Cheap Audio Upgrade
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 183
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Cheap Audio Upgrade
2005 F150 SC
What is the best bang-for-the-buck upgrade to make this radio sound decent? It has the in dash 6cd head unit but it barely has the power to drown out road noise. I dont want to replace the whole system or dump a bunch of cash. Maybe just door speakers or something?
What is the best bang-for-the-buck upgrade to make this radio sound decent? It has the in dash 6cd head unit but it barely has the power to drown out road noise. I dont want to replace the whole system or dump a bunch of cash. Maybe just door speakers or something?
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 142
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Replacing the speakers will change the quality of the sound - NOT the volume. Its a common misconception that adding 500gigawatt speakers makes your system louder. Having a speaker that can handle 150 watts is useless unless you have the power to back it up.
In your case you will benefit most from adding a small 4ch amplifier to your existing radio/speakers. The additional power will give you more output - and make even those factory speakers more dynamic. Your factory radio probably produces around 12-20W per channel. Upgrade to a brand name amp that is rated between 35-50W and you should be happy. Most smaller 4ch amps will also have built in hi-level inputs so they can be installed using the speaker level outputs from the OEM radio.
If you are not happy with the sound quality after adding the amp - THEN change the speakers. Doing so before hand will only get you better sounding speakers that still dont play loud.
Brand name 4ch amp $159-199
Installation labor $60-120 (depending on shop and location of amp)
Parts/wiring $40-60
Or for around the same price you could replace the front speakers and add a 2ch amp to power them - and let the dogs/kids/groceries listen to the factory rears
In your case you will benefit most from adding a small 4ch amplifier to your existing radio/speakers. The additional power will give you more output - and make even those factory speakers more dynamic. Your factory radio probably produces around 12-20W per channel. Upgrade to a brand name amp that is rated between 35-50W and you should be happy. Most smaller 4ch amps will also have built in hi-level inputs so they can be installed using the speaker level outputs from the OEM radio.
If you are not happy with the sound quality after adding the amp - THEN change the speakers. Doing so before hand will only get you better sounding speakers that still dont play loud.
Brand name 4ch amp $159-199
Installation labor $60-120 (depending on shop and location of amp)
Parts/wiring $40-60
Or for around the same price you could replace the front speakers and add a 2ch amp to power them - and let the dogs/kids/groceries listen to the factory rears
