Stock speaker upgrade with no add-ons. Amp, etc

[Rob]

This may have been covered before but I can't find it. If there is a link, please feel free to post it.

I'm looking for a good direct swap set of speakers for my 2004. I have a 6L8T-18C815-FD Mercury Mariner head unit on order but really want some new speakers and perhaps a sub. I DO NOT want to swap the head unit with an aftermarket because I want the steering wheel controls, etc. I also don't feel like adding an amp at this. I very well may want to down that road (amp, component speakers, sub) and if so I'll scrap the speakers and start fresh, but I don't want to right now. I just want something a bit better sounding than stock. I like good midrange with tight base. I have an ear for audio and price is not really a huge concern. I'll likely dynamat the rear deck and doors.

I AM an audiophile kind of guy and have a really, really nice detail audio setup in one of my Crown Vics, but I want to keep the look and feel of the Marauder stock for the most part.

Suggestions, sizes, options, all appreciated.

Rob

[RF Overlord]

You'll get as many different answers are there are members here.

I replaced the 4 full-range speakers in The Blackbird with Infinity 5752cf units from Crutchfield. Gave the high end more "clarity". I think they're discontinued now, but surely there's a replacement.

[ctrlraven]

I replaced my front speakers with an entry level MB Quart component speaker kit, went with 5.25" speakers and just made a template to mount them in the 6x8" area then mounted the tweeter near the A-pillar on the door. Also replaced the factory sub with an entry level (low rms) 12" sub in a sealed box just for a nice bass fill in which is does. All powered by the Escape/Mariner factory hu. Dynamat, Bquiet and FatMat will make a huge difference in the overall sound of the car even with a complete stock system especially if you go all out and pull the whole interior out to do it.

[rayjay]

You'll get as many different answers are there are members here.

I replaced the 4 full-range speakers in The Blackbird with Infinity 5752cf units from Crutchfield. Gave the high end more "clarity". I think they're discontinued now, but surely there's a replacement.

+1, I used the Infinitys also. :2thumbs:

[slickster]

Polk audio mm

[Vortech347]

See sig, they kick so much ass I did it to 2 Marauders.

[boatmangc]

You can use many head units that will work with your steering wheel controls, there is an adapter so don't let that scare you off.
I have 6X9 Infinity Kappa's in the rear (some modding required) and high end Pioneers in the front.

[Rob]

Yup, I know the audio world well. One man's awesome sound is another man's junk. I personally like Focal, and prior had Boston Acoustics. I have a very nice (and expensive) component setup from Focal in that one Crown Vic. Xtant amp, Eclipse aluminum sub in a custom enclosure in the trunk fender well, totally hidden amp, 1f cap, and crossovers in a carpeted box that covers the entire back of the trunk so it looks like there is nothing there. Secondary battery mounted deep in the trunk rack almost behind the spare tire. About 50 lbs of dynamat everywhere and new wiring all around. The doors close with a thud. Believe me, if I wanted to go that far, I would. But I don't. At least not yet. ;)

Keep em coming. I like to hear what people are putting in their babies.

As far as the head unit, I really do not want a flashy touchscreen whatever. I want to keep it simple and elegant for now.

[ctrlraven]

In the pass I've used Boston Acoustics/JL Audio for interior speakers, Nakamichi/Eclipse for headunits, Zapco/JL Audio/Orion for amps and JL Audio/Xtant/Eclipse/Digital Design for subwoofers. I use to do IASCA Pro Street 1-600 and MECA SQL way back in the day.

I wish I had the extra money cause I'd love to get back into having a full complete custom system. Was easier back in the day when I sold the stuff and got stuff half off from the vendor reps. lol

[RoyLPita]

Pioneers here with Crutchfield adaptors.

[slickster]

I'm thinking about this. http://www.amazon.com/Infinity-Reference-6832cf-Performance-Loudspeaker/dp/B002CMUKZY/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

[Rob]

Pioneers here with Crutchfield adaptors.

Interesting that you mention Pioneer. Got off the phone with Crutchfield and he recommended this: http://www.crutchfield.com/p_130TSA6874/Pioneer-TS-A6874R.html (http://www.crutchfield.com/p_130TSA6874/Pioneer-TS-A6874R.html)

With the low wattage output of the stock deck I can't do anything more. Speaker "efficiency" is my enemy without an amp. I said it and he quietly agreed that those speakers would be better than stock, but still suck. YMMV.

[Green96]

If you do not want an amp, I would go any speaker rated down to 2Watts RMS at Crutchfield (I think this includes Infinity) for the front. For the rear, ditch the rear deck speakers all together (they just ruin the sound stage), and get a Bazooka dual voice coil sub. Disconnect the rear speakers, and power it with them. Put a capacitor in parallel on each line to give a low pass filter. You will have to find the sizing equation on the internet to determine the capacitor size you need for the crossover point you want. I can look at the ones I was using before I got my amp if you need me to. Now the am has build in low pass filters.

I have a 100X4 amp, but otherwise basically this same setup. I went with an 8" dual voice coil Bazooka, but it can be powered with the head unit that you are putting in. Disconnect the crappy factory sub..

I forgot, I would also add a capacitor to the front speakers in series to block the lows. The sub will take care of them for you, and the lows in the front will just make your doors buzz.

[Tnbigbody]

i like rockford myself they use to make headunits which weren't around for long. but the mids and subs are here to stay with 25 plus years in audio you can beat them. they are kinda pricey but the sound quality is awesome. i am the type of person i dont like to mix and match brands. i figure if they make a complete line of products then they have designed those speakers to sound the best when they are all used together i.e. front rockford back rockford sub rockford now people will say oh its all about the peak watts when its not it about the rms the better the rms the better the sound a good website to check out is the12volt.com they go into great detail about audio related things.

[MyBlackBeasts]

Does anyone know it someone makes any aftermarket amps that fit in place of the OEM (even with adapter)? The factory 25x4 (or however they divy up the factory 100 watt spec) is too week. :(

Not looking for monster power, 50 per channel would be nice. Thanks! :D

[boatmangc]

Does anyone know it someone makes any aftermarket amps that fit in place of the OEM (even with adapter)? The factory 25x4 (or however they divy up the factory 100 watt spec) is too week. :(

Not looking for monster power, 50 per channel would be nice. Thanks! :D

Talk to Pops, I bought one from him last year and I was able to install it in front of the full size spare.

[drobin]

I'm using Kenwood 6X8 KFC-C6879ie 2 way for fronts, and Kenwood Excelon 3 way KFC-X688C (6X8) for the rear. All obtained from Crutchfield several years ago and sounds great.

Donald (drobin)

[MyBlackBeasts]

Talk to Pops, I bought one from him last year and I was able to install it in front of the full size spare.

Thanks! :)

[VCobraV]

If your going to do it. Do it right, >Pioneer< Component set up in front. Set of 3-way or even 4-way for your mids. And a set of 2-way for the rear deck.

And if you want to stay stock they will have an OEM replacement for the front doors and rear deck.

F.Y.I. Have stock head unit and 6-Disc CD changer if anyone is looking for one.

[ctrlraven]

A real good sounding budget system requires a good headunit with front/rear/sub preouts with at least 3 volts on the preouts, a good pair of component speakers for the front, leave the rears stock powered off the headunit (just for fill in!), get a 4 channel amp that allows the rear channel to bridge and use that bridged channel to power a small subwoofer. Usually a 300x4 amp works great. 75 watts to each front speaker and 150 watts to a small sub.

I did that type of setup for a lot of people with a budget in mind.

[Rob]

I know! Believe me, I sunk many thousands of dollars into my Crown Vic and it is like a recording studio. The sound is amazing. I know all about quality and what it takes. I am NOT looking for that here....yet. OK? :)