OK guys, have at it. Is Insignia products any good?

Just asking, the Bose system in my 03 Z is KILLING ME. It's got to go.

Thanks

 

This brandX appears no better than stock. There are several great HU lines (Kenwood Excelon, Alpine, JVC, Sony, Pioneer). Listen to them and compare controls to decide. For the best sound find a HU with specs of >4v preouts, 24b DAC, CD >100db S/N and match it up with great amp/speakers.

 

Dream, Thanks for the advice. I knew of other brands, I was just wondering.

Now, educate me more. I see pre-outs differ and you mentioned 4v. What does that do for me if I'm hooking up a 4 channel amp.

Thanks again.

 

It doubles the ouput voltage of the preout. so it gives the amp a stronger signal that ends up sounding better in the end.

 

a simple analogy

say you have your Z, and you want it to do well on the track by mixing high octane gas.

now, lets say you have only one source of place to purchase gas, and at this station you can only get 87 octane gas.

so...you now have to choose between three additives, the first additive, by adding it to a full take of gas, give you 92 octane, the second, gives you 100 octane, and the third, gives you 110 octane.

now, of course, they cost more as the octane rating goes up...

so...you want the best performance for your car, you will be willing to pay the most to get the 110 octane additive.

but, what you drive is also important, so you have 1980 carolla instead, would then purchase the 110 octane additive? no, becuae your car wont respond to it at all and its a waste of money.


putting it to car audio forums.

the 87 octane you start off with is the noise inherent with in your system, doesnt matter what you do, you always start with a level of unwanted noise in your system.

the car is your amp, some amps have the ability to take a very high input voltage (8volts or so), but some amps is rated only to take a low voltate (2volts or so) You can find it by looking at the Gain **** on the amp and find out waht the lowest setting number is)

the gas additives is the different headunits with their different level of pre amp voltage outputs. the more signal voltage you add to the mix, the higher the performance is (better signal to noise ratio)

but like i said in the end, if your amp only have a maximum of say a 2 volt input ability, then getting a headunit with a 4volt output is pretty much a waste, becuase the amp cannot accept or use the extra boost in signal...sorta like putting 110 octane gas in a POS car

 

It's ideal if the HU preout voltage matches the range of the amp's input. Most amps handle 5V. The number of amp channels has nothing to do with the preamp voltage,check its spec. Get a HU with a separate sub crossover preouts.

Good luck!

 

Thanks guys. Now off to Car Domain and getting some stuff to replace that GOD AWFUL BOSEY SYSTEM. Man it's bad?

RP