What to replace first? HU or Speakers?

Thanks for the input iboc. There was a digital media receiver I was looking at from Kenwood that looked pretty sharp. I haven't had any experience with Kenwood though. I have had experience with Sony products for my home theatre, and Alpine in my old car.. I really like the feature of the stash-away iPod receptacle in the unit I was looking at, not to mention the price is great. I will double check though and take a peek at the Kenwood's available. I'm not looking for Navi though... just a simple headunit with iPod capabilities.

 
Kenwood all the way, but that's just my oppinion. I have never had a kenwood unit die on me and I have owned 4 of them. I also have many friends with Kenwood systems and none of them have ever had an issue either. As an added benifit, in dash Navi units from Kenwood use Garmin software built right.


I LOVEEE my kenwood unit. single din I had in my escort zx2, then took it out and put it in my wrx. Single din with the flip screen and navi. only thing is I need to update the maps.

oh, and it's over 3 years old now (kvt-714)

 
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Idk my model number, but I love my kenwood. Has aux in for ipod etc, color blends with my trim perfectly, And my favorite feature is the ability to adjust the sub preout easily

4 years and no issues, unlike my previous pioneers. Same with tghe kenwood amp

 
So even after all your advice, I'm putting this thing together on a budget... and the first thing I could afford was some speakers. I'm going to replace the fronts first. I just ordered them today from Crutchfield. I got the Alpine SPS-510 5.25" Coaxial Speakers. I've had good luck with Alpine products in the past, and I'm hoping that this will help curtail some of my hate for the stock system right now. As I can, I'll replace the headunit, and rear speaks as well. I'm going with a JVC Arsenal headunit, and some pioneers for the rear doors. All in time... all in time. And then some tint to help hide the bling... haha
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I thought the fronts were 6.5in?
I think it can take either... anyways, it's a good speaker and within my budget. If I hate them though, I'll send em back and go bigger later. Eventually I'd like to power all the speakers with an amp anyways.

 
get a kenwood head.... do u need a hdtv to watch vhs videotapes? I don't think so! its all about the quality before it goes to the speakers. then it all depends on your preference do u want bass or tweeters/speakers first?

 
Kenwood all the way, but that's just my oppinion. I have never had a kenwood unit die on me and I have owned 4 of them. I also have many friends with Kenwood systems and none of them have ever had an issue either. As an added benifit, in dash Navi units from Kenwood use Garmin software built right.
I had a kenwood DD in my 2.5rs and it stoped working! it would not feed cds right and the screen would get stuck. I called kenwood directly and told them about it. within a week of the call they had sent me a brand new next model up of the stereo I had 2 replace my broken one free of charge!

 
Well I installed the front speakers last night. I know it made a difference. I will be replacing this system in parts... speakers were bit more in my price-range as of now. Rear speakers will be coming up, and then a headunit as well. Eventually amp and possibly a 10" sub.

 
10" should be all you need. I have heard that the boxes made to fit our cars suck though so I would be careful which enclose you choose. I got a pair of RF 10s in a bandpass box, it sounds nice but it is probably overkill. The speakers are a little worn out though (surrounds are damaged) so it balences out. I have an old 15" RF Punch Power DVC that I am thinking about swapping in because it takes less space but I am worried it will drown out the stock HU, and/or get me pulled over for violating a sound ordinance.

 
I have one pioneer 12" sub in a homemade ported box w a 1500 amp. I love it! great deep bass response and some of my cargo area is left over still. if u want some bass but u don't wanna sacrifice much room or weight, bazookatubes r the way 2 go! 6,8,10 inch w built in amp!

 
Finally ordered my headunit this morning from Crutchfield. Ended up going with the Kenwood KDC-X395 unit. Everyone was recommending Kenwood, so I figured I would give it a try. This unit seemed to have the best bang for the buck too.

 
I went head unit first to solve the ipod issue. Picked up an Alpine IDA-X305s. Love the head unit! Just got a pair of 6.5 inch Alpine type r components for the front and 5.25 inch type r coax for the rear along with two type r 10" subs. Using alpine pdx 4 channel for speakers and pdx mono block for the subs. haven't done the install yet but cant wait!

 
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