I've already posted this in the Audio Section of the forum but responses have been slow.

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I just purchased a new '03 Expedition XLT-FX4. It has the "Premium" (and I use that word lightly) Stereo In Dash 6 CD Player with 4 speakers. While I'm not a high end audio guy, I would like a much better sound.

I'm looking for suggestions for upgrading the system in my Expy to something "good". I don't need earth pounding bass and I don't need to be the loudest truck on the road. I just want QUALITY sound reproduction that sounds good at any volume.

If I can keep the 6 Disc Head Unit, add a sub and replace the 4 door speakers, I think I'd be on the right road. My problem is that I don't understand anything about amps, components or really anything other than the bare basics that the average Joe knows.

Is this head unit good enough for what I'm describing or is it just as weak as the door speakers?

I suppose I may just have to find a local car audio place (I'm in the Southwest Suburbs of Chicago) and rely on their recommendations.

My budget is $1000.

Thanks for your help.

 

I have/had the "premium" system in my '00 as well and I agree that it is a pitiful excuse for a system in such a big vehicle. I don't need thunderous pounding either and didn't want to lose my 6-disc changer so I added a nice 4-channel Alpine amp and new 5x7 Pioneers in each of the doors. While the sound quality is better and produces more power this is not really the way to go because the the existing head unit is not very good and didn't offer pre-outs so I had to install convertors. Plus I didn't address the no-bass issue. I've thought about adding one of those sub/amp units that fits in the storage compartment in the rear quarter area, but that's another $600+ that I'm just not too sure about. Unless your head unit is better than those used in prior models, I don't think you'll be very happy with only $1000 in upgrades. Maybe someone else will have an alternative solution.

 

If you want to upgrade your audio system I recommend that you get a good head unit to start with. If you just get some speakers to replace the factory ones your existing head unit will not push them at all. I have found that e-bay has alot of great deal on head units and door speakers. I know you don't want to loose your disc changer but, I dont think you will be completely happy. I started out just changing the speakers and it was mediocre at best. I think you might need to spend a few more dollars to get what you want but, e-bay will help alot. Especially with a good head unit. Ask your local audio place what deck they would recommend for your needs and then look it up on ebay. I hope this helps a little

 

Yup. If you want quality, you have to start at the head unit. Even if you just replace that, you will notice a dramatic difference in your sound quality.

 

If I replace my head unit, will I still be able to use/hook the rear controls?

 

Nope....Sorry.

 

Actually there are some head units which have adapters available that allow you to use the rear audio controls, I was just discussing this with a local stereo shop the other day.

 

That's good to hear. I guess I was blinded by the fact that I like to be the one in control of driving and the radio.

 

It's true that the speakers are unacceptable. The first thing I wanted to address was the lack of bass response, so I purchased an MTX Thunderform w/ amplifier on E-Bay for $205 (including shipping). Replaces the cargo net area in the passenger-side rear of the vehicle. So far it's the only improvement I've made, so I have to keep the gain (and frequency response) very low or it overpowers the rest of the system.

Even if you aren't serious about sound, if you've asked the question about upgrades, you are more serious about sound than your sound system is. Without pre-amp outputs, the head unit just isn't good enough.

Good luck!

 

Pioneer makes a couple of Dual Zone capable Head Units... Check the links below for more info... Careful, the system I want to configure eventually runs about $3500 with all the add-ons...

http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/Pi...,32436,00.html

http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/Pi...~92954,00.html

http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/Pi...29,512,00.html

 

Hello, I just saw your post and was wondering if you might be interested in some stereo components I am selling. First of all, I have 2003 F250 and Ford is buying it back and that's the only reason I am selling my stuff. Everything has only been installed for about three months and is still under warranty. Here's a list of thing I think you might be interested in:
Kenwood KVT911DVD - Retails for $2,200
Kenwood KDSP900 processor (never been installed) - Retails for $500
Kenwood C929 CD changer -Retails for $400

I will sell everything for $2,000 PLUS I will throw in 50 copied (backup) DVD movies that play in the unit. None of my home dvd players play backups so I have no use for them now. That's a total value of over $3,000. It will all install right in your Expedition. I have more stuff but I don't know how much you might want. Let me know if you are interested.

 

hey why is ford buying back ur truck and how much for just the cd changer cause i already have the 911 head unit i just need a cd changer and need it fast

 

It retails for $400, and I paid $389.99 plus tax for it not even three months ago. I'll sell it for $315 shipped and all, and it has full warranty too. I tried to pm you but it said that I don't have enough posts to take advantage of that feature yet. Please email me for details, JDookie(No Email Addresses In Posts!)

As far as why Ford is buying my truck back it's because its a total piece of junk. I've owned it for seven months and it's been in the shop over a dozen times for the same problems. Oil leaks, poor fuel mileage, lack of power, very bad idle, etc. The problems were never ending. They are giving a full refund but I am very lucky.

 

Do you have the KDSP900 processor for your 911DVD? If you don't you will not be able to use the optical digital cable for the hookup, it will only be analog. I'll make you one heck of a deal on both if you are interested, just email me.

By the way, you can see pics of my entire system installed in my truck below.

 

Mike-
I went through the same crap with my 1999 Expy "Premium" system, but I was able to greatly improve the sound quality without spending a whole lot of money (around $500 bucks). It would have been easy enough to replace my head unit and 6-disc changer, but I didn't want to lose the rear seat controls and speed sensitive volume controls. While some people may think the rear controls are unecessary, I find them very useful when my daughter is watching a movie in the back seat.

Anyway, to make a long story short, I simply replaced my door speakers and added a powered sub in the rear compartment. This improved the overall sound quality by an order of magnitude, and I have no desire to make any other improvements. For the record, I am a rather picky person when it comes to A/V equipment.

In all fairness to Ford radios (made by Visteon, which used to be Ford Audio), I am actually quite impressed with the quality of the factory head unit. I know a lot of people will talk about the stock radio as if it were junk, but they are almost bulletproof units with an incredibly clean output signal. Their continuous output power is rated fairly low, but they seem to have a lot of peak power available. I have yet to hear any amplifier clipping from my system, and there is very little distortion even at very high volume levels.

That being said, the factory door speakers are absolutely pathetic, and their physical size limits the amount of good bass you can expect out of any replacements. Therefore, I put in 4 new door speakers and an amplified subwoofer - and I am 100% satisfied with my system. For what it's worth, I bought my door speakers from Crutchfield, and they came with adapters that allowed me to plug the new speakers right in to the wiring harness without cutting any wires. In addition, Crutchfield tech support was very helpful during my subwoofer installation.

If you decide to do what I did, there are a couple of things you should keep in mind.

1. The factory head units have an internal amplifier, so you will need to buy an amp that accepts line level inputs. You can use one of the line-to-preamp level converters, but I don't like them - it is easier to buy an amp that takes the signal directly from your speaker wires.

2. I fed my subwoofer amp from the rear speaker wires, and I tapped into them behind the rear audio control unit. This worked very well, but don't run the negative speaker wires to the negative terminals of your amp. The factory head unit will not power up its built-in amplifier if it does not see the expected resistance across the speakers, and you will get no sound. The rest of the radio will work, but there will be nothing coming out of the speakers. If you just ground the negative terminals of the amplifier, you will be ok. Trust me - I've been there.

Hope this helps!
Jerm