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Hi all,


I just bought a 2007 Outlander LS AWD. I love the thing... but I didn't have enough money to get the Sun & Sound option. So I have to contend with a very bad stock audio system. I mean, the base unit in my previous car (Lancer) was not that great... but in the Outlander, the thing simply sucks. I tried playing a good variety of what I consider my reference albums and I'm feeling kinda depressed right now... :(

My question is: Can I do anything to make this pile of junk sound better? For instance, can I replace the stock speakers with after-market ones? Or is the head unit the main culprit here and there's no hope in sight?

I am not willing to touch the head unit itself. It's integrated to the dash, Bluetooth fonctions go through it... I mean, it's not like replacing a standard DIN unit. But I sure as hell don't want to spend years listening to that crap either...


Thanks for any advice you can offer!

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Speakers by themselves won't help too much because the stock head unit cannot power them enough. A new head unit won't help either because it will overpower the stock speakers and blow them.

The best thing to do is both. If you can only afford one option, or only want to deal with one or the other, do speakers first. Go with a good brand, more often than not cheap no name brands absolutely suck.

If you tell me what kind of sound you are going for, I can help you find really good ones for great prices. Like, what kind of music do you listen to most often and what kind of sound are you looking for. Do you want an all around speaker, a bassy speaker, a treble speaker, or something with alot of midrange sound to it.

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bobthecow, thanks for your reply!


As I was saying, I would not dare touch the stock head unit because I know it integrates more than just the audio fonctions. Also, I would most probably not be able to make the steering mounted switches work with an aftermaket unit.


So I'm stuck with the unit... but any improvement would be better than what I have here. That's why I am willing to take my chances with new speakers.


My tastes in sound probably will not be compatible with my budget. I'm an ex sound engineer... I hate sloppy bass, prefer tight bass. I love precise highs (not agressive nor fuzzy) and I like a good dynamic mid-range. Since I will certainly not invest more than 200$ on this upgrade so you will agree with me that I will never hear anything close to this kind of sound in my Outlander.


Still, a recommendation for decent speakers at a decent price would be greatly appreciated... because I cannot accept such a crappy sound without at least trying to do something about it.


The existing head unit may not provide that much power... but I will try and work with what I have. There's no other logical choice for me here... since I don't have thousands of dollars to invest in converting the stock audio and related electronics... not to mention money to pay for the fabrication of a custom dash piece (switching the head unit would also require this).


I know my options are very limited... but still, let me know what you think about all this.

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Here's what the center console looks like... just so you understand why it would be quite hard and costly to install an after-market head unit on there:

(IMG:http://aycu39.webshots.com/image/17158/2000900623095837644_rs.jpg)

Notice the audio and Bluetooth controls on the steering wheel... all of which are connected to the head unit.

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Damn... they make it so hard now. I'm gonna go out of business if they keep doing this stuff to me.

Well, lets see here. I do believe you have 6.5's all the way around. I'm not sure if you have 2 pair or 3 pair, but we can work with that. What you are gonna have to realize is that you really can't get great bass out of 6.5's. You can get tight bass, but it wont be that loud, deep bass that you get from a 6x9. All of these will fit your $200 budget, even with 3 pair.


The BEST highs and mids, but NO bass:
Eclipse

Here is something a bit cheaper, better bass, but not as good highs and mids:
Kenwood

My suggestion for great highs and mids, not so much bass, but at least it's tight:
Infinity

New version of what I have, I love mine, great all around:
Blaupunkt

Another great all around:
Pioneer

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This great info!!! Thanks!


BTW: It's a 6 speakers system.


Now, let's see if I can finally convince you I'm a wacko... :P I have in my possession some audio components from the Sun & Sound kit on the Lancer: The amp, the subwoofer and the grill.

What if I got 6 decent speakers (Eclipse seem to be the best choice for me) to replace the factory crap... then somehow got hold of a signal to feed the amp and power the subwoofer?


I know, I know... high output from the head unit... but I think the Infinity amp can accept it (or am I completely wrong here?). It sure wouldn't sound like a good aftermarket kit... but I can't see how it wouldn't beat that crappy system they installed.


I know a bit about fiberglass and I'm good with my hands... so I think I can build an enclosure for the sub in the back of the truck.


Okay, let's have it... I'm a crackpot, right?... :blush-anim-cl:

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You're not a wacko for having the Infinity Sound Package from a Lancer, because I actually installed it in my vehicle.

The only problem is that I doubt you will be able to integrate the Infinity Amp with the Fosgate head unit.

I know that for the new Eclipse there are stereo installation kits for the dash. The only problem is that you may not be able to integrate the steering wheel controls. I installed an aftermarket stereo, OEM steering wheel integration module on my friend's car. It worked off of the remote control on the head unit.

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I'm not finding a lot of info about the stock head unit... I don't know if/how I can get some form of pre-amp out from that thing or if I'm really gonna be stuck with using high-power outputs. That would definitely not be ideal...

Anyone's got more info on that unit? Probably not... but who knows.

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Hey been reading your notes, just wondering if you ever get to install that after market stereo in the 07 outlander. I wanna install a after market stereo but i'm not sure if the head units has rca outputs to connect the sub to it. If you were succeful i would appreciate any info you can pass on to me. I plan to have the aux cable and all my other lines to the head unit installed by dealer. Wish me luck :thumbsup:

Hi, I have the LS with said crappy system. for the same reason i didnt want to touch it. I found actually if you balance they system by pushing the right knob several times. you can mess around with the acoustics a bit and it deftinitley sounds better. granted not the same as my was in the volvo s80 but still better!

:banana: