Stock Audio
Tastes like DonkeyBalls
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 447
Likes: 0
From: NJ
I haveto agree with the majority... by just adding a sub to your stock system.. you will drown out your highs... if you're going to upgrade.. I would start out with the HU... you will lose the stock HU usefulness but the sound difference will be nite and day....if not then start out by changing your interior speakers with maybe some alpine type Rs, infinity ref/kappa, rainbow dreams, etc...
Maybe you will be surprised by the midbass by further adding a 4 channel amp to the mix
and if that bass doesnt satisfy you then you can add a small 10inch sub/amp to fill in the lower octaves.
Take it in steps... you will be able to save up money slowly and build up to a very nice system instead of cutting corners and only partially upgrading your system...
Maybe you will be surprised by the midbass by further adding a 4 channel amp to the mix
and if that bass doesnt satisfy you then you can add a small 10inch sub/amp to fill in the lower octaves.Take it in steps... you will be able to save up money slowly and build up to a very nice system instead of cutting corners and only partially upgrading your system...
I like the idea of taking it in steps. Will have to check the local shops this weekend......
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 404
Likes: 0
From: In Your Girlfriend's Snatch
Hey Fellow Long Islander,
Im on the Isle too bro, and I too have done what you are considering----my 99 Accord EX V-6 coupe has a HUGE sealed box in the trunk with two Rockford Punch XLC 15's, powered by a Rockford Punch 800.2 amp running in bridged mode; the rest of the system is stock---head unit and speakers. I did this because I was totally satisfied with the actual SOUND of the OEM head unit and speakers, but wanted to shake some houses as I tooled down the road; so my friend got an RCA converter, and went to work with the Rockford components I bought....I gotta tell you, while Im having problems of my own with this system (see my post in here), the bass definitely overpowers the rest of the music---and most people in my car dont like the effect; they say they cant hear the vocals in the music, although I can....but I was GOING for that overpowered, muddy, over-bassed sound; thats what I wanted, and thats why I bought 15 inch subs---my installer friend simply gave me what I wanted; but it does sound muddy at times with the subs playing over the rest of the speakers; but I ONLY believe in ADDING subwoofers and amps to stock systems in modern cars---I DO NOT believe in ripping out radios, speakers, etc, in a modern vehicle because its like vandalizing a new thing; the idea, to me, is to ADD what you want TO A stock system---whether that be a self powered Bazooka tube or a massive box and amp, like I have. But I gotta tell you, SOMETHING is handicapping the capabilities of my "800 watt" Fosgate amp---it sure doesnt sound like 800 watts when you crank this puppy up---and unfortunately, its probably the OEM head unit coupled with this RCA converter.....
Im on the Isle too bro, and I too have done what you are considering----my 99 Accord EX V-6 coupe has a HUGE sealed box in the trunk with two Rockford Punch XLC 15's, powered by a Rockford Punch 800.2 amp running in bridged mode; the rest of the system is stock---head unit and speakers. I did this because I was totally satisfied with the actual SOUND of the OEM head unit and speakers, but wanted to shake some houses as I tooled down the road; so my friend got an RCA converter, and went to work with the Rockford components I bought....I gotta tell you, while Im having problems of my own with this system (see my post in here), the bass definitely overpowers the rest of the music---and most people in my car dont like the effect; they say they cant hear the vocals in the music, although I can....but I was GOING for that overpowered, muddy, over-bassed sound; thats what I wanted, and thats why I bought 15 inch subs---my installer friend simply gave me what I wanted; but it does sound muddy at times with the subs playing over the rest of the speakers; but I ONLY believe in ADDING subwoofers and amps to stock systems in modern cars---I DO NOT believe in ripping out radios, speakers, etc, in a modern vehicle because its like vandalizing a new thing; the idea, to me, is to ADD what you want TO A stock system---whether that be a self powered Bazooka tube or a massive box and amp, like I have. But I gotta tell you, SOMETHING is handicapping the capabilities of my "800 watt" Fosgate amp---it sure doesnt sound like 800 watts when you crank this puppy up---and unfortunately, its probably the OEM head unit coupled with this RCA converter.....
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: socal
i'm looking into getting an 'o3 coupe w/navi, and from what you guys are saying, is it easy to just add better speakers and an amp? Dont really care about dedicated subs personally. Just want to be able to listen to Tool, Led Zeppelin, and Metallica loud and clear.