Newbie Audio Upgrade Question

[rusjet19]

Hello folks....looking for some info. I have read the FAQ's in the audio section, but am just looking for a definitive answer. Am I correct in thinking that I can add an aftermarket amp and speakers to my Stock Head Unit using a LOC? If not, please let me know. Also, what are the sizes of my speakers....I have an '05 ST. I am looking at replacing the stock speakers, adding 1 sub, and probably 2 amps. I am looking for quality over "huge thump", although I do appreciate a bit of "bump". Looking for opinions on budget oriented ideas. Any feedback is appreciated!

[Sponsor]

[FocusInCali]

LOC, yes.
5x7 and 6x8 are the same mounting size.

Setup ideas, check out two ideas at... (amps may need to be different to work with LOC)
http://www.focusfanatics.com/forum/s...threadid=28143

IDQ v.2 subs for SQ/SPL
ID v.3 subs for SPL/SQ

There are many options, just depends on how much $$ you want to spend. Got $2k, we'll have lots of fun.
Welcome to FF

[racer35]

I never did like the sound of the stock unit with a LOC. One more thing to think about, the wattage of a good after market deck is 20 to 30 RMS. A stock deck puts out 5 maybe 10. Plus you will have more contol over your subs. If replacing the speekers please have a plan to get a better deck. I think its a waste to just replace seekers. I would replace a deck before speekers. But thats just me and my expereance.

[FocusInCali]

If the intention is sound quality, I wouldn't use a LOC. A LOC is converting an amped signal to get amped again. ugly. But your budget will decide the plan of action.

You can get away with the stock HU running new front speakers, and LOC the rear speaker wires to a sub amp.

Tell us your budget.

[hambone]

Since I was looking for good sound, not just a lot of "boom," I installed an Alpine MRP-M350, 350 watt (mono) sub amp and a single 12" Infinity Kappa Perfect subwoofer in a ported box.

I bought an 8ga amp wiring kit off Ebay (plently for under 500 watts). I cut the RCA's off, and wired the cables into the rear speaker outputs of the HU using barrel crimp connectors.

I have had some previous experience with car audio and a lot of experience both with pro audio and home audio. IMO, this thing sounds great, much better than I expected. The bass is very clean out of the Infinity and has plenty of thump -- no real audible loss at using the HU's speaker level inputs. It will not part your hair, but that's not what I wanted anyway. I am running the input level of the amp right up there, but I backed off of the bass on the HU to -2, -1 depending. This "relieves" the HU amp to do more in the full spectrum not having to worry about powering the lows where the sub is handling that two octave chalenge from about 30 to 120 hz.

[d3bilhan]

FocusInCali is right. LOC gives you a mismatched impediance and an overdriving sound.

Which HU do you have? base, 6006, 9009, blau.

[rusjet19]

Originally posted by d3bilhan
FocusInCali is right. LOC gives you a mismatched impediance and an overdriving sound.

Which HU do you have? base, 6006, 9009, blau.

r


I have the 6 Disc InDash with MP3...Don't know model number

Thanks for all the honest feedaback on the LOC...I will stay away from that option!

[carrierx]

probally the 9006. My 6006 doesnt play mp3s.... Or cds half of the time for that matter...

[sa_pyro_ne]

Originally posted by rusjet19
r


I have the 6 Disc InDash with MP3...Don't know model number

Thanks for all the honest feedaback on the LOC...I will stay away from that option!

you have the newer head unit for 05 fords. it's not the same as the pre-05 ones. so it's not the 9006 or 6006.

- Scott