aftermarket Vs OEM Options

[njccmd2002]

even tough the celica came with amplified system, and I yanked it out, I have tried to get a good sound system and im yet to find something good.

Ok for example I have a alpine, top of line cd player with an amplifier to speakers. and the sound was not very good compared to when i plugged in a scion FRS Radio, to test for sale.

I was amazed how the OEM radio, sounded better and much nicer than my alpine stereo.

I know the speakers have a lot to do, but why do some oem stereos sound much better than the aftermarket ones.

What are some characteristics i need to look at?

I want to upgrade my stereo, but i dont see anything out there that calls my attention. Now a days stereos are nothing but a bunch of fancy lights. Call me old school, but i like the nakamichis a lot, because of the simplicity in design, but the fact that they have almost no ipod or iphone capability sucks...



but they are very expensive, alpine has dissapointed me.. and their speakers are somewhat garbage. used to get a nice sound of the old stereos, but now a day, it seems u need to run an amp for every head unit.. And i dont want that....

i dont want flashy big UFO knobs...

i like this a lot..

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Nakamichi-MB-X-Bra...=item1e5dd38b73

i dont know if this is a rant, or stupid. but I want to be pleased with a stereo, yet i dont find anything...

[njccmd2002]

or this one, but pricey

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_130DEXP99R/Pi...=5684&avf=N

but then again, cds are becoming oudated....

This post has been edited by njccmd2002: Jun 11, 2013 - 4:42 AM

[rentaspace]

I went into the local AutoBarn and tested all the different head units before I got mine...
I ended up getting a Sony DSXA50BT

It isn't anything fancy and at the moment, I am running the stock speakers...
Will have to upgrade them soon since the passenger front is starting to rattle and carry on at the even the smallest bass...

The only drawbacks that I could think of are the fact there is no CD player, but I never use CDs now anyway...

I like the fact I could stream my music and calls Via Bluetooth, and the fact it auto answers and resumes music if someone calls...

As for the speakers, I don't know what I am going to go for I want to have the x4 main mid speakers, x2 tweets and either 1 or 2 subs... But no cue as yet

[njccmd2002]

thats not a bad looking stereo, but i want something more simple but with audio quality. Im guess am lost at the nakamichi, but with no bluetooth function, they suck.

[rentaspace]

thats not a bad looking stereo, but i want something more simple but with audio quality. Im guess am lost at the nakamichi, but with no bluetooth function, they suck.

You could get that head deck then just buy an aftermarket bluetooth system, I am not sure if that model has anything like that but a few here do...

[rave2n]

Can install a separate EQ system if you are real serious about audio quality.

I can only assume the stock head units come with some basic amplifications that the aftermarket systems do not have unless specifically turned on.

Also I'm pretty sure the stock systems are sized out from the source, down to the final result being what you hear from the speakers.

In my experience, aftermarket has always sounded much better, regardless of the bad speakers.

Alot of variables in play to get that audio clean, once you break the equation of the stock system.

Are you amping the speakers by any means? or just running power from the head unit?

This post has been edited by rave2n: Jun 11, 2013 - 11:57 AM

[CrypticDeity]

I just put an old Pioneer DEH-P6600 in my car. Not bad but not great. Honestly not a huge fan of lower end Pioneer stuff. Alpine, however, is great if you plan on having subs an components. If I were to buy a head unit right now, I would get a Kenwood KDC-BT555U. It's got bluetooth, usb, and a line-in on the front. Plus 22w rms per channel.

My stock radio only had a cassette deck. :-/

This post has been edited by CrypticDeity: Jun 11, 2013 - 2:11 PM

[njccmd2002]

well im getting rid of my alpine, i have the alpine power pack as well, but not enough punch. Not how i like it.

im tired of dancing dolphins, and christmas tree lights, and knobs big enough for a drunk to turn. I want something simple

thats not a bad looking stereo, but i want something more simple but with audio quality. Im guess am lost at the nakamichi, but with no bluetooth function, they suck.

You could get that head deck then just buy an aftermarket bluetooth system, I am not sure if that model has anything like that but a few here do...

that is something that had not occurred me....

[Box]

My rule of thumb is to not buy anything that was made in China. I have heard marvelous things about the Nakamichi sound systems used in the 90's Lexus vehicles. Kind of a selling point for me being OCD about audio and such.

This post has been edited by Box: Jun 11, 2013 - 7:59 PM

[travisxcore]

That amber color on the Nakamichi...its gorgeous and would match my leds.
That's a gorgeous headunit all around though. Now if only I could find one with USB in the back and not $500.

[njccmd2002]

If I buy nakamichi ill post reviews

[MaskedMan]

The Nakamichis are great units, and if you are looking for sound quality and simplicity, you won't be disappointed. But like you said, they don't offer very many options when it comes to iPod or USB connectivity. I beleive their newest model offers it, but they made it look like your typical JVC or Panasonic radio, and I think it is one of their lower end models, so I am not too sure of the sound or build quality of it.

[Box]

If money is no issue....

http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Car/Stage4/DEX-P99RS
http://www.mcintoshlabs.com/us/Products/pa...ProductId=MX406

[CaliJeff]

For best sound quality, look at the RMS as well for a stereo. This deals with the constant wattage power which is output to the speakers. More Rms = better sound.

[Box]

Higher wattage just makes for louder sound. If that were the case the boutique 1 watt or less tube amplifiers would be non-existent.

[njccmd2002]

If money is no issue....

http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Car/Stage4/DEX-P99RS
http://www.mcintoshlabs.com/us/Products/pa...ProductId=MX406

Pioneer

Not going to buy a head unit that is 1000 bucks and still needs an amp. It's pretty but it's a brick with no sound. Then spend a 300 use amp for a 1000 stereo.

Never seen macintosh

I saw the crappy looking nakamichi. Don't like it.

[Box]

http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Car/Stage4/PRS-A900

$1,700 amp to go with your $1,400 head unit.

McIntosh was the high end option for some cars back in the day, think some European car makers used them. Eh, another option might be to pull the Nakamichi or Bose system from another car. Nakamichi was bought out some time ago, they're not what they used to be.

[njccmd2002]

All nakamichi for oem are mostly cassette. I tried. A 3k stereo on a 4k car, that's funny! I have stopped looking for now, I'm out of the us. When I come back ill just buy a dolphin sanding media receiver

[Box]

The Lexus SC, LS, and GS had the option of a Nakamichi sounds system and 12 disc changer. Though finding a complete system out of the car is probably next to impossible. Just go all out and make a custom hi-fi tube powered monstrosity.

[njccmd2002]

so the quest ended, i needed bluetooth streaming capabilities on my radio. It is a piooner, with buch of free accessories from Crutchfield. and i did not break the bank.... lol...