Stereo Question: Replace Head Unit and Amp ONLY

I have been comtemplating some stereo changes. I intended on changing to an Alpine head unit and amp with new speakers. Has anyone put in a new head unit and amp but left the stock speakers in a Hifi system. I am considering changing to an Alpine head unit with a 5 channel amp to the stock speakers ( front, rear and door sub for the 5th channel).

You will have to change out those crappy speakers for sure. I did in my old 996. Morrell are great ones. I had 2 amps 1 for the head unit and one for the subwoofer- 800 watts and I miss the hell out of the system....On the freeway with the windows down it was clear as a bell....

i'm using an alpine unit with stock (albeit top line factory option) speakers. they work fine, one blew but i don't know if it was because of the deck (i doubt it, afterall, the amp should regulate the power) or just old age. speakers are always something u can change down the road anyhow.

How does the digital sound dohickey (the thing that sits under the stock head unit) work with an aftermarket option? Does it do anything at all?

If you changing the head unit and adding an amp, you might as well add new speakers all around. The original stock speakers are not that great. They are made to work with the factory amp. You might save some money by getting a four channel amp instead. The door speakers are part of component speakers in the front (6.5" in the door, 4" and 1" in the dash. Here are some pics of my installation. Details: 1 JL amp 500/5 JL component speakers all around 2 JL 8� sub in the rear Kenwood Headunit w/ Nav and Music Keg

yeah if u keep the doohicky connected it will work. mine just plays with the base/treble settings and what not. i was thinkin of removing it but then i'll need to replace it with another doohicky... maybe one of those tire temp guages..that would look nifty

Cab2u--Is your car a pre '02 which does not have the MOST based fiber-optic system? Otherwise I believe everything has to be swapped put (correct me if I'm wrong)....

It is an 00 C2. I understand that it would sound better with new speakers. But I wouldn't be surprised if it was pretty good with the stock speakers. Are the front wired as a 3 way component? I would probably wire the doors into the sub channel in a 5 channel amp. If they blow, I'll replace them then. Are the speakers crossed over at the amp (so that all the speaker wires are there)? Does anyone have the wiring diagram for the amp? Also, my understanding is that my car with the Hifi option has 5 1/4 in the doors, not 6 1/2. Is that incorrect?

I am in the process of upgrading my system as well -- I'm in talks with Rod @ CarAudioInnovations.com. You should email or talk to Rod -- he will gladly offer intelligent, experienced and FREE advice. I think you'll get the biggest-bang-for-the-buck by replacing the crappy stock speakers with Focals or other high-end speakers (actually, even medium-end speakers from Alpine, Kenwood, and others would be better). The factory amp and head unit aren't that great either but I wouldn't replace them and leave the stock amps -- you will be disappointed. I am actually doing an "interim" upgrade -- I am putting off getting the floor mounted subwoofers (in custom fiberglass enclosures) until next year. For now I am getting Focal 2-way components (4" woofer and 1" tweeter) for the dash, Focal 5.25" subwoofers for the doors and leaving the rear speakers stock since these are just for fill (and I don't hear them with the cabriolet top down anyway). Everything will be controlled by an Alpine head unit with MP3 CD/CD-R playback, XM Satellite radio and Apple i-Pod control and powered by an Audison 5-channel amp. Next year I will swap out the door subwoofers with Focal 5.25" mid-bass for a 3-way setup up front (along with the dash speakers). I will then install the subwoofers on the floor behind the driver and passenger seats for a true 4-way system.

I think the stock amp is actually a 6-channel amp. It is 6x30 or something. Call Rod to confirm. And yes, the door speakers will fit 5-1/4" speakers. You can fit 6-1/2" speakers but you would have to remove the stock enclosures -- not recommended because you will get a lot of distortion. Cheers,

IMO if you're trying to save a few bucks you would be better off changing the speakers first. Look I don't care how great the stereo is if the speakers are not up to par it won't sound great. Think of it like having a Porsche and putting on bias ply tire. It won't handle good not matter how great the suspension is. I would change the amp and speaker before head unit and amp.

No doubt ditch all the speakers they suck

I had thought about just changing the door speakers and head unit but decided to bite the bullet and am now in the process of replacing my entire system with Rod at audio innovations... Focal speakers, focal subs, custom enclosures for the subs, audisson amp and a nakamichi head unit that has an aux port for the ipod. cant wait... will let you know how it sounds when its all done.

Yeah baby! Rod is great. I just ordered dash and door speakers (Focal Polyglass 100 V2 and Focal Utopia 5WS, respectively) along with an Audison 5-channel amp (Audison SRx5) from him. I'm getting the Alpine CDA-9855 head unit with XM Satellite and iPod controller (very neat, you control the iPod using the head unit). I'm sending Rod my dash speakers so he can mount the Polyglass speakers -- no customization work for me! I highly recommend it!