I just picked up a `95 maxima and want some better sound. I was planning on upgrading the speakers and leaving the stock oem head unit (I dont have the bose system).

I guess I have two questions ...

1) is this going to be the best "bang for the buck" if I only want to upgrade 1 thing.

2) Its my understanding OEM head's put out only about 20 watts per channel? Is this important to keep in mind when picking out speakers. (i.e. will real powerful speakers that are high quality still sound fine with the stock head unit).

Thanks alot guys!

-jeff

 

get a nice head unit first, the quality would sound so much better, and then later you do the speakers. i think doing it the other way around is backwards. plus chances are you underpower the new speakers with the stock hu which is bad for the voicecoils. so get a nice alpine hu first, or watever u prefer

 

i meant whatever HU u prefer. what kind of hu's are you looking at? anyone in particular?

 

Actually I havent looked at any head units yet. I was under the impression that my stock speakers were SOOOO CRAPPY they must be replaced ASAP. I do like alpine only because i could (if i wanted) integrate IPOD into the whole system. On the other hand just getting a straight up mp3 compatible cd unit might be fine too. Would it be possible to take out the car speakers ... hook them up to my nice Harmon receiver at home and drive them to see if they really are SUPER ****TY speeks? I dont need loud sound just good sound.

 

Start with a HU first. You'll notice a difference.

 

I'm not looking to put TOO much money into the stereo system so it seems that everybody is reccomending head units. Should I look for a certain minimum power output by head units so that I can skip on needing amps for the speakers or is there not too much difference between brands?

Also I was talking to a friend last night who swapped out the stereo in his civic and said donig so ruined his keyless entry because the receiver was built into the stereo. This isnt the case is it with the maxima

 

hmm i havent thoght about that, actually no cuz i have keyless entry too, btw YOU WILL I REPEAT YOU WILL SPEND TONS OF MONEY ON YOUR SYSTEM, someone told me once the audio bug hits, its over.

 

i'm pretty sure the stock head unit gives less than 20 rms watts. just get new hu and do the speakers later. 2 DA MAX .. i completely agree with you. i went to the audio store to see if they could help me replace the lights in my bose head unit, but after a week later, i spent over $1000 on my sound!!

 

if you get new speakers, they will mostlikly sound much better, but they will be underpowerd, and like 2damax said, that will mess with their vioce coils, but if you get a new hu, you will be in my situation... the sound will be muuuchh better at first, but then your stocker speakers will blow, and it will sound like $hit... i say get a new hu, and two pairs of 60 dollar speakers, you will be happyer than ever... or be a baller, and get an hu, mb quarts components all around, and a 4 channel amp and you will be in a symphony of beutiful sound... Be happy you didnt get bose

 

Save up and do it all at once is my suggestion, but if that is not an option...head unit before the speakers will be a wiser purchase.

 

Was his civic by any chance a '98?

--Don

 

replacing the speakers first will have the greatest impact on sound quality

 

Go HU, many places that i've seen throw in speakers with a minumum purchase. I got a pair for free with i bought an old HU at circuit city.

 

the speakers they usually throw in are rather kunty. many times they are a pair of really cheap pioneer's that retail for about 25.00. i agree that it would be best to replace both the hu AND the speakers, but replacing speakers first are going to have a greater impact on sound quality