Brandon404

To make a long story short I bought some Kickers to replace all of the factory door and dash speakers and I hate them. I dont want to change the factory head unit as of now. What are you guys running? I have the 7 speakers with 8" screen. Any suggestions?

dhmcfadin

Kicker is not the brand to go to for improved sound quality. The problem isn't your headunit, its the junk speakers. Whats your budget? What kind of music do you listen to?

Stu Cazzo

First of all, just like any other speaker manufacturer Kicker makes a good speaker KS680 and a cheap walmart speaker ds680
The KS models are pretty good. Other consideration is the infinity kappa

HushCarAudio

Well, it could be an issue with not sending those speakers a clean flattened signal. Did you use any line output converter or forescan yet? If not, you might be in for a nice surprise.

Brandon404

dhmcfadin

The factory headunit has a built in eq that automatically curbs certain high and low frequency signals that are capable of damaging the delicate factory speakers/tweeters. By using forscan or something like an AudioControl or JL fix processor, you can eliminate that factory eq. The reason you want to eliminate it is your aftermarket speakers can handle those extra low and extra high frequencies unlike the factory speakers. By not eliminating the factory eq, you aren't allowing your speakers to play at their full potential. The forscan method is preferred over the aftermarket correction method because instead of altering the signal coming out the headunit, forscan allows the headunit to output an already unaltered signal.

12fLAT

For what its worth I have found replacing the head unit and keeping the stock speakers gives the best sound vs replacing the speakers and keeping the stock head unit. I have found this true many times (and I think you are experiencing this also). The factory speakers held up for me even playing music loud with lots of bass & treble.

I want to stay with the stock head unit also so I'm stuck with the way it sounds which isn't bad. Replacing the speakers (only) has not proven to be worth the time or expense...sound wise for me.

dhmcfadin

See my post above. Using forscan will fix the poor sound you are experiencing.

HushCarAudio

A forescan ODB tool costs only $30 too. Much cheaper route than getting a new head unit. I'd love to sell more product but honestly, forescan is the way to go.

Shane803

Are you getting enough power to the aftermarket speakers? I'm running JL Audio CW3 components front and back with a JL Audio 400 paired with a LC7i. Subs are dual 10" RF HX2's and a monster old school Eclipse Amp. Stock head unit and the sound is amazing.