Replacing HU and door speakers

vividracing

If you are going to be doing nice upgrades to the head unit and door speakers, have you thought about putting a small sub in? If you went with an 8" (or 2) you can 1. have a much better sounding system 2. make the subs basically invisible 3. run a 5 channel amp and have your whole system running of one. I think you will be happier doing it that way.

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DeathByMunky

I was planning on testing the waters without a sub first. I don't listen to music with a lot of bass typically and I'm more about clarity (The Eagles and Led Zeppelin are not exactly bass thumpers). If I had a sub, it would probably just end up turned way down anyway.

I may change my mind after the upgrade, however.

Nillaz

First things first, welcome to the forum!

I would like to reiterate what some others have said: a decent amp for ANY aftermarket speakers is never a bad idea. The NEX headunits are pretty nice (I have one myself and enjoy it immensely), but there isn't a headunit out that has enough grunt to really drive a set of speakers efficiently, the NEX units included.

Having said that, adding a sub is really a matter of personal taste. Some people really dislike the idea of adding one, but you don't have to be a basshead to really appreciate the benefits of a sub. There are some component speakers designed to deliver excellent midbass response, but quite honestly I've never heard a set that can satisfactorily produce the full audible range. A subwoofer can help achieve this and really give your music a nice, full sound, whether it be the Eagles or the latest hiphop.

My suggestion to you if you are really on the fence about adding a sub: get the amp no matter what, but get at least a 3 channel and while you have the installers installing your HU and speakers....HAVE THEM RUN THE SUBWOOFER CABLES ANYWAY, even if you aren't going to take advantage of them right now. If you should change your mind down the road and decide that you do want the sub you already have all the infrastructure in place and won't need to tear apart the interior of the car all over again.

Best of luck!