Audio build for beginner: Advice needed

No, I know the difference between CD and Mp3. I was ripping CDs into MP3 and OGG at the end of the 90-s. Used spectrum analyzer to work out better format/bitrate etc. So, I am kinda familiar with quality difference

However, it is pretty hard to find a lot of of music on CDs. What is more, If I decide to buy all music I have in MP3 form on CDs and put them together then I believe I will need a small truck to carry all the stuff. I have got about 1TB of MP3s in my collection.

I have been playing with the new system for three days straight and the results are still very disappointing. Occasionally I can get decent sound on a few tracks but mostly the system lacks lows (which is understandable given sub size) and very highs (I am at a loss why). Mids are way too prominent, especially at high volumes. When I decrease them using Bit Ten the sound becomes terrible at low volumes. There is definitely no clipping (neither amp nor DSP).

Normally I listen quite loud music. I regularly wear headphones for a long time with volume at max without any problem. New build gives me ear fatigue after 5 mins of listening. Right tweeter is frying my ear even when it is not loud at all. It feels like my ears are bleeding.

So far the plan is to cover tweeters with a tissue and wait a month in case they really need breaking in (I do not believe it). If it does not help then I will have no option but to consider replacing either front speakers of the HU. Very nice result for $5K.

Again, if you bought a HU, you will have a clean signal path to the amp powering the speakers and Sub. Also, The HU processor will equalize just about any input and allow you to tune, add eq, DSP, etc.

I went the same route you did at first but with an Audiocontrol LC7i, but was not pleased. The moment I spring for a Kenwood Excelon HU I have never looked back. Adding cloth will do nothing.

Also, a HU will give you power output options to the speakers to minimize the harshness out of the tweeters since they are mounted so high.

You sir can do what you want to try to get this to work, but it sounds like you won't like it anyways. My last bit if advice, spring for a quality HU with an equalizer and you will be much better off at enjoying it, but hey, don't take my word for it, I've only gone down this route already....

Well allow me to jump on the bandwagon, if I may. I've been researching all of this for some time now. A little background, I have have a 12' GGC Laredo with Focal PS165's in front, Focal's in rear (can't remember which ones but they match the front's), Alpine PDX V9 Amp, and a LOC by Scoche, and a TON of Dynamat sound deadening and open cell foam (huge difference). I previously had an LC7i LOC. It was picking up a lot of noise and buzz and it sounded terrible... I mean worse than stock. My installer went with the LOC from Scoche and it still sounds terrible. I have done every bit of tuning that I can, I've spent hours on it and the bottom line is you WILL NOT get the sound you are looking for with the Stock HU. I wanted the "clean" look and the good sound... let me save you the time, you WILL NOT get good sound from the stock HU. I am not relegated to the fact I need to shell out another 700-800 for a new HU but I've already gone this far and I can't stand that the sound is still so bad. But, what you will get is RCA outputs from the aftermarket deck you select. I can't wait to get the new HU installed in mine so I can get back to the sound I expected from the beginning.

Thank you for your input guys.


Yes, I agree with you. Stock HU is just outrageous. After using the system for one month I sort of got used to the sound (or speakers really broke in) but it is still nowhere to what I would expect from $5K system. Some tracks sound not too bad (if recording is of very good quality like MJ). However, most of my stuff (I am deep into the 80-s) sounds just pathetic. Very upsetting thing is that different frequencies get louder in not linear way when increasing the volume. Mids prevail and it is impossible to adjust them with HU 3 band equalizer. Lack of bass is also quite obvious but this is explained by inadequate sub.


I have been toying with the idea of putting one of Pioneer headunits in but I do not want to lose any of the features of the stock headunit (like USB port in the armrest which is essential for me). I am also very reluctant to have a new mic with cables flying around.


Most probably I will leave it as it is now and try to work on my other car (Dodge Journey) instead. It is absolutely impossible to replace the HU there as LCD display and HU are two separate parts sitting at different places. This time I will opt for cheaper components but I am hoping to get similar (if not better sound).


My assumption that there is a certain threshold (may be about $2K) after which it becomes pointless to throw money into the system unless you replace the headunit. Getting more expensive speakers, sub, doing deadening etc will not give much difference because of headunit’s bottleneck.