Has anyone successfully installed a good sound quality system using the factory head unit??????

2010 XLT SCREW

base head unit, no nav, no sync, nothing

Installed components front, coax back, 5 channel amp, 2 subs, pac module for rca's blah blah

I reaaally want to keep the factory head unit but if I cant get some better sound quality out of this setup then out it goes.


help

 

Sound quality is relevant to the listener. what might sound good to you might sound like crap to me.

Now...IMO, all the Ford radios that are offered OEM in our F150 have DAC's that are sub par to "quality" sound systems. So if you cant convert the digital signal to analog perfectly, then no matter how good your aftermarket amp or speakers are, you will never get the best sound they are capable of producing. I always tend to change the head unit first...tune the system with the head units cross overs and EQ and TA if it has it, and see where im at. If im not happy then, i will add an amp. If im still not happy..the LAST thing i change is the speakers. You'll notice most ppl like to change their speakers first.. i think its b/c its the cheapest and easiest thing to do...but IMO not the best bang for your buck to get good sound quality.

 

this would be a option...a pricey one but it's a option..

http://shop.mtx.com/p/l_321/StreetWi...e/listing.html

 

thanks flamed20 but the low end isn't really as much of an issue as the mid/high end


timelessr1 i'm using the pac SNI-35 is there a better converter out there?

 

if i'm not mistaken that one will allow you to adjust your mid/high level's through it..it's a 5 channel..it has gain adjustments for left, right, and sub..they have another model that just for sub only..

 

No adjustments

 

Hey Lakaiguy.....the converter you are using is jsut a High Level to low level ANALOG converter. what im talking about is the DAC converter built into headunits. Its the converter in your head unit which converts the digital signal ( zero's and ones) to an analog signal. Most highend aftermarket headunits will be much better then the OEM headunit at converting (digital to analog)this signal.

 

Depends on how good of quality your looking for... I recently replaced the sony equipment with a modest system using the factory hu. I went with a AudioControl LC6i to convert the signals to an old punch 800a4 powering mb quart and premier 6 1/2 components and a JL Audio10w1v2 in a downfiring, ported box. For what it is, it sounds really good especially on tracks with good vocals. With the exception of the audiocontrol and this small sub, Ive had this exact system installed in 2 other vehicles using a quality headunit and there is a huuuge difference in actual sound quality. Before I started this install, i knew this would be the case though and the plan is to replace the headunit with a Pioneer Nav & Dvd unit in the somewhat near future. If your just looking for loud, the factory unit will work just fine tweaking the gains on the audiocontrol and amplifier(s). PS having a converter with an EQ like the A.C. DQL8 or RF 3sixty.2 would be a big improvement over a standard integration processor like the one I have if your set on keeping the factory headunit.