I just picked up a 2006 xB yesterday -- absolutely love it. However, I'm a little disappointed with the stereo. I find the sound to be very flat no matter how many adjustments I make. My budget is limited for the time being so I'm looking to replace either the headunit or speakers for now. Later on I will likely replace both. But for now, which replacement would give me the most benefit?

I apprecriate any suggestions. Thanks!

 

Play with the SSP setting first. Hold it down and make sure it's on xB or xA, then set it to "Feel" or "Hear". It sounds pretty decent then.

 

If you will continue to upgrade, then start with the HU. Will make the stock speakers sound better and you will be setup for your further upgrades down the road...

 

(what he said ^^^ )

NOTE: for some reason on my 05 box, the "xA" profile offers the best sound when paired up with the "FEEL" audio setting. But the "xB" profile sounds best--to me, at least--with the "HEAR" setting.

Also, you do have additional control by punching thru the AUDIO button settings and adding/reducing bass, treble, fader, etc.

 

Thanks guys for the quick responses! I do find the "Hear" SSP setting sounds better but I'm still not satisfied with it. Before the Scion, I had a 2003 Protege5 and loved the sound from the factory radio/speakers. Thanks again -- I'll start looking at some headunits.

 

spend money on amp and speakers.. you can utilize the stock stereo for now...

 

people claim that stock stereo + LOC sounds good... I think its sounds BAD!!! I had both stock and aftermarket stereo with amps and Aftermarket HU blows it out of the water... He wants it to sound good now, so HU would make it sound better and set him up for amps, subs and speakers later...

 

He speaks the truth!

First thing I did was upgrade my '06 xA from the stock HU to an Eclipse CD5425 (CD/MP3/etc.), which (not coincidentally) also interfaces directly with the stock steering wheel controls. (I'm not sure if the 2006xB has steering controls, but if it does, Eclipse is the way to go.)

I've since added an Image Dynamics ID12v3D4 subwoofer running off of a Directed 650 (50Wx4 + 350x1) and a set of a/d/s 346cs components (fully active). Sill using the stock rear speakers for fill, powered off of the head unit's internal amp.

Major improvement!

 

Ditto for the headunit upgrade recommendation.

Source first. You can only polish a turd so much... (sorry for lack of tastefulness, hah)

Not the same car, but after my friend added a new HU to his older Camry it was day & night. Unbelievable difference through the same stock speakers.

 

hold down the ssp button make sure to change it to the xa setting i will sound alot better the xb setting and tc setting sound like sh*t

 

Thanks for the tip...I just set mine to XA and it sounds MUCH better!

 

yea some stock cars sound really good with stock stereos. the best i can remember hearing is the 2001-2003 Dodge Neons. That stereo was awesome inside!

I go with everyone here, get a head unit and go from there. good luck man :-)

 

How do you change the setting from xa to xb to tc?

 

I have both factroy stereo in on xb rs 3.0 and mb quarts front and rear speakers with a loc and a audio control xover and 6 channel amp swiss audio and 1 image dynamics 12 inch sub in one car and it sound better than my rs 1.0 with sound deadening material and the exact same system but I have a indash panisonic screen with 5.1 proccesor no audio control xover and and the factory radio sonds so much better!!! Loc are not always the way to go but the scions sure dont have a problem with them.

 

What does "loc" stand for?

 

line out converter

 

Thank you.

 

Totally stupid question, but if I get a new HU, will the stock speakers hook right up? A simple "yes" or "no" will do.

 

Hold the SSP button, it will say "Mode tC" just turn the volume up, and it will change to xB and xA. HOLY SHEET what a difference!

 

I think they do, just hook up the wireing harness or something.