Post-purchase Audio Upgrade...

[Bryman]

This is correct, and the factory amp is located under the driver's side kick panel in case anyone was wondering. You will notice there are 3 wire harnesses plugged into it. One has input control signals with very tiny wires, and the other 2 are speaker outputs with decently thick speaker wires, along with a remote and the power/ground wires.

I just finished installing a JBL MS-8 yesterday by using the output from the factory amp to drive the MS-8 input, then routed the MS-8 output back to the wires going to the speakers. I have full functionality with MFT/Sync. from everything I've tested by doing it this way. The active noise cancellation(ecoboost only) is a little more noticeable, so I think I'll need to pull the rear mic. to disable it. Something to keep in mind for ecoboost owners.

Hope that helps

Pics would be greatly appreciated! I am thinking of doing the same. Did you use the amp abilities of the MS-8 plus the OEM amp? Did you change speakers as well? How does it sound?

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[Stam616]

I'm getting the V6 with the base audio. I'm thinking I'll upgrade the speakers, possibly add a sub as they seem to be the easiest to do. I won't replace the head unit because I want my sync to work as well as my steering wheel controls. What speakers would you guys recommend? Sub? Nothing crazy expensive but something that will give me clear sound- not into heavy bass or thumping distortion lol

 

[ThirtyThreePointThree]

Pics would be greatly appreciated! I am thinking of doing the same. Did you use the amp abilities of the MS-8 plus the OEM amp? Did you change speakers as well? How does it sound?

Technically both, but I keep the EQ levels flat on the stock head unit settings and play with all of the controls on the MS-8.

Nope, haven't changed the speakers...yet. I'm looking into a pair of the Precision Performance P65.c3's

Once I calibrated everything just right and played with the tone/EQ settings, I got it to sound pretty good. Recording quality is obvious and, even with stock speakers, there's some elements of staging coming through. I can appreciate a good live recording much more, and now i just need a subwoofer!

Unfortunately, I didn't take any pictures of the installation, sorry :-/. You can just go look up under the drivers side kick panel for the amp. You should be able to see it even without the interior panels removed.

 

[JoeC1982]

I'm getting the V6 with the base audio. I'm thinking I'll upgrade the speakers, possibly add a sub as they seem to be the easiest to do. I won't replace the head unit because I want my sync to work as well as my steering wheel controls. What speakers would you guys recommend? Sub? Nothing crazy expensive but something that will give me clear sound- not into heavy bass or thumping distortion lol

Sundown Audio just released a new SDv3 10" sub thats meant for sealed boxes and is oriented for sound quality. The 12's will be coming soon also. It really just depends on what you want to spend, Audiomobile Elite and GTS subs are nice too. Mainstream brands like JL Audio, Alpine, Rockford Fosgate, etc are good options too.

Technically both, but I keep the EQ levels flat on the stock head unit settings and play with all of the controls on the MS-8.

Nope, haven't changed the speakers...yet. I'm looking into a pair of the Precision Performance P65.c3's

Once I calibrated everything just right and played with the tone/EQ settings, I got it to sound pretty good. Recording quality is obvious and, even with stock speakers, there's some elements of staging coming through. I can appreciate a good live recording much more, and now i just need a subwoofer!

Unfortunately, I didn't take any pictures of the installation, sorry :-/. You can just go look up under the drivers side kick panel for the amp. You should be able to see it even without the interior panels removed.

I'm heard good things about the new PPI components, a guy thats local to me won Nationals with them in his Nissan Titan.

JL Audio has a new OEM integration device coming out later this year, i'll probably wait and see how it looks before purchasing a DSP. Lots of cool stuff coming out this year, a new brand called OnCore has some really nice speakers and subs coming. Its from the founders of Image Dynamics.

 

[ThirtyThreePointThree]

Sundown Audio is pretty good hang for the buck. I've heard a pair of 10" sd2s in a sealed enclosure and they can really kick. SQ is great too, especially for what you pay.

Image dynamics I hear almost every day in a co workers car, great stuff there too.

I'll let you guys know what I think of the P65.c3s when I get them installed. (It's not a matter of if, but when lol)

 

[TheColorRed]

Sundown audio is being talked about everywhere.

They are pretty damn good.

But this one hardcore basshead tells me that DC audio sub are better than sundown. Check them out incase you never heard of them before like me.

 

[neozeric]

I am changing everything but the factory head unit. I would install the LOC in the front near the factory amp (GT premium), run RCAs to the amp in the trunk, then speaker wires back to the front to the factory speaker wiring. Is this correct?

 

[aggieStang]

I am changing everything but the factory head unit. I would install the LOC in the front near the factory amp (GT premium), run RCAs to the amp in the trunk, then speaker wires back to the front to the factory speaker wiring. Is this correct?

Thats how i plan on doing it.

 

[neozeric]

Thanks. DSP worth the extra few hundred over the LOC?

 

[Bryman]

I am changing everything but the factory head unit. I would install the LOC in the front near the factory amp (GT premium), run RCAs to the amp in the trunk, then speaker wires back to the front to the factory speaker wiring. Is this correct?

Is there any room to install the amp up front? Would you leave the factory amp inline?

 

[neozeric]

Is there any room to install the amp up front? Would you leave the factory amp inline?

Not too sure where I would put it? From what I read, in order to keep all factory integration, you have to tap in AFTER the factory amp....

 

[JimmyTwoTimes]

Your plan would be like upgrading from McDonald's to Wendy's. I think it would be a lot easier and cheaper to just swap in high quality audio components (Ruth's Chris) into the stock 6-speaker setup. The Shaker systems sound pretty good, but they are nowhere near the quality you can get from Alpine, JBL, Infinity, etc.

Ruth's Chris has terrible steaks. Bad anology.

 

[ThirtyThreePointThree]

Thanks. DSP worth the extra few hundred over the LOC?

I might start sounding like a fanboy after awhile, but I truly enjoy my JBL MS-8 now that I've had it a few days and have a subwoofer installed along with it. I haven't even replaced the factory speakers yet, and it sounds better than most sound systems I've heard with aftermarket speakers. Very clean signal coming out of it, and it would seriously be worth it if you plan to upgrade your speakers eventually. A speaker is only as good as the signal driving it. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Bryman]

I might start sounding like a fanboy after awhile, but I truly enjoy my JBL MS-8 now that I've had it a few days and have a subwoofer installed along with it. I haven't even replaced the factory speakers yet, and it sounds better than most sound systems I've heard with aftermarket speakers. Very clean signal coming out of it, and it would seriously be worth it if you plan to upgrade your speakers eventually. A speaker is only as good as the signal driving it. Just my 2 cents.

OK, now you're getting me all excited. Please post pics of your setup for us. :coolphotos:

 

[EricRN]

anyone install a aftermarket amp and have to go through the firewall? I am about to tackle this project today and am installing a 300watt RF amp and a JL slimline 8 sub. I have the eco basso with PP.

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