OEM Head Unit Signal Quality

2018 Entune - non JBL

Is the OEM head unit output signal garbage?

I currently have an upgraded front stage running active with a Kicker Key amp. I am looking to move beyond the Key to a 5 channel amp with integrated/tunable DSP.

If I’m going to dump a bunch more money into SQ, I want to ensure I have a decent signal to amplify. I’m guessing the OEM head unit is not great, but I don’t have enough experience or knowledge to make that determination.

If I’m going to spend $1K+ on a new amp, should I upgrade the head unit at the same time? I’ve never used a DSP before - Is it able to make up for the shortcomings in the signal, or is it still garbage-in, garbage-out?

 

Ultimately it depends on your source signal. I stream FLAC files. Definitely an improvement. The FM radio sounds pitiful in comparison.

However upgrading the entire system won’t hurt anything but the wallet.

 

it really depends on what you want to get out of the system.

the oem radio does in fact add some sound shaping/eq settings that any replacement gear needs to compensate for.

in conflict with that, the best situation for aftermarket gear is going to work the best with a flat signal.

it's sort of like rigging your gas pedal to be 1/8 pressed down all the time--- you can compensate with using the brakes more, the truck will still drive fine, but everything starts working harder to fix the fact that the truck isn't completely idling down, and the more extreme scenarios will lead to frustration, like when you suddenly need to tow with that vehicle down a 10 mile 5% grade.

 

Go look at some of @dolbytone threads. Lots of experience using DSPs with the factory head and achieving good results.

 

Thanks I’ll take a look. Nice to see @destin_meeks is still around helping us all out.

Side note Destin- have you tried out the Key 200.4? Looks like the signal/noise ratio is better, but I’m not sure what else has been improved over the 180.4.

 

That’s the main thing honestly. I have not installed one myself (I was out of the industry by the time it came out) but the end of this video compares them a bit. Head to the 9:45 mark or so

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=UHJ4l_6vqr8

 

FWIW I found the largest increase in quality in terms of restoring detail came from switching the signal to digital TOSLINK. It’s a lot but for me it was worth doing because literally there’s no stereo out there that 100% replaces the factory one in terms of looks and integrated functionality.



About the Key, feedback I get from installers is that it’s nothing special except that the house curve they use seems to be really satisfying. I have not heard one though so that’s not something I can personally speak to.

 

I’m more a fan of old school, I changed my head unit for a clean / flat / signal. Rather than fox a lousy
Signal . Then went from there. Sounds awesome . The only thing I lost on the center screen is the turn by turn on the center screen . I didn’t care about that . Besides most of the gadgets on this truck I don’t use . I have the truck 3 years and just tried cruise control