I keep seeing so many references to up-grade on radio, extra speakers (where you would normally put grocerys or luggage or ????. Whats wrong with the Pioneer Radio that comes with the car (xb). To me it sounds fantastic----its easy to pre-set its easy to play CD's, its easy to alter the sound effects, its easy to put the sound in the back or the front or the right or the left. Whats wrong with this radio that everybody wants to dump and get something that probably won't sound any different than the stock radio. All right, I will admit, I am almost (Nov. 30th) 68 years old----but I still have all my facilitys, especially my HEARING------but when I hear some of the cars with their 6 woofers and a dozen tweeters-----its no damn wonder half of the younger generation is stone deaf, and going around saying huh!, what did ya' say ! and excuse me ! I mean, does the damn car have to shake when the radio is on, and the rear view mirror vibrates and the sunvisors fall down>>> come on. And then most have the audacity to run all their windows down, just to drive every one else crazy. How can that possibly be enjoyable-----I don't know----you have to tell me. I should be deaf, after racing stock cars all my life and having my head under the hood when not racing them-----but I'm not. But I damn sure would be if I had to listen at the decible that many listen. Sorry for the question----but I really want to know------IS THAT ENJOYABLE????

 

well, iam 22 and i agree with you, i dont dig the whole rattling thing, i like a balanced sound though...the highs lows and mids, the stock system rocks in my opinion!!!!

 

i think it sucks for the reason you say...im not all into big bass but id like some thump ....the reason i dont like the stock desk is because the aux input wire cost 70 bucks wich in terms cant add a amp or aux source, sat radio,ipod etc... and the adjustabilty is less ..highs.mids ,lows etc..also most stock speakers arent made as good as aftermarket..dont know if they still use the paper on stock speakers or not...
when i do mine i will be going with a alpine deck,infinity refrence speakers all around keep my 1,000 watt amp and a 10 inch sub ...should sound nice and clean not to muahc bass but just enough...

 

A 10 inch sub in the back and a small to mid size amp will make it everything I need for now. The stock speakers sound ok but we'll have to see how they last...

 

The stock radio kicks..... its soo simple to add an amp to also all you need is wire and a 30amper fuse and you have the PWR and RMS in the fuse box....i am big on sound systems and love the stock radio....keeping it no matter what....love the color change and presets feel hear nuetral....but i don't like the amber lighting...but i can change that easly too...in summery it rocks.

 

only idiots start going deaf from that..

the stock deck lacks musical quality. no depth. no clarity. no bass.

a properly tuned system will blow ANY stock system out of the water...

stock systems do not let you control the equilization ... weak...

 

agreed 100%....amen! ^^^^

 

I am very happy with my stock radio!

 

Im very happy with stock sound system. I may upgrade speakers latter and a bit more power.

How is reception for everyone? Antanna is in the window, reception seems a bit weaker than I would expect.

Anyone else think reception bit weak?

 

I'm perfectly content with the stock radio. You can't beat the 6-disc in-dash cd player and the mp3 capability.

I did change out all the speakers and add an an amp and sub though. Gotta have some bump.

 

The stock radio sounds great to me but i want to upgrade for another reason...........I want the 6.5 inch DVD/ NAV/GPS Eclipse system.....But as far as sound goes it may be way less power. That i will miss ! But man what a cool toy for a box.........

 

The stock radio sounds great at moderate levels, as this is what it was designed for and the whole system was engineered to work well together. The problem starts when you try to amplify it or change the speakers out. Audiophile grade speakers will uncover some of its weaknesses in short order. The basic problem with the stock radio in an amplified setup is there is no FLAT setting, no matter what you do. the radio has an equalization curve built in and it's hard to overcome. The only way to properly do this is with a JL Audio Clean Sweep processor. They cost about $350, but they tune themselves flat with the supplied calibration CD and microphone and give pre-outs and aux input. A really good aftermarket system, when installed PROPERLY, with well-matched quality components can have much more presence, headroom, imaging, clarity and a focused soundstage. It doesn't have to be turned up really loud to achieve this either. I don't think a good SQ system needs much more than a single 10" sub in an XB and I've heard some 8s that were amazing too. Some people want a boatload of bass and that's not too hard to do, just add amps and subs till the wallet runs dry. Some of those systems physically hurt to be near! For music, whatever your taste desires is fine, but the real test is when you have multi-media inputs, such as DVD, TV,CD, radio, etc playing through your system. It becomes much more important to have a natural, flat frequency response. Would you want to watch the news with 2 15s and 3000 watts going off in the background? I just doesn't sound right. DVDs have good soundtracks too and if your system is not well balanced, you will definately hear the difference. But to answer your question, there is nothing wrong with the factory radio. I remember when cars only had AM radios with a single speaker in the dash and we somehow lived through it........

 

...i have the stock head unit...hahaha

 

Amplified aftermarket speakers run from an aftermarket head unit actually do sound better than the stock system at normal volumes, and it's always nice to have a little headroom for when you want to turn it up.

 

To bad it doesnt have Bose system with amped speaker all around. Best system ive ever had was lol an 89 maxima bose upgraded system i liked it sound was punchy.

 

bose systems in cars die. think fried amps in 300zx's.

 

I'll keep my stock HU just for the Scion greeting in Japanese. I can always add better speakers to compliment it later.

 

Nothing wrong with stock audio for most consumers. I only needed an MP3 capable unit that comes standard with the car. Never listened to music inside a Mark Levinson equiped Lexus, but I've heard great reviews.

 

What can I say.... I listen mostly to news and talk radio on the AM dial. Stock unit works great for that. Occasionally I might toss in a book on CD for a long drive but don't listen to a lot of music. What music I do listen to does not require 200db of bass to vibrate the car.

 

i still have my stock radio..in my closet...nowits indash dvd...but that thread could be started about how it is too hard on the eyes or something j/k