I've read quite a few audio threads in this forum, but each seems to be a bit different than what I'm looking for. And, honestly, I'm an audio newbie, so I didn't understand some of the shop talk If I did miss a post that examined a similar scenario, lemme know and I'll take a look.

Anyway, I have the premium system in my 2003 Sedan, and it's not quite loud enough for me. Sound quality seems OK to me, but if I can improve that with what I'm trying to do, it would be a pleasant side effect.

Basically, I'm looking to get some more volume, especially when I've got the windows down and I'm driving on the freeway. I want to keep the stock head unit, and I don't want to modify the car, or add things that aren't currently there (ie I want to work with the existing speaker brackets, etc).

What is a good way to accomplish this? Should/can I just get a more powerful amp and keep the current speakers? Would replacing some/all the stock speakers and keeping the stock amp do what I want? Or do I need to replace both speakers and the amp?

Once again, I'm no audiophile, so I'm not looking to spend a ton of money. I currently have no problem with the stock premium system, aside from it just not being loud enough. What are the options for me to accomplish my goal? FYI, I'm hoping to stay in the $500 or less range, but of course that could change based on advice I get.

Thanks in advance!

 

You could put in a bigger/better amp and get more volume.
$500 should cover that.
I'd spend another $150 and get better front speakers, while you're at it.

 

I would try to change all the speakerse out first, if it still aint to your liking? then you can add the amp(s), ppl here had just change the tweeters and it did wonders for them.

if you add an amp to the bose speakers, yes it might be louder, but its just gonna be louder crap[img]/w3timages/icons/tongue.gif[/img], change out the speakers and see if its better? and i would think it will be louder too!


03 coupe 5AT DG/G premium,performance,avic-n1

 

I'd strongly recommend changing both your speakers and the amplifier if you want louder sound. If you ONLY change the amp, the stock speakers probably won't be able to handle the new load and it's likely that you'll blow them. You could just change the speakers, but without more power to them it's not likely to make a loudness improvement.

I sometimes recommend that people consider leaving the stock rear speakers in when trying to do an economical audio upgrade, but that's based on adding a subwoofer and crossover which takes a big burden off the stock rears.

 

FYI - The non-Bose speakers will get pretty loud with decent sound quality when hooked up to an external amp. I ran them through my PPI DCX 600.4 (75x4 @ 4 ohms) for a week before I put components in the rear doors.

But I agree with djrobx and say get both speakers and an amp...

 

Oh and here's a breakdown of what you'll need and estimated costs if you are looking to spend around $500:

LOC ($25-35)
Wires (Power/RCA/Speaker... $70+ depends on gauge, quality)
Amp (cheap 2 or 4 channel $250+)
Amp install ($100)
2 front speakers ($150)
Speaker install ($60?)

That still comes in around $650...

You can spend more on 2 speakers and a 2 channel amp if you don't put speakers in the rear doors, but since your concern is volume, I'd get all 4 speakers...

BTW - I wouldn't recommend taking my advice though, I started with a plan similar to yours and ended up spending $3k on my stereo. Oops!

 

Yeah, I did the same for a short period - ran the stock speakers off my amp. It does work very well, but given that he wants louder sound, I don't think it'll be a good long term solution. I suppose he could do that, then replace the speakers as he blows them.

-- Rob

 

Whenever my new sub gets in, before I install it I'm going to hook up one of the stock speakers to the sub amp and pop in a bass cd just to see what happens...heh heh

 

I would also recommend changing out BOTH the speakers and the amps if you can or want to afford it.

You could do the tweeter mod with the RadioShaq $0.99 10uF capacitor for about $100 (tweet cost). This has been enough of an improvement for some people.

You could do just the front seperates but then you have to worry about the ohm impedence with the stock amp and the aftermarket speakers. Then again, if you have a crappy amp with good speakers.... its the same arguement of putting Michelin Pilots on a KIA Rio, they will never realize their true potential and you will notice only a little improvement. Some people have found this to be a satisfactory improvement too (not me though!)

You can change the amp and keep the stock speakers, I agree all you'll get is louder crap! (that was funny as hell the first time I read it). Have you seen pictures or personally took a look at the stock speakers? I could probably make the same quality (or lack thereof) speakers out of a sheet of black construction paper, some Elmer's glue and those alphabet refrigerator magnets.

If you're going to do it, do it right the first time...otherwise, you'll end up spending more $$ for your entire system upgrading here and there after unfufilled expectation by taking the cheapest short-cut route at the time.

Money is definitely a factor in upgrading the crap stock system so plan carefully. Go listen to the speakers first hand and ask others in their failures and successes at upgrading their systems.

Hope this helps....

docron1

 

Thanks for all the advice, all...I definitely have some decisions to make and some research to do.

 

I second Joe's recommendation. I did a speaker/amp upgrade, but regret I didn't do the HU upgrade at the same time. Now it's going to cost me more to do it than if I did it all together. After the upgrade I realized that my HU was the weakest link in the chain. I had these awesome speakers and amps, but almost no control over tuning the sound via EQ that most decent HUs have. So definitely do your research and plan carefully.

http://www.caraudioforum.com is a good site with some primers for beginners on car audio speak and concepts.

Notice that most senior caraudioforum members and my installer do not recommend using power caps as a bandaid. Seems the real solution here is a more powerful alternator which is expensive, so I'd do the install first and see later if you need it. I'm pushing 800watts aggregate on my system with no issues.



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<font color=blue>'04 TB 6MT Graphite: Aero Pkg, Premium</font color=blue>

 

Hey there Shy'*****. We meet again.

I didn't upgrade my HU, and I'm thrilled, nay, overjoyed, with my system. So, to each his own.

The main focus of this thread was how to get more volume, for "cheap." If the dude wants more volume, upgrade the amp. It'll give him "bang" for the buck. Once he's heard the stock speakers, amped, he may or may not be happy with the sound.

Also, there are decent reasons to use capacitors, not the least of which is acting as a power filter.

Later

 

Hey Bunz... It's pronounced see-bal. A very popular saying in Korea, look into it. As you said, to each his own. So some ppl will be happy with the stock HU and others will not. Joe and I were pointing out that perhaps more research will be required before committing an action to purchase and install audio equipment. So depending on what the expectation is and what would satisfy that expectation, careful and educated decisions are always better than simply buying an amp or buying a pair of speakers and installing them to later find out that what you wanted hasn't been achieved.

My original intention was to upgrade the HU and biamp my components, but I didn't do it for various reasons, one of them being $$$ and lack of patience. Now to do what I had originally intended, it will cost me more $$$ to rip some stuff out and reinstall, most notably the component amp. Since it's such a pain, I'm even thinking of not biamping and just doing the HU upgrade.

As for power caps, I'm not a physicist or EE so I can't really scientifically validify the usefulness of power caps, but most ppl in the caraudioforum seem to stay away from it, so try posting over there and see what they have to say.

Good Luck!

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<font color=blue>'04 TB 6MT Graphite: Aero Pkg, Premium</font color=blue>