Stock Speakers vs. Components

[superiormirage]

So I have the stock speakers and head unit in my car. It's the 10-speaker Premium System with DSP. I would like to replace the headunit to get some additional features (Bluetooth, HD radio, USB, etc.) I've read on here if you replace headunit, you either have to rewire the speakers, or go ahead and replace them.

I popped into a local audio shop and asked them what they recommended. With a new head unit, they recommended a component speaker system. They wanted to replace the kickpanel speakers and tweeters with components, disconnect the door panel speakers (Basically leave them in place for looks, but not hook them up), and rewire the rear speakers. They claimed this setup would sound better than the stock speaker.

Would a component system sound better than the stock speakers? (Or was I getting a BS job) Has anyone done something similar?

I'd like to solicit opinions before I consider something like that.

 

[PerryGunn]

Bigscreen had a custom installation in his Alpina RS

http://thealpinaregister.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=12331

 

[superiormirage]

Bigscreen had a custom installation in his Alpina RS

http://thealpinaregister.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=12331

Thanks for the link PerryGunn. I really like that setup. Unfortunately it looks like the kit is hard to come by in the US. I called the distributor today, and a man told me he'd look into it and get back with me.

Has anyone installed a standard component speaker set in their vehicle? How do you like it compared to the stock setup?

Thanks in advance.

 

[markeg]

NeilP has upgraded his, his car thread is here, the audio starts on page 6. PM him for more details.

 

[NeilP]

NeilP has upgraded his, his car thread is here, the audio starts on page 6. PM him for more details.

Thanks! Page 5 though.

Those Jenhert door cards are stupid money, though they do look good!

Op, technically you already have a component kit in your car, however when upgrading, you'll want to opt for a component set over a pair of coaxil speakers.

Depending on your budget, you may find that just upgrading the amplifier would give you a better bang for buck.

 

[sk93]

Depending on your budget, you may find that just upgrading the amplifier would give you a better bang for buck.

This.

I went for an Alpine AMP in mine when my stock DSP amp got wet and died.
It works perfectly with all speakers in the car (some people wrongly say you can't drive the carver subs with it, but that's BS), and sounds excellent.

Unless you're a massive audiophile, there is ZERO need to upgrade any of the carver-spec speakers in the car imo.
With a correctly set up amplifier, the sound is hundreds of times better than you got when using the stock DSP amp, and won't set you back anywhere near as much as changing all the speakers..

 

[superiormirage]

Those Jenhert door cards are stupid money, though they do look good!

Yes they are. It's over $1200 for the set, and that's if I can even get them. I've been reading through your audio upgrade write-up NeilP. There's some good info in there, thanks.

Unless you're a massive audiophile, there is ZERO need to upgrade any of the carver-spec speakers in the car imo.
With a correctly set up amplifier, the sound is hundreds of times better than you got when using the stock DSP amp, and won't set you back anywhere near as much as changing all the speakers..

I don't mind keeping the stock speakers. My main goal is to get an updated headunit in the car (Bluetooth, HD Radio, etc). Can I keep the stock speakers and connect a new headunit? My understanding was with the Premium Sound package, you had to rewire the speakers if you wanted to change head units. Is this correct?

Of course, if I could figure out how to wire in a Nexus 7 like you have Sk93, I'd do that instead.

 

[sk93]

Those Jenhert door cards are stupid money, though they do look good!

Yes they are. It's over $1200 for the set, and that's if I can even get them. I've been reading through your audio upgrade write-up NeilP. There's some good info in there, thanks.

Unless you're a massive audiophile, there is ZERO need to upgrade any of the carver-spec speakers in the car imo.
With a correctly set up amplifier, the sound is hundreds of times better than you got when using the stock DSP amp, and won't set you back anywhere near as much as changing all the speakers..

I don't mind keeping the stock speakers. My main goal is to get an updated headunit in the car (Bluetooth, HD Radio, etc). Can I keep the stock speakers and connect a new headunit? My understanding was with the Premium Sound package, you had to rewire the speakers if you wanted to change head units. Is this correct?

Of course, if I could figure out how to wire in a Nexus 7 like you have Sk93, I'd do that instead.

Nope.. all wires for all speakers are routed to the boot.
if you're sticking in an amp with enough channels, the wires are right there for you to use.
if you're not sticking in an amp, just run some wire from the headunit hi-level speaker outputs down and into the boot, and hook up the wires there.
rewiring is NOT needed

 

[superiormirage]

Nope.. all wires for all speakers are routed to the boot.
if you're sticking in an amp with enough channels, the wires are right there for you to use.
if you're not sticking in an amp, just run some wire from the headunit hi-level speaker outputs down and into the boot, and hook up the wires there.
rewiring is NOT needed

Oh, now that's interesting. I can add two or three amps (I assume I will need a channel for each speaker), run a set of RCA cables to the trunk, and replace the headunit. Sk93, you are a scholar sir. This project won't be the big pain-in-the-rear that I thought it was going to be.

Now to figure out how to get wires to the trunk......

 

[sk93]

Nope.. all wires for all speakers are routed to the boot.
if you're sticking in an amp with enough channels, the wires are right there for you to use.
if you're not sticking in an amp, just run some wire from the headunit hi-level speaker outputs down and into the boot, and hook up the wires there.
rewiring is NOT needed

Oh, now that's interesting. I can add two or three amps (I assume I will need a channel for each speaker), run a set of RCA cables to the trunk, and replace the headunit. Sk93, you are a scholar sir. This project won't be the big pain-in-the-rear that I thought it was going to be.

Now to figure out how to get wires to the trunk......

exactly what i did, sans the headunit swap..

 

[Scooba_Steve]

Am I right in thinking the stock speakers are actually quite good? Best SPL for size?

 

[NeilP]

Am I right in thinking the stock speakers are actually quite good? Best SPL for size?

They're not bad, but I'm going to reserve my thoughts until listening to a car with a set of speakers fed with some proper power.