Battle of the HU's
09-18-2007, 05:17 PM
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Battle of the HU's
I dont want to start war like in the last thread i saw but heres my question.
I have a box with two pyle audio subs. and the stock HU. I want to know if i should get the premium HU (idk how much it is) or a simliar AM unit that does the same. i dont have an amp so i guess i would need to get that 2. Are there any HU out there that would keep the ipod functions of the premium radio?? I dont have the most amount of moeny. i think Premuium HU was 260 at the dealer here. so any help???
I have a box with two pyle audio subs. and the stock HU. I want to know if i should get the premium HU (idk how much it is) or a simliar AM unit that does the same. i dont have an amp so i guess i would need to get that 2. Are there any HU out there that would keep the ipod functions of the premium radio?? I dont have the most amount of moeny. i think Premuium HU was 260 at the dealer here. so any help???
09-18-2007, 06:59 PM
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you can get an aftermarket radio that has an adapter which will let you use an iPod, or you can get a HU with a USB port, same thing. I dont know in terms of price if it'll be more or less than $260
09-19-2007, 12:48 AM
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you can use a'line out' adapter with your'existing' stock HU, to push your amp which wil push your sub. That's what I DID...... I stress did........ I finally chaged out my HU for one with built ins (RCA outs)....
A line out adapter (taps) into a speaker wire & then you plug in your amps RCA's to it...... simple, cheap, just not all that great quality to your amp, but some non the less....... good luck...
A line out adapter (taps) into a speaker wire & then you plug in your amps RCA's to it...... simple, cheap, just not all that great quality to your amp, but some non the less....... good luck...
09-19-2007, 03:37 AM
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well my question what is the most cost effective way to get my subs hooked up? Get the premium HU or one like it and not worry about buying an amplifier? 2. Buy a 30 dollar amp thingy so i dont need a new HU and then buy an amp (600 W).
btw the speakers are free. plye subs (idk anythign else about em theire in a box setup.
Thanks in advance
btw the speakers are free. plye subs (idk anythign else about em theire in a box setup.
Thanks in advance
09-19-2007, 03:47 AM
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pyle is fairly low end nowadays, back in the 80's they were very popular, but free is a great price...
Most cost effective way is to buy and amp with speaker level ins... then you won't need any adapters, just tap your speaker wires and send them right to your amp
Most cost effective way is to buy and amp with speaker level ins... then you won't need any adapters, just tap your speaker wires and send them right to your amp
09-19-2007, 04:11 AM
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so pretty much get an amp and just run it to the base unit?? thats what i was thinkin of doing. Idk how much an amp is so i need to find that out. The thought of paying 260 for the Premium HU was tempting but i would still ahve to buy the amp wouldnt i?? any good HU in the price range of the Premium HU that has the same or better features. i like the ipod thing thats all i use for music anywys. thanks
09-19-2007, 01:57 PM
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well... if you're looking to save some money, do the Line Out converter as mentioned by jimmbomb.
I did a DIY with one for the NAV unit, should be damn near identical for the base system:
https://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=190326
It's only $20 for the line out converter.
I also just bought an amp at a yard sale, 600 W, for $25. So if you look hard enough, you can find them cheap too. Unless you're doing competitions, you really don't need much more than 200W for these cars since they have an open trunk. Thats all I'm running at the moment (though i will be putting in the 600W when i get my box built), but it hits quite nice.
I did a DIY with one for the NAV unit, should be damn near identical for the base system:
https://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=190326
It's only $20 for the line out converter.
I also just bought an amp at a yard sale, 600 W, for $25. So if you look hard enough, you can find them cheap too. Unless you're doing competitions, you really don't need much more than 200W for these cars since they have an open trunk. Thats all I'm running at the moment (though i will be putting in the 600W when i get my box built), but it hits quite nice.
09-19-2007, 03:27 PM
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yes you DO need an amp.. The premium HU aint gonna push your Pyles.. An Amp has to do it.. So now you need something to tell your amp what to push..
Your existing HU will with 'line out adapter'.
The premium HU upgrade will do it too, W/O the line out adapter.. BUT the Premium HU does NOT have more power than the stocker.. Your front & back Speaks will sound the same...
You want to go cheap... You go with a 20 dollar 'line out adap[ter' to you existing Hu & add an amp to your Pyles..
A used amp can be found ANYWHERE.. Look to craigslist.org in your area & you'll get one that day..
or garage sales.. or even wally world for less than 50 bucks....
That's the cheapest way.... if that's really what your'e looking for...
JUST REMEMBER.......... when you cheap out....... later on down the road, you'll want to 'do it right' & up grade your sounds.... then you'll be stuck with trying to get rid of your cheap stuff........ just a thought......... good luck with your subs... jh
Your existing HU will with 'line out adapter'.
The premium HU upgrade will do it too, W/O the line out adapter.. BUT the Premium HU does NOT have more power than the stocker.. Your front & back Speaks will sound the same...
You want to go cheap... You go with a 20 dollar 'line out adap[ter' to you existing Hu & add an amp to your Pyles..
A used amp can be found ANYWHERE.. Look to craigslist.org in your area & you'll get one that day..
or garage sales.. or even wally world for less than 50 bucks....
That's the cheapest way.... if that's really what your'e looking for...
JUST REMEMBER.......... when you cheap out....... later on down the road, you'll want to 'do it right' & up grade your sounds.... then you'll be stuck with trying to get rid of your cheap stuff........ just a thought......... good luck with your subs... jh
09-19-2007, 07:09 PM
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Originally Posted by jimmbomb
yes you DO need an amp.. The premium HU aint gonna push your Pyles.. An Amp has to do it.. So now you need something to tell your amp what to push..
Your existing HU will with 'line out adapter'.
The premium HU upgrade will do it too, W/O the line out adapter.. BUT the Premium HU does NOT have more power than the stocker.. Your front & back Speaks will sound the same...
You want to go cheap... You go with a 20 dollar 'line out adap[ter' to you existing Hu & add an amp to your Pyles..
A used amp can be found ANYWHERE.. Look to craigslist.org in your area & you'll get one that day..
or garage sales.. or even wally world for less than 50 bucks....
That's the cheapest way.... if that's really what your'e looking for...
JUST REMEMBER.......... when you cheap out....... later on down the road, you'll want to 'do it right' & up grade your sounds.... then you'll be stuck with trying to get rid of your cheap stuff........ just a thought......... good luck with your subs... jh
Your existing HU will with 'line out adapter'.
The premium HU upgrade will do it too, W/O the line out adapter.. BUT the Premium HU does NOT have more power than the stocker.. Your front & back Speaks will sound the same...
You want to go cheap... You go with a 20 dollar 'line out adap[ter' to you existing Hu & add an amp to your Pyles..
A used amp can be found ANYWHERE.. Look to craigslist.org in your area & you'll get one that day..
or garage sales.. or even wally world for less than 50 bucks....
That's the cheapest way.... if that's really what your'e looking for...
JUST REMEMBER.......... when you cheap out....... later on down the road, you'll want to 'do it right' & up grade your sounds.... then you'll be stuck with trying to get rid of your cheap stuff........ just a thought......... good luck with your subs... jh
09-25-2007, 08:23 PM
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JIMMBOMB is right on the money in this case in my opinion. It's all about spending your dollars where they will do you the best, you can drop like 30 bucks on one of the best LOC's in world from SoundGate, and then spend the cash that matters on the AMP for your subs. If later down the road you do make the change to the AFM HU you have not wasted 260 on the premium head, but instead 30 on the LOC that you will no longer need. Less waste, and plenty of performance. Who knows maybe with the good LOC you will be happy with the sound a good amp gives you. But remember no matter what amp you purchase, get something desent, and always plan on spending some coin on wires for it. You will want the right power and ground feeds for what ever you get, just don't forget that copper cost cash right now.
09-26-2007, 01:42 AM
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Originally Posted by LVMYXB
JIMMBOMB is right on the money in this case in my opinion. It's all about spending your dollars where they will do you the best, you can drop like 30 bucks on one of the best LOC's in world from SoundGate, and then spend the cash that matters on the AMP for your subs. If later down the road you do make the change to the AFM HU you have not wasted 260 on the premium head, but instead 30 on the LOC that you will no longer need. Less waste, and plenty of performance. Who knows maybe with the good LOC you will be happy with the sound a good amp gives you. But remember no matter what amp you purchase, get something desent, and always plan on spending some coin on wires for it. You will want the right power and ground feeds for what ever you get, just don't forget that copper cost cash right now.
09-26-2007, 03:22 AM
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Yup, LOC = Line Output Converter, sorry many former years of retail showing through there, I will try to remember to tone down the technobabble. 
As for amp recommendations there are a slew of choices for you. Key factors to consider are which series of Polk 12's you want to run and what kind of power you will need. I think just about anything in the 250-400 watt category will give you what you need. Recommendations are always tough because you never want to hurt any feelings or forgetfully leave someone out, but here goes anyway. Typically in that price range about all the amps you get are not going to be separated by much, mostly cosmetic differences, and maybe a few creature comfort function changes, but nothing ground breaking. Always remember that power costs around a buck a watt(.80 to 1.20) is pretty typical. The only ones you really want to avoid are brands that try to convince you that you are getting 1000 watts for 200 bucks, you know who they are already so no need to call anybody out.
Hope that is helpful without inspiring hostile feeling in anyone, if you have further more specific requests I will be more than happy to give you my .02.
As for amp recommendations there are a slew of choices for you. Key factors to consider are which series of Polk 12's you want to run and what kind of power you will need. I think just about anything in the 250-400 watt category will give you what you need. Recommendations are always tough because you never want to hurt any feelings or forgetfully leave someone out, but here goes anyway. Typically in that price range about all the amps you get are not going to be separated by much, mostly cosmetic differences, and maybe a few creature comfort function changes, but nothing ground breaking. Always remember that power costs around a buck a watt(.80 to 1.20) is pretty typical. The only ones you really want to avoid are brands that try to convince you that you are getting 1000 watts for 200 bucks, you know who they are already so no need to call anybody out.Hope that is helpful without inspiring hostile feeling in anyone, if you have further more specific requests I will be more than happy to give you my .02.
09-26-2007, 04:16 AM
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Originally Posted by LVMYXB
Yup, LOC = Line Output Converter, sorry many former years of retail showing through there, I will try to remember to tone down the technobabble. As for amp recommendations there are a slew of choices for you. Key factors to consider are which series of Polk 12's you want to run and what kind of power you will need. I think just about anything in the 250-400 watt category will give you what you need. Recommendations are always tough because you never want to hurt any feelings or forgetfully leave someone out, but here goes anyway. Typically in that price range about all the amps you get are not going to be separated by much, mostly cosmetic differences, and maybe a few creature comfort function changes, but nothing ground breaking. Always remember that power costs around a buck a watt(.80 to 1.20) is pretty typical. The only ones you really want to avoid are brands that try to convince you that you are getting 1000 watts for 200 bucks, you know who they are already so no need to call anybody out.
Hope that is helpful without inspiring hostile feeling in anyone, if you have further more specific requests I will be more than happy to give you my .02.
As for amp recommendations there are a slew of choices for you. Key factors to consider are which series of Polk 12's you want to run and what kind of power you will need. I think just about anything in the 250-400 watt category will give you what you need. Recommendations are always tough because you never want to hurt any feelings or forgetfully leave someone out, but here goes anyway. Typically in that price range about all the amps you get are not going to be separated by much, mostly cosmetic differences, and maybe a few creature comfort function changes, but nothing ground breaking. Always remember that power costs around a buck a watt(.80 to 1.20) is pretty typical. The only ones you really want to avoid are brands that try to convince you that you are getting 1000 watts for 200 bucks, you know who they are already so no need to call anybody out.Hope that is helpful without inspiring hostile feeling in anyone, if you have further more specific requests I will be more than happy to give you my .02.
09-26-2007, 01:02 PM
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Originally Posted by ScionFred
Just curious but what is the advantage of using a cheap-butt $20 line-out convertor over using the cheap-butt line convertor that is already integrated into most amps?
09-28-2007, 10:53 PM
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I just put an Amp and sub in a friends Jeep with the stock HU which doesn't have RCAs and if you get an Amp with speaker level inputs there is NO NEED to use a LOC. He bought a Kicker ZX400.1 Sub Amp and it sounds good with the speaker level inputs.
So, when you look for your amp you might think about getting 1 with speaker level inputs. You said you are strapped for cash and that is a way to save 20 to 30 bucks. Every little bit helps. You also said you would be adding to your system later so, you might also want to think about getting a 2 or 4 gauge wiring kit that way you can use a distro-block later instead of replacing the whole kit or running multiple wire to the power source. Just some thoughts
As for buying the Premium HU to replace the Base HU.... Don't waste your money, I have the Premium HU and hooked my system up with it and I still want a new HU.
So, when you look for your amp you might think about getting 1 with speaker level inputs. You said you are strapped for cash and that is a way to save 20 to 30 bucks. Every little bit helps. You also said you would be adding to your system later so, you might also want to think about getting a 2 or 4 gauge wiring kit that way you can use a distro-block later instead of replacing the whole kit or running multiple wire to the power source. Just some thoughts
As for buying the Premium HU to replace the Base HU.... Don't waste your money, I have the Premium HU and hooked my system up with it and I still want a new HU.