First step in upgrade...Head Unit or Amp?

I have the JBL system and I’m wondering if I should do a HU upgrade or amp upgrade? Cost is the factor in not just doing these both at the same time.

My main issue is the volume of the system. Not sure why it’s so low but it is.

TIA

Also, what HU is the best way to go for ease of installation? I’m gonna do it myself and don’t want to have a battle with the steering wheel controls

 

If you upgrade the amp, you’ll need to upgrade speakers too. Changing the headunit won’t make the existing amp and speakers any better. The weak link in the jbl system is the amp, it’s shitty processing and the speakers. Adding a quality processor like a DSR1 with an aftermarket amp and new door speakers will provide the most dramatic improvement in sound.

 

Thank you for that. Any quick suggestions on door speakers?

 

FWIW, the HU is where the signal processing occurs and it has the greatest control over the sound. I've replaced only the HU thus far and the improvement is undeniable. The factory headunit does not send out a flat signal even when the stock 3 channel EQ is flat. At higher volumes certain frequencies are attenuated while others are boosted. Replacing the factory HU will without a doubt increase the lower freq. volume. Right now, with only the HU done, stock speakers, and some tuning I can get bass that will shake the mirrors and kick bass that you can feel in your chest. This is with the non JBL system, which has inferior speakers and likely less amplification.

Signal processing should always be in step one. So I agree with the DSR1 recommendation, but I would try either a HU or DSP before spending on the amp. If you still dont like it, then keep spending.

 

I just recently (late 2019) upgraded my system. It's non JBL and i replaced the stock amp and added a line out converter, sub and JL dash tweeters. Still running stock head unit and door speakers.

My system sounds awesome as is but i will be contacting James at tech12volts this summer for the 6.5 JL door speakers.

 

Sorry. But you’re wrong. The processing is not done in the headunit on the entune or jbl system. It’s done in the amp. Headunit sends full range unprocessed signal to the amp.

 

No need to be sorry, Im using the base stereo, not JBL. That's where the variance is. So the digital signal processor on the JBL is in the amp unit itself?

 

Remove factory head unit and throw it in the trash!

 

If your major concern is the sound volume, upgrading the amp with a processor or LOC should do the job.

No need to trash the HU.

 

im upgrading my 4 door speakers and adding dsp and amp. I have a non-jbl. After much research, many installers said pretty much the same. Will have it done next week on Wednesday. Then doing a few hours short trip to see how I like it.

 

I replaced the piss poor JBL head unit with Kenwood DDX9905s... clarity of sound was WORLDS better. The stock speakers got new life.

Then pulled out that tissue box of a sub and replaced with a low-cost Rockford Fosgate R2s-1x10 sub/enclosure combo.

I push that with a (again low-cost) Sony MRV-M250 mono amp with RCAs running from the headunit for separate control.

(note: all Canadian pricing)

The system makes me smile every time I get in, and I did not have to pull apart the doors. That said, I'm well past the days of needing pounding audio. I just wanted clarity, full frequency, and to feel it in my chest when I dial it up. No sense in spending thousands on something I will likely trade in four years down the road.

Good luck with your upgrade!