Stereo Upgrade Questions

[Matt400]

Hey there...

I would like to do 6 new speakers, two in the dash and the rest in the doors, no fancy subs and then add an amp to step up what the stock head unit puts out.



I am not a real audio buff so need some help understanding the components I should use.

I am just looking for the same or better sound that came from my 02 Ram QC Infinity.

My current system in the 03 is just a 4 speaker non infinity.



I have been told my Standard CD player is the same as the Infinity's but I am concerned about the Radio portion because I listen to 80% FM and 20% CD's. Don't want to drop allot of bucks on components only to learn that the Radio still won't sound as good as my 02 Infinity did.



Thanks in advance for any suggestions

 

[jzaremski]

I have been told my Standard CD player is the same as the Infinity's

It is. There is no "Infinity" radio. The Infinity system means a speaker and amplifier upgrade.

 

[mikel]

If you're happy with the way the factory radio works then leave it. You will *hear* a much larger improvement by upgrading the stock speakers and leaving the stock radio than by upgrading the stock radio and leaving the stock speakers.



These Infinity systems are NOT similar to Infinity systems that you would buy from a place like Crutchfield, the stock stuff has cheap paper cones and low power capacity.



Mike

 

[Chipstien]

Originally posted by Matt400

Hey there...

I would like to do 6 new speakers, two in the dash and the rest in the doors

Unless you have the 6 speaker system, you will be hard pressed to put speakers in the dash. Forget the dash and spend the extra money on quality components for the doors. Also a amplifier is the only way to get great sound from the speakers. Deck power regardless of the deck is always underpowered in my opinion.

 

[jzaremski]

the stock stuff has cheap paper cones

there's nothing wrong with paper.

and low power capacity.

No, they have low power ratings. OEM speakers are held to much tougher performance and durability standards than aftermarket speakers.

 

[Matt400]

Re: Re: Stereo Upgrade Questions

Originally posted by Chipstien

Unless you have the 6 speaker system, you will be hard pressed to put speakers in the dash.

The holes and grate covers are already there, plus the panel just snaps on for access.

a amplifier is the only way to get great sound from the speakers. Deck power regardless of the deck is always underpowered in my opinion.

I figured that, just wondered what amp would be compatible with the stock head unit.

 

[Matt400]

Originally posted by jzaremski

It is. There is no "Infinity" radio. The Infinity system means a speaker and amplifier upgrade.

You sure about that? cuz my 02 infinity included a tape player and other radio features like displaying the stations call sign next to the time.

 

[Matt400]

Originally posted by mikel

You will *hear* a much larger improvement by upgrading the stock speakers and leaving the stock radio than by upgrading the stock radio and leaving the stock speakers. Mike

Do you mean to do just speakers and no amp?

I am not sure what the output is from my standard head unit but my 02 Infinity was 240 watts.

 

[Dsul]

If you are looking for a mild improvement, I would consider a quality set of aftermarket speakers, fronts being most important. Try it without an external amp first, you may find it's enough to keep you happy until you decide to go with a high tech head unit. Then let the good times roll .

 

[Cooker]

Originally posted by jzaremski

there's nothing wrong with paper.



No, they have low power ratings. OEM speakers are held to much tougher performance and durability standards than aftermarket speakers.

jzaremski,

If I remember correctly you work for an OEM supplier. I am not trying to argue with you as you have much greater knowledge on OEM parts than I do. I will say from an audiophile's point of view, there is no sound quality comparison between OEM speakers and aftermarkets.

 

[Chipstien]

Re: Re: Re: Stereo Upgrade Questions

Originally posted by Matt400

just wondered what amp would be compatible with the stock head unit.

You would need a amp with speaker level inputs because the stock deck does not have RCA's. That isn't a big deal ... . however the selection is drastically reduced and the amps with speaker level input tend to be the entry level stuff. Still would sound much better then stock.

 

[mikel]

Originally posted by jzaremski

there's nothing wrong with paper.

Uhhh, ok. You go take a stock speaker and dunk it in a bucket of water, then take a decent poly/rubber aftermarket speaker and do the same. Now tell me that there is nothing wrong with paper.



In any environment where moisture is an issue paper is inferior to the materials used in decent aftermarket speakers.

No, they have low power ratings.

How is that different than what I said?

OEM speakers are held to much tougher performance and durability standards than aftermarket speakers.

Once again, you can't tell it by a moisture test or they wouldn't be made of paper. As far as performance standards, I guess if low price is the only standard then yes, they are held to higher standards than aftermarket units.

Originally posted by Matt400

Do you mean to do just speakers and no amp?

All I mean is that if you only have money to do one thing at a time the biggest "bang for your buck" will be to replace the factory speakers with aftermarket units. If you can afford to add an amp then you really begin to change the way your system sounds. Oh, and while I am on the subject of amps, don't believe the hype that manufacturers put on their radios. Things like "50 Watts x 4" and such. I have yet to see a radio that is advertised as 50Wx4 (which is usually a peak power rating) that can even remotely keep up with a true amplifier rated at 50Wx4 RMS.



Good luck,

Mike

 

[jzaremski]

I will say from an audiophile's point of view, there is no sound quality comparison between OEM speakers and aftermarkets.

true, but I wasn't arguing that. All I said was that paper/wood fiber is perfectly suitable for a speaker cone.

Uhhh, ok. You go take a stock speaker and dunk it in a bucket of water, then take a decent poly/rubber aftermarket speaker and do the same. Now tell me that there is nothing wrong with paper.

most if not all OEM speakers are waterproofed. Water intrusion, high humidity, and salt spray are all part of performance validation for an OEM speaker.

How is that different than what I said?

Good OEM speakers are typically rated lower than they would be were they aftermarket speakers. All part of the "150,000 mile design life. "

Once again, you can't tell it by a moisture test or they wouldn't be made of paper.

Again, moisture tests are a huge part of the design validation of an OEM speaker.

In any environment where moisture is an issue paper is inferior to the materials used in decent aftermarket speakers.

The "exotic" cone materials in aftermarket speakers mostly provide eye candy. Proper cone design is far more important than what type of polypropylene it's made of.

You would need a amp with speaker level inputs because the stock deck does not have RCA's. That isn't a big deal ... . however the selection is drastically reduced and the amps with speaker level input tend to be the entry level stuff. Still would sound much better then stock.

One thing to consider is that the radio may be equalized for the stock speakers, and changing the speakers might throw the sound off. I'm not sure if this is a concern for the 4-speaker system, but it's something to consider.

 

[DOWG]

This might be a little non-technical, but I really need your help. One by one all the lights on my stock stereo are going out. Can't change stations because I can't tell what I'm changing to.



Is there a solution?

 

[Matt400]

Originally posted by DOWG

Is there a solution?

What about all the others here that have yanked out their stock unit? bound to be someone here with one real cheap!