Appreciate your honesty..

SC

 

I haven't done any audio mods, but I've heard a lot of people say that they felt a large benefit simply by changing the headunit. Apparently the stock one is really underpowered?

 

Has anybody changed the head unit and still kept the stock controls with the driver side>????

SC

 

To do that you need DJCube's or Lucid's controller. I have DJCube's and love it. It adds functionality. I believe Lucid's does as well.

Problem is, if you change the head unit, you'll want to change your front speakers.

 

The speakers are CRAP. In the '00-'01 cars the cones are actually made out of paper.

Realistically, the audio system in the car is worthless. My advice (while not the cheapest thing in the world) would be to start over.

New HU, new speakers in front and back and then amp them. To save some bucks I would do just the HU and front speakers. Then add rears with an amp later (amping the whole thing at that time.)

If you check out the electonics forum there is an FAQ that should get you going pretty well.

 

Yes, but you have to pay for the adaptor.
Lucid makes these and so does someoneelse, very well known, but I forgot at this second, major brain fart... it has a Q or a C in it.
Anyhow, Lucid's swi-x control unit let's you use the side controller, but costs about $90.
And "Mr. Q/C" is quite a bit more, I think (what do I know, I can't even remember his name).

It all boils down to how much money you are willing to spend. If you want a really great sounding system w/ all the perks, it'll cost you $$$. I once was quoted $3,000 for a nice setup from a local electronic store...
But if you want the basic set up w/ better sound, it may just cost you $'s.

I have the Alpine HU w/ swi-x controls and rear speakers, all thanks to Lucid, for a little over a year now. and despite the back speaker blowing out, and me replacing it, it sounds great. I don't even need an amp nor a sub. I get plenty of bass and the side controls are functional. Total cost was about $700-800'ish: HU = $300, Speakers = $100, rear speakers w/ panel = $100, swix = $90, additional rear speakers = $100, additional hookup/this&that/shipping ~$100.
What would I do if I were to do it all over again? I would keep the original head unit. I would ask Lucid about the wiring kit for rear speakers. I would upgrade the front speakers and add my own speakers to the rears by drilling my own hole on the rear panel and save $$, it'll probably cost about $250 the most, and the side controller still works.
Some ppl just got the wiring kit for the rear speakers and only upgraded the front speakers and place the OEM front speakers on the rear panel. All they spent was about $100.

You really should ask the electronics forum for better input on this. I really like the looks of the S pod, but I don't think I want the music blasting right into my ears. W/ rear speakers, you can feel the "thump" on your back, that's pretty sweet.

 

Or you could really save $$ and get a portable CD or MP3 player with good quality ear clips or those Koss ear buds and ya got all the clarity/bass of a high end system without fighting the wind noise.

Just a thought.

 

wearing earbuds/headphones while driving is illegal.

Sounds like rear speakers, new fronts, a new HU, and the adapter are the way to go. get a 4 channel HU and power all 4 speakers, no need for an amp judging by what you seem to want.

Quick2k

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by LT'S S2K

 

This needs to be moved to the electronics forum.