New Speakers

[Tommyd7]

I own a 2010 F150 XLT Supercrew(chrome package if that matters) and I was wondering if it was a better idea to upgrade the sub or the speakers first or what to upgrade if it is not those two? I asked my cousin who is pretty good with stereo systems in cars and he thought that the speakers were the main problem to the distorted sounding bass at higher volumes. I do not want to go too cheap but I also do not want to spend an arm and a leg to upgrade my system so it sounds better. Any suggestions would help.

[executor485]

A few things:
1) Just upgrading the subs will not change the distorted bass from the speakers. The speakers will still be running off the headunit and produce inferior sound. You can put bass blockers in line for the speakers to help, but depending on your sub, it could overpower them and you'd sound like someone from the ghetto with just subs and absolutely no mid-high's.
2) Part of the problem with factory sound systems is the headunit. The factory equalization sets the stereo to increase bass and decrease treble at low volumes, then in higher volumes decrease bass and increase treble. This way you "think" the stereo is going a lot louder, and it's a preventative measure for not blowing the speakers.

If you're not looking to upgrade headunits, there are still some things you can do, but it will not be budget friendly to make it sound really good.
IMO, I'd get some decent speakers and have them put in first, that will definitely help clean up some, but not necessarily make it sound super amazing (you're still working with factory equalization). If you get a good set of speakers, the mid-woofers will provide a decent bass sound while the tweeters will provide a clean set of highs.
The other option is using bass blockers to see what the speakers sound like without the 200hz and below range. Then determine if they sound good enough to get a sub, or if you really want to replace the speakers. I think a decent set of bass blockers is like $15 and they can be installed/removed fairly easy if you have any experience with wiring.

[4.2xl2001]

If you don't mind reading speaker specifications, look for speakers with a high SPL(sound pressure level) given a 1 watt input. Example: 90 DB at 1 watt and one meter way. This will get you louder without upgrading to amps.

[Tommyd7]

Thank you both. I am terrible when it comes to audio so I contacted Crutchfield support and had some of my questions answered.

To bring it back to you guys and what you suggest, they suggested for me to buy a new head unit and start with that. Although you guys would probably agree that the head unit will be the most noticeable difference. I do not know if I want to spend $170 in "adapters" for both the Sync system to continue working as well as the steering wheel controls, and then have to spend at least $100 on a good head unit.

So, should I just save a little more and upgrade that first or would it still be good to upgrade my speakers? If so, do you have any suggestions?

I was looking at these: http://www.crutchfield.com/p_107DB57...571.html?tp=12 - They are at a good price and have half off the second pair for the back set.

***EDIT*** I realize that I pretty much asked the question that you already answered executor. With that said, you still think that it will be a big enough improvement to warrant spending $150 or do you think there are speakers just as good for cheaper?

[Langlowe]

You can get good sound out of the stock head unit. You just can't run speakers directly from it and expect it to sound good.

Take a look at an OEM integration unit "JBL MS8 JL Cleansweep, or a nice Line Out Covert "AudioControl LC6i" and a small amp and speakers. A LC6i and small amp will cost about the same as a decent head unit but you will have full Synch and steering wheel controls.

Lots of threads with the LC6i. Do a quick search. You will probably find my install thread along with many others.

[executor485]

You may notice a little bit of improvement, but it's not going to be much. The biggest issue is the stock EQ, the OEM integration solutions that Langlowe mentioned will be the best route for good sound off a stock headunit, but you'll also need an amp.
You could look at the integration solutions, buy one of those and an amp, then hook up the stock speakers until you get some extra money to upgrade speakers. While the stock speakers arent special, they are limited to what the stereo gives them. Providing better output to the speakers can help clean up the sound quite a bit.
Even if you're not going for audiophile sound, it still takes a good bit of money to get good sound, especially with the factory integration.
Its up to you, buying those speakers may help some, but it wont be the fix to what you're looking for. However, if you buy them you can take solace in the fact that the stock headunit will never blow them Then you've got the speakers for when you do get OEM integration setup. But my personal route would be OEM integration first, then upgrade speakers later. But thats my route, YMMV