[psykoninja]

What I have: Stock.

What I want: Better, louder sound. Mainly better.

Restrictions: Budget. I'd probably be getting used stuff. Mainly, do I get a new amp, speakers, keep the stock radio, or do I need a new one, can I get just speakers, or do I need a whole new system?



I feel this may be a question a lot of car noobs may want answered, otherwise I wouldn't have put all caps.

Thanks!

 

[focusdarko]

What type of louder do you want? Bass is simple, you can get a used sub and box combo on here for pretty cheap. If you run a Line out converter you wont have to change your headunit. you can get all this and an amp for probably less than $200

 

[sldghmr]

I think I may understand this question somewhat.....if one were to start to build on the Focus stereo system, what is the weakest link? What should get the attention 1st? Overall I like the stereo but would like more functionality out of the CD player. And of course, playing the best balance between bass and treble never gets tiring!! What's a good 1st step to a better system?

 

[mrfatride]

your first upgrade period should be a new head unit...You get better and louder music over stock.... not to mention all the advantages of ipod interfaces, rca preouts for external amplification, etc

If your speakers are in good shape then I would recommend you work on the bass department with an amp and sub...do not have to go crazy here...depends on the music you listen to and how much bass you want

When that is all done I would look into replacing your door speakers and adding a 4 channel amp to finish it all up....you will be amazed from the difference trust me...

 

[focusboy5]

mrfatride said it all.

 

[sldghmr]

[werd] Got me looking for a head unit already! [thumb]

 

[psykoninja]

Ditto. Great advice. Still gonna look for something cheap/used/ebay maybe

 

[Executionerhk]

get a alpine... it make stock speaker sounds a lot better...
then... save money for the amp and component speakers...

haha!!

CDA 9886 is a good choice...
around 300 dollar... and putting amp and sub it going to be really good...

 

[psykoninja]

the CDA 9886 looks nice.

since the stock stereo is like twice as thick as that due to the fact that its a 6 cd changer (an option i will miss dearly), what should i do with the space underneath a new head?

 

[killer ZETEC]

get a dash kit from best buy when you pick it up. and use the little tray underneath (or above if you ask for teh 2000-04 cougar unit) to hold the cable and your mp3player when connected t oteh radio therefore eliminating a bunck of nasty looking wires flying all over the car. (make sure your mp3 player can charge on the same cable as well to make life easier.)

 

[_spyder]

Here's what I have, and it was around $300.
This head-unit: $100 anywhere
http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Product/Item/Main.aspx?i=130DEH2000
This amp: Find it on eBay, can get it cheap
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_113KAC7202/Kenwood-KAC-7202.html
These subs: $130 Crutchfield
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-TIfTwM3PJp7/App/Product/Item/Main.aspx?I=236rt12x2a
They sound great and are fantastic for the price.
Then just get an amp kit and you are set.

All this for around like $300 or so and I love it.

 

[josejsanchez]

i got me a refurb amp on ebay for 130 buks. its an audiobahn 800W RMS powered monochannel amp. hits pretty good. im runnin everything on my stock HU. i just need better door speakers one in the rear blew out.
the ebay seller BTW is stereoneeds. new n refurb amps got a 1 yr. warranty

 

[psykoninja]

cool setup spyder, I've been looking at pioneer. once i know more about what im talking about, im gonna get into some of the more complex-type audiophile discussions on here. Also, spyder, what kind of music do u listen to? do you get a good balanced sound? or is it just all thump (im not looking for that)

Also, jose, cool stuff as well. I'm going to check out that seller rite now.

Great info everyone, keep it coming.

 

[_spyder]

cool setup spyder, I've been looking at pioneer. once i know more about what im talking about, im gonna get into some of the more complex-type audiophile discussions on here. Also, spyder, what kind of music do u listen to? do you get a good balanced sound? or is it just all thump (im not looking for that)

Also, jose, cool stuff as well. I'm going to check out that seller rite now.

Great info everyone, keep it coming.

Well I listen to pretty much everything. Everything except country and screaming crap. I listen to rock and hip-hop and rap sometimes. But I understand exactly where you are coming from with the thump thing. And this is just what you want because with the amp and headunit you can really customize how it sounds. Rock sounds great in my car, its just right but not too much thump, because I agree, that gets irritating after a while. I think it's perfect and adds smooth bass and is really enjoyable. Hopefully that helps :]

 

[mrfatride]

cool setup spyder, I've been looking at pioneer. once i know more about what im talking about, im gonna get into some of the more complex-type audiophile discussions on here. Also, spyder, what kind of music do u listen to? do you get a good balanced sound? or is it just all thump (im not looking for that)

Also, jose, cool stuff as well. I'm going to check out that seller rite now.

Great info everyone, keep it coming.

in the end how much are you lookin to spend on the whole setup? I designed my stereo system in my car for sound quality....here is a link to my build thread...it will let you see what goes into it and depending on where you want to spend your money an idea on cost....

http://www.focusfanatics.com/forum/showthread.php?t=162080

 

[tenchu]

not that your setup doesn't look awesome mrfatride, but he did start out by saying he was on a tight budget. your system cost half of what my whole car cost, lol

 

[junof]

Try this
Full Ipod control and great sound. Includes the install kit. 165
I just had to replace my 6 disc HU in the F250 and I am very pleased with this. It is especially good if you use an Ipod.

http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Product/Item/Main.aspx?g=300&i=130DEHP4UB&tp=5684

Decent powered Sub that will fit about anywhere. 140 with kit.

http://www.amazon.com/Boss-BASS600-Profile-Amplified-Subwoofer/dp/B000OSZA44

Not a show stopper, but a significant upgrade over stock.

 

[mrfatride]

I never said he had to mimic my setup....qnd to be completely honest my setup is rather "cheap" for a quality SQ setup....There is ways he can achive a similar SQ setup....he doenst need the sound processor (but it does make a huge difference) which would save him 700 bucks right there....he could go with a cheaper radio (like that one that junof posted) which would save him another 120 bucks.

He could even do this in steps too if money is tight right now...makes for an easier install if you did it all at the same time though...

 

[psykoninja]

Well I listen to pretty much everything. Everything except country and screaming crap. I listen to rock and hip-hop and rap sometimes. But I understand exactly where you are coming from with the thump thing. And this is just what you want because with the amp and headunit you can really customize how it sounds. Rock sounds great in my car, its just right but not too much thump, because I agree, that gets irritating after a while. I think it's perfect and adds smooth bass and is really enjoyable. Hopefully that helps :]

It does, And i think this is what i will end up doing. First a head unit, then used subs. Then, when i can, new/used door speakers. The head unit would give me control. Thats the one thing i didnt like about the stock HU

 

[psykoninja]

Junof - oooooooo, low profile, i like it! and i think an ipod interface i will need. very cool.

and mr. fair trade - that is a HOT setup. what you have, is my end game. I want want want it soooooo bad (where do u keep ur spare??). but as far as total cost, i really have (or, had at this point) no idea. I needed to know what what the most basic first step i needed to take for a college student with a sh!tty part time job. The head unit, and sub, as i just said, is what i think im going to do. but maybe for some christmas/birthday combo thing I can try to get what u have (sooooooooo awesome.)

On another slightly related note, thanks to everyones help in this thread, I can now go into the more complex audio discussions and know what everyones talking about!!!

Thanks again everyone. and if there are more ideas, great.