I've not really done much like this before, so this is something new to me.

I picked up my totally stock manual xB a couple of weeks ago, and didn't spend any money on the dealer extras (wheels, stereo etc) figuring I could upgrade everything later on and get better stuff for my money.

So on my list of things to upgrade is the stock stereo. I have the basic single CD unit, with the basic speakers (I believe only front doors?).

I'd love to upgrade to one with either multiple CDs or iPod connectivity. While I'm not necessarily interested in putting a sub, I would like something that has good sound.

I also have the steering wheel controls, I'd love to retain their use too!

I'd also like to keep it in a budget of say, $500 / $600 including pro fitting ... I'm not familiar enough with what I'm doing to go at it myself

So are there any guides or faqs , or ideas and direction to point me in?

Thanks,

 

You have 6 speakers; in the doors, the dash, and the hatch. I would recommend a sub and amp, but if you're not into all that, just get a decent head unit, Eclipse or Alpine would be my two first choices. Both Eclipse and Alpine offer iPod intergration on select models.

 

1. check the "tech" section under "features"
2. check/search the xb ice & interior section
3. You have 6 speakers in total, two on the dash in the corners, 2 on the front doors, and two in the trunk area on the side panels.
4. If you are unfamiliar with DIY or stereo stuff, I will tell you right now it can be a really good thing to find a local reputable shop and not Best Buy or Circuit City to do the install. If you are naturally good at things like wiring and taking things apart and putting them back together look on the internet surely you will find tips and tricks as to what you will need to do. Scionlife is a great place to start.
5. If you just want to make the system sound nicer but don't want to break the bank just upgrade the headunit first and see what it sounds like. I know before I put my system together it sounded much better just by upgrading the headunit.
Good Luck and have fun. I started out the same way with my xB, It's not a show and go nor is it fast but hell I love the little things in my xB.

 

I only recall hearing the doors, but I wasn't particularly sure where the others were (I figured rear doors!)

I'll check those head units out now, thanks!

 

I'm quickly finding out I'm spoilt for choice with upgrades and bolt ons ... I knew it was a pretty big market, but not *how* big!

 

This car has been in Japan for about 4 years before it hit the US shores, that is why you see so many "bB" things on the xB. There are many choices and many things to get for your xB. Check out some of the sponsors and there are many other scion sites but this is flat out one of the best. Just remember to search before you post. . . people get a little angry about that. . .ha ha ha

 

smeg, try www.crutchfield.com, plenty of info for you and free shipping and other goodies.


John

 

or onlinecarstereo.com

I get good deals from them all the time. Shipping is free for orders over 100 bucks which isn't hard to do with stereo stuff. just takes forever. . . hee hee

 

I've not come across them before, thanks for the link, awesome information there!

So is the general consensus to leave the stock speakers in place, but upgrade the head unit only?

 

I believe you should start there, whether or not you should finish there is your choice. But be forwarned, once you start it can be an addiction. . .ha ha ha. . . I know it was for me as well as many of us on the forums here. . .ha ha ha

 

Thats what my bank manager / wife is afraid of

 

Is it possible to integrate the existing steering wheel controls of the 06 xB into after market stereos?

I couldn't find anything on a search, I did look

 

I believe you can only do it with Eclipse headunits, and I know there were a few postings on it.

This is from the tech section

https://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=100355

I don't know how much it will help but hopefully it's a start.

My brothers wife was afraid of the same thing, it's nice that she's a lawyer. . . it more of the money thing then being able to put up a solid case though. . . which would explain all the nice things my brother has and only he likes. . .ha ha ha

 

i dont know if you did this already but change your SSP setting to xB, when i got my car i thought the audio system was pretty weak until i changed my SSP to xA, it makes a world of difference. Unless your dealer did it its probably set to tc

 

It was set to tC, so I switched it over, and yep, world of difference.

Of course, it's still not an upgrade

 

Actually, the best investment in your car would be to deaden it. Just a few simple spots makes a huge difference in the sound of your stereo, or the lack of road noise so that you actually hear the stock stereo.

It's not a bad one, but a new badass stereo is still going to sound crappy with huge road and rattle noise. Lots of posts about it on here and in the tech section is a walkthru. Most deadening sites also have very nice install sections. RAAMAT and EDEAD, etc.

then i would see what parts of your stereo to replace.

 

I say sound deaden, keep your HU, add a sub. The front four speakers are OK, but the back two suck. Even with replacing them, they are so far back there that it does not improve the sound quality very much.