Mulestang

Recently, I upgraded to a Sony XAV-AX1000 head unit (built-in amplifier (20 watts RMS CEA-2006/55 peak x 4 channels)). I don't necessarily want to go the route of adding an amp. With that in mind, would anyone recommend a speaker upgrade to improve the sound quality. Not really an audio enthusiast, but do enjoy my tunes. Is a speaker upgrade worth the money?

dewski

I pulled the speakers out this weekend and replacing these speakers would have to be an upgrade, no matte which replacement you get. You can get all 4 new kicker speakers for 80 bucks at best buy.

Ecobuilder

I put in a pair of Focal component speakers in the front doors and and a pair of Focal coaxial speakers in the rears with the stock head unit - the sound improvement was ten fold.

Can't wait to upgrade to a new android HU.

Mulestang

What sizes did you go with? Crutchfield's guide is showing 5 1/4" and 6"x8"?

Ecobuilder

Fronts - 5" x 7" woofers with 1½" tweeters. I had to enlarge the upper hole for the tweeter to fit. The woofer bolted right in.

Rears - 5" x 7" 2 ways - direct bolt in.

The speakers were Focal ISS 570 Integration series. Pairing the same series ensures they're sonically matched.

Mulestang

Thanks. In didn't realize there were tweeters up front, only 2-ways.

Ecobuilder

There weren't any on mine being an XLT, just the hole for them.

Yours being a Lariat should have factory tweeters installed.

ShirBlackspots

Different trim models take different sized speakers? (I have an XLT, so no tweeters in the hole) I put 6x8's in all four speaker locations (Pioneer) in my truck, with a Kenwood eXcelon deck. Had to route the speaker wires for at least the driver side door through the space between the magnet and diaphram, because opening the window all the way would pull the speaker wire plug out.

powerranger262

You can put 6.5" components in the front doors with an mdf adapter, and a little trimming of the door card.

tuflehundon

No they all take the same sized speaker. It's just that with some stereo upgrades, you got a set of tweeters in the front doors above the 6x8's. I installed Pioneer 4 way 6x8's front and rear in my truck, and already had the front tweeters so I left them in place. I also had the 8" sub under my rear seat so I replaced that speaker and added a small amp to power it.