Are factory systems worth ordering?
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Senior User
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From: Seattle
Are factory systems worth ordering?
I'm not an audio nut but I appreciate a decent sounding system. I'm ordering a new XLT F350 CC and was wondering if any of the Ford optional systems are worth buying or should I order the cheapest factory unit & upgrade after I take delivery? The hole in the dash is huge, is that a new standard for automotive audio stuff or is it a Ford thing? Sorry for the rookie questions but this is one area of the truck where I am clueless.
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From: Juniata County, PA
I have an 02 Explorer with the AM/FM Single CD and it works flawless. Even though the radio isn't the audiophile, it still thumps pretty good. so i guess you could stick with the factory units unless you want to put all kinds of amps and subs on it.
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From: WA
The upgraded factory audio system costs a lot more than it's worth, I'd go ahead and get the lowest you can get and then upgrade, you have a lot more options when you upgrade with aftermarket parts too.
I believe the factory headunit size is 1 1/2 DIN size, and it seems that most car manufactures are making them this big these days. Most the aftermarket decks are 1 DIN size, so you will have to put a small filler piece in or they do make aftermarket decks that are 1 1/2 DIN.
I believe the factory headunit size is 1 1/2 DIN size, and it seems that most car manufactures are making them this big these days. Most the aftermarket decks are 1 DIN size, so you will have to put a small filler piece in or they do make aftermarket decks that are 1 1/2 DIN.
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To get a true aftermarket upgrade, not only do you need a replacement head unit, but you'll need to upgrade the speakers, and external amplifier.
Price all of the above with installation and your talking several hundred dollars on you credit card. Weigh that against 0% financing on the new vehicle.
Price all of the above with installation and your talking several hundred dollars on you credit card. Weigh that against 0% financing on the new vehicle.
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From: Seattle
Thanks for the input guys. The payment method isn't the issue, I'm mainly wondering if the stock systems are throw-aways like they used to be or are you buying something fairly decent if you opt for a "premium" ford sound system. For instance, are the speakers the cheapest thing Ford could buy or are they equivalent to a moderately good aftermarket speaker . . . that kind of stuff.
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The aftermarket upgraded systems generally start in the ~$800 range, and go up from there. Yes, they are considerably better than what you would get if you just went with the bone stock stuff, but not even close to what you would be able to get for the same money at a retail store. The sound of the upgraded stuff is generally very good, but from what I've seen of the factory systems, it's the construction, durability, and quality of the aftermarket (storebought) stuff that sets it apart from the dealer offered goods.
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One company you should look to for an aftermarket radio replacement kit, would be Metra. Visit your local mobile audio shop, or even circuit city, or best buy, and they should beable to hook you up.
As far as audio goes, I would suggest ordering the truck with out the audio system. for under 500 beanos you can get a start on your aftermarket system that will rock better than factory. Start with a good source. Takin' into account what you would want to add down the road I.E. amps, subs. If you do plan on adding a few amps (for front, and rear speaker amplification) then you'll need atleast front, and rear pre-amp out puts. If you see yourself adding a few subs then you might want to think about picking a deck with a Non-fade pre-amp. This allows you to control the volume of the subwoofers with out having to get at the amps to play with the gain.
Hope this helped a little.
As far as audio goes, I would suggest ordering the truck with out the audio system. for under 500 beanos you can get a start on your aftermarket system that will rock better than factory. Start with a good source. Takin' into account what you would want to add down the road I.E. amps, subs. If you do plan on adding a few amps (for front, and rear speaker amplification) then you'll need atleast front, and rear pre-amp out puts. If you see yourself adding a few subs then you might want to think about picking a deck with a Non-fade pre-amp. This allows you to control the volume of the subwoofers with out having to get at the amps to play with the gain.
Hope this helped a little.
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From: Seattle
OK, let me ask this. Is the factory system with 6 CD capacity ($300 upgrade cost) basically identical to the single CD system in terms of receiver quality, amp output & speaker quality with the only difference being the 6 CD deck? I can't see paying an additional $300 for CD capacity but if the overall sound is better then, yeah, I could justify that extra cost. I suppose I could go back to the stealership and listen but thought I would check here first - thanks!
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disk capacity doesn't really mean much more than you can load 5 more disks than a single cd player. over all the factory unit puts out far less than an aftermarket piece.
All technical crap aside. For 300 bucks you can purchase a decent aftermarket deck, and be very happy. Plus it will be a good platform for you to build a decent stereo system somewhere down the road.
All technical crap aside. For 300 bucks you can purchase a decent aftermarket deck, and be very happy. Plus it will be a good platform for you to build a decent stereo system somewhere down the road.
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I cannot prove this, but I believe the CD-6 units are the same quality tuner/amplifier as the single CD "premium" unit which seems to be standard in the XLT and up trucks. Be careful because "premium" has lately been redefined as part of Ford's cost cutting efforts. Their electronics seem good, but the power output may be lower than you would like. The speakers are only fair, in my opinion. I think if you can get a "real" premium system (more power, separate tweeters and a sub) it might be worth looking into. However, the real factory upgrades, if available, tend to be way over-priced.
I was also concerned with looks. The factory units do integrate better with the dash and lighting. I also like the RDS and speed sensitive volume. I installed a Kenwood "wOOx" powered sub-woofer, which was a major improvement, and have purchased, but not yet installed, a pair of 6x8 Pioneer co-axials (close-out at Walmart: $40). I think I will have an excellent system at a bargain price.
If you have the money to spend, I'm sure any good shop could provide an equal or better system, but it wouldn't look as good (IMHO) and would cost more.
I was also concerned with looks. The factory units do integrate better with the dash and lighting. I also like the RDS and speed sensitive volume. I installed a Kenwood "wOOx" powered sub-woofer, which was a major improvement, and have purchased, but not yet installed, a pair of 6x8 Pioneer co-axials (close-out at Walmart: $40). I think I will have an excellent system at a bargain price.
If you have the money to spend, I'm sure any good shop could provide an equal or better system, but it wouldn't look as good (IMHO) and would cost more.
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MrBSS, thanks. Do the factory CD decks have outputs for downstream upgrades (pre-amp outputs)? If I understand what you are saying, the factory deck can be a pretty reasonable starting point for adding a bit more power and that, along with speaker upgrades you have a decent system that integrates with the truck's dash and other systems better than an aftermarket deck? Sounds like the way to go.
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From: Chicago Area
No, the factory units do not usually have pre-amp outputs. My subwoofer amp uses speaker level inputs. Some people find this unacceptable, but you should realize that these type amplifiers present a high impedence to the receiver output. That means they draw very little current, but only use the receiver's output as a control voltage for their internal amplification. So they really don't add much, if any, distortion. And low frequency distortion is not very noticeable anyway. Meanwhile, we've added power where it's most needed.
I still would prefer if the factory units had pre-amp outputs, but since probably 90% of purchasers would not care, I can understand why they eliminate that cost.
I still would prefer if the factory units had pre-amp outputs, but since probably 90% of purchasers would not care, I can understand why they eliminate that cost.
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