upgrade just speakers

[shahram72]

abandoned my center channel in my audio build, not worth messing with it

Having it in my Acura RL, I would never do without it if my car came with one. Shame that car surround went away. It's simply awesome. 5.1 in the Mustang seems impossible with the stock stereo.

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[ForTehNguyen]

issue is unless you have a 5.1 source, its just fake surround sound. RL tech package might have had that with DVD-A. Otherwise 99% of stuff people listen to is stereo and a center channel is just fill. Anyways I only had 8 channels to work with on my setup and all were taken

 

[jdoug]

A good center channel really helps with keeping the image planted in the middle of the car instead of hearing just the door speakers that are next to you, IMO. Yes it's also a "fake" center, but it really helps with the imaging.

 

[shahram72]

Both of the last two posts are correct. Yes, in my Acura it plays both DVD-A and DTS CD's. Amazing... You can't do it in the Mustang unless you add some serious components. You would have to have the stock stereo play into a separate processor that you also have another source for, and it would just be too messy. But I would be happy to just get an EQ'ed and time corrected stereo front stage. I never knew what that was before I owned my Acura.

 

[Tribefan]

Just picked it up. Sounds very good! Makes the 400A stereo tolerable. I'll post pics later.

One other question I just thought of: do you have any issues with rattling with this sub installed? If so, did you sound deaden anything and did it eliminate the issue?

 

[Xantom]

One other question I just thought of: do you have any issues with rattling with this sub installed? If so, did you sound deaden anything and did it eliminate the issue?

I stored the car shortly after this was installed so I haven't noticed anything out of the ordinary. That being said, I am 43 and had my first set of subs in 1991. I can't think of one car, that I have put subs in, over the last 25 years that didn't have some kind of rattle. Nothing constant but there always seems to be that one frequency that will always make something rattle. That includes the car interiors I gutted and dynamatted everything. I have no plans to install sound deadening for a $200 powered sub. If you do that's fine. The sound benefits greatly out weigh the minor rattles IMO.

 

[Evolvd]

im assuming without looking that the sub in the trunk is still a 10"??

It's an 8"

 

[watchdog]

I replaced the back deck speakers first with the hope it would add some bass and add volume from the rear to center the entire sound stage. The JBL GTO 629s helped, but could not overcome all of the weakness of the 9 speaker system. I then added the Rockford Fosgate P300-10 self powered sub. That did the trick. System sounds great. I did not touch the front door speakers and I am satisfied with the way everything sounds.

If you are looking to get most bang for your buck, I would add the sub first. Mine was $165 and that had the greatest effect on the overall sound quality. Once that is done, you may decide you don't need to replace the stock speakers. Now the stock speakers are paper and plastic crap. Ford should be embarrassed to call it a premium sound system with that junk installed. Once you give the system the low end it needs, you may be able to live with the junk. If not then replace the speakers

I had the 401a in my 2015 and now have the 400a in my 2016. I added a slim box 12" kicker with a MTX 300 rms 2 ohm mono amp. I had thought about replacing the door speakers but the sub I added made a huge difference and sounds way way better than the crappy sub I had in the 401a. If you like good bass start with adding a good sub and combo with a level control. I am considering replacing tweets a d mid in door, but for now I am good

 

[Bartly]

I'm sure this info has to be in here, but I missed it, hopefully someone can give me direction. I have a base model. Curious on two things.
1. Can I add a sub/amp to my rear without using one of those line controllers or whatever they are called? You know just connect my amps inputs to the rear speaker wires without a controller. Sorry naive never heard of this type of device until now.
2. Related question, if I put new speakers in the door and possibly new tweaker a in the channel, can I expect better sound? If I did want to introduce an amp up front, would I have to install one of those controllers before the front amp as well?
I think it all relates to the same question, confused if the Base model has a built in amp and if not how many watts are going to the stock speakers?
I guess that's really three questions. I keep reading info on the Premium stereos and it's got me mixed up on how the Base system is configured.
Thanks hopefully.

 

[Evolvd]

You could run a sub off the stick wires but only if you amp has inputs for it. The problem lies in your sub will be a full range speaker and won't sound very good. The line out converter will help this problem.

 

[Xantom]

I'm sure this info has to be in here, but I missed it, hopefully someone can give me direction. I have a base model. Curious on two things.
1. Can I add a sub/amp to my rear without using one of those line controllers or whatever they are called? You know just connect my amps inputs to the rear speaker wires without a controller. Sorry naive never heard of this type of device until now.

You will need an amp that takes speaker wire inputs for the sub/amp. You will also need an amp that has a built in cross over to filter out mid and high frequencies. Line out converters take your speaker wire as input and output to RCA's. You can then use RCA cables to go from the converter to the amp that only takes RCA inputs. Some line out converters have built in crossovers like this.

2. Related question, if I put new speakers in the door and possibly new tweaker a in the channel, can I expect better sound? If I did want to introduce an amp up front, would I have to install one of those controllers before the front amp as well?
I think it all relates to the same question, confused if the Base model has a built in amp and if not how many watts are going to the stock speakers?
I guess that's really three questions. I keep reading info on the Premium stereos and it's got me mixed up on how the Base system is configured.
Thanks hopefully.

You should expect better sound yes. It would have to be a pretty awful speaker to not sound better than the stock speakers. I assume you are asking about component speakers up front? It will depend on your amp/speakers you pick out. You might be able to get by without it.

Hope that helps.

 

[chuck5330]

im assuming without looking that the sub in the trunk is still a 10"??

this is what i'm thinking for an upgrade on my vert.

front door and tweeters - http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_9109_Polk-Audio-db6501.html
front door mids - http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_9123_Polk-Audio-db351.html

rear side panels (normally the deck for you fastback guys) - http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_9111_Polk-Audio-db651.html


then I guess some polyfill for the subwoofer until i decide what's best to replace it with stock....

I went the full route on my '13 GT, was a Shaker Pro car and upgraded everything including the deck, and had aftermarket everything, and while it was awesome, i want to upgrade the speakers first before tearing anything else out, and when the money tree is ripe again work in aftermarket amps for the speakers to work w/ the stock Sync 3 system.

I like your choices as I initially wanted to use the same setup. ( I too have a vert-15 model). After searching and not find much of anything for a vert, I am leaning towards Hertz HKS 163 setup. A component 3-way for the front end. Still thinking about replacing the center with a Polk Audio 3.5. I know most say don't bother, but I like my center speaker for fill and want to bring out the highs a little cleaner. I like the shaker pro system, plenty of power, just want the crisp-ness and highs to sound a little cleaner. Cannot seem to find a how-to on removing the A-pillar covers on a vert though. The search continues.....

 

[Gdyup50]

I upgraded all 4 6.5's and added an 8" powered sub, and it's perfect for what I wanted

 

[mumbles]

A good center channel really helps with keeping the image planted in the middle of the car instead of hearing just the door speakers that are next to you, IMO. Yes it's also a "fake" center, but it really helps with the imaging.

I agree, but if you use a DSP with time alignment, you can accomplish the same thing... just a little more work

 

[mumbles]

Cannot seem to find a how-to on removing the A-pillar covers on a vert though. The search continues.....

From everything I've heard, they should just pop off... start prying at the top and work your way down.

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