Would just an Amp help?

[Greg]

I don't know much about the technical relationship between the different
automobile audio components, so please bear with me for what may seem to be
a silly question. I'm wondering if there is any benefit to improving my
car's audio system buy just installing an Amp? I have factory Nav and
don't want to disturb the head unit, nor loose the integrated controls.
The system only sounds fair. Would additional/cleaner power give me an
increase in audio quality, or is it not worth the cost/effort? If it would
help, any suggestions on the Amp?

Thanks.

[GregS]

In article >, Greg > wrote:
>I don't know much about the technical relationship between the different
>automobile audio components, so please bear with me for what may seem to be
>a silly question. I'm wondering if there is any benefit to improving my
>car's audio system buy just installing an Amp? I have factory Nav and
>don't want to disturb the head unit, nor loose the integrated controls.
>The system only sounds fair. Would additional/cleaner power give me an
>increase in audio quality, or is it not worth the cost/effort? If it would
>help, any suggestions on the Amp?

The only thing I can say. I kept the OEM radio intact in my truck, and installed
another HU thats capable of being in stealth mode (invisable) and i work
it by the remote control. Worth consideration.

Most always, cleaner power, sub woofers, better speakers, this and that, will result in
better sound. The problem is the installation.

greg

[e-nigma]

"Greg" > wrote in message
. ..
>I don't know much about the technical relationship between the different
> automobile audio components, so please bear with me for what may seem to
> be
> a silly question. I'm wondering if there is any benefit to improving my
> car's audio system buy just installing an Amp? I have factory Nav and
> don't want to disturb the head unit, nor loose the integrated controls.
> The system only sounds fair. Would additional/cleaner power give me an
> increase in audio quality, or is it not worth the cost/effort? If it
> would
> help, any suggestions on the Amp?
>
> Thanks.

I would recommend adding an amp with a subwoofer.
that will make the biggest impact on the sound.
I wouldn't put an amp on the factory speakers

[KU40]

what exactly is the problem with the way the speakers sound now, and how
do you want it improved? generally adding an amp to factory speakers
will do very little, as they generally don't handle a lot of power and
are usually about maxed out with just the head unit. so they are not
able to take advantage of the extra power.

what vehicle do you have, and is it just a regular audio setup or is it
premium sound?


--
KU40

[brianlanning]

Greg wrote:
> I don't know much about the technical relationship between the different
> automobile audio components, so please bear with me for what may seem to be
> a silly question. I'm wondering if there is any benefit to improving my
> car's audio system buy just installing an Amp? I have factory Nav and
> don't want to disturb the head unit, nor loose the integrated controls.

Well, it depends. The answer is probably no. Let's assume for a
moment that you have a factory head unit with four speakers in your
car. If this is the case, change things in this order:

1. Change the speakers (keeping #3 in mind)
2. Add a powered subwoofer
3. Add an outboard amplifier for the speakers using line level outputs
from your factory head unit to power the amp. Some amps can take
speaker level inputs.

It's possible to combine 2 and 3 into one step with a five channel amp
for example.

This all gets muddier if you have a "premium" sound system. In this
case, there probably already is an outboard amplifier somewhere (built
by the lowest bidder, even if it has a name like alpine slapped on it).
It could be that each speaker has it's own little built in amplifier.
It could be that your head unit or other pieces are wired through your
security system making stereo changes a nightmare. (there are kits for
some cars to relocate your factory head unit to the trunk just so that
it satisfies the security system)

If you have the Head Unit + 4 speaker setup, and put an amp between
them, you could end up with better sound. You'd have to use a low
power amp, like something in the 25 watts RMS range. Any more power
than that and you'll run into the limits of your factory speakers and
likely destroy them. Aftermarket speakers and head units make a big
difference.

> The system only sounds fair. Would additional/cleaner power give me an
> increase in audio quality, or is it not worth the cost/effort? If it would
> help, any suggestions on the Amp?

Anything is possible. Whether or not it's worth it depends on what
you're willing to spend. I would find out how your factory system is
put together. If you tell us the year, make, and model, as well as any
brand names assoicated with your factory stereo (like monsoon or
infinity) someone might chime in and tell you exactly what you have.
Also, a call to a local stereo shop might shed a lot of light on this
also. If you have a head unit and four speakers, you have a lot of
options, all within what you likely want to pay. If you have one of
these premium systems with extra parts, you may not be able to change
anything without scrapping the entire system. Whether or not you can
keep your head unit depends on what you have.

You could do what the other poster suggested and add a second
aftermarket head unit in the glove box or something. You'd likely have
to buy a complete system. And I bet your navigation unit runs it audio
through the car stereo speakers. :-) So now you're talking about
keeping those hooked up in the factory locations while still finding a
good location for the new speakers.

brian

[brianlanning]

brianlanning wrote:
> 3. Add an outboard amplifier for the speakers using line level outputs
> from your factory head unit to power the amp. Some amps can take
> speaker level inputs.

I meant line level output converters. Factory radios don't have line
level outputs.

brian

[mfreak]

Greg wrote:
> I don't know much about the technical relationship between the different
> automobile audio components, so please bear with me for what may seem to be
> a silly question. I'm wondering if there is any benefit to improving my
> car's audio system buy just installing an Amp? I have factory Nav and
> don't want to disturb the head unit, nor loose the integrated controls.
> The system only sounds fair. Would additional/cleaner power give me an
> increase in audio quality, or is it not worth the cost/effort? If it would
> help, any suggestions on the Amp?

IDK, that kinda depends on how poor your sound is now, and how good the
OEM speakers are. Ie, could your stock speakers take much higher power
without blowing up? There probably isn't a whole lot you can do unless
you replace the speakers too.

If you were to do that, then the easiest thing to do is probably to
take the speaker leads off the rear speakers, or get one of those
converters that converts the speaker-level to RCA line-level inputs,
and run the signal into a small amp. Then you can keep your existing
HU, steering wheel controls, whatever.. Run new speaker wires to the
new front/rear speakers, and you'd certainly notice a nice improvement.

Later on, add another amp or 2, sub(s), etc.. You'd be highly
upgrade-able at any time.

[bob wald]

yes. get the biggest boss amp you can. but only play it at half volume
maxx.....

[GregS]

In article >, (bob wald) wrote:
>yes. get the biggest boss amp you can. but only play it at half volume
>maxx.....
>

How would you play at half volume?
Or what level is that?

greg

[Greg]

Greg > wrote in
:

> I don't know much about the technical relationship between the
> different automobile audio components, so please bear with me for what
> may seem to be a silly question. I'm wondering if there is any
> benefit to improving my car's audio system buy just installing an Amp?
> I have factory Nav and don't want to disturb the head unit, nor loose
> the integrated controls. The system only sounds fair. Would
> additional/cleaner power give me an increase in audio quality, or is
> it not worth the cost/effort? If it would help, any suggestions on
> the Amp?
>
> Thanks.

I want to thank everyone for their replies. I do really appreciate the
information, insight and assistance provided. The vehicle is a new ('06)
VW Jetta. It does not have a 'premium' sound system. I believe there
are 6 speakers, one in each of the 4 doors and one in each A pillar. It
appears that my best bet is to wait until the car is a little older and
I'm ready to take some things apart. I had heard that an Amp alone would
help, but I was skeptical. My audio knowledge challenged brain was
telling me that new speakers would be have to be involved in any
worthwhile venture. I'm just not ready to tear my doors and interior
moldings apart. The car is too new and unspoiled at this point.
Thanks again.

[GregS]

In article >, Greg > wrote:
>Greg > wrote in
:
>
>> I don't know much about the technical relationship between the
>> different automobile audio components, so please bear with me for what
>> may seem to be a silly question. I'm wondering if there is any
>> benefit to improving my car's audio system buy just installing an Amp?
>> I have factory Nav and don't want to disturb the head unit, nor loose
>> the integrated controls. The system only sounds fair. Would
>> additional/cleaner power give me an increase in audio quality, or is
>> it not worth the cost/effort? If it would help, any suggestions on
>> the Amp?
>>
>> Thanks.
>
>I want to thank everyone for their replies. I do really appreciate the
>information, insight and assistance provided. The vehicle is a new ('06)
>VW Jetta. It does not have a 'premium' sound system. I believe there
>are 6 speakers, one in each of the 4 doors and one in each A pillar. It
>appears that my best bet is to wait until the car is a little older and
>I'm ready to take some things apart. I had heard that an Amp alone would
>help, but I was skeptical. My audio knowledge challenged brain was
>telling me that new speakers would be have to be involved in any
>worthwhile venture. I'm just not ready to tear my doors and interior
>moldings apart. The car is too new and unspoiled at this point.
>Thanks again.

I think cars OEM systems may be improving. I noticed in a Nissan truck
with a standard system, they actually used upper pillar tweeters. Most
of the better systems seems to be doing something like that.

greg

[bob wald]

half of the maxx volume on your knob... nutjob.lol.....