stupid question, i know

Will changing the head unit give better sound? I know more power is louder and more clear at louder levels, but at normal levels, is it better?

 

Sure! Plus all the features you like that your factory does not have.You will have some control with sound in your after market head unit.

 

I just removed my Entune Audio Plus and installed a Kenwood DNX574S, there's a definite improvement in the sound quality. I retained all factory steering wheel functions with an idatalink module and gained many extra features including navigation.

 

Upgrade. Even if it means using stock speakers.

 

Huge difference! Crutchfield usually has some good deals on refurbished if you arent looking to spend a bunch. And they throw in everything you need to install.

 

omg yes.

i originally installed my high end stuff but kept the head unit. and then all was revealed. the next week i installed a 8200NEX. better!

 

The sound is only as good as the source...
I installed a new head unit and the difference is quite noticeable.

This is in an 06 dclb.

 

Not a stupid question. Read the responses above, and go for it!

 

1. Upgrade Head unit first for a little bit louder, much cleaner sound from the stock speakers - make sure to get all the features you want, and make sure its not one that's been on the market for over 2-3 years. Check to see whether the radio just came out during the CES 2017 or CES 2018 - try to get one of those head units. Consider buying lightly used at big savings if its a slightly stale model that's 2-3 or more years old on the market.
2. Upgrade the speakers - audition if possible; buy something with a carefully written description that "sounds" around what's expected for the price point and overall system goal. Try to avoid consumer and professional reviews which only state - 'it sounds good' and 'it sounds awesome'.
3. Add amp(s) if you need more volume.

 

absolutely!

 

Okay the absolute best entry level components according to car audio forums appears to be Morel Maximo 6.5" component set they run cheapest I've found on Crutchfield. About $150 a pair and they sound better than $500 focals.

 

If your a spl guy and want the absolute loudest component set then grab a pair of Massive Audio PK65 for about the same price as the morels at around $150.
https://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_91607_Massive-Audio-PK6S.html
with a sensitivity level of 100db's a pair with just one watt running to a pair of these they will be playing at 100db man. So every doubling of wattage they will be 3db's louder. SO in theory they get up to: 121db's a pair at recommended rms. And 124db at max power. They will not sound nearly as good as the Morel Maximo's. However I think, and I'm probably wrong that these are just about the loudest 6.5" components you can buy due to their "sensitivity" rating.
Also if your a sound pressure level guy I recommend these. (As loud as possible.) If your a sound quality guy (sq audio) I recommend the morels. And don't get me wrong the Morels will be loud.

If anybody knows of better components in this price range please let me know.

A few tips:
What's interesting is that you don't have to spend absurd amounts of money on an amplifier due to this: http://tom-morrow-land.com/tests/ampchall/index.htm proving it's impossible to detect differences in two possibly very different amplifiers at price points without scientific equipment. At a blind hearing test it is impossible to tell the difference between amplifiers. This is well understood by the professionals, however give them a break they want to sell their Zapco amplifiers. Which is why some guys do in fact like putting old school amplifiers in a car. Also I do however recommend buying an amplifier that has a rms rating of half it's max power, as they are typically sold.

And my final point is no need for solid copper wiring, for power cables in my opinion due to the fact your only going to on average or so see a voltage drop of about .3 or so compared to .1 at the amplifier inputs.

Also I do recommend solid copper, wiring for CAR AUDIO or it will do strange things if you don't buy car audio specific cable, such as it corroding on you as it's meant for home audio. Also make sure your speaker wire isn't ran along side a power wire or it will have allot of distortion added to it.
Use the maximum size for your amplifier inputs speaker level terminals. AS it does lead to less distortion however not allot and it's a cheap upgrade that might leave you knowing that it did lead to less over all thd (total harmonic distortion).

Coming from an earlier point you can run components off a head unit, however you can't use the stock one unless you have a line output converter and you'll be stuck using an amplifier so I suggest purchasing a nice head unit that has "apple car play, supports android phones and such." this will leave you very happy in the next few years as there isn't that many apps however it does release apps, just know there aren't that many. And you should get it.

Also buy a head unit with HD radio and you'll be so much more happier with more of a selection of local radio and it will sound so much better than regular FM.

If your thinking about Sirius FM, I would like to suggest having an apple music subscription instead as it has access to just about every album/song/discography ever before they even come out in stores. And you can just download them and be soooo happy and listen to everything you've ever heard ever when you want to hear it. However they do disappear just like Sirius will if you loose the subscription.

If you have any questions feel free to ask me as I'm thinking of entering car audio as a trade. And if I'm puzzled I really would take the time to understand the query for this reason.

 

Also unfortunately your limited to about 1200W of an amplifier, so I suggest 5 channel with a stock alternator (Towing Package.) this will give you enough power for a subwoofer, or you could get a 6 channel amplifier and bridge two channels together. However again 1200w seems to be the number that if you go over you'll have dimming head lights where you might need a capacitor and/or second battery set up.
Somebody please correct me on this, honestly, as I'm not sure and that's just what I've heard won't lead to dimming head lights. And I got this information from a very reliable source.