in preline driver, then hooked up to his ARC 4150 bridged for 330watts x 2. he feeding that to 1 set of FOCAL 165k2. i'd highly recommend all of u to come and listen to it. listen to it for yourself and then tell me that a stock hu cannot sound good. i am willing to throw money on the line that it will sound great. there has not been one person who has demo'd the car and said it did not sound good or great.

 

Look... it doesn't really matter whether we are dealing with audio in a car or audio in your home. The receiver or HU does make a difference. However, in order to get superior sound, you must match the speakers with the amplification. You should also be concerned with EQ. Most people want full dynamic range but are unwilling to pay for it.

Do your homework. Save your money. Get it right the first time. You will be a lot happier.

 

i never said it doesnt.