Worse audio with an after market head unit

[SRTLOL]

So I installed a song xav100 double din head unit with the PAC kit. I have the Boston acoustic system and after the install it seems like the bass is gone and the audio quality has gone a little down hill. I used butt connectors to make the connections and I'm thinking about reading it. And ideas on where to start? It sounds more gritty and kinda lack luster compared to when I had the stock radio installed.

[JimE]

I've not used any of the aftermarket kits, but wanted to point out that the Camaro speaker system isn't a traditional 4 speaker system. I would assume there is some sort of adapter required to connect a traditional aftermarket HU to the stock amp/speakers.

Sounds like you simply spliced some wires and are missing some of the channels.

[Snoman]

What JimE stated.


You cannot swap a HU in without replacing the amp and speakers, though primarily due to the OEM "dsp". If you attempted to power the OEM speakers from your new HU, we get into connection issues (rears are bi-amped).

[Leo72793]

Originally Posted by SRTLOL

So I installed a song xav100 double din head unit with the PAC kit. I have the Boston acoustic system and after the install it seems like the bass is gone and the audio quality has gone a little down hill. I used butt connectors to make the connections and I'm thinking about reading it. And ideas on where to start? It sounds more gritty and kinda lack luster compared to when I had the stock radio installed.

MAke sure you have the plug set to AMPLIFIED system not non amplified. IT will plug into either one. otherwise. replacement time

[Cheap Guy]

Originally Posted by Snoman

What JimE stated.


You cannot swap a HU in without replacing the amp and speakers, though primarily due to the OEM "dsp". If you attempted to power the OEM speakers from your new HU, we get into connection issues (rears are bi-amped).

I’m not sure if this is accurate. The PAC kit was pretty much plug and play with the stock amp and speakers. The only issue I had as far as sound quality was to make sure you have it plugged into the PAC module correctly. I actually plugged mine into the NON amplified slot and all is well.

[oslouie]

This issue has been covered. You need to plug a connector into the correct location.

[Snoman]

Originally Posted by Cheap Guy

I’m not sure if this is accurate. The PAC kit was pretty much plug and play with the stock amp and speakers. The only issue I had as far as sound quality was to make sure you have it plugged into the PAC module correctly. I actually plugged mine into the NON amplified slot and all is well.

for some reason I was thinking non-BA set up

[Angie11]

to the OP. I agree. I did the aftermarket HU with PAC and sound quality and volume were shit...all was installed correctly. I replaced the stock amp with an aftermarket amp and it sounded good again

[Low Saturn]

Originally Posted by Angie11

to the OP. I agree. I did the aftermarket HU with PAC and sound quality and volume were shit...all was installed correctly. I replaced the stock amp with an aftermarket amp and it sounded good again

Where did you have the connector plugged into the PAC module? A lot of people think they have it installed correctly, but don't.

I have the Scosche 2.0 kit, Pioneer head unit, BA system and stock amp. Sounds great.

[45thCamaro]

Originally Posted by Angie11

to the OP. I agree. I did the aftermarket HU with PAC and sound quality and volume were shit...all was installed correctly. I replaced the stock amp with an aftermarket amp and it sounded good again

Hey sorry to bother but what kind of amp did you replace with? I had the idea to do this years ago but never got around to it. I remember there was a small amp that a lot of people used to replace the stock amp due to its size. But damn if I remember what it was.

[Black_SS10]

Originally Posted by 45thCamaro

Hey sorry to bother but what kind of amp did you replace with? I had the idea to do this years ago but never got around to it. I remember there was a small amp that a lot of people used to replace the stock amp due to its size. But damn if I remember what it was.

A popular amp replacment is the JL audio xd400/4v2. Its small and packs a punch. Fits in the stock amp location with the amp board from sub thump(er).