Audio Update Question

[demirev]

Hi all, I have a 2008 Yaris Hatchback.

I recently upgraded the stock speakers to four new Arc Audio Xdi 602 speakers. (60w RMS power handling, 86dB sensitivity). Everything else is left stock for now and there's no amplifier.

I'm a person who values the clarity of music more than loudness. I need some feedback on which upgrade would be the greater marginal improvement to audio quality - an amplifier, or a new head unit?

I'm currently looking at head units like this and this and this and this with 22 RMS output but I'm also drawn to some head units which output less; this one with 14 RMS looks beautiful and has outstanding reviews, plus I'm drawn to HD Radio.

I haven't looked at any amplifiers because I'm afraid of the amount of wiring I'll have to do to set it up (I had the speakers installed for me but I think whatever I choose now I'll do myself); I also don't know anything about amplifiers or which price range to look in/how to find a good one.

Would you guys recommend keeping the stock head unit and purchasing an amplifier or getting a new head unit?

If the answer is a new head unit, could someone recommend one? I'd need a head unit that looks nice and clean, bluetooth is a huge reason I'd be upgrading, and HD radio would be nice.

Thanks!

[derickveliz2]

I would deaden the doors, you will get an improvement in sound.

If you like HD radio or bluetooth go for it

Adding a powered subwoofer will bring your music to a new level!

D.

[demirev]

Originally Posted by derickveliz2

I would deaden the doors, you will get an improvement in sound.

If you like HD radio or bluetooth go for it

Adding a powered subwoofer will bring your music to a new level!

D.

Do you have an estimate of how much quieter the cabin would become with deadened doors?

I don't trust myself to open up door panels and put them back together properly, I'd have to take it to a place where they can install the soundproofing gear. Would you think it'd be best to do the doors or doors + trunk or some other combination?

[derickveliz2]

Only the doors, won't help make the cabin less noisy
Deadening the doors helps converting your doors to work as a better speaker box!

Noise comes from floor, wheel wells, trunk and firewall.

At the beginning I didn't trust myself either, and I've done a lot of deadening, it's not that hard.

I will never take my cars to a shop for deadening.

Check my build... it will help you understand more about car audio and deadening, I know it's way...too long !!!

I have a shorter version without personal stuff in DIYMA if that helps?

D.

[demirev]

Originally Posted by derickveliz2

Only the doors, won't help make the cabin less noisy
Deadening the doors helps converting your doors to work as a better speaker box!

Noise comes from floor, wheel wells, trunk and firewall.

At the beginning I didn't trust myself either, and I've done a lot of deadening, it's not that hard.

I will never take my cars to a shop for deadening.

Check my build... it will help you understand more about car audio and deadening, I know it's way...too long !!!

I have a shorter version without personal stuff in DIYMA if that helps?

D.

I just bought a roll of this and applied it to both sides of the rear row of seats (I have a 2-door hatchback). This was the first time I had removed panels, and I was quite liberal in my application, with very few spots left uncovered. I also took the spare tire out of the trunk and applied pieces to the metal down there.

When I had finished one side of the car I knocked on the outside and compared the noise to knocking on the other side...with this applied the knocking noise is much lower,, it doesn't "ring" like knocking on the unapplied surfaces.

I'm still unsure of disassembling the doors, I feel like they'd be tricky to put back together but I'll read the thread.

Any recommendations for reducing the engine noise? If there were a key area to soundproof to reduce that engine noise maybe that would be worth it.

[derickveliz2]

Originally Posted by demirev

I just bought a roll of this and applied it to both sides of the rear row of seats (I have a 2-door hatchback). This was the first time I had removed panels, and I was quite liberal in my application, with very few spots left uncovered. I also took the spare tire out of the trunk and applied pieces to the metal down there.

When I had finished one side of the car I knocked on the outside and compared the noise to knocking on the other side...with this applied the knocking noise is much lower,, it doesn't "ring" like knocking on the unapplied surfaces.

I'm still unsure of disassembling the doors, I feel like they'd be tricky to put back together but I'll read the thread.

Any recommendations for reducing the engine noise? If there were a key area to soundproof to reduce that engine noise maybe that would be worth it.

Wipers area transmits engine noise directly to the windshield...
Under the wipers there is an area to treat and prevent engine noise into the cabin.



Under the wiper's motor (very noisy)



Wheel wells and front fenders"



Under the center console towards the front mine had a trany and there was a lot of noise from there.

Also...
Check out these videos...

Video 1 Deadening Front Fenders

Video 2 Deadening with CLD Tiles in rear fenders


D.

[UberSilver]

If it's one or the other? then an Amplifier will increase the SQ.

Pioneer makes the best HU's. Amps under $300. pretty much all the same.

I've installed this amp in a couple of different cars, and this is a really nice amp for the money! It has the hookups on a single side, and will just fit under the passenger seat in your 08.

http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_...-RA1000.4.html

Originally Posted by demirev

Hi all, I have a 2008 Yaris Hatchback.

I recently upgraded the stock speakers to four new Arc Audio Xdi 602 speakers. (60w RMS power handling, 86dB sensitivity). Everything else is left stock for now and there's no amplifier.

I'm a person who values the clarity of music more than loudness. I need some feedback on which upgrade would be the greater marginal improvement to audio quality - an amplifier, or a new head unit?

I'm currently looking at head units like this and this and this and this with 22 RMS output but I'm also drawn to some head units which output less; this one with 14 RMS looks beautiful and has outstanding reviews, plus I'm drawn to HD Radio.

I haven't looked at any amplifiers because I'm afraid of the amount of wiring I'll have to do to set it up (I had the speakers installed for me but I think whatever I choose now I'll do myself); I also don't know anything about amplifiers or which price range to look in/how to find a good one.

Would you guys recommend keeping the stock head unit and purchasing an amplifier or getting a new head unit?

If the answer is a new head unit, could someone recommend one? I'd need a head unit that looks nice and clean, bluetooth is a huge reason I'd be upgrading, and HD radio would be nice.

Thanks!