I know a head unit is for listening to the radio, cd's, adjusting controls and more.... Compare a cheap HU to an expensive one...what makes it differnt? can the speakers powered off it be louder/have more power?
hmpf!
Replies (8)
Ash on 03/4/2006 10:18:55
There can be a lot of differences. Consider the voltage & quality of signal output in the rca's. The different circuitry can make a difference in how the cd sounds. Additional features than can be of major use in an upgraded system. Workmanship and longevity of the unit itself.
It would be hard to bring out all, if any, unless you had at least two to compare. Are you looking at any specific one or need certain features? Pioneer makes the best for low budgets as they have good rca voltage and nice parametric EQ's.
swez on 03/5/2006 00:09:40
HU's vary a good deal in price and performance, depending on the brand, specs and features. For most daily drivers, a basic HU in the $150-200.00 range is sufficient. However, for those who demand extended performance and features, the price goes up in proportion to the features.
Power on most popular HU's range from 15-22 watts (RMS) per channel) If that is coupled with high efficiency speakers, we can get pretty good SQL for Mids/Highs, from the HU amps.
Alpine's V-12 series HU's have many useful features and the amps can deliver up to 27 Wrms x 4. But for a sub, we need more power from an outboard amp, to get the job done.
Does that help?
Swez
lilschtive on 03/5/2006 00:47:33
yes it does i see what you mean by features and performanec. but, a better and newer HU will improove the speaker performance?
compvr15s on 03/5/2006 00:54:46
just depends on what head unit you are comparing too, if you have a cdplayer from 1993 and one from 2006, yes you will get better performace.. with added eqs and other options some fine tweaking can be done.
Ash on 03/5/2006 08:35:01
First, you need to understand that it is the speakers themselves that convert the electrical energy into sound. The quality build, nature of the speakers specs, and install, will determine how they will sound. If your sound is not too good, look at your speakers as well. What are they? It is possible they may have to be amped to come alive.
A "brand new" radio will not necessarily change anything unless there are major differences changes in power output, distortion, and additional features that may apply. Regardless of manufacturer "claims", it is better to have high efficiency quality speakers in a quality install with less power than to use a expensive HU on low grade speakers in a shabby install.
Does this make sense?
swez on 03/5/2006 11:11:19
Agree! The HU is just a basic type of preamp with various features available. However, quality speakers, installed properly and adequate amping power, make a huge difference over just using HU amps.
Same question... what speakers are in your present system and are there any addition amps employed as well?
Swez
lilschtive on 03/7/2006 22:31:25
uhm im running 2 (4 inch) kenwoods and 2 (4 inch) blaunkpunts off an old blaunkpunt HU. They arnt amped, just running off the HU. It
Ash on 03/8/2006 17:48:50
I think we covered this one before when I recommended what to do after explaining that I had/have the same truck. You're just not going to get much good sound amped or not with the way the dash speakers aim. You will only make them louder with more power, but not necessarily better sounding.
hmpf!
Replies (8)
Ash on 03/4/2006 10:18:55
There can be a lot of differences. Consider the voltage & quality of signal output in the rca's. The different circuitry can make a difference in how the cd sounds. Additional features than can be of major use in an upgraded system. Workmanship and longevity of the unit itself.
It would be hard to bring out all, if any, unless you had at least two to compare. Are you looking at any specific one or need certain features? Pioneer makes the best for low budgets as they have good rca voltage and nice parametric EQ's.
swez on 03/5/2006 00:09:40
HU's vary a good deal in price and performance, depending on the brand, specs and features. For most daily drivers, a basic HU in the $150-200.00 range is sufficient. However, for those who demand extended performance and features, the price goes up in proportion to the features.
Power on most popular HU's range from 15-22 watts (RMS) per channel) If that is coupled with high efficiency speakers, we can get pretty good SQL for Mids/Highs, from the HU amps.
Alpine's V-12 series HU's have many useful features and the amps can deliver up to 27 Wrms x 4. But for a sub, we need more power from an outboard amp, to get the job done.
Does that help?
Swez
lilschtive on 03/5/2006 00:47:33
yes it does i see what you mean by features and performanec. but, a better and newer HU will improove the speaker performance?
compvr15s on 03/5/2006 00:54:46
just depends on what head unit you are comparing too, if you have a cdplayer from 1993 and one from 2006, yes you will get better performace.. with added eqs and other options some fine tweaking can be done.
Ash on 03/5/2006 08:35:01
First, you need to understand that it is the speakers themselves that convert the electrical energy into sound. The quality build, nature of the speakers specs, and install, will determine how they will sound. If your sound is not too good, look at your speakers as well. What are they? It is possible they may have to be amped to come alive.
A "brand new" radio will not necessarily change anything unless there are major differences changes in power output, distortion, and additional features that may apply. Regardless of manufacturer "claims", it is better to have high efficiency quality speakers in a quality install with less power than to use a expensive HU on low grade speakers in a shabby install.
Does this make sense?
swez on 03/5/2006 11:11:19
Agree! The HU is just a basic type of preamp with various features available. However, quality speakers, installed properly and adequate amping power, make a huge difference over just using HU amps.
Same question... what speakers are in your present system and are there any addition amps employed as well?
Swez
lilschtive on 03/7/2006 22:31:25
uhm im running 2 (4 inch) kenwoods and 2 (4 inch) blaunkpunts off an old blaunkpunt HU. They arnt amped, just running off the HU. It
Ash on 03/8/2006 17:48:50
I think we covered this one before when I recommended what to do after explaining that I had/have the same truck. You're just not going to get much good sound amped or not with the way the dash speakers aim. You will only make them louder with more power, but not necessarily better sounding.
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