C7, two head units
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,385
Likes: 85
From: San Diego CA.
C7, two head units
I’ve spent a lot of time building a system for my 19 C7 using the stock head unit. I failed. I used what I thought were decent parts. Big amp, separates, sub.Pac converter. Marginally better than stock. Screw it. I’m going for it. I took it to a shop and said go for it. I don’t care what it costs. I played him a song that I wanted him to blow me away with. He replaced all my parts. I now have the top 3 way speakers from Alpine. The top Rockford Frosgate 5 channel amp. DS18 Sub, which I’ve heard of it. It sounds great but still not quite what I’m looking for. I have a Pioneer head unit and CS Sounds or and an in-line alpine amp in my C300 Mercedes. Sounds unreal. Incredible. All cheap parts. So, what if I installed a single din Alpine head unit in the glove box or wherever just to handle the music? Completely separate from anything in the car? I know it’s the stock head unit holding my system back. I’m missing the highs and the deep base.
What do you all think? Crazy idea? Interesting idea? When I’m done, simply unplug the Alpine and reconnect to the stock unit. Thoughts? By the way, I paid the shop 3k.
What do you all think? Crazy idea? Interesting idea? When I’m done, simply unplug the Alpine and reconnect to the stock unit. Thoughts? By the way, I paid the shop 3k.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,847
Likes: 439
From: Spring Texas
If you spent $3K and not happy, then I say you picked the wrong shop and wasted your money. It is true that the HU in the C7 probably does not have the best sound quality, but there are many quality devices (DSP, Active LOC) that will enhance the signal enough to where replacing i tis not necessary. What interface did you use on this latest endeavor?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,385
Likes: 85
From: San Diego CA.
If you spent $3K and not happy, then I say you picked the wrong shop and wasted your money. It is true that the HU in the C7 probably does not have the best sound quality, but there are many quality devices (DSP, Active LOC) that will enhance the signal enough to where replacing i tis not necessary. What interface did you use on this latest endeavor?
Last edited by vetten76; Jun 7, 2023 at 11:57 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,847
Likes: 439
From: Spring Texas
Tell me about it. for 3k, I should be jumping for joy. He used the PAC converter that I had already installed. The audio parts are there. The Alpine tweeter is 3 inch. I need more highs. It’s a 3 way system. I know the dsp thing you’re talking about. It’s the box with all the white printing. I think you told me to go with the PAC. It was easier. I’ll look at that again. I actually bought an old school equalizer. Lol. It looks good on the shelve. You’ve helped me with my C5 and my C6. Now my C7! Thank you brother.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 369
Likes: 185
From: Live Free or Die
There are definitely devices designed specifically to try to improve the quality from a stock HU.
I swear I have seen some amps that will take a bluetooth connection directly. You could also just get a dedicated DAC, hook that up to the amp, and then connect to the DAC either wirelessly or even wired. That would bypass the HU completely and the newer bluetooth protocols can deliver good sound quality.
I swear I have seen some amps that will take a bluetooth connection directly. You could also just get a dedicated DAC, hook that up to the amp, and then connect to the DAC either wirelessly or even wired. That would bypass the HU completely and the newer bluetooth protocols can deliver good sound quality.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,385
Likes: 85
From: San Diego CA.
There are definitely devices designed specifically to try to improve the quality from a stock HU.
I swear I have seen some amps that will take a bluetooth connection directly. You could also just get a dedicated DAC, hook that up to the amp, and then connect to the DAC either wirelessly or even wired. That would bypass the HU completely and the newer bluetooth protocols can deliver good sound quality.
I swear I have seen some amps that will take a bluetooth connection directly. You could also just get a dedicated DAC, hook that up to the amp, and then connect to the DAC either wirelessly or even wired. That would bypass the HU completely and the newer bluetooth protocols can deliver good sound quality.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,385
Likes: 85
From: San Diego CA.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,385
Likes: 85
From: San Diego CA.
Well, my system is now complete. The audio guy installed an Audiocontrol Epicenter. It’s a digital bass restoration processor. What is it? Beats the hell out of me. It turns out, I thought I needed more base. I was wrong. I didn’t want base like in rap. I wanted base like in Mexican music, as he put it. I was misusing the term base. Now I have my hard hitting drums, not sub base that rattles the mirrors. Finally done. Now I’m installing my nitrous system, but that’s another post….
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