Need Audio Help/Advice...Exploring options!

[SDJASON]

So, im the proud new owner of a 2005 Scion TC Silver

I absolutely love the car, and actually, its got a pretty decent stock sound system, compared to my last car, a 1995 Saturn SC2 with 4 blown speakers..... :-P

Anyways, I've got the following equipment leftover from my SC2:

-4x Pioneer TS-A631P 6.5 inch Round 3 Way Speakers
-1x AudioVox Prestige PAB-450R 400W 4 channel Amp
-1x Alpine V-Power MRP-F200 Amplifier 4x75W Amp
-1x Random Aftermarket JVC Deck with 4 channel RCA Outputs
-2x Crappy Horrible 12" Cuspid Subwoofers

When i set up my old car, my plan was to use these parts and set up the wiring and everything correct first, then upgrade each component as money came in (it never did) I had 4x RCA from the head unit going to both amp's in the trunk via splitters, then high grade speaker wire running from the Apline to all 4 pioneer speakers, the Crappy Sub's were powered by the Audiovox Amp.... It gave "decent" sound, which was all i ever wanted... and since i never got the $$$ to upgrade the components, decent was fine

Now however, im looking for a "more than decent" setup.... however the one caveat is I no longer care about earsplitting bass, and id rather not fill my trunk up with unnecessary subs....

My first question is, if i were to replace the stock speakers with my Pioneer TS-A631P's (with Alpine's adapters) would i get any significant sound quality increase while still using the stock head unit?? I've heard the stock head unit has custom EQ settings to aid the stock speakers... will these EQ settings be detrimental to my aftermarket speakers in terms of sound quality?? Is there a way to disable or turn off these custom EQ settings??

Assuming i wanted to stick with the Stock Head Unit..(I've invested in the Sattelite Radio to RCA adapter to pair with my DP1US IPOD interface) would i get any benefit from wiring the speaker's to run off the Audiovox Prestige Amp (the admittedly better of the two amp's i have) or would it be better to leave it as is...

Once again, im not looking for the best of the best, just above stock, so my final question is, will any of the things ive suggested above give me noticeable difference over the stock system, or should i try something else? or not even waste my time??

THank's a LOT for your reply!!

~Jason

[chyz-dad]

It all depends on what you are willing to spend....


keeping that in mind I am saving for a 120Gcarputer, 7" touch screen display, external USB connector, and upgrading the speakers to Infinty's...that should run me roughly $1300. Now if you want to keep it simple and keep money in your pocket and still have all the sound that you want ( not what you can get away with financially ) then I would go with Pioneer or Alpine H/U, and pair them with a speaker that will give you the sound you like...I'm partial to Infinty speakers. Don't go for the TFT (DBL DIN) screens if all you really want is music. With H/U and a "good" set a speakers you could be looking at about $500 - $600.

Chime in if anyone has any more advice

I should have read more...now as far as I understand if you put aftermarket speakers in the sound will not be what you are looking for from the stock H/U...hence aftermarket H/U...you can run like I have mine right now...I have an inline converter running to an amp and then two subs, but seeing as how you don't want the hard hitting base ( which is beyond me....JK ) you can run taht to your amp then to your aftermarket speakers...which should not be to bad, but then again I like it loud.

I hope this was some help

[lukeyd900]

You won't get much better sound on the stock H/U than what is provided through the factory. If you want to improve sound quality then you really have no choice but to go with an aftermarket H/U. After that, it just comes down to opinion. I would suggest an Eclipse H/U or Alpine as a second option. I am partial to Boston Acoustic speakers and subs myself. That is just my two cents.

[travis1041]

if you replace the h/u with a decent after market h/u you will notice a big difference and that would only cost you about 200+ It is always good to start off with a good h/u and work from their