2013 F150 NEED MORE VOLUME!!!! Recommendations please
03-15-2014, 12:16 AM
#11
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Thanks for the input.
I've always been a Kenwood fan, and both my GM classics are loaded with Kenwood stereo's, amps, components, but not subs.
I chose Boston Acoustic for the subs instead.
I've always been a Kenwood fan, and both my GM classics are loaded with Kenwood stereo's, amps, components, but not subs.
I chose Boston Acoustic for the subs instead.
03-15-2014, 10:19 AM
#12
One Bad MoFoMoCo Owner
Yeah, you can't go wrong with Kenwood.
I went with a different sub than Kenwood, and was severally disappointed. Went back to Kenwood for that component, and all is right with the world.
I went with a different sub than Kenwood, and was severally disappointed. Went back to Kenwood for that component, and all is right with the world.
03-15-2014, 10:47 AM
#13
Senior Member
Pretty sure I don't have a sub under my rear seat. I know I don't have Sony logo's on the door screens either. Page 143 & 147 of the manual says it's a MyFord system and then there's a Sony reference too.....so I'm at a loss. http://www.fordservicecontent.com/Fo.../13f12om3e.pdf So now I guess my next question is what kind of system RMS power does my setup have..... Headunit only or amp inline I'm sure there's a thread SOMEWHERE I will find alot of details.....I just haven't found it yet.
I was just wondering because I think the sony system is pretty dang good. However I've seen quite a few people unhappy with it so I was wondering what you had.
03-15-2014, 12:10 PM
#14
^ My brother bought a 2013 Ram Laramie Longhorn, bought about $4,000 in JL Audio gear for his RAM.
Cheaped out......had Best Buy install it in June. It's all fried now.....they FUBAR'd the install.
I warned him Best Buy was not the best idea to install it.....because they fried my Viper install 10 years ago.
He got refunded the $850 for the install. Told him I could have helped him do it but he was impatient and lazy.
I have no idea what he's doing about the fried stereo gear though.....he's probably SOL.
To be honest, I don't even know.
I don't think I have my window sticker so what's the easiest way to verify ??
I have not dug into the vehicle enough yet to verify exactly what system I had.
I only have the 4.2" display, that's about all I know. It's loud, but not loud enough for me.
I'm assuming the amps would be in the center console but I haven't taken the
time to tear it apart yet as it's winter here in Chicago and I have a 3 week old newborn.
Cheaped out......had Best Buy install it in June. It's all fried now.....they FUBAR'd the install.
I warned him Best Buy was not the best idea to install it.....because they fried my Viper install 10 years ago.
He got refunded the $850 for the install. Told him I could have helped him do it but he was impatient and lazy.
I have no idea what he's doing about the fried stereo gear though.....he's probably SOL.
To be honest, I don't even know.
I don't think I have my window sticker so what's the easiest way to verify ??
I have not dug into the vehicle enough yet to verify exactly what system I had.
I only have the 4.2" display, that's about all I know. It's loud, but not loud enough for me.
I'm assuming the amps would be in the center console but I haven't taken the
time to tear it apart yet as it's winter here in Chicago and I have a 3 week old newborn.
03-15-2014, 12:22 PM
#15
One Bad MoFoMoCo Owner
If you sat in my truck for five minutes, hearing how melodious a Kenwood system sounds, you'd understand just how much better aftermarket sound systems can be compared to the high end stock systems from the big three.
It's like going from minor league to major league ball.
03-15-2014, 04:01 PM
#16
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Agreed ^
In my experience when it comes to Ford, GM, and Chrysler......and Kia, Honda, Toyota, etc
You will NEVER get a high quality sound system that will appease most hardcore music enthusiasts.
Even if it sounds good Day 1, they use low quality components that don't endure very long.....
Stock stereos have improved in the past 10 years no doubt but still nothing like aftermarket.
That's why it's not worth the large expense of their "premium" sound systems to me at least.
Those are still mid grade only and they are going to get gutted anyways, so it is a wasted effort.
Lexus, BMW 5 series and up, and those level players you get a much higher quality system....
But even then, there's room for improvement as always.
In my experience when it comes to Ford, GM, and Chrysler......and Kia, Honda, Toyota, etc
You will NEVER get a high quality sound system that will appease most hardcore music enthusiasts.
Even if it sounds good Day 1, they use low quality components that don't endure very long.....
Stock stereos have improved in the past 10 years no doubt but still nothing like aftermarket.
That's why it's not worth the large expense of their "premium" sound systems to me at least.
Those are still mid grade only and they are going to get gutted anyways, so it is a wasted effort.
Lexus, BMW 5 series and up, and those level players you get a much higher quality system....
But even then, there's room for improvement as always.
Last edited by CreepinDeth; 03-15-2014 at 04:04 PM.
03-15-2014, 05:13 PM
#17
I always wondered why the manufacturers don't contract with JBL or someone and use an actual component set, put a 5 channel amp in and leave the sub channel open for adding a sub later. I guess to 95% of people the factory high volume low cost crap is fine but I would spend an extra 500 on the truck so I dont have to spend 1500 down the road upgrading everything. I can get a nice component set for $150, that means ford could get it for $100 by buying in bulk. Put it in the doors with a legit 100w pushing it
03-15-2014, 05:44 PM
#18
RMS on the stock unit is below 10 watts a channel. Just enough to listen to talk radio...LOL
Since you are not a newbie with stereos, I would highly doubt just a speaker upgrade is going to make you happy. I think your best bet is to buy a radio harness and take those high level inputs into an amp that accepts high level inputs and then re-route the output into the wires of the speakers on the harness you intercepted. You could cut those wires and handle it without a harness but that depends on your comfort level.
You can then install door speakers to your preference and bang your head to your hearts content like when you use to have hair.
If there is anything I could recommend is to recognize your actual wants first and research equipment before buying. I've bought speakers twice for my truck, talk about a waste of money! But it is because I thought I could buy a couple of mid-level 2 ways to just replace my stock speakers and amp them later. They did sound better over factory but when I amped them they showed their weakness. If you want to feel your "hair bands", you're going to need a lot better than 6829's up front. They should be fine in the rear as fill though.
Since you are not a newbie with stereos, I would highly doubt just a speaker upgrade is going to make you happy. I think your best bet is to buy a radio harness and take those high level inputs into an amp that accepts high level inputs and then re-route the output into the wires of the speakers on the harness you intercepted. You could cut those wires and handle it without a harness but that depends on your comfort level.
You can then install door speakers to your preference and bang your head to your hearts content like when you use to have hair.
If there is anything I could recommend is to recognize your actual wants first and research equipment before buying. I've bought speakers twice for my truck, talk about a waste of money! But it is because I thought I could buy a couple of mid-level 2 ways to just replace my stock speakers and amp them later. They did sound better over factory but when I amped them they showed their weakness. If you want to feel your "hair bands", you're going to need a lot better than 6829's up front. They should be fine in the rear as fill though.
03-15-2014, 08:17 PM
#20
One Bad MoFoMoCo Owner
I always wondered why the manufacturers don't contract with JBL or someone and use an actual component set, put a 5 channel amp in and leave the sub channel open for adding a sub later. I guess to 95% of people the factory high volume low cost crap is fine but I would spend an extra 500 on the truck so I dont have to spend 1500 down the road upgrading everything. I can get a nice component set for $150, that means ford could get it for $100 by buying in bulk. Put it in the doors with a legit 100w pushing it
When one of the big three partner with an a quality audio manufacturer like Kenwood, JL, etc, they push the margins down. This leads the manufacturer to cut costs wherever they can. Paper cones versus carbon fiber, 20 gauge wires versus 12 gauge. The list goes on and on.
Dodge partnered with Infiniti for a while, and while not bad, my truck's stock stereo wasn't normal Infinity quality.