Hey. I am new to car audio. I have an 2003 F-150 Supercrew (4 door) that I would like to use to put a system into. Currently, I have nothing. I am budgeting about $1500, give or take a couple hundred. I would like to keep the factory deck, if possible, but I need everything else. I want good quality and big sound w/o taking away from passenger room. I don't know many terms or advantages and disadvantages of some components. What do any of you suggest? or should I not even try with a truck? Thanks.
Replies (7)
Swez on 09/24/2003 19:26:37
Not sure if that is a standard Ford HU (deck) or it may have amplifiers outside the HU to be concerned with. If this is a typical Ford HU, some of the best things you can do to improve SQ is swap out the stock speakers for better full range Comps and/or Coaxials.
If you desire more power than the stock HU has now, adding a decent 4 channel amp to power the present or new speakers is certainly an option. Something in the 50-75 watts RMS x 4 channels would be a good option.
If you want to add some bass, a little more involved as the rear seats (if used) will be a hinderance to installing a large sub enclosure. There is some degree of space under the rear seats and a custom enclosure may be possible here. MTX thunderforms or Q-Logic have options to give you a nice fit and finish like OEM installs.
Say more about what you wish to do and we can walk you through the options and steps.
1. http://www.thezeb.com/caraudio/q-logic_q-customs_enclosures.html
2. http://www.crutchfield.com/cgi-bin/S-f8MaEZyLULL/ProdView.asp?s=0&c=10&g=530&I=236FSC10C&o=m&a=0&cc=01&avf=N
3. http://www.crutchfield.com/cgi-bin/S-f8MaEZyLULL/ProdView.asp?s=0&c=10&g=530&I=236F2XP16C&o=m&a=0&cc=01&avf=N
Swez
CCaccord91 on 09/24/2003 21:02:08
As far as getting better SQ, i would also recommend some new speakers. Like Swez said, getting a four channel amp is almost a must when trying to get a good (loud) clean sound from aftermarket speakers. One option you might try is a 6- channel amplifier, this will power the 2 pairs of speakers and a sub. If any one knows anything negative about 6 channel amps, I would like to know ;-). I reccomend Infinity speakers (refrence series) i found they are less harsh in the high frequencies and higher volumes than say Alpine and Polk speakers. Also, Speaker size has a lot to do with the kinds of frequencies most present. The Fords use
5x7's i believe. Better than 3 1/2 inch definately. OBCON ( see www.sounddomain.com) also has some boxes that integrate into factory locations to save space. Not sure about the F 150 though,
Qlogic makes good boxes
1) http://www.sounddomain.com/sku/QLCQLC1FFX11001
Dont forget to plan for installation and the wiring (power, signal, speakers) as you budget your system.
ttocs on 09/24/2003 23:20:14
you can put 6.5" speakers in there with a little work, and no modifications to the truck. The new shop I am sidelining at is big on jl. They have an option to take high level(speaker level) inputs through the rca inputs. We just cut one end off and wire them in behind the amp. I have been very suprised the the quality that comes out of factory radios. There is one in now that we are putting a 5 channel into, using the stock radio. It will be finished tommorow, I'll let you know how it sounds.
DP on 09/25/2003 00:39:04
Thanks for your inputs. Yeah, I found that the factory sound system for this truck is pretty good too. I have seen some specialty boxes and I will look into them a little more. I will also check some of the other things you mentioned. Thanks.
DP on 09/28/2003 15:55:21
I have a couple questions about speakers. What is the advantage of comp. speakers rather than 2-ways/3-ways and plate speakers? I have done a little research, comparing the three types of speakers using JBL. It seems like the only advantage of comp. systems is the better frequency response. Most of the comp. systems had worse power range and power handling, and some even had worse sensitivity. I did read, however, that comp. speakers could improve bass. Is this true? It would be great if it were true cause then I could make up some bass with comp. speakers since I will probably only fit two 8" or one 10" sub(s) in my vehicle. I can probably fit 6x8" 3-ways, but probably only 5 1/4" comp. speakers. Do you recommend comp. speakers, using my factory head unit, or at all? Are they worth the $ ?, or should I just get good 3-way speakers?
What do you think of JBL anyways?
If you find that I could fit two 10" subs in the F-150, could somebody please tell me.
Hope u can answer my many questions! Thanks again!
DP
ttocs on 09/28/2003 22:47:45
componants generally do give a little more bass. Jl makes a stealth box for 2 - 10" I believe. It goes under the seat. You can easily fit 6.5" in the doors, without doing any cutting on the truck. I can make you the baffle if you want....
Swez on 09/29/2003 09:39:19
Quality Comps can make a big difference in SQ if you have adequate power to run them. One pair I have been pointing guys to and am getting very good feedback on how they like them are:
http://www.thezeb.com/caraudio/specials_speakers.html
http://www.cdtaudio.com/classic2000MidDriv.htm
The CDT Classic series can take power too... 90 watts RMS and they can go down to 60 Hz pretty well in most applications. That's great for midbass frequencies and the soft dome tweeters are very natural sounding as well. Metal domes can be overly bright to harsh and very unatural. These Comps have a very high efficiency rating of 92db. (not sure if that is at 1 watt input or other)
About JBL, they do make some very good car audio amps, but I really don't know much about their car speakers and subs. Am sure they are much better than stock, but if you want power and high SQ, the GTi series will deliver this at a hefty price tag.
Plate speakers are a nice option over coaxials as there are usually better speakers and crossovers used. Some plates even offer swivel tweeters to adjust the aiming point just as better Comps do. The only drawback, they tend to use small midrange drivers that cannot deliver much low end. They would be best filtered with bass blocking caps to handle frequencies above 150-300 Hz.
As for subs, the JL stealth enclosure is a very nice option. A quality product! MTX thunderforms are another option as are the Q-Logic custom enclosures.
Swez
Replies (7)
Swez on 09/24/2003 19:26:37
Not sure if that is a standard Ford HU (deck) or it may have amplifiers outside the HU to be concerned with. If this is a typical Ford HU, some of the best things you can do to improve SQ is swap out the stock speakers for better full range Comps and/or Coaxials.
If you desire more power than the stock HU has now, adding a decent 4 channel amp to power the present or new speakers is certainly an option. Something in the 50-75 watts RMS x 4 channels would be a good option.
If you want to add some bass, a little more involved as the rear seats (if used) will be a hinderance to installing a large sub enclosure. There is some degree of space under the rear seats and a custom enclosure may be possible here. MTX thunderforms or Q-Logic have options to give you a nice fit and finish like OEM installs.
Say more about what you wish to do and we can walk you through the options and steps.
1. http://www.thezeb.com/caraudio/q-logic_q-customs_enclosures.html
2. http://www.crutchfield.com/cgi-bin/S-f8MaEZyLULL/ProdView.asp?s=0&c=10&g=530&I=236FSC10C&o=m&a=0&cc=01&avf=N
3. http://www.crutchfield.com/cgi-bin/S-f8MaEZyLULL/ProdView.asp?s=0&c=10&g=530&I=236F2XP16C&o=m&a=0&cc=01&avf=N
Swez
CCaccord91 on 09/24/2003 21:02:08
As far as getting better SQ, i would also recommend some new speakers. Like Swez said, getting a four channel amp is almost a must when trying to get a good (loud) clean sound from aftermarket speakers. One option you might try is a 6- channel amplifier, this will power the 2 pairs of speakers and a sub. If any one knows anything negative about 6 channel amps, I would like to know ;-). I reccomend Infinity speakers (refrence series) i found they are less harsh in the high frequencies and higher volumes than say Alpine and Polk speakers. Also, Speaker size has a lot to do with the kinds of frequencies most present. The Fords use
5x7's i believe. Better than 3 1/2 inch definately. OBCON ( see www.sounddomain.com) also has some boxes that integrate into factory locations to save space. Not sure about the F 150 though,
Qlogic makes good boxes
1) http://www.sounddomain.com/sku/QLCQLC1FFX11001
Dont forget to plan for installation and the wiring (power, signal, speakers) as you budget your system.
ttocs on 09/24/2003 23:20:14
you can put 6.5" speakers in there with a little work, and no modifications to the truck. The new shop I am sidelining at is big on jl. They have an option to take high level(speaker level) inputs through the rca inputs. We just cut one end off and wire them in behind the amp. I have been very suprised the the quality that comes out of factory radios. There is one in now that we are putting a 5 channel into, using the stock radio. It will be finished tommorow, I'll let you know how it sounds.
DP on 09/25/2003 00:39:04
Thanks for your inputs. Yeah, I found that the factory sound system for this truck is pretty good too. I have seen some specialty boxes and I will look into them a little more. I will also check some of the other things you mentioned. Thanks.
DP on 09/28/2003 15:55:21
I have a couple questions about speakers. What is the advantage of comp. speakers rather than 2-ways/3-ways and plate speakers? I have done a little research, comparing the three types of speakers using JBL. It seems like the only advantage of comp. systems is the better frequency response. Most of the comp. systems had worse power range and power handling, and some even had worse sensitivity. I did read, however, that comp. speakers could improve bass. Is this true? It would be great if it were true cause then I could make up some bass with comp. speakers since I will probably only fit two 8" or one 10" sub(s) in my vehicle. I can probably fit 6x8" 3-ways, but probably only 5 1/4" comp. speakers. Do you recommend comp. speakers, using my factory head unit, or at all? Are they worth the $ ?, or should I just get good 3-way speakers?
What do you think of JBL anyways?
If you find that I could fit two 10" subs in the F-150, could somebody please tell me.
Hope u can answer my many questions! Thanks again!
DP
ttocs on 09/28/2003 22:47:45
componants generally do give a little more bass. Jl makes a stealth box for 2 - 10" I believe. It goes under the seat. You can easily fit 6.5" in the doors, without doing any cutting on the truck. I can make you the baffle if you want....
Swez on 09/29/2003 09:39:19
Quality Comps can make a big difference in SQ if you have adequate power to run them. One pair I have been pointing guys to and am getting very good feedback on how they like them are:
http://www.thezeb.com/caraudio/specials_speakers.html
http://www.cdtaudio.com/classic2000MidDriv.htm
The CDT Classic series can take power too... 90 watts RMS and they can go down to 60 Hz pretty well in most applications. That's great for midbass frequencies and the soft dome tweeters are very natural sounding as well. Metal domes can be overly bright to harsh and very unatural. These Comps have a very high efficiency rating of 92db. (not sure if that is at 1 watt input or other)
About JBL, they do make some very good car audio amps, but I really don't know much about their car speakers and subs. Am sure they are much better than stock, but if you want power and high SQ, the GTi series will deliver this at a hefty price tag.
Plate speakers are a nice option over coaxials as there are usually better speakers and crossovers used. Some plates even offer swivel tweeters to adjust the aiming point just as better Comps do. The only drawback, they tend to use small midrange drivers that cannot deliver much low end. They would be best filtered with bass blocking caps to handle frequencies above 150-300 Hz.
As for subs, the JL stealth enclosure is a very nice option. A quality product! MTX thunderforms are another option as are the Q-Logic custom enclosures.
Swez
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