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Just got a 2003 regular cab. Has all stock stereo. Going to mount 51/4 with tweeters plates and 6x8 . Where should I mount the component 5 1/4 . Would doors or rear be best for either .
Thanks
Components will usually sound better than the 6x8's (assuming the same brand and quality), so I'd suggest putting those up front.
The pic below shows I mounted my tweeters, and you can read about the whole audio system installation in my build thread in my sig below. The audio stuff starts at Post #64.
My stock stereo was pretty good really in my SuperCrew. Lariat. And even though I put in good 4-way speakers in the doors, honestly the sound coming from them isn't that much better than the factory dual cone speakers were. There's only so much you can do with that size speaker in the door.
But here's the order I would make improvements in.
1. Bluetooth head unit for streaming from phone.
2. Amp and subwoofer
3. Replace Factory speakers.
Of these that subwoofer has the biggest impact on sound quality and depth. Allowing those little speakers to play the frequencies that they're able to. Instead of trying to play frequencies they really can't.
My stock stereo was pretty good really in my SuperCrew. Lariat. And even though I put in good 4-way speakers in the doors, honestly the sound coming from them isn't that much better than the factory dual cone speakers were.... .
Which is why they didn't sound that great. 4-way speakers (and 3-ways,for that matter) were (are?) a marketing ploy and give people what they "think" they want, when in reality, a good coaxial speaker will sound better than those, and a component set will be better still. Oval woofers, and multiple mid/tweeters trying to play various (or sometimes the same) frequencies from off-axis points just don't work well sonically
Using my '03 factory head unit, I made the progression from factory speakers to 6x8 three-way's (a "noticeable" improvement) to coaxial 6x8's with notable improvement. I then connected those coax speakers to a new aftermarket head and amp (better) and then graduated to components with another sizeable jump in fidelity. I seriously considered leaving the subwoofer out, but it ended up being, as they say, the icing on the cake.
Your list in bang-for-the-buck and execution order? (My opinion) :
Upgrade front speakers to coax or components
Head unit change
Amp and subwoofer
What hasn't been mentioned, though, is sound deadening. This crucial step can make a big difference even with the factory drivers.
Last edited by OhioLariat; 05-10-2018 at 01:21 AM.
My stock stereo was pretty good really in my SuperCrew. Lariat. And even though I put in good 4-way speakers in the doors, honestly the sound coming from them isn't that much better than the factory dual cone speakers were. There's only so much you can do with that size speaker in the door.
But here's the order I would make improvements in.
1. Bluetooth head unit for streaming from phone.
2. Amp and subwoofer
3. Replace Factory speakers.
Of these that subwoofer has the biggest impact on sound quality and depth. Allowing those little speakers to play the frequencies that they're able to. Instead of trying to play frequencies they really can't.
I totally agree with this as this is exactly what I did. I would add another line for the backup camera.
1. I installed a Soundstream head unit with great functionality with 300 watts or 75 per speaker. See the Installation here (warning requires dash modifications but I am really happy with the results!!)
4. Installed Amp and Sub-woofer as new Head unit supported. I chose to go with a Walmart Dual Amp w/ Subwoofer ($80) which I was very happy with. It really gave me the bass I wanted without being an obnoxious ghettoblaster, that is vibrating the people on the sidewalk. The great thing about it was that with some modifications on the 2002 F150 Lariat SuperCrew I had a real out of sight clean installation. See installation here
Components will usually sound better than the 6x8's (assuming the same brand and quality), so I'd suggest putting those up front.
The pic below shows I mounted my tweeters, and you can read about the whole audio system installation in my build thread in my sig below. The audio stuff starts at Post #64.
..
You would probably improve your staging by moving those tweeters from the door where they are to the sail pillar or the a pillar.
You would probably improve your staging by moving those tweeters from the door where they are to the sail pillar or the a pillar.
Actually the stage is surprisingly good where they are. Depending on the material, the vocals typically are above my sight line about 3"",and in front of my face about 18"-24". I considered the sail panels, but the driver's side has the dash right next to/ in front of it, and they both slant down quite a bit. There's also almost no depth to work with, if I recall correctly The A-pillar is an option, but you'd be parallel with the driver's side tweeter, and both would fire into the glass. I really think this is the best location without resorting to custom dash pods.
Last edited by OhioLariat; 05-17-2018 at 11:37 PM.
I am surprised your staging is that high. but Its awesome that it is. I assume you are opposed to firing at the glass because they will be harsh. A lot of car companies now intentionally fire them off the glass for efficiency and because you can i guess aim your stage (for lack of better explanation). I agree I dont like them off the glass generally either. I did some in a scion that were way high in the pillars and of course near the glass. We were able to take some of the harshness out by running the tweeters on their own channel with an active crossover but the stage was nice and high which I didnt think we were gonna be able to achieve when we first started planning the build.
Not trying to say you should change it. just talking.
Nothing wrong with a little discussion. Yes, I have no problem at all with the vertical component of the stage. Sometimes, however, it sounds like it's almost above my head, rather than in front of me. This is dependent on the source material. I wish I could get it to be consistently out front, but it sounds good as is. Not worth the experimentation, time, cost, and complexity it would take to make it better.
My tweeters are mounted just behind the drivers seat, up close to the headliner. I love them up there. I don't have a pic of them in my F150... but this is the same tweets, same location in my Ranger. I really like them here.
05-07-2018, 01:26 PM
aftermarket stereo
Yes, I have no problem at all with the vertical component of the stage. Sometimes, however, it sounds like it's almost above my head, rather than in front of me. This is dependent on the source material. I wish I could get it to be consistently out front, but it sounds good as is. Not worth the experimentation, time, cost, and complexity it would take to make it better.
