Aftermarket head unit

DubC

DubC

Greenie N00B Member
Greenie Member
Anyone have an aftermarket head unit that is not Eonon? My buddy mentioned this Atoto S8 (which is apparently popular amongst the MX-5 community) but I'm not sure if it fits in our car (2nd gen for me). I have the stock head unit going to other amps I installed and I think the sound is pretty shit since the stock head unit, I assume, puts out a lot less power than an aftermarket unit. I don't want to drop $300 on shit if I could drop a little more on something more reliable and less buggy. Any info is appreciated.

If I'm wrong that Eonon is not the top one to get, let me know.
 
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Do you have Bose?!

If you are amplifying the speakers the power of the head unit is irrelevant.

Have you upgraded the speakers

To use the one you posted you would also need an adapter trim
 
I've always gone by the head unit pre-amp output. I don't know the exact specs of the stock head unit, but if it's like any other stock head unit, it's lower than an aftermarket one. Maybe that's over generalizing. But I'd rather amplify 50w instead of 20w. Anyways, I removed the stock Bose amp and replaced it with a 4 channel that can handle 2 ohms for the stock speakers. I haven't replaced them yet.

I have a sub in the back that honestly should hit a lot harder based on the amp and 'boost' that the amp is pushing. I have a buddy with the same sub in his VW and it hits way harder. He has an aftermarket HU.

Also when I bought and used the plug to allow the stock HU to power more amps, I lost the bluetooth somehow. Maybe I didn't hook it up right or maybe that plug cut it out some how. Right now I can only use CDs or the radio. I'd like to use my phone like any car in the last decade. :)
 
I have and like the Eonon. PnP Bose too. The $300 one can be updated too.
 
Raider said:
I have and like the Eonon. PnP Bose too. The $300 one can be updated too.
Click to expand...
which one? The bose amp is gone and has been replaced. do you know the model number? there's like 20 of them. i remember when upgrading the radio wasn't such a pain in the ass :)
 
I sorted by my car and had only 3 or 4 options.
 
Look into kicker key stuff... It can auto correct sound to help balance everything else. Fixes a bunch of issues in one shot.

I'm looking into putting an aftermarket head unit in myself.. single din pioneer from a junk yard..
Not fancy but pioneer makes solid stuff..

As far as your sub goes... Is it the same amp as your friends? Same box? Etc? Those can play a big role.. how did you connect it? By splicing a adapter input thing in one of the rear speakers?

A aftermarket head unit should have a sub output for the rca cables to the amp.. plus could have a bunch of settings to help with bass management.

Big thing to note.. sound proofing and install can make a big difference.. look into dynmat and closed cell foam to help with vibrations and rattling..

When my friend had a 10 or 2 in a jeep, it sounded soooo clean and tight... It wasn't a high end setup by any means... I have a very nice top of the line jl 10inch sub in a jl box, and his sounded better..

Some cars just have better acoustics... I heard ours have pretty good acoustics but it may take some work to get it up to standard..
 
automaticonlyspeed3 said:
Look into kicker key stuff... It can auto correct sound to help balance everything else. Fixes a bunch of issues in one shot.

I'm looking into putting an aftermarket head unit in myself.. single din pioneer from a junk yard..
Not fancy but pioneer makes solid stuff..

As far as your sub goes... Is it the same amp as your friends? Same box? Etc? Those can play a big role.. how did you connect it? By splicing a adapter input thing in one of the rear speakers?

A aftermarket head unit should have a sub output for the rca cables to the amp.. plus could have a bunch of settings to help with bass management.

Big thing to note.. sound proofing and install can make a big difference.. look into dynmat and closed cell foam to help with vibrations and rattling..

When my friend had a 10 or 2 in a jeep, it sounded soooo clean and tight... It wasn't a high end setup by any means... I have a very nice top of the line jl 10inch sub in a jl box, and his sounded better..

Some cars just have better acoustics... I heard ours have pretty good acoustics but it may take some work to get it up to standard..
Click to expand...

I used to buy only Pioneer. Maybe I need to look into it again. Friend has the same sub and amp. I have an adapter on the stock HU that has amp pre-outs so you can run a sub off of it. I had pounds and pounds of dynamat in my old car back in the day. This just isn't hitting as hard currently, even with the boost up on the amp.
 
Raider said:
I sorted by my car and had only 3 or 4 options.
Click to expand...
I'll hafta look again. Do people mostly go for those since they can be updated/upgraded later? As opposed to a more name brand radio, that is.
 
The most expensive ones update. My mid-grade does not.
 
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