ATH

I'm gonna get a small sub for some low end, but my fronts crackle whem I'm listening to trebley stuff, like Pennywise or something. Is there a cheapish replacement that works with the headunit and such? Mainly just need better tweeters...

ZephyrS4

I have the same problem with the Bose system as well.

ATH

However, I don't want to start spending a lot on a stereo. I put a $3000 stereo in my truck before I bought the s4 and had tremendous buyer's guilt because my truck had rattles, and it totally ruined the sound on quiet songs. My car rattles a bit now too, so it doesn't make sense to spend much at all.

Anyone every just replaced the speakers without adding an amp? Does it even do anything to the sound?

ZephyrS4

but that might have been with the Bose amp.

ATH

I thought that was upgrading non-Bose --> Bose, but I'll look again

RobC

that the stock amp has built-in equlization for the Bose speakers. If you install aftermarket drivers then the EQ will be wrong. In some instances it might sound OK, but since you're mismatching the speakers, it's a shot in the dark.

ATH

What about non-Bose?

RobC

But if you want to improve the sound, go with larger speakers up front (From 4" -> 5.25) using the MB Quart A4 adapters.

HIS4

I replaced the head unit. At first I kept the stock head and replaced the front speakers and added a sub. It was ok but the sound quality was still lacking a bit. The bass was way overemphasized no matter what I did to the so called hidden EQ. The high end always seemed a little dead. So finally I got fed up and replaced the head unit. After that, things are completely different. So I would say, save your money until you can do it all at once.

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/19077/dash.jpg">

ATH

Maybe I'll just get a sub and speakers first and go from there. Local shop quoted $250 for a sub, and $100 for installing fronts. Not bad.