I have the factory single CD head unit--2005 FX4. It doesn't sound like it, but I was curios to know if, these stock head units come amped in any way from the factory? Please excuse my lack of knowledge. This would be my first time owning an F-150.

 

It sounds like the system you have would not have an amp from the factory.

Do you have a factory sub?

 

Nope, no factory sub.

I like the aesthetics of the factory cd player. However, the factory speakers have got to go.

I was thinking in terms of an amp and and a good set of component speakers connected to the factory cd player. Could that work?

 

Yes, definitely that would work. I believe lots of others have done the same

 

Thanks so much for your help Doo2theSea.

I think that's what I'm going to do.

Honestly, I think CD players themselves are all made the same these days. I can't really justify spending good money on a aftermarket CD player with built in amps I'll never use. I had a 50X4 Alpine CD player installed in my other vehicle, just using the players amp sections for power-- four easily driven 92db sensitive speakers. When pushed, the thing got so hot I thought it was going to melt the CD inside. I was very impressed with the sound however.

Apply this to the factory CD player with a good stand alone four channel amp. What the hell, right?

 

I have the same HU you do in my Sport Trac. It has ample power to push a decent set of speakers without an amp. The single CD HU also has better sound quality than say the 6 CD MP3 unit in my SCrew.

I put a set of Polk DB570's in my Sport Trac and they sound fantastic. I think you will be very happy with the sound of any quality 6X8 speaker you install. In my SCrew, I put an Infinity Reference component system in with the factory HU. Even that factory HU has more than enough power to push those speakers hard. In my humble opinion, component speakers are far over-rated unless you buy the very top end models. I personally think my Polk speakers sound better than any component speaker system I've ever had (except for my Jeep vehicles with the factory Infinity system).

If you do want to stick with the factory HU, you may want to also install a small powered subwoofer. I often install the Kenwood KSC-SW1 in vehicles since it offers excellent bass in a very small package. The Inifnity Basslink is another excellent choice, but it's a little bigger and not as easy to find a spot to mount it in a truck. They're not a bank of 12" subs, but they do make a significant difference.

Just check out the reviews of speakers and such on Crutchfield's web site. That's always a good place to do some research.

 

Well that is great to hear. My truck is still very new. I only have 2000 miles dialed up and I cringe every time I think about taking the dash apart for an aftermarket CD player that probably wouldn't sound any better than the factory player with a good 4 channel amp connected. This maybe considered over simplifing, but honestly, I'm only in the truck less than an hour a week.

Subs I dunno. I had a bass link and I wasn't real impressed with lack there of. And I'm not real sound thrilled about these under seat, down firing subs, a couple inches off the floor either. I was thinking about a thin piece of ceramic tile placed underneath of the down firing sub, instead of the further sound dampening carpeting--suggesting a sonic improvement? Experimentation I guess. I'll have to delve into this later.

Although a coaxial, I was looking at this set of Cadence speakers for the doors. Super sensitive along with a very good frequency response. I'm not sure on the mounting depth however. Can you tell me what the maximum mount depth would be?



Size - - 6” x 8” Two-Way

Power Handling - - 75 Watts RMS/150 PEAK

Long Life Power - - 65 Watts

Frequency Resp - - 35Hz - 22KHz

Magnet Size - - 20 oz.

Structure Weight - - 40 oz.

SPL @ 1W/1M - - 93dB

Mounting Depth - - 2.75”

 

i just put in an after market HU and it pushes these stock door speakers like no other. Its just 14 rms (50 peak), but it pounds them into submission.
The range of frequency improved, actually achieves lower notes, and the mids and highs sound so much crisper.

I will probably next get to invest in some door speakers, im not to sure the benifits and draw backs of each type, that will come with more research.

But yea i used to want to keep my stock HU just so it doesnt have the eye appeal of parking lot window shoppers, but i absolutley love this HU....

https://www.f150online.com/forums/sh...11#post2082311
-Patrick

 

That's good to hear Patman. Inside the cab area speakers being so close to your ears you're going to pick up every little nuance there is. That's why component speakers tend to sound better. Anytime you can get the speakers closer to your ears, even crap speakers are going to sound better. By installing way better sound quality speakers, now at a distance, you're still not losing much sound quality. Which is a function premium in the worst kind of sound chamber there could possibly be.

Those Cadence speakers are some of the flattest speakers I've seen on the market today. Not even their component speakers sets come close to the 35Hz wave length. I've only seen one other type that were lower in the Infinity brand at, 33Hz which that little of a difference would be inaudible anyway. Cadence isn't marketed in this area at all, but looking at other Cadence components on their web-site, they really have some very nice stuff. I was very shocked over their build quality. They seem to be an up and coming company that doesn't do well with marketing their wares.

 

So what exactly does being close to your ears (even tho i didnt change how close they were, just a new HU) have to do with how they are able to acheive lower notes, or sound crisper, cleaner sound in general...
Hmmm....
-Patrick

 

If you notice a lot of newer vehicles will have factory component sound systems and you'll also notice where these components are placed in the vehicle in reference to the passengers/drivers head. I notice even the new Nissan Titan offers an all component, 16 speaker package in their trucks, all of which have been engineered for a better sound stage and all relative to the occupants heads. The "stereo image" is the width and definition of the soundstage. Instruments should appear to be coming from their correct positions, relative to the recording. The position of the instruments should be
solid and easily identifiable, not changing with varying frequencies.
(i.e.) A car/truck can image perfectly with only a center-mounted mono speaker, but obviously the stereo placement of the music will be absent.