For those of you with a Stinger head unit...

[Cvisinho]

How is the adjustability of the EQ and volume levels over factory?

I have fully upgraded every speaker and have a powered sub in place. Sounds way better than stock but i wish there was a little more volume that could squeak out with the top down, etc.

Will that be the case with the Stinger unit?
Im 99% sold on the wireless 10", but im definetly curious about the EQ adjustments and overall volume of the system before i pull the trigger.

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[Wheelin98TJ]

I don't have the Stinger head unit, but I wouldn't count on a head unit to add volume.

Best way to do that is with an amp.

 

[sharpsicle]

It is much better than factory. Both volume capability as well as EQ balance. The sound is substantially better. Of course headunits are limited in what they can provide when compared to a separate amp, but in my many years of car audio experience, the Stinger units do quite a good job of giving as much as they can.

 

[Cvisinho]

I don't have the Stinger head unit, but I wouldn't count on a head unit to add volume.

Best way to do that is with an amp.

I fully gather that. Someday, i may add a 4 channel amp, but for now i just want a better EQ and a little more power than my 7" factory unit and i think ill be happy...... until im not.....
Its clean, punchy, and the bass hits good. Just need a little more loud with the top down at highway speeds.

 

[Thunderspud]

I don't think there is even a fair fight. The Stinger units are miles ahead of the OEM units as far as adjustability, and the options available to you.

Here are a bunch of crappy images I just took of those options on the Horizon 10. Maybe they help ya decide.

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

I fully gather that. Someday, i may add a 4 channel amp, but for now i just want a better EQ and a little more power than my 7" factory unit and i think ill be happy...... until im not.....
Its clean, punchy, and the bass hits good. Just need a little more loud with the top down at highway speeds.

So why not add a little $200 amp? It will really make a difference when the top is down.

I had a TJ that I replaced all the speakers, added a sub with an amp pushing it, and an aftermarket head unit. Later added an amp pushing the dash and sound bar speakers and holy crap what a difference. Crystal clear and loud with the top down on the highway.

 

[pancho34]

How is the adjustability of the EQ and volume levels over factory?

I have fully upgraded every speaker and have a powered sub in place. Sounds way better than stock but i wish there was a little more volume that could squeak out with the top down, etc.

Will that be the case with the Stinger unit?
Im 99% sold on the wireless 10", but im definetly curious about the EQ adjustments and overall volume of the system before i pull the trigger.

3 to 10 watts max out of most stereo systems
So you can spend more money on an amp etc just saying

 

[sharpsicle]

So why not add a little $200 amp? It will really make a difference when the top is down.

I'll give you three reasons a headunit is a good first move:

#1 - A better headunit provides better signal to an amp, which means better results, so there's no reason to ignore it.

#2 - If you had to choose between amplifying a crappy source, or fixing the source first and then determining if you need it amplified, I'd recommend the latter every time.

#3 - Upgrading the headunit gives you more than just a better sound experience; it gives you a better experience for everything from settings to cameras to maps and nav and Carplay/AA.

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

I'll give you two reasons:

#1 - A better headunit provides better signal to an amp, which means better results, so there's no reason to ignore it.

#2 - If you had to choose between amplifying a crappy source, or fixing the source first and then determining if you need it amplified, I'd recommend option #2 every time.

The stock head unit is a crappy source?

 

[sharpsicle]

The stock head unit is a crappy source?

When compared to the alternatives, yes it is.

You said you don't have the Stinger headunit, so I would hope you realize you can't judge a comparison for something you've never experienced.

 

[Cvisinho]

So why not add a little $200 amp? It will really make a difference when the top is down.

I had a TJ that I replaced all the speakers, added a sub with an amp pushing it, and an aftermarket head unit. Later added an amp pushing the dash and sound bar speakers and holy crap what a difference. Crystal clear and loud with the top down on the highway.

you are not wrong. It might end up being a good idea since ill have the dash ripped apart anyhow. I may as well just run speaker wires while im at it if im gonna run a new RCA to the powered sub and kill the line out converter.

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

When compared to the alternatives, yes it is.

You said you don't have the Stinger headunit, so I would hope you realize you can't judge a comparison for something you've never experienced.

I'm experienced with car audio and I've never got good results using a head unit to power aftermarket speakers expecting them to be loud and clear.

Spend all that money on speakers, sub and amp for the sub, and a head unit, and you don't want to spend a couple hundred more to really wake up those speakers? Seems silly.

 

[sharpsicle]

I'm experienced with car audio and I've never got good results using a head unit to power aftermarket speakers expecting them to be loud and clear.

Spend all that money on speakers, sub and amp for the sub, and a head unit, and you don't want to spend a couple hundred more to really wake up those speakers? Seems silly.

Never said an amp won't help. Just said there's no reason a headunit won't help too. Not sure why you're discouraging that, but I would 100% start with the headunit, and the Stinger has a chance of getting OP exactly what he's looking for.

If it doesn't, an amp is certainly on the table, and it will be much easier to get quality results with the Stinger headunit in place than the OEM crap.

 

[KevinC]

The op said he has the 7" radio now. So with that, anything will be an upgrade and he will definitely notice better sound quality. The 8.4 is night and day above the 7", a Stinger will be adequate for what he wants/needs.

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

Never said an amp won't help. Just said there's no reason a headunit won't help too. Not sure why you're discouraging that, but I would 100% start with the headunit, and the Stinger has a chance of getting OP exactly what he's looking for.

If it doesn't, an amp is certainly on the table, and it will be much easier to get quality results with the Stinger headunit in place than the OEM crap.

I'm not discouraging a head unit, I'm encouraging using an amp. I gave my reasons why.

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