I just bought a brand new 2014 Ford Focus SE. As usual, my inner music snob is disappointed by the stereo system. I was planning on upgrading it anyways, but now I'd like to do so sooner rather than later.
I already spent way over my budget to get the car in the first place so I want to start with some affordable mods. Thinking new speakers, and obviously amp and sub, but what should I be doing first to get the most noticeable improvement to make the sound louder, clearer, and all-around better quality? Also, working up to a new sound system as a whole, anyone got some sick ideas that I can keep in mind while I save up some more money?
I listen to a lot of very loud music; different varieties, but lately mostly rock. I want some really good background bass, but not glass shattering levels. Dark gray car with black/grey interior.
I just installed the Parrot Asteroid Smart in my 2014 SE. I got it for $499.99 at Crutchfield and added got the Metra 99-5827, the Axxess AX-ADBOX1, the Axxess AX-ADFD02 wiring harness, and the Unika steering wheel adapter. I just sent the Unika back and will be using the Axxess ASW-1 and Axxess ASW-Parrot for steering wheel control. So far the only issue I have had is with Sync. It would work but the radio turned off while using it and then came back on when finished. Since I hardly ever used Sync I just unpaired my phone from it and make calls through the Parrot. So far I am loving the way it looks and works. I also am running Torque Pro with a bluetooth OBDII adapter I got off amazon, and installed a backup camera to it.
The only downside with the unit overall that I have noticed is the boot up time about 20-30 seconds, which I dont mind at all. I have also downloaded Gasbuddy, My cars, and Pandora from the built in web browser without any issues. I haven't rooted it yet and haven't seen a need to yet.
Oh, one thing I about forgot. The cable for the mic wasn't lon enough for me to put above the mirror and route through the drivers side. I came up about three feet to short since I was trying to run it under the carpet. I ended up just moounting it on the Metra bezel since I did not want to attempt to take anything additional apart.
I'm with doddilybug above. I just bought a 2014 Focus HB SE and the stereo system sounds like sh!t. Looking to upgrade either the stereo, speakers, or possibly both. Not sure I want to spend 500.00 on a new system all in one shot. Maybe spread it out. Knowing that, would you all recommend switching out the speakers first and then the stereo or vice versa? I actually don't mind the stereo that is in it (stock), it just SOUNDS like crap. Do swapping out the speakers improve that or is one of those things the speakers won't truly sound better until the stereo is upgraded?
i did crescendo audio PWX pro mid 6.5s in all my doors with there silk dome tweeters in my tweeter pods. made new 3/4inch mdf rings, flush mounted the speakers and anchored them to the door with bolts and installed the mids into the door.
all them are wired to the skar audio 85.4
i got all the mids and tweeters for right under $300 if i remember correctly
Upgrade the radio first. It can make your stock speakers sound slightly better. If you upgrade the speakers first, your stock radio won't be able to power them properly and it will sound like crap.
If upgrading your radio also and not amping your speakers. The dash kit ran me about $200 maybe more when I first bought it 2-3 years ago.
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