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How important is the Head Unit to the quality of the car audio?

I’m upgrading my car audio. I want the best quality audio without spending a lot.
I bought new speakers, a subwoofer, and 2 amplifiers.
Is a new Head Unit necessary?
How important is the head unit to the quality of the car’s audio system?
I have the Dual XD1222 head unit.
http://outlet.crutchfield.com/p_070XD1222/Dual-XD1222.html?ssi=0&tp=13566&tab=features_and_specs

I think it is very important. I got a JVC and it has a 5v preamp output and allows me to set the high/mid/low’s of the speakers in my car leaving me with clear highs and un disturbed bass. You will not get the "best car audio" and not spend a lot especially if you are looking at dual. You dont have to be a millionaire but you have to be smart about it. Do your research on everything and read costumer reviews.

This entry was posted on Friday, November 12th, 2010 at 8:58 am and is filed under car audio. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

3 Responses to “How important is the Head Unit to the quality of the car audio?”

  1. Always remember that you get what you pay for and anything that can be had from walmart such as Dual is junk. It might provide marginally better SQ that a stock set up but the options and available eq settings are not going to be remotely close to that of a pioneer, sony, alpine, deck.

    I myself have ran with Sony CDX-900x i think it is, in more than one car, and have achieved very good SQ, and i bought it for less than 200 on ebay, 2 remotes, tons of options etc….

    Passovers, crossovers, equalizers, line drivers, quality amp and deck with good cable ran all around is best. Also, make sure you put the signal cable on the opposite side of the car from the power cable to the amp.
    References :

  2. That head unit probably isn’t even comparable to many stock receivers. The RMS power output is only 5 watts. Hardly enough to drive stock speakers, let alone aftermarket speakers.

    You’ll get much better quality and be happier of you spring for a new head unit.

    This JVC outputs 20 watts RMS and is only $74.99, probably less than the old low-powered Dual sold for.

    http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_21223_JVC+KD-R210.html

    This Pioneer outputs 22 watts RMS and is priced the same $74.99.

    http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_21459_Pioneer+DEH-12E.html

    Plus you’ll get a vehicle specific wiring harness, antenna adapter, and dash kit (if needed) at no additional cost.
    References :

  3. I think it is very important. I got a JVC and it has a 5v preamp output and allows me to set the high/mid/low’s of the speakers in my car leaving me with clear highs and un disturbed bass. You will not get the "best car audio" and not spend a lot especially if you are looking at dual. You dont have to be a millionaire but you have to be smart about it. Do your research on everything and read costumer reviews.
    References :

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