Speaker / headunit Upgrade

[2007AWD]

Couple questions about adding in new speakers since the stock ones really sound bad

 

i know how to hook up a sub and all that just not sure how all the watt and power works as far as not having enough power to run speakers.... and i dont wanna run a huge amp in the trunk but know theres mini 300 watt amps that you can use that are half the size of normal amps. i wanna tuck a little amp up by your feet on the drivers/pass side just not sure how it would be done running through your stock head unit ( if its even worthy of using if adding upgraded speakers)

whats the stock headunit wattage on my car? its a 07 se awd, not premium sound

 

my question is how do you power door speakers with a external amp running off the stock head unit? or do you not need to use a amp ?

 

im looking at i dont want something thats ridiculously loud just something thats mid grade and sounds good.

 

what would you recommend?

 

i know the mechanics of cars just car audio is a weak subject for me. thanks a ton!

[akirby]

Couple questions about adding in new speakers since the stock ones really sound bad

 

i know how to hook up a sub and all that just not sure how all the watt and power works as far as not having enough power to run speakers.... and i dont wanna run a huge amp in the trunk but know theres mini 300 watt amps that you can use that are half the size of normal amps. i wanna tuck a little amp up by your feet on the drivers/pass side just not sure how it would be done running through your stock head unit ( if its even worthy of using if adding upgraded speakers)

whats the stock headunit wattage on my car? its a 07 se awd, not premium sound

 

my question is how do you power door speakers with a external amp running off the stock head unit? or do you not need to use a amp ?

 

im looking at i dont want something thats ridiculously loud just something thats mid grade and sounds good.

 

what would you recommend?

 

i know the mechanics of cars just car audio is a weak subject for me. thanks a ton!

 

Try just upgrading the door speakers first - that makes a bigger difference than you might think and it's easy. Crutchfield will give you the entire kit with instructions for removing the door panels and wiring adapters so everything is plug and play. They'll also show you what will fit your vehicle. Infinity and Polk Audio are highly recommended.

 

If you want more bass then add a sub to the trunk or rear deck. You'll need a sub amp that takes speaker level inputs and you'll have to tap into the rear speakers for that.

 

If you want to add an external amp to the door speakers then you would take the speaker outputs from the rear of the radio, redirect them to the new amp (using speaker level inputs on the amp), then take the amp outputs back to the speaker wires on the rear of the radio. So where the OEM wires go from the head unit directly to the speaker they'll now go from the head unit to the amp and then to the speakers. Doing it this way eliminates having to run new wires to the speakers. Crutchfield should have instructions on that, too and may even have a wiring harness/adapter that prevents you from having to cut and splice wires.

 

But try the speaker upgrades first. That may be enough.

[escort2fusion]

Try just upgrading the door speakers first - that makes a bigger difference than you might think and it's easy. Crutchfield will give you the entire kit with instructions for removing the door panels and wiring adapters so everything is plug and play. They'll also show you what will fit your vehicle. Infinity and Polk Audio are highly recommended.

 

If you want more bass then add a sub to the trunk or rear deck. You'll need a sub amp that takes speaker level inputs and you'll have to tap into the rear speakers for that.

 

If you want to add an external amp to the door speakers then you would take the speaker outputs from the rear of the radio, redirect them to the new amp (using speaker level inputs on the amp), then take the amp outputs back to the speaker wires on the rear of the radio. So where the OEM wires go from the head unit directly to the speaker they'll now go from the head unit to the amp and then to the speakers. Doing it this way eliminates having to run new wires to the speakers. Crutchfield should have instructions on that, too and may even have a wiring harness/adapter that prevents you from having to cut and splice wires.

 

But try the speaker upgrades first. That may be enough.

 

akirby,

 

How do you run the subs off the rear speakers? I want a quick and easy setup and, I know it's probably better if I don't but, I want to keep the factory head unit just cause its built in and buying the adapter and all that makes it look cheap. I am thinking there is something I am missing or read wrong. Please let me know, thanks.

[FusionFanatic]

the cheapest way to hook up a sub to the factory HU/speakers is to use an amp with speaker level (high-level) inputs. you simply connect the speaker level inputs to the factory speaker wires. if your amp doesn't have speaker-level inputs, then you'll need to buy a line/low-level output converter (LOC).

 

unfortunately, neither of those option will sound good due to the factory head unit's EQ curve. like most stock radios, the Fusion/Milan stock "premuim" (visteon) radio lowers the bass output as you raise the master volume. they do this to compensate for the underpowered internal amplifier and to protect the cheap speakers from blowing.

 

to correct this you'll need a bass restoration module like the MTX re-Q. for good, clean, balanced sound all around you'll need a factory sound processor like the JL Audio cleansweep or the RF 3Sixty. it can easily cost more to get good sound out of the factory HU than it would cost to simply replace (upgrade) it, but it can be done.

 

IMO, the factory standard/premium (both visteon) radios are very cheap looking with the giant buttons and the small fixed-digit green display. a nice double-DIN aftermarket radio will look much better and will give you full EQ control and more powerful, balanced sound without the need to buy the extra sound processing equipment.

 

whatever you decide to do... good luck :)

[jeff69r21]

Unfortunately upgrading factory stereos can be a little tricky but it is not to difficult to do. I have worked at a car and home audio shop for over 8 years now and have had extensive experience with this situation. Here are some things that might help!!!

 

Factory speakers: They sound relatively decent with very good bass response. When you compare them to cheap aftermarket products I would choose the factory, but once you start comparing them to mid to high end speakers will out perform and will sound way better.

 

Factory head units: Most have an amplifier rating of 22 watts rms but they are using a very cheap sounding amplifier in them. Aftermarket head units will give you more power, but still use the same amplifier technology that the factory head units use.

 

Since you are wanting to keep the stock head unit here are your options:

 

Replace the Speakers: This can be easily done and is not very expensive. My suggestion is not to find the cheapiest speakers and put them in. Aftermarket speakers will easily make it sound better but you may lose a little bit of deep bass response. Most of the loss is caused by the speaker being designed to sound good and to do that companies have to limit how deep the speakers will play. The Infinity Reference line of speakers sound really good and pretty affordable depending on your budget. Infinity also make the Kappa line of speakers which sound even better but are much more expensive. I prefer high end speakers and I am planning on putting Focal speakers in my car but there arent alot of people that want to spend that much money!

 

Add an amplifier: Amplifiers will increase the sound performance of any speaker even the factory ones. You can buy an amplifier with speaker level inputs or you can use a line level converter to feed your amp. Either way you go the amp will out perform the head unit. The down side is that speaker level inputs will not be as clean sounding as an aftermarket head units RCA outputs which will inturn not let you get the full use of the amplifier. A easy fix to that is use a line level converter to convert to RCA's and the run the RCA's to some sort of crossover or small eq. What this will do is let the crossover or eq clean the sound and boost the voltage output of the RCA's then when it gets to the amplifier it will make it sound even better. I am sure if you keep searching you can find an amplifier that will fit under the seat I used a Cadence amp in my Jeep and fit under the rear sit where the factory amp was located. Keep in mind that amplifiers for subs are different from amplifiers for regular speakers. You will have to find an amplifier that has a clear sound because of the range of sound it will cover with subs clearity is not as big of issue.

 

Adding a sub: This is something that can be easily done to add bass. You can use the same tricks with the line level converter and eq or crossover to feed the amp. If you add a sub you open up your options even more because you can use a two amp system and a crossover to make it sound even better. The advantage to the crossover at this point would be to separate the frequency to each amp and most crossovers come with bass remote comtrol to let you adjust the bass up front. Or you can go with a 5 channel amp to power all your speakers.

 

Alot of this all depends on what you like to listen to and at what volume you like. I hope i didnt make it to confusing!!!! If you have an questions feel free to ask me and I will help you in any way I can.

 

Jeff

[bigboyd4]

The first thing I did was get rid of the full range factory speakers in the doors, and upgraded the tweeters in the front door pillars, all Pioneer. This took me from 2 tweeters to 6 (plus 4 supertweeters). Those speakers are hooked to a 600 watt 4 channel Audiobahn amp. I kept the 6x9 subs in the rear deck. They're the only speakers in the car with a separate amp from the factory, all others ran off the factory HU (not nearly enough power for good clear crisp sound). I also added 1 12" Pioneer sub that's mated with an Audiobahn 400 watt amp and a capacitor. Sounds excellent! I'm 46, so boom wasn't what I was looking for. Good deep rich concert like sound was my goal. Had it all done professionally with a custom board built for the amps and capacitor, carpeted to match trunk interior carpet.

[MKZTHX07]

Try just upgrading the door speakers first - that makes a bigger difference than you might think and it's easy. Crutchfield will give you the entire kit with instructions for removing the door panels and wiring adapters so everything is plug and play. They'll also show you what will fit your vehicle. Infinity and Polk Audio are highly recommended.

 

If you want more bass then add a sub to the trunk or rear deck. You'll need a sub amp that takes speaker level inputs and you'll have to tap into the rear speakers for that.

 

If you want to add an external amp to the door speakers then you would take the speaker outputs from the rear of the radio, redirect them to the new amp (using speaker level inputs on the amp), then take the amp outputs back to the speaker wires on the rear of the radio. So where the OEM wires go from the head unit directly to the speaker they'll now go from the head unit to the amp and then to the speakers. Doing it this way eliminates having to run new wires to the speakers. Crutchfield should have instructions on that, too and may even have a wiring harness/adapter that prevents you from having to cut and splice wires.

 

But try the speaker upgrades first. That may be enough.

 

 

I have a 2007 MKZ (with THX system) and want to replace the door speakers. Can one suggest or tell me best way to remove the door panel. Screws, clips etc?

 

Would love to get access to the mid's and tweeters to put in some aftermarket set, like KAPPA series.

[akirby]

I have a 2007 MKZ (with THX system) and want to replace the door speakers. Can one suggest or tell me best way to remove the door panel. Screws, clips etc?

 

Would love to get access to the mid's and tweeters to put in some aftermarket set, like KAPPA series.

 

The THX system is specifically tuned for your vehicle - you may not improve the sound by going with aftermarket speakers. That said - it's your car and your money.

 

There are usually a couple of torx screws around the perimeter and one in the door handle, then just gently pry the edges away to release the clips.

[MKZTHX07]

The THX system is specifically tuned for your vehicle - you may not improve the sound by going with aftermarket speakers. That said - it's your car and your money.

 

There are usually a couple of torx screws around the perimeter and one in the door handle, then just gently pry the edges away to release the clips.

 

 

I hear you "akirby". I would like to see what the speaker set up looks like behind the door and "test" out another speaker. I certainly don't want to mess with success so am not certain I would truly make a change. I'll look for the torx screws and see what I find.

 

Thanks for your feedback!

[akirby]

I hear you "akirby". I would like to see what the speaker set up looks like behind the door and "test" out another speaker. I certainly don't want to mess with success so am not certain I would truly make a change. I'll look for the torx screws and see what I find.

 

Thanks for your feedback!

 

I think there are 3 screws total - 2 torx and one philips but I'm not 100% sure. But it should be obvious.

[Mercury Milan]

my question is how do you power door speakers with a external amp running off the stock head unit? or do you not need to use a amp ?

That depends on a lot of things. There is no law that says you have to add an amp, BUT if your replacement speakers aren't more efficient than the stock ones you're replacing, then they may actually sound worse. Adding an amp to the factory head unit is not that hard, but if you've never done it before yourself then I'd recommend taking the car somewhere that regularly installs these kinds of systems. PAC make good adapters if you're on a budget, but if you're looking for high-end sound then look at the JL Audio CL441dsp CleanSweep. If you're lucky enough to be able to audition a pair of Polk Audio Signature Reference SR6500 speakers, then do it. They are simply incredible sounding! Having said that though, there are so many variables that it's almost impossible to recommend any one product. Just remember to keep one rule of thumb in mind, ALWAYS make sure that whatever speakers you're buying - that you listen to them yourself! While everyones ears are similar, everyone doesn't perceive sound the same way, and only you know what sounds good to you, plus only you know what you can afford. Good luck! Adding a new set of speakers can be one of the best investments that you can make in a car as you'll enjoy the car a whole lot more afterward :)