Replace the speakers? or the HU?

[twiceover]

Today I realized that the sound system is absolutely horrible. I'm not one for big bumpin' stereos, in fact they are fvcking annoying IMO. Anyway, I don't want to lose the stock look. Anyone think just replacing the speakers would bring an improvment?

Also, I don't use the CD player, mostly just the AUX jack. I threw in a CD and it was just as bad.

Any ideas?

[vodkalush]

i replaced my stock speakers and added a 600watt amp to power them, kept my stock headunit to keep stock look...*

sound = 100x's better

[paultyler_82]

For speakers and 1 sub you would need 2 amps, one 4 channel for the speakers and one D-class mono or 2 channel to power the sub with. You won't necessarily need a line-out converter, some amps have hi-level inputs on them... IMHO, even just replacing the speakers and running them off the stock HU, as long as you use a decent speaker, will sound better than the stock speakers.

[YarisPR]

I'am just waiting for the instalation money cause i got everything
speakers/ 2 power plants 800 & 1600 / parametric etc etc

[vodkalush]

why not not tackel the task yourself? its not all that hard, more or less just time consuming..

[Violin]

I'd replace the speakers first. That's what I did with mine while I waited for metra to make the install kit for the single DIN head unit. It was a huge improvement from stock. (I used MB Quart components.)

The head unit you can see so Toyota puts in a half-way decent one. Speakers are hidden and they put in junk.

I've never heard the stock speakers with an aftermarket head unit, but my guess is that the improvement wouldn't be as dramatic as new speakers/stock head unit. Speakers are the weakest link in any set up.

[argylesocks]

Originally Posted by Violin

I'd replace the speakers first. That's what I did with mine while I waited for metra to make the install kit for the single DIN head unit. It was a huge improvement from stock. (I used MB Quart components.)

The head unit you can see so Toyota puts in a half-way decent one. Speakers are hidden and they put in junk.

I've never heard the stock speakers with an aftermarket head unit, but my guess is that the improvement wouldn't be as dramatic as new speakers/stock head unit. Speakers are the weakest link in any set up.

i would agree with this.

of course im also pretty jealous of yoru MB's :)

[Violin]

What these?

[07WYarisRS]

Get two amps, (one 4 channel, and a mono amp) 4 new quality speakers and a sub. I would go with componentsd up from and two way in the rear.
For a sub you only need a single 10". A 4 ohm DVC sub allows for more wiring options.

Keep the OEM deck but run your speaker wires from the deck to the 4 channel amp then run the speaker wires to your speakers from the amp.
For a sub, splice into the speaker wires and run them to the sub amp. if your sub amp has high level inputs you can just splice into the speaker wires and run them to the amp. If your amp only has low level inputs you need to buy a line convertor.

[Violin]

I connected the tweeters to the -2 dB position to take some of the edge off. My 46 year old ears took care of the rest - your results may vary.

[johnnyfive]

also will greatly depend on the qualitys of the tweaters. just like how some tweaters can be aimed at your windshield and give great results, but other will just sound like crap in that same location.

[paultyler_82]

I still wanna see if I can manage a headrest mounted (Fiero style) or seat top mounted (Infiniti M style) speaker system... heh.

[nsmitchell]

How is the sound quality using the stock HU and a 4 channel amp using a high level converter? I have a Blaupunkt PA4100 that comes with its own converter. I know I will lose my fader control, but I'm more concerned about sound quality. Anyone know?

[paultyler_82]

Originally Posted by nsmitchell

How is the sound quality using the stock HU and a 4 channel amp using a high level converter? I have a Blaupunkt PA4100 that comes with its own converter. I know I will lose my fader control, but I'm more concerned about sound quality. Anyone know?

Actually... if you use Hi-Level inputs on an equipped 4-channel amp, I don't beleive you'll lose your fade control, I've never had that problem, anyway.

[07WYarisRS]

^ He's right
using high level inputs you keep the ability to fade F~R and R~L

[mhero]

Personally, I recommend replacing "speakers" first
then HU ... my Yaris got 5-ch amp, 2 pairs of new speakers
and a subwoofer speaker

Guess what? the quality of sound got way better but not yet
impressive 'coz of the HU

So, afterall, HU needs to be replaced to rock the system!!

http://www.yarismaniac.com/index.php?showtopic=282

[Yaris-TJ]

Originally Posted by mhero

Personally, I recommend replacing "speakers" first
then HU ... my Yaris got 5-ch amp, 2 pairs of new speakers
and a subwoofer speaker

Guess what? the quality of sound got way better but not yet
impressive 'coz of the HU

So, afterall, HU needs to be replaced to rock the system!!

http://www.yarismaniac.com/index.php?showtopic=282

I think this is the way to go if you don't want to lose the stock unit, and look.

2 new front + 2 new rear + low signal converter + 1-4 channel Amp.

This will give an improvement, still mantaining the stock HU, which I personally like, and proly keep for some months...

IMO, i don't plan to spend thousands of bucks on car audio, but I'd start with 100 for a fairly decent couple of 6x9 that I can get at Circuit city..I won't tell my wife! like a mexican saying " it's better to ask for forgiveness than ask for permission"

[ajae]

Here's what I did

Start with
4 channel Kenwood amp (I had a used one that I've owned for years)
12" sub in homemade box (I used MDF to keep it solid. It fits behind the rear seat on the liftback by sliding the seat forward about 1/2 and inch; I have the 60/40 split rear seat)
4X6 pioneer speakers mounted to lift-back rear deck (whatever you call it!)

Tap off the existing rear speaker wires as high level inputs into the amp off the stock deck. Run the right channel to the Right 'A' input and the left channel to 'B' input. Connect 'A' input to 4X6 speakers (yes you only get the right channel but bear with me, it gets even hokier). Then the left channel as a bridge/mono connection to the sub-woofer. Keep the stock rear speakers hooked up and the fronts the same. Use the low-pass filter on the 'B' input to keep the low frequencies to the sub and then the high pass filter for the little 4X6's on the rear deck.

Result: I've got small kids that don't like the thump of a sub (neither does my wife, so using the Fade control on the stock deck, I am able to remove the sub completely and still have music in the front while driving). Separating the channels allows me to have low-pass and high-pass from a single amp which fits under the front passenger seat. I have quick connectors for the rear deck speakers and the sub, so I can remove them in case I need to transport anything large and use the cargo area.

Now, that you've picked yourself off the floor from laughing so hard; remember, it's a low-budget job.

Love my Yaris.