What do I need to do to make this sound good?

[TheGr8Schlotzky]

I bought my '96 Camaro in May, it had the two front speakers/amps that were bose, and the bose sub was blown, replaced HU, Sony Xplod CACDX650X or something. The speakers for the back seat were some cheap crap.

I purchased a new bose subwoofer to put in place of the old, and bought two new 6.5" bose speakers and put them in the back seat spots.


First off I would like to point out that "good" doesn't mean what it means to some people. I want my stereo to sound as good as one would expect a stock premium sound system in a car to sound. My dad's 95 Mark VIII had a JBL Pro system and it was the best sound system i've heard stock in a car. I want mine to sound good enough to impress the people in the car..not the people 2 blocks away.

For now, my rear speakers are putting out just bass. I think this is because they are routed through the subwoofer, so when i get the time i plan on rewiring them so that they get the full range as they are made.

I'm happy with the sound of the front bose speakers.

The sub seems to get distorted after not a whole ton of bass is put through it.
---When i wired in the Bose sub, it was a full range. I went to an audio store and got a subwoofer crossover, which takes out about 30% of the power i was told. I expect it's distorted because the HU sucks, because i would expect Bose so sound muuch better than this thing does.

The back speakers are fine just as long as i get them to work right.





I want to know what it is that will really improve the sound of my system. I know that the Sony Xplod line sucks and i hate the hu anyway, but do you think the distortion is coming from the crappy amp?

If i did get a new sub, i would get a 10" in a stealth box. I would want something that isn't boomy or shaky, something that just compliments the rest of the system. Since the sub i have now is Bose, i would expect to be happy with that, and probably will be if it's the HU that's giving me distortion.

[Robb01]

Re: What do I need to do to make this sound good?

Here is what you want to have a VERY nice sounding system. I live by the theory that simpler is better and I have employed this method in all of my vehicles. Heres what you want:

Head Unit
Front Components
1 10" Subwoofer
Wiring Kit

Option A:
Class A/B amp for comps
Class D for sub

Option B:
4 channel amp (components off the first 2 channels, and bridge the rear channels to the sub)

That system, while simple, will you give you awesome results, you can also just leave the stock speakers in the rear and run them off the HU for just a tiny bit of rear fill.

This will be the most cost effective way to have a great sounding system.

If you need help w/ brands i can help you out.

[TheGr8Schlotzky]

Re: What do I need to do to make this sound good?

Thanks Rob, i'm sure that sounds great, but cost effective and low cost are much different.

I know component speakers are very expensive and i'm trying to keep the cost down.

I'm perfectly happy with my front bose speakers for now and i think the back ones will be fine too if i wire them right.


I want to know if getting a new HU would solve my problem to make the system sound better, or if i just have to get a sub, and what brand/models of either.

[Robb01]

Re: What do I need to do to make this sound good?

if your lacking bass, then add a sub. I think that these cars came with a stock amp with the monsoon amp and the speakers are wired in 2 ohm. I also dont understand why your rear speakers arent playing full range, if all you have done so far is swap out the head unit, that doesnt sound right.

A decent HU should make a stock system sound a little better, then you can add a sub if you like to round out the bottom end

look into jl subs or elemental designs, they sound nice and are pretty cost effective

youll have to get an amp for the sub as well

[TheGr8Schlotzky]

Re: What do I need to do to make this sound good?

The premium factory sound system was changed to Monsoon in 1997. I have a 1996, so the premium sound package was Bose. The Bose was a 3 speaker system, 2 fronts and a sub. The rear speakers were wired through the sub i think, just to have wires there, I don't think it originally came with rear speakers, but i didn't know this, and bought some bose speakers to put in. Apparently i have to rewire them to get them to work right though.

The bass could be adequate, if it's the HU causing the distortion.. If someone with the stock bose system could chime in and tell me how it sounds, I might be able to get a better idea if i should spend the money on a new HU, or on a sub.

[lookout4theyeti]

Re: What do I need to do to make this sound good?

well personally having tried sony headunits, they are ****.... my first sony was a few years ago, and i kept it just cause i didnt know any better. My last sony, which was a month ago, i returned and ended up getting a panasonic off of crutchfield. the sound difference is unbelievable between the sony and panasonic. It put sony to shame. It also really helped out my stock speakers (monsoon). I know you have bose, but i hope that this helps

[TheGr8Schlotzky]

Re: What do I need to do to make this sound good?

Yeah, it does, thanks.. believe me, if I had the choice, I wouldn't have picked Sony, but it came with the car, i had to buy a faceplate for it since the one that was on it was broken, so it cost me $60, and i'm not sure it was worth even that.


I think i'm going to invest in a new HU. What is the best thing I can get for sound quality on my stock speakers under..say..200? Preferably 150..

[lookout4theyeti]

Re: What do I need to do to make this sound good?

for under 200?

Alpine
Eclipse
Panasonic
kenwood

any of those should give you good sound quality, especially compared to the factory deck and the sony deck.

[homedog119]

Re: What do I need to do to make this sound good?

What are good speakers that just replace the stock with no new head unit or amp

[TheGr8Schlotzky]

Re: What do I need to do to make this sound good?

for under 200?

Alpine
Eclipse
Panasonic
kenwood

any of those should give you good sound quality, especially compared to the factory deck and the sony deck.

Those are the brands I would probably look for, Any suggestions on specific models?