Still lousy audio after upgrades?

[986_c6]

Ok...sorry to hijack the thread OP, but how much does it cost nowadays to replace the hu? I remember going to a specialty sound place 10 years ago to add a cd changer and nothing would work with the hu and there was an option that would cost thousands of dollars.

I have lived with the not so good music for 10 years now.

[Joel-Box-ster]

Originally Posted by 986_c6

but how much does it cost nowadays to replace the hu? .

Bestbuy installs it for free (harness extra) and a decent unit with front aux. starts at $99.

[ericinca]

Thanks for the all the collective great advice! It sounds like the general consensus is that the OEM head unit sucks. I'll have to look into a replacement head unit, and have read about many AVIC installs on this forum.

At the moment, I don't have the rears. I kinda like the storage compartment back there, even though it's small. Still, I hope I can get the new, existing speakers to sound better!

[BrokenLinkage]

We all know that cheapskate oufits like Porsche and Ferrari were just trying to save a few bucks in their choice of the Becker units, unlike the extravagant no-limits audio fiends at Honda and your local Wal-Mart when they chose Kenwood, but seriously, listening to mp3s with their mid-fi reproduction in a convertible with moderate exhaust note... well lets just say your money would be better spent on a good listening room at home.
And if the fanciest or loudest thing about your car is the stereo,then whether it's a Kia or a Lambo you won't impress anyone much beyond the acne years.
The Becker is not intuitive, and it takes at least a little effort to adapt it to changing tachnologies.
But it looks right in a car where appearance matters, it has a great tuner section, and its absence signals to future buyers possible misplaced priorities. With the porsche frunk amplifier and the rear shelf speakers, it does a respectable job. And this from a guy who knows what a Butterworth crossover is, that mr Polk's first name is Matthew, and why Larry Schotz used to be famous among audio nerds.
Somewhere more than a decade ago, car manufacturers passed the point where it was easy to improve their systems without spending a small fortune. There are exceptions, but this is not one. Many stand to profit by convincing you otherwise, and many more would like you to validate the decision they were persuaded to make. Ignore the hype, heck ignore me too, use your ears, or insist on audiometric analysis if you want to go that far, but don't get harranged into wasting money on something that will devalue your car & perhaps sound worse than properly setting up what you have. Rear speakers and an amp+/-EQ are worthwhile IMHO, new head not so much.
It is your car, just saying...