I'll ultimately replace both on my 01 s2k, but am tight on money and can only afford one right now.

Obviously the stock sound system is absolute crap, but what makes the bigger difference, the HU or the speakers? I've heard both arguments with people saying that the speakers alone make a nice difference and others saying that the stock speakers actually sound quite good with a good, powerful HU.

Which first?

 

In my opinion if your speakers are not blown then replace the headunit first because good speakers with poor quality signal powering them aren't going to sound any better. I always recommend starting with a good quality source and moving on from there. Plus the headunit will give you more features that you can use right away like ipod control or satellite or HD radio.

Hope my opinion helps
-Scott

 

ap2 speakers suck. and i heard ap1 speakers are even worse. im gonna go with the speakers here.

 

Head unit first.

 

in my 2001, I upgraded speakers before headunit and had a
meaningful improvement in sound. However, because the
stock headunit is so anemic, this improvement may be
rendered irrelevant at speed because the headunit can't
deliver enough power. This may be one of the reasons you
get so many differences of opinion on which should be swapped
first. to some degree, it depends on what you listen to, at
what speed, and how loud you like it.
In any event, if you are not adding an external amp, try to
buy very efficient speakers.

 

i got a lot more benefit from a new head unit. mp3 capability, more controls, whatever. just dont forget to budget a DCI.

then i got new speakers, and loved them with my aftermarket head unit. but it was just better sound, not all the extra functions.

i think its pretty clear what you should buy first.

 

Yep definitely head unit first. Better speakers with a garbage signal will yield zilch.

 

agreed ^^

i just bought Alpine typeR components for my 05 Ap2.... and i gained very little improvment! clarity was slightly better, then again there is no way the little factory HU is providing enough power for those speakers.

an external amp would help a great deal, but an aftermarket HU would be better...

If i had to start over again, id get a nice HU then speakers (but mine were blown upon purchase). lol

 

more benefit by ripping out the carpets and putting some dynamat.

I just did the driverside floor while running alarm cables and it was a drastic change in overall in cabin noise and ability to hear the radio.