2013 Hyundai Accent, need audio upgrade. I'm clueless

[EliteRetard]

Stock audio system sounds terrible, like bad laptop speakers. No settings/adjustments seem to help, current volume limits would probably be OK if everything didn't sound like gargling mouthwash.

So I don't need a 10 kilowatt, 6 sub setup to blast the neighborhood with. I just want sound quality. I'd like to keep every function/feature I have, including the USB/AUX inputs (lower dash), steering wheel controls, Bluetooth (w/ my built in mic), etc. Don't need or want GPS or android anything (my phone is older than android)

I have no idea what would be required to maintain my factory features and still improve things. Will new speakers fix everything, or is it the stock radio that is dragging everything down? Or do I need to get a replacement for both? Can the stock radio even be replaced, it's like a giant plastic triangular shaped thing with a built in "screen".

I don't know anything about car audio or what costs are like, I'm probably willing to spend a few hundred...not thousands (might as well get another car then). I really don't want to damage/destroy anything in my car...so no serious modding. Carefully running a new wire along the old ones, installing a removable bracket/adapter to fit new parts would be fine. Cutting/bending chunks of metal, drilling new holes, I'm pretty much gonna say no.

I want to be able to go back to stock easily. I have, and want to keep, the factory warranty for another 9 years.

 

[NutBucket]

Start here:

www.crutchfield.com

Given the way Hyundai dashboards are integrated these days chances are you're not going to be able to replace the radio easily. Your best best is probably a small amplifier and new speakers all around.

I wouldn't worry too much about the warranty as far as an audio upgrade. Then again the Veloster seems to have an unusually high rate of radio/headunit failure.

 

[monkeydelmagico]

swapping out front door speakers is quick, easy, and best bang for buck upgrade. A decent 3 way replacement pair will run you less than $100.-

 

[EliteRetard]

Can you guys offer anything specific? I mean thanks for the link, but when I'm clueless giving me 50,000 options is a bit to much.

Amplifier, what/how? I don't even know what to ask about this.

Whats a 3 way? I definitely want front and rear upgrades, I pretty much cranked the rear to the max because I could barely hear it at all. I hate unbalanced sound.

How about wire, does the thickness/gauge make a difference in sound quality, how about length or shielding from EMI?

The stock radio unit does have some slight equalizer adjustment, and I do listen to a variety of music. It would be nice to actually be able to turn up and really hear/feel some bass if I want to play techno or something...then turn up treble for classical or jazz. Otherwise I'd like a fairly balanced sound at a default setting. I want a speaker that can be run pretty hard and last a long time. Nothing worse than speakers that blow out and get all static.

 

[z1ggy]

In my last car with horrible audio, I put in a new head unit, a mono amp and a 10'' sub. You might get lucky and find a specific brand that makes units just for your make and model car. I never bothered with door speakers but I imagine it would have made things even better.

For my Mazda3, everything is integrated as well, but there is a company who makes a direct replacement for the stock unit that integrates everything, too. It's pretty pricey, but it's really nice.

 

[SearchMaster]

Really you need to find some forums for your car and spend some time in the stereo/electronics section and see what people have to say.

Speakers are the easiest upgrade if you're comfortable removing the door panels. The problem with head units these days is that they are not a standard size and shape, so to make it work you end up having to buy a Metra dash kit (or similar) - sometimes they look good and sometimes they don't. The problem with not replacing the head unit is that auto manufacturers often "tailor" the sound for the equipment provided, so you don't get a flat signal from the head unit to the speakers. Replacing the speakers will help that muddled signal sound better but will not replace the missing information. There are other pieces of equipment that will actually help boost the muted frequencies and lower the boosted frequencies...

On my 1998 Accord (which DOES use a standard head unit size), simply replacing the head unit and adding a very cheap subwoofer made a huge difference. It would sound a lot better if I replaced the OEM speakers too but I was happy enough without doing so.

 

[monkeydelmagico]

Can you guys offer anything specific? I mean thanks for the link, but when I'm clueless giving me 50,000 options is a bit to much.

Amplifier, what/how? I don't even know what to ask about this.

Whats a 3 way? I definitely want front and rear upgrades, I pretty much cranked the rear to the max because I could barely hear it at all. I hate unbalanced sound.

How about wire, does the thickness/gauge make a difference in sound quality, how about length or shielding from EMI?

The stock radio unit does have some slight equalizer adjustment, and I do listen to a variety of music. It would be nice to actually be able to turn up and really hear/feel some bass if I want to play techno or something...then turn up treble for classical or jazz. Otherwise I'd like a fairly balanced sound at a default setting. I want a speaker that can be run pretty hard and last a long time. Nothing worse than speakers that blow out and get all static.

Try these: http://www.crutchfield.com/p_158GT1638F/Sony-XS-GT1638F.html?tp=105

Good ratings, 3-way, comes with the brackets you will need for install and instructions specific to your vehicle.

Until you amplify stock wiring will be fine. I'd wait on an amp and see if replacing the front speakers alone gives you the sound you are looking for.

 

[QueBert]

New speakers on your stock system will sound either HORRIBLE or nowhere near as good as they should. Some years back I had a car where replacing the head unit would require so much modding it wasn't even worth it. So I bought a $1,000 amp and good speakers. It sounded like absolute shit when I was done for how much I spent. JL Audio and a few other companies have audio processors that work with stock stereos, but they cost so much it would imho just be better to buy a new head unit. Unless, you're in my position and have a stereo where changing it out isn't really an option.

A few head unit even with your stock speakers will sound infinity better than new speakers on your stock stereo. I like Pioneer & Alpine. You don't have to break the bank with either. I have a higher end Pioneer 7" touch screen and it cost me like $400. I tossed an iPod Classic in my glove box and now I have 18k songs in my car. Sounds pretty good too. If your going stay stock + amp route this is the JL unit I'm talking about

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_136441...10745&awat=pla&awnw=g&awcr=47439113545&awdv=c

And if you go aftermarket head unit make sure you look into the steering wheel module you get. I let a local car stereo shop handle that, I mean they're huge and have been in business for like 30 years so they have to know what they're doing. Whichever one they installed, the volume & mute work but the next/previous buttons don't. Which is super annoying

 

[NutBucket]

One must be realistic. Yes, OEM HUs typically have crappy eq curves designed to prevent distortion of crappy OEM speakers. Adding an amp and speakers will help but short of a signal processor it will not sound as good as a full aftermarket setup.

According to Crutchfield you can replace the OEM HU. A new HU and decent set of speakers should do the trick without breaking the bank. I'm say Eclipse pulled out of the US market though. They were my favorite for no-frills but excellent sounding HUs.

 

[Midwayman]

Most cars seem to be severely under amped. Adding an amp or upgrading the head unit can do wonders on many cars. Trouble with HU replacement is there is so much integration and non-standard HU fitments these days. For the pics I googled you have all the above issues with HU replacement. Sometimes there isn't even a standard DIN chassis underneath. I'd start with the amp and then look into speakers if you still want more. More than likely you'll need that amp anyways once you do speakers.

 

[EliteRetard]

Thanks for everything so far.

I'm absorbing, processing, and deciding on information.