 How to pick out a sound system, Everything you need to know |
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 Oct 23, 2004 - 8:00 PM
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 Enthusiast  Joined Jan 8, '04 From LA Currently Offline Reputation: 0 (0%)  |
How to pick out a sound system that’s right for you Disclaimer: To avoid causing arguments on what should be a simple matter, no brand names will be discussed in this thread. Everyone has their own personal opinions- ask for someone’s you respect. All systems depend on a good head unit “Head Unit” is the generic term for the CD player, tape deck, XM radio receiver; nav system driver- whatever it is you have that drives your system. It is the most important part of your system- more important than subs, more important than speakers, more important than amps and more important than EQs. This is where your sound information originates from- it’s quality determines the quality of your ENTIRE sound system; sound can only be degraded as it comes from your HU; it can’t get any better (An EQ modifies sound- if the signal coming into the EQ is poor; the EQ can’t make it any better). Because it’s the “head” of your audio system, the head unit should be the first thing replaced in your car- the reasons for this are plentiful. An aftermarket head unit will provide more power to your speakers, a cleaner signal, pre-outs for your amplifiers (which negates more power to your speakers- but we’ll get into that), allow you to play Mp3 CDs, accept an auxiliary input (from your PS2, Xbox, iPod, laptop, whatever), and a better sounding sound system- even when using stock speakers. The worst mistake you can make is to buy aftermarket speakers, but not an aftermarket head unit. This is because the stock head unit that comes in our cars (some of our cars have stock amps in them too) simply do not deliver enough power for all aftermarket speakers. When a speaker isn’t getting enough power, it cannot be turned up as loud, replicate low frequencies (bass) and the quality of sound degrades. Not every aftermarket head unit has all the features listed above- nor do you need one that lists all the features above. A head unit should be bought with YOU in mind. Do you NEED a head unit that plays Mp3s? If not, don’t waste the money on the feature. Do you plan on hooking up your PS2 into the car (it’s not an easy project) ? If not, the aux input isn’t important anymore. Are you going to get aftermarket amps? If you are, you need enough pre-outs to support them; and you don’t need to worry about how much power the head unit can put out. Let’s go over a sample head unit.  JVC KD-S5050 CD Receiver
This is a low low low model JVC; it'll run you about 100 dollars. It's pretty low quality; but we'll start you off around here.
Thats what crutchfield has to say- our cars will fit IEJ just fine- and a double DD as well if you don't mind both slots being taken up. A good idea is to use crutchfields Vehicle Selector? to only show HUs that will fit in your car- it's simple and easy and will work for speakers as well Ahh, gtr; I'm going to be working on this article for a bit; please don't RE to it or sticky it or anything til I'm done 
This post has been edited by shid: Oct 23, 2004 - 8:15 PM |
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Oct 23, 2004 - 9:33 PM
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 Enthusiast Joined Sep 10, '04 From san diego Currently Offline Reputation: 0 (0%) |
little OT but...i know you installed a screen in where the DD is...and your HU in where the cig ligher was.....hows the working out for you?...i thought about it but since my was a 5 spd...getting the cd was going to be hard/weird...
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Oct 23, 2004 - 11:01 PM
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Enthusiast Joined Jan 8, '04 From LA Currently Offline Reputation: 0 (0%) |
Yeah, I can't change the CD when I'm in park (automatic) so I switch it to N and it goes fine- I actually think it'd be fine on a 5 speed- since you're never that far up; as long as the car isn't in gear it should be fine to switch out; now, if it was in first.. I dunno. I had qualms about moving it there; since I do intend to convert it to manual one day (or maybe not) but it was the only place to move it that made sense.... Otherwise, it works out friggin great- the volum nob is RIGHT by my hand when I'm on the hand brake- so I can rest my hand there while I drive and not have to hold it in the air to make constant volume changes. It was a pain to mount it that way tho. |
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Oct 23, 2004 - 11:22 PM
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Enthusiast Joined Sep 10, '04 From san diego Currently Offline Reputation: 0 (0%) |
did you use some type of bracket to hold the HU?
do you have a dvd play mounted some where else or does your HU play them... |
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Oct 23, 2004 - 11:39 PM
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Enthusiast Joined Jan 8, '04 From LA Currently Offline Reputation: 0 (0%) |
Had to make my own bracket using the bolts the stock amp was bolted into and some railing from home depot.  It took a LONG time for it to get perfect- had to reopen it like 6 times; also had to cut away on the inside part of the center console piece- you can't see it from the outside As for DVD player; I use the DVD drive in the laptop This post has been edited by shid: Oct 23, 2004 - 11:41 PM |
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Oct 24, 2004 - 12:25 AM
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Enthusiast Joined Sep 10, '04 From san diego Currently Offline Reputation: 0 (0%) |
is the HU floating or is it set on something ....mount a HU at that angle doesnt it skip or skip more then normal?
also how do you get video on your screen....i know your not watching or playing games on it 24 7 soo when to play a music cd does it show something on it? |
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Oct 24, 2004 - 12:27 AM
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Enthusiast Joined Jan 8, '04 From LA Currently Offline Reputation: 0 (0%) |
the HU is floating completely- it's not set on anything. It actually skips less now- since the mounting I worked up seems to absorb shock- LOL Also, no theif is going to EVER get that HU out of there without taking apart half the car. As for the video- it doesn't go through the HU at all; only audio does I have it connected to a switcher, the switcher out sends audio to the HU, and vidoe to the monitor. When I'm playing a CD and not mp3 (the comps broken right now- but normally it's always on mp3 on the computer- so I need the touchscreen) I just turn it off. |
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Oct 24, 2004 - 3:08 AM
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Enthusiast Joined Sep 10, '04 From san diego Currently Offline Reputation: 0 (0%) |
anti theft is good hahah
got a little supension set up i guess anyways i take it the set up on the screen is kinda like a 3 rca set up? 2 audio and 1 video? soo left and right and then video...is this right? |
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