Best buy system

[tekzilla]

My friend has an 04 explorer with the stock system. He is looking for a new HU, one sub (10"), and an amp. Wants to put it all on his Best Buy credit card. Listens to all kinds of music and wants to spend $500-$600 Anyone want to suggest a good setup from what best buy has? Thanks.

[curtisjade1]

I would suggest starting with a new head unit and speakers first he will notice a big improvement and I don’t think that he will be getting a sub/amp too with that kind of money as for choices anything but generic brand or Sony products are good choices I myself have always used Pioneer and MTX and have never had any problems they are good brands

[car audio dave]

they sell alpine from BB now, so a good way to go.

i will disagree with curtis, to some degree. if your friend is looking for more bass, then id leave the stock head unit, but add an amp and sub. if its cleaner sound, he will benefit from new speakers plus a sub+amp. changing the head unit is no necessary if better sound is all that desired, and the budget is limited.

a good head unit will cost 2-300, which leaves nothing for better sound. the stock head unit is decent enough (unless its malfunctioning or your friend plans to expand the system later).

[Shad0wguy]

Originally posted by car audio dave
then id leave the stock head unit, but add an amp and sub.

Most stock head units don't have pre-amp outputs, so that wouldn't work too well.

And why does everyone have an issue with Sony? I have owned a Sony head unit for over 2 years and it sounds and functions great.

[birdhouse]

Originally posted by Shad0wguy
Most stock head units don't have pre-amp outputs, so that wouldn't work too well.

And why does everyone have an issue with Sony? I have owned a Sony head unit for over 2 years and it sounds and functions great.

Because Sony car audio in years past sucked, period. Like any company, the high end stuff worked Ok-good, but unlike other companies, their entry level to the high end SUCKED. As I have heard on here and elsewhere, tho, they've been trying to up their reputation as an entry-level brand, but I won't believe that until I see/hear it myself.

And, he just needs a line-out converter to use his stock HU. I agree with Dave. If you just want bass, that's the way to go. If you just want clarity, go with a nice, new HU and some nice 6.5" components that are amped, and you're gravy.

[VanishingImage]

just find a HU that has a LOT of EQ settings. The higher priced ones,especially Pioneer and Alpine,will have individual speaker adjustments. My problem is,I can't adjust the stuff from my head unit,well I can,but mainly just the subwoofer and amp.

[GaSe05]

look for a good alpine hu thats got cross overs bulit in to it and sub control and as far as subs the best subs at bb are the alpine subs the only thing is most of bbs amps suck if u want a matching set

[thumper84]

you can install a sub/amp combo without replacing the head unit but you wont have the control or the sound that you'll have if you have a aftermarket unit. for that kinda money a DIY job would actually yield a higher reward and a better system (since the same components can be bought elsewhere for cheaper. even if he went to crutchfield they give all instructions and everything.

but you can't go wrong with the big brands that have been around for a while, alpine, mtx, RF, JL, pioneer, sony, although the last two are better known for head units and small speaker vs. subs and amps.

for that money if he insists on 600$. he could buy the pioneer 6800 HU, mtx 5500 or 7500 sub, and a decent mtx amp and more than likely have it installed for that price.

my 2cents

[MantaGreen97]

Originally posted by Shad0wguy
And why does everyone have an issue with Sony? I have owned a Sony head unit for over 2 years and it sounds and functions great.
Ignorance, mainly. Usually from people that couldn't tell a capacitor from an inductor and think car audio revolves around end-all-be-all terms like "Type-R" and "JL Audio" :roll2:

I'd get into this but I have too many times and it's a waste of time/space and a bit OT as well. A good rule to follow is that those who blantantly brand-bash typically haven't got a clue what they are talking about in the subject at hand.

[Jordon'sGrandAm]

my 2 cents just go with 1 company i always see people with all kinda different companys in there car. plus i always likes pioneer so iam going with them all the way arround.