Fuersty

Greetings all,

Purchased a nice 03 XL, Regular cab with the 6.5' box.

It currently has a "one generation old" Sony XPLODE Single DIN unit (couldn't see a specific model number) and stock speakers from back in 2003.

I got a nice deal and have a few more bucks I had planned on spending on a truck. Would be willing to spend $500 to upgrade the overall sound quality.

I'd describe the current experience as a bit shrill (the highs are overly high) and breaking up with loud volume (like trying to listen to music clean while traveling with the window open).

If you had $500 to spend to improve the audio, what would your approach be? Keep the head unit and just buy new speakers? (I'm not sure if there are any in the rear, I assume not. My last truck was a 96 XL with only door panel speakers.) Or possibly replace the head and new speakers? Is an amp required for a simple "decent audio" upgrade?

My listening is 50% podcasts and 50% metal / doom metal (Clutch, Black Sabbath, Metallica) if that matters.

And any advice on how to find a reputable place for quotes? Best Buy mega-mart sales and install reasonable? Or independent place?

Red-Ford

I don't know jack about audio stuff, but as far as were to go to buy / install I'd highly recommend Cartoys. This was literally the last place I went because it was the furthest away. I went to Walmart and the people there (surprisingly) didn't know anything. The people at Bet buy pretended to know about audio but they couldn't point me in any direction. I walk into Cartoys and they put me in a booth with probably 100-150 head units (they had the same set up for speakers and subs and amps and everything). They said this is like what you have currently, this is what you'd buy if you're selling the vehicle right off, this is what you'd buy if you're on a budget but still want decent sound and this is what you'd buy for slightly more with a lot more quality. Over all I was greatly impressed by their knowledge and it seemed like a very professional setting. If you have a Cartoys around, tell them what you told us. You listen to podcasts and metal, here is my budget, what set up will work the the best?

OTG02

You have speakers in the rear corners of the cab. I know this because I have a 02 reg cab XL.

Don't go to Best Buy. They will mess up your vehicle. Been there done that. Just people who think they know what they are doin but don't.

I am not an expert at all but I did put my own radio in. I bought an double din boss audio head unit and replaced all my speakers and added a sub and amp. I bought I think it was Sony 3 way speakers for the doors and the back corners. A friend gave me the sub and amp. We built a custom box for the sub and amp.

I spent 300 on the head unit as for the speakers I can't remember it's been a while. The amp is a kicker mono block and the sub is a Sony xplode. As mention they were free.

I'm deaf in my right ear that being said I think my truck sounds a lot better then when stock. I adjusted the bass and treble just right for me. Can hear the lyrics but also feel the bass. The bass does not over power the treble.

If it was me I think I would get some new speakers to start. I once had a Sony xplode head unit as well it was fine.

I'm sure others will chime in as well. Also u may want to check out crutch field (I think that's what it's called). Best of luck of the radio and speakers for your truck.

bigred90gt

Replace the head unit and speakers. Sony xplode is complete garbage, and will produce a horrible sound no matter how you cut it. You don't need anything fancy, but on a budget stick to the Alpine/Pioneer/Kenwood for decent sound.

For speakers, you should have 5x7/6x8 in the doors and in the rear corners of the cab. For value speakers that sound decent, Alpine type S, Infinity reference are my suggestions. The highs on infinity's are pretty bright, but I like it that way (and I listen to a lot of metal as well).

You don't need an amp to have decent sound, but having a quality amp that matches the speakers will give you the best sound available from them. Unfortunately, there is no head unit/speaker/amp combo that is worth the cardboard it's packaged in that you can get for $500.

My suggestion would be to get a head unit and speakers, then decide if you still want more. If you do, then either get a good 4 channel amp for the speakers, or get a sub and amp to add some lows. I prefer a single 10" sub in a sealed box for meta. Punchy, but not overly boomy.

Just be warned that the aftermarket speakers running on the head unit without am amp won't have a ton of bass. If you're not used to having a sub, it might not bother you. I've had subs in there vehicle I've owned since I started driving, so I can't go without one.

F150Screw5.4

I worked at Car Toys for a little over 4 years. The approach I'd take on your truck would be to replace the head unit (radio) with something that has the features your looking for such as Bluetooth, auxillery, full EQ adjustability, etc.

I would then get you a mid level set of speakers. Off the top of my head, I believe you have 6x8's in the rear and front door. Instead of running 6x8" coaxial speakers (coaxial has tweeter in the middle of the mid range driver, making it one total speaker) I would get you a 6x8" to 5.25" adapter plate (Part Number: 82-5601) and get you a nice set of component speakers (components have mid range and tweeter separated). I would only do the components in the front, and run upgraded 6x8's in the rear.

Here are the speakers I would set you up with:
Front:
http://amzn.to/2aeTVfD

Rear:
http://amzn.to/2a9UKnO

6x8 to 5.25" Adapter Plate:
http://amzn.to/2auBx36

Chances are since you have an aftermarket radio installed already, you will not need a dash kit nor a wiring harness (Don't let a shop sell you one without verifying this)

All said and done here is what your looking at:
Front Speakers - $100
Rear Speakers - $50
Adapter Plate - $10
Head Unit - ~$100-200
(Depends on your choice)

Your at $260-$360 and let's say you take it to a shop, I'll account the rest as labor

bigred90gt

If you're going the component route, I would recommend amping them. Unfortunately, that will push you well over your budget. Components will certainly work without an amp, but any quality set will not sound that great without one. You'll get better sound U amped from a coax with a better sensitivity range and closer power handling capabilities to your head unit's output.

And, based on my prior experiences, don't adapt down to a round component. The 6x8 components will be louder with more bass than 5.25, or even 6.5, round components. This is coming from experience with same brands in both sets (6x8 vs 6.5, never had 5.25), as well as just a basic understanding how sound is produced from a speaker. The 6x8 cone has more surface area, and will produce more sound. There's really no way around that. Forget all the people who say round speakers sound better, that is purely opinion and not based in any kind of fact.

walnut777

I just replaced the cd player and speakers in my 02 f150 supercab with the exact same setup i have in my 99 Town Car.
These Pioneer speakers from walmart online are $39.80 a pair. They are closer to $60 a pair in the store. You can choose ship to store for free. They are ford/mazda specific. they can be mounted as 6x8 or 5x7. They sound amazing. They have great range. Mine hold a nice clear bass with great mids and highs. I always tune my built in equalizer in the cd player unit.
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Pioneer-TS...eaker/46477424

The cd player is a Pioneer cd player has alot of bells and whistles. Bluetooth which is most important to me. You can even run the microphone that comes with it for hands free calling. Its $109. online, again its a little higher in the store.
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Pioneer-DE...tooth/46473570


This is a great setup in my humble opinion. It sounds a tad better in my town car because the town car has a factory 6 or 8 inch woofer in the rear deck.

walnut777

Also, please dont let the price of the speakers fool you. I have had them in my town car for about 7 months now. I play them very loud and havent busted one yet. The cd player volume goes up to 62. I can get mine all the way to 60 without distortion but I may need more understanding on tuning the 5 band equalizer and al that other stuff.

The cd player had a loudness setting off, low, med and high. i live it off. It has SLA I never use it cuz i dont what it is lol. it has bass boost. it also has a High pass filter setting if you want to send all the bass to the sub if you are going to use one. It also has an option for subwoofer settings.
Also I love the fact the color of the display and keys can be changed to match the interior lights.

sportster07

Try a new head unit first. You'll be surprised at the quality of the stock speakers. The stock ones in my 97 even were quite a bit better with a new head unit.

I buy all my audio stuff off crutchfield. I generally only buy install kits and head units but I have purchased speakers and a few other components on there and never had a problem. The website makes it very hard to screw up your order too.

mbb

head unit , amp, and subwoofer
add better speakers later. The factory actually can sound OK at levels a HU can drive them.

The sub will make the biggest difference. Right now you have zero bass.
The stock speakers and HU will sing when you take bass out of the speakers that cannot produce it , and it saps the power.