I'd like to spend a little money on sound quality, but retain the 500 head unit for stock lookage. I know the best increase would come with an aftermarket HU, but keeping the stocker's the plan.

Therefore: What would be a good setup? I'd like more clarity through the midrange, and I really prefer smooth high-end over bright or metallic tweeters. Replacing the door subs to boost the low-range is a must.

I'm a total car audio noob -- can anyone recommend replacements for the rear deck/doors and subs, given these priorities?

Also, I notice what looks like a speaker harness dangling where the Shaker 1000 subs would go. I have an `05. I've been meaning to go multimeter it and see if any power's coming through it, but I thought I'd ask you gents: Can this be used for a trunk-located amp/sub setup?

Thanks!

 

go to crutchfield.com and put in your cars info and it will give you a wide range of speakers with good prices and they all come with installation harnesses so you do not have to cut into the factory wires and connectors BUT the door subs is a DIY cause no one really makes a sub and harness that is made for the door area

 

Well since I have SHR door handles coming and have to remove the door panels I thought I would upgrade speakers at the same time.

I just ordered 4 Infinity Kappa 682.7cfs. Crutchfield says they will only fit the rear however, afer reading many posts they will fit the front doors as well. Also, Amazon has these much cheaper (half the price) than Crutchfield and you can buy the speaker harnesses ($10.00-$12.00) so you don't have to splice wires. These can be purchased from Circuit City or online. This way you can get Infinitys over say Pioneers for not much more $$$.

I'll post back with results. I'm thinking these speakers complimented by the stock subs will sound much better than OEM speakers. I too am keeping the stock 500 head unit for now and will probably upgrade to Pioneer Avic-D3 later. Either way the speakers will be ready. I just wish someone would make a sub speaker that fits without mods to replace the OEM subs.

 

Thanks all! Maybe I'll use the Crutchfield system to design what I need and then just hunt the speakers down on ebay/amazon/etc.

Anyone retained the stock door subs and just thrown in a decent setup in the trunk? If the door subs are going to be a major hassle, I might as well go about it that way.

 

The one other thing Crutchfield gives you for the price in addition to the wiring harnesses is installation instructions. I wouldn't have had a clue on what to remove first to get the door panels off without their instructions.

The Ford service manuals probably give instructions on door panel removal/installation as well, so this may not be a huge issue. I personally felt Crutchfield's price, including the harnesses and instructions, was pretty fair. If you don't need the instructions and you can get the harnesses and speakers cheaper elsewhere, then that's the way you should go.

 

Already paid (way too much) for a service manual, so no worries there -- I'm reasonably confident I can get the door trim off without exploding everything (although I'm always terrified of messing with trim, rattle rattle). If I hadn't bought that manual, I'd probably be going with Crutchfield for that reason!

Having searched fruitlessly for an easy replacement for the door subs, I ask: Anyone have stories they can share of just powering the stock 8"ers with a decent aftermarket amp? I can find mentions of it being a decent stopgap, but no amp/wiring suggestions.

 

You can also go to the SHR site and look up the door panel removal instructions. While you are there purchase some of the door handles (or really anything else) as they are awesome. I got my 4 Kappa speakers for about 159 on Amazon. Crutchfield wanted 129 for a set.

 

Yes, Crutchfield is a definite no-go for this operation -- everything that somewhat justifies their price I've already got. Right now, I'm waiting to hear back on combined shipping from a couple of sellers, and whoever's got the best total price wins!

Still curious as to the door subs, though. Anyone feel like posting their setups? I'm especially interested in seeing aftermarket amps driving the stockers, and how that should be wired, etc. I'm not a bass addict, so that setup might hold me over for a long while, but new door subs are definitely in my future...

Thanks again for all the replies, gents!

 

I just picked a pair of JL Audio 5-7 speakers for the inside. I picked them up for 200 for the pair. Right now i am using my stock subs with a pioneer bt790 hu.The installer i went to was able to wire up factory amps to the new head unit. Wow what a difference this made. With the speaker change it should sound better.

i would try techronics.com they have some real good prices.

 

I still recommend the head unit as the first upgrade. The factory amps/speakers aren't that bad, really. That head is atrocious. It can't drive the amps to full output, and it has equalization built into the unit which accentuates the midbass region, leaving the midtange muddy and the bass lacking. Also, the reliability is terrible. The best upgrade I did on mine was putting in a cheaper Panasonic head unit (clearance from Crutchfield). It works great, but I still will change to a DDIN unit when I find a good deal on what I want.

 

I just installed the rear speakers (Infinity Kappas) and they do indeed make a noticable difference for the overall sound quality. Especially with vocals and clarity. They do not have much for bass but I didn't expect they would. The stock woofers actually compliment the new speakers pretty well. I have not installed the front ones as I have not recieved my door handles from SHR yet. When I do I'll change out the front speakers with the same Infinitys while I'm changing out the handles. I have a feeling that the fronts will be a significant improvement over stock. I used ford harness adapters from Circuit City and it was all plug and play. As mentioned in other posts the hex head screws holding in the rear speakers were some what of a pain in the behind to remove and replace. Take your time or you will scratch your rear window if not careful. I do think that once I replace the head unit (I'm thinking the AVIC D3 or the stock Nav unit) the speakers will be driven to thier true potential. In the mean time they make a good improvement over stock.

One more note on the Kappas...use the crossovers provided. Speakers sounded good without those being hooked up...sound much better with them hooked up.

 

What was the company you got the speaker harness from? Were they metra ? I had gone to circuit city to get mine but the installer was not sure of the plug. He says they can differ. If that is the case then what color is the postive and negative on the ford harness.

 

I used the Ford generic Metra harness....worked like a champ.

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Metra...oductDetail.do

 

i just replaced the front 2 speakers and the SHR door handles. With the addition of the new Infinitys the sound is clear and crisp although it is apparent that I need to get a powered sub as the bass is lacking badly. The 4 Infinitys have overpowered the weak subwoofers in the doors.

Now onto the bass. Any good ideas of how to increase the bass with the stock head unit? I will upgrade the head unit later but I want more bass now.

 

Replace the hu with a new one. The new hu should have 4v pre outs which will make all the difference in the world. I just put my jl speakers in today and they sound great with the factory amps. I have my subwoofer out hooked up to the dooor subs. I can control the lp signal through the hu.I have the pioneer bt 790 premier.

 

....

 

8.75" OD
3.5" depth
NARROW motor structure

I'll get more measurements when I'm home and have them in hand.

 

Just heard about the JL CleanSweep integrator, allows speaker/amplifier subsystems while retaining the stock head unit. Not sure if it works with the Shakers but might be worth a look if a serious audio upgrade is in the works.

 

It does work, but the Shaker head unit is very unreliable. If you're lucky enough to have one that works well, the Clean Sweep will do, but have you seen the price of it?!?!?! The Rockford 360.2 and the MTX unit are very similar, as is the JBL, but they're all very pricey- to the point you may as well purchase a head unit.

 

Thanks for that harness info... ya saved me some hunting.
Now, I just need to find the speakers that will fit. I want a 2 way system, and I was hoping to get something adjustable... I'm picky about the high/mid/low blend, especially since the stock Shaker 1000 HU has lame tone control. I'm not swapping out the HU.

I liked the JL Audios:

http://mobile.jlaudio.com/products_c...hp?comp_id=117

...but I think the protruding tweeter is not gonna work. They make a two-piece, but I wanted to retain the stock look, etc...

Any ideas, anyone? I like loud, but S M O O T H is WAY more important to me. I've had good luck with Boston and (yes) Pioneer in the past. I listen to rock, mostly. Crunchy guitars don't sound right to me through 3 ways, titanium tweeters, etc. Silk dome tweeter-equipped 2 ways are my usual faves, but I haven't bought speakers in a long time.


Jer