Alpine CDA-9856 vs Alpine CDA-9845 - Factor subs lost?

[udonoogen]

Howdy. I'm looking to upgrade from my 99 SLE's JBL system so I can jam with some MP3s/WMAs in the car. I am looking at the 9856 or 9845 right now. The only reason I'd want to get the 9856 over the 9845 is because it is darker and would match the dash better.

I noticed in Crutchfield's checkout that I would be losing my factory subs if I upgraded to an aftermarket unit. I know that aftermarket headunits usually result in better sound, but losing the subs (I believe they're the ones in the front doors) ... will the sound be ok?

Also ... I wasn't planning on upgrading anything else besides the head unit. But could I in theory replace the front subs with something relatively cheap so they're not just not a waste of space? Recommednations?

Budget (head unit) <$200
Speaker upgrades, if any <$100

Thanks!!

[Duffman]

First off, you don't have subs in the front. You have 5.25" component speakers in the bottom, with tweeters in the front. They're powered by the JBL amplifier, but they're not subwoofers.

Second, you will get better sound quality with a speaker upgrade than you will with a new head unit, and probably won't spend as much. Unfotunatey, "cheap" is a bad idea. It's a chore getting to the speakers in the front and rear, so if you're gonna do it, you might as well do it once and be over with it.

You will be removing the JBL amp - it's not a big issue - and you should have a plug-in there in the stereo hole to bypass the amplifier as well. I've got an Alpine CDA-9853 with Alpine Type R speakers in the front and rear. Even without the JBL amp, using my Alpine head unit, it sounds like I've got a sub. It's beautiful. I've even used the factory JBL stereo, without the amplifier, on my Alpine speakers (stereo caught fire, long story), and it sounded amazing.

[udonoogen]

if i don't get front speakers, the only ones that will work are the tweeters and the ones in the back, correct?

these are $40 and have decent reviews... opinions on this?
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-mJFEqDzhKQ ... 023PCXB542

cheers!

[DaTwUnKrAziEpInOy]

Not exactly... The front JBL speakers are called a component set. Which consist of a mid-range speaker and a seperate tweeter. They work as if you had a full range speaker like the one you were looking at from Crutchfield. Hope this helps. and I thought the front speakers are 6.5" ??

[Duffman]

DaTwUnKrAziEpInOy is correct, they are... technically, 6 3/4". My bad on that one.

If you don't swap out, you still use both speakers. The signal is split between the two speakers, separate from the stereo itself.

If you have a factory JBL system, you will want to get a component set of speakers, not coaxial like those Blaupunkts. Also, while Crutchfield is a great place to research products at, their prices are terrible. I recommend http://www.techronics.com/ - they've got good customer service, fast shipping and great prices. I've used them several times in the past and they've never disappointed.