Ok folks, I just installed brand new speakers all around, two 4x6's, and two 6x9's, all Sony Xplods, and yes they sound a little better then stock, but they should still sound significantly better.

I still have the stock radio (5 way equalizer) no amp (plan to change that soon) and I plan to get a pair of 12 inch subs.

Will a new radio and an amp make a noticable difference in sound quality? I didnt spend money on new speakers to have them sound the same as the stock ones.

Yes I bought Xplods so dont give me any crap about that, I know what I bought and stand behind it.

 

well then, this renders me speechless

 

Sorry to say it as I know you don't want to hear it but in car audio stay away from sony, some of their decks are desent but to tell you the truth you probably would of been better off with a walmart brand, just my opinion though

Kyle

 

I'm never one to say that the majority is ever right simply as they are the majority. But, in things like this, I can accept there's a lot of people out there who know a whole lot more than I do about car audio, and they say stay away. Therefore, and based on your statement, I'm gonna assume it's likely simply inherent in their design/build quality.

But, grain of salt, 2 cents, and all those other cliches.

 

ur gonna hear this many times...but Sony's only good products are it's top end head units...XPlod kinda...well...it sucks *****


i can assure you that if you invest in some nice speakers and a nice cd player and amp you'll be more than happy. i'm running Memphis subs, amp, and speakers with a Sony head unit, and i'm buying either an Alpine or Pioneer head unit next week so the sony will be out. my system sounds real good except i still need to get an actual BOX for the subs as they sit in a baffle board right now

 

Your problem is that you're using a deplorable head unit to power a marginal pair of speakers. The factory head unit is pure garbage and won't allow any speaker to sound good, but they certainly won't help a speaker of questionable quality like the Sony.

Get a new head unit first. That will make a tremendous improvement. If at that time you find that you're happy with the sony stuff, then great. If not, plan on new speakers too.

 

Jim's got it. The stock HU is never going to make junk speakers sound good.

 

If you want to keep the stock HU, maybe look into an amp with speaker inputs (not just pre-amp inputs). I have an older Alpine 4 channel amp (mrv-f307), and the amp makes the speakers (boston) sound very nice. I now have those speakers hooked up to an aftermarket (panasonic) HU. They sound nice, but they can not crank as loud without a ton of bass distortion.

I have no personal experience with Sony speakers, so no comment on those. But try the amp approach and see if you can get what you are looking for.

 

Regardless of what you do, the factory head unit's sonics can not be improved upon downstream.

 

I agree with Jim in both cases. The wattage out put of a factory deck blows. And the range of the deck is capable of 75%(maybe) of what the speakers are capable of putting out.

Also, just a dumb question... Are you sure you connected the speakers correctly + to +, - to -? The phasing of speakers is essential for sound. Working at a shop I was amazed at how many people connected them incorrectly. They figured, "it must be right, they're putting out sound". Check this first if you are the least bit unsure.
RF+=Lt grn/ LF+=Tan/ RR+=Dk blue/ LR+=Brown.

 

Well, I know the Front 4x6 speakers are hooked in right, their connected by plug in adapters, no wiring needed , and the back 6x9's, are wire spliced, wrapped in a wire nut, and plugged into the speakers, are you saying that I should switch the wires?
The back ones sound really good actually, just i know it can sound better with an amp and new radio powering it.

 

NO NO NO.!.!. Wire nuts are absolutely NOT acceptable for mobile installations.!.!. Use good quality crimps or solder and heat shrink tubing.

 

not sure what exactly you are looking for in sound, but replacing the head unit with something that has two pre amp out puts, and a 50w*4 channel amp, wired correctly will work out nice for you

i blew out the pioneer 4*6's, but the 45 watt rms amp did that since i have it cranked it.

she likes the play the radio loud

the 6*9's are working fine

also use good cabling and make sure your grounds are good

that should make you happy

sometimes changing speakers alone with a stock unit help alot, sometimes they dont

each persons "alot" is different from someone elses