Hey all.. I did a search but couldnt find what I needed.

I'm going to be swapping my stock head unit out for something after market.. I'm not really sure what yet.. My question is, how will my sound change?? From what I understand, the stock head unit is "EQed" for our cars. With an aftermarket head unit make it sound better/worse/same?

Also, I'm not quite sure what the RMS wattage is on the stock radios.. I dont need anything louder, but I'd like the aftermarket head unit to be at least as loud as the stock unit. What wattage should I be looking at??

Thanks!!!

Edit: One last question. I'll be moving the HU to the compartment under the A/C controls.. Will I need an extension for the antenna?? If so, is it the standard motorola type adaper?? (like this: http://www.amazon.com/METRA-44-EC144...8&s=automotive )??

 

ok, first off the antenna behind the radio has enough slack, it just needs to be unclipped and freed up.

...as for power, all aftermarket radios (unless non preamped like some 3k dollar nakamichi units), will come with a lot more power than what the factory radio is pushing.

The great thing about aftermarket radios is if you spend right around 250-350, you can get a unit that has pre-outs to expand your system down the road (ie subs, amps, etc), and one hell of an EQ which will surpass the factory piece any day of the week. This way you can fine tune your music to your liking and not what the "factory" feels is nice.

Aftermarket CD Players are the greatest thing, just do your research and stay with a good brand. Try to stay away from units with a lot of moving parts (motorized) as things tend to deteriorate over time. Your best investment would probably be in pioneer or alpine for what you seem to want.

A great source of info an audio is: www.the12volt.com

 

Well, to be honest, I'm trying to keep this as cheap as possible.. I'm going to be using this as a backup to a CarPC system. I'd hate to be on a long drive and the computer die and I'm left with no music at all.. So, I'm going to use the HU has an amp.. Only thing is, I'm looking for something that has rear inputs.. I've been looking at these two radios:

Clarion DB365USB: http://www.cardomain.com/item/CLADB365USB
Jensen CDX6311: http://www.cardomain.com/item/JENCDX6311

Any suggestions between those two?? I know they are loaded with features and I could probably get something better for a few hundred more. But, for what I need, I think these will work..

Either way, both of those would be just as good, if not a little better, than stock, right??

Edit: I really dont want to spend the extra cash, but I'm also looking at this:

Kenwood KDC-MP632U: http://www.crutchfield.com/S-osCC5wB...32U&i=113MP632

The Kenwood has the highest wattage @ 22w x 4 RMS, Clarion @ 19w x 4 RMS, and Jensen @ 16w x @ RMS.. I'm not sure how big of a difference these wattages will yield me compared to stock.

 

my only advice at this point would be to stay WAY away from jensen. as far as im concerned anything by jensen/ audiovox in the automotivce world is garbage. generally you get what you pay for. on the other hand, clarion i like. very high quality build with a name you can trust.

 

How about Kenwood vs sub $100 Clarions?