Hi all,

I own a 2005 Scion tC with a factory audio system. I should also note that, when I bought it used, it came with a huge subwoofer in the trunk. No visible amp, though.

Anyways, I like to listen to music off of my iPod, because I'm a Last.fm junkie and like to track how much I listened to what song and artist. Don't get me wrong - I do still dig listening off a CD, too.

What I did was get one of those FM transmitter things for my iPod and have been using that since I got the car. The problem is not only interference but a poor sound quality (everything sounds tinny, like the treble is at max and no bass).

While on a trip recently, I rented a 2009 Nissan Altima and saw that it had an AUX jack. I stopped at Radio Shack and got a cable and plugged my iPod in. I was blown away at the difference in sound quality.

I did some basic research and saw that Scions didn't get AUX jacks until AFTER my model, as well as that they were placed inside the center console. So I am now considering purchasing a new audio system for my Scion tC but have some questions:

1) Can/Should I get one w/ an AUX jack, or should the AUX be installed in the center console? Not sure how the wiring works or how it matters, and I'll be taking it somewhere to get installed anyways since I know nothing of the intricacies of wiring and electronics whatsoever.
2) My girlfriend has said that an after-market audio setup will reduce my sound quality, as the new audio won't have been made for my speaker setup, compared to a factory setup w/ factory speakers. Is this true?
3) As far as my current setup goes, will the installer know how to "attach" (or however it works) the subwoofer as well? And should I get an amp? I don't think I have one (don't know where it would be if I did or where it should go if I get one) but heard I should have one w/ the subwoofer I have. Figured I might want to get the new audio and amp in one shot if its recommended.
4) Finally, on that note, any particular recommendations? If not specific models, maybe a brand?

Thanks so much

 

Probably you shouldnt listen to any girls about cars and gadgets....any decent new headunit will be better than the crappy stock HU!!!

actually my brother had a premium pioneer head unit when he changed the head unit the sound quality was extremely better!

 

go aftermarket!!!!

 

you could get something like this. It's easy enough to install so you will be paying like 1/4 of the price of a new hu. There is an optional bazooka subwoofer that includes an amp and runs off of the stock hu. Looks like:

 

your stock speakers will sound significantly better with a better headunit. the stock one is not that great...

and certainly recommended and the better way to go about if you plan on adding an AUX for your car. any good installer that knows anything should be able to help you wire everything up.

 

You might also look at iPod ready head units as well. There are lots of them that can directly control your iPod instead of having to use an aux port.

4x Stock headunit is crap. I hate the sound processing that they try to do. It is junk. The rear speakers are also junk.

I would replace the rear speakers with 6.5" components of your choice. Get the speaker ring adapters for the rear (I made adapter rings out of MDF). Get either the powered sub like Vlad suggested, or a mono amp for the sub with an amp install kit. Get a headunit of your choice and the wiring adapter for our car. The installation is actually pretty simple if you're feeling saucy.

I have always been a Rockford Fosgate supporter. They make good stuff.

This first jump into audio upgrades is kinda pricey.

 

recently bought a set of DS Kicker components for the front, compared to my old set of component pioneers (which were also aftermarket) is a WORLD of difference. if you want a good setup all round, upgrade the doors and rears to good components with separate tweets (especially for the fronts since you can install the tweets at the door handles) and invest a good 5 channel amp and a sub. My personal setup has a 700.5 kicker amp, S8L7 dual 2 ohm 8" sub, The awesome DS components up front, component pioneers in the rear, and a Pioneer 700BT headunit with Nav. great clarity and control of your sound and not overly bassy but can be BTW, that sub hits decently hard in a stealth box at the recommended sealed box size of .33 cubic feet.

 

I would say go aftermarket the new head units show the title on the screen let you control the songs just liek the ipod. You might be able to find a stock scion tc headunit that had the ipod adapter too.

 

Hey jhubsch,

Have you reached out to your local Scion dealership for technical assistance on this? If not, you can locate your closest Scion dealer by using the following link:
http://www.scion.com/#dealer

Hope this helps!

-Paul
paul@americanpopdigital.com
I work with Scion, see full disclosure here - http://cmp.ly/4/qrbca1

 

I would do everything mentioned in this thread BUT this. I think you came to the right place in the first place. You've got good advice.. all you have to do is act on it, and ask more questions here when you have them.

 

jhubshc - You don't need an aftermarket radio w/ built-in AUX just to use your i-pod. Have you tried installing a direct FM modulator behind your stock headunit? I'm under the impression that you're using an indirect FM modulator, which operates off of wireless technology. Those types of modulators are useless, imo. Use the direct FM modulator with RCA to audio phone jack cable. The sound quality is superb through the radio speakers once the volume levels of the i-pod is adjusted.