I've decided that it's time to upgrade my car stereo. I have an old sony HU (XR-C410), a sony 10-disk changer and factory speakers.
My initial plan was to buy an amp and new speakers and live happily ever after (maybe get a sub and new CD-changer down the road). I bought an amp on eBay - a Kenwood KAC-8401 - and I was in the process of finding speakers (my thought was four 6 1/2" coax's at about 50 RMS each) when I stumbled upon this site.
I haven't seen Kenwood amps mentioned much. Did I buy a decent amp or am I swirling down the toilet bowl?
I've always thought that the sony HU was decent and have blamed the short-comings of my system on the factory components that surround it. However from what I'm reading, it's possible that the sony's inabilities are just not as obvious with factory speakers. Should a new HU be in the not-so-distant future or should I concentrate on speakers next?
I'm looking for quality (which I'm now realizing I'll have to pay for) and I'm expecting to build over time. All guidance will be greatly appreciated.
Replies (7)
ttocs on 09/3/2004 12:06:28
I have owned kenwood amps, they are not a bad value normally and are solid performers. Sony decks are not all that bad although they have not been top on my list. I would definitly upgrade the speakers before the deck. Factory speakers can cost less then a dollar, and only put out a dollars worth of sound.
matthias009 on 09/3/2004 18:27:08
I also have owned a kenwood and i've had no problems and for the price I'd say thier pretty good, and I agree wit Ttocs on updating the speakers first
Geezer on 09/3/2004 21:53:23
I also agree, get new speakers first. One of the favorite HUs I've owned was a Sony; it's an ES line. The only reason I replaced it was that it is a cassette unit with a CD changer and when I got a four door Tacoma a few months ago I wanted to save the space the changer would take so I got a CD/MP3 HU. I've also owned a Kenwood amp, years ago, and it was ok. New speakers will give you the most improvement at this point, IMO.
compvr15s on 09/4/2004 04:23:41
yea its pretty amazing how much aftermarket speakers cam change a system, even with only 10-20 watts they are alot better quality and highly efficient.. but with 45 to 50 watts of power the will really come to life.. i have a friend that has a sony head unit, about 3 or 4 yrs old but its still in great working order, display is still strong, sony is also not on list as favs but they are competitive. i prefer pioneer, pioneer premier, or alpine. good luck
swez on 09/5/2004 10:13:23
Ditto... work on the speakers and add the amp first. If you desire more features and control from the HU, (EQ specifically, WMA file player and MP3 format) then upgrading to a better HU is a good solution down the road.
Your most immediate results will come from decent aftermarket speakers. Have a price range and brand in mind?
Swez
PS Not a bad 4 channel amp here. Good power and features too. Should satisfy power needs to interior speakers
ttocs on 09/7/2004 23:00:11
ttt
swez on 09/8/2004 09:29:19
Bump ^
My initial plan was to buy an amp and new speakers and live happily ever after (maybe get a sub and new CD-changer down the road). I bought an amp on eBay - a Kenwood KAC-8401 - and I was in the process of finding speakers (my thought was four 6 1/2" coax's at about 50 RMS each) when I stumbled upon this site.
I haven't seen Kenwood amps mentioned much. Did I buy a decent amp or am I swirling down the toilet bowl?
I've always thought that the sony HU was decent and have blamed the short-comings of my system on the factory components that surround it. However from what I'm reading, it's possible that the sony's inabilities are just not as obvious with factory speakers. Should a new HU be in the not-so-distant future or should I concentrate on speakers next?
I'm looking for quality (which I'm now realizing I'll have to pay for) and I'm expecting to build over time. All guidance will be greatly appreciated.
Replies (7)
ttocs on 09/3/2004 12:06:28
I have owned kenwood amps, they are not a bad value normally and are solid performers. Sony decks are not all that bad although they have not been top on my list. I would definitly upgrade the speakers before the deck. Factory speakers can cost less then a dollar, and only put out a dollars worth of sound.
matthias009 on 09/3/2004 18:27:08
I also have owned a kenwood and i've had no problems and for the price I'd say thier pretty good, and I agree wit Ttocs on updating the speakers first
Geezer on 09/3/2004 21:53:23
I also agree, get new speakers first. One of the favorite HUs I've owned was a Sony; it's an ES line. The only reason I replaced it was that it is a cassette unit with a CD changer and when I got a four door Tacoma a few months ago I wanted to save the space the changer would take so I got a CD/MP3 HU. I've also owned a Kenwood amp, years ago, and it was ok. New speakers will give you the most improvement at this point, IMO.
compvr15s on 09/4/2004 04:23:41
yea its pretty amazing how much aftermarket speakers cam change a system, even with only 10-20 watts they are alot better quality and highly efficient.. but with 45 to 50 watts of power the will really come to life.. i have a friend that has a sony head unit, about 3 or 4 yrs old but its still in great working order, display is still strong, sony is also not on list as favs but they are competitive. i prefer pioneer, pioneer premier, or alpine. good luck
swez on 09/5/2004 10:13:23
Ditto... work on the speakers and add the amp first. If you desire more features and control from the HU, (EQ specifically, WMA file player and MP3 format) then upgrading to a better HU is a good solution down the road.
Your most immediate results will come from decent aftermarket speakers. Have a price range and brand in mind?
Swez
PS Not a bad 4 channel amp here. Good power and features too. Should satisfy power needs to interior speakers
ttocs on 09/7/2004 23:00:11
ttt
swez on 09/8/2004 09:29:19
Bump ^
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