How do i improve my stereo?

[dr1ven]

I'm trying to improve my sound quality without spending a whole lot of money and without ripping out the system. I read a few posts mentioning the JL Cleansweep. Would I just need this and an amp? Anyone know the details on the speakers/system?

Suggestions please. I'm not a stereo/car guy. Thanks.

[jrpxxii]

Anything JL Audio will be expensive, but it will also be the best sounding too.

[DEW]

Originally Posted by dr1ven

I'm trying to improve my sound quality without spending a whole lot of money and without ripping out the system. I read a few posts mentioning the JL Cleansweep. Would I just need this and an amp? Anyone know the details on the speakers/system?

Suggestions please. I'm not a stereo/car guy. Thanks.

Probably the easiest way to add some thump!


http://www.shopatron.com/products/pr...23922.0.0.0.0?

http://www.shopatron.com/products/pr...23922.0.0.0.0?

[TonyNo]

Adding a sub to the base system is all that is needed, IMHO. Sounds great.

[mrray13]

The CleanSweep is a way to integrate an aftermarket amplifier into a stock radio/system.

Just because something says JL on it, doesn't make it the best.

What exactly are you looking to improve upon over the factory system?

[2010CamaroOutlaw]

What I would do is add 2 amps, one for a sub and one for some front components, then you leave the rest of the speakers using the stock amp and you will have a good front end with some thump and all you have to wire is the front speakers. I have done it on plenty of my cars and it is a vast improvement

[mydreamcar]

I changed all the speakers, put a 8" subwoofer and amp. Sounds real nice. Even when I turn the volume all the way up.

[montej23]

This is one of those questions like how do i make a hamburger!

This can go so many directions and can be accomplished so many ways, its all up to what you are looking for and how much your wanting to spend. I have known Audio Installers that have won SPL compatitions with the bare necessities. Its technique and good equipment as well that will do what you want it to do.

If you can explain what you are looking for i am sure with the combination of the forum we can come up with something you will love. I dont even know what you have now. Do you have the upgraded stereo setup or is it just stock with 6 speakers?

[4SD FED]

We used the low voltage outputs from the radio, and added RCA conection before the amp and replaced all the speakers added a sub off of jl amps

[CRZ]

Originally Posted by montej23

This is one of those questions like how do i make a hamburger!

This can go so many directions and can be accomplished so many ways, its all up to what you are looking for and how much your wanting to spend. I have known Audio Installers that have won SPL compatitions with the bare necessities. Its technique and good equipment as well that will do what you want it to do.

If you can explain what you are looking for i am sure with the combination of the forum we can come up with something you will love. I dont even know what you have now. Do you have the upgraded stereo setup or is it just stock with 6 speakers?

Not to hijack too much, but I am a car audio idiot that's been wondering basically the same thing.

I don't want to spend a ton, but I listen to a lot of different stuff - I'll spend a few days listening to nothing but talk radio, and then go for weeks cranking rock tunes. Occasionally like the rat pack/Sinatra/Bennett stuff. I'll even from time to time throw on the old school hip hop, but I'm admittedly not a gigantic fan.

I pretty much only draw the line at country.

But I'd like to be able to play it all and have it clear, full, and not sound muddy. Granted, sometimes you want some bass to get a little dirty, and I don't have a problem with that.

That all said, I want to accomplish as much of that as possible without breaking the bank - I'm not a fan of the whole sleeping on the couch thing, and a big enough bill could earn me permanent residence there.

So boiling it down -

1) What's the biggest single improvement for the lowest overall investment?

2) I know some folks are brand-centric, I'm really not. If someone makes higher quality tweeters at a lower price point, I'll use those, and use someone else's 6x9s.

3) If I'm after the perfect budget car stereo upgrade for the Camaro, is there a progression I can go for? Aftermarket speakers first, add on a subwoofer when possible? Amp the stock speakers first?


Again, I'm a car audio moron.

[RandyB]

Step 1: I would start with a 4-channel amp and a 10" or 12" sub. Use 1 channel for each door and bridge the other 2 channels for the sub. Splice RCA cables into the low level signals going from the head unit to the factory amp and use these for your new amp inputs. You can also use the factory speaker wire going from the trunk to the doors. Set both crossovers on the amp to around 100Hz. Wire a 300Hz high-pass filter onto the front center speaker and 150 or 200Hz filters onto the rear 6x9 sub wires. This will ensure the bass is coming from your new sub instead of the factory speakers.

Step 2: Replace the front center speaker with a Boston Acoustics S35 and replace the door speakers. There are many options for component speakers to go in the doors, but I would recommend the Alpine Type-R SPR-17S or Polk MM6501 or Boston Acoustics SR60.

You can complete both of these steps for about $600 (total) and have a system that sounds much, much better than the factory BA system. The front center and rear deck speakers can remain powered off the BA amp, because they will serve as fill.

[Stevo]

[QUOTE][So boiling it down -
What's the biggest single improvement for the lowest overall investment?
/QUOTE]

Uh what he said and what if my budget was only $50?

[TommyTSquared]

[QUOTE=Stevo;1354109]

[So boiling it down -
What's the biggest single improvement for the lowest overall investment?
/QUOTE]

Uh what he said and what if my budget was only $50?

You can't really do much (if anything) for that budget and make an improvement. You might be able to get a new speaker, but what good is just one

[CRZ]

Originally Posted by RandyB

Step 1: I would start with a 4-channel amp and a 10" or 12" sub. Use 1 channel for each door and bridge the other 2 channels for the sub. Splice RCA cables into the low level signals going from the head unit to the factory amp and use these for your new amp inputs. You can also use the factory speaker wire going from the trunk to the doors. Set both crossovers on the amp to around 100Hz. Wire a 300Hz high-pass filter onto the front center speaker and 150 or 200Hz filters onto the rear 6x9 sub wires. This will ensure the bass is coming from your new sub instead of the factory speakers.

Step 2: Replace the front center speaker with a Boston Acoustics S35 and replace the door speakers. There are many options for component speakers to go in the doors, but I would recommend the Alpine Type-R SPR-17S or Polk MM6501 or Boston Acoustics SR60.

You can complete both of these steps for about $600 (total) and have a system that sounds much, much better than the factory BA system. The front center and rear deck speakers can remain powered off the BA amp, because they will serve as fill.

Ask direct questions, get direct answers.

Thanks, RandyB!