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Joined: Oct 2004
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As of right now I have all the stock stereo and speakers hooked up in my SVT (premium sound). Im looking for an upgrade but there are many oposing views about our stock audio. 99% of ppl say the factory amp is junk, which i belive. others say the weak link is the stock HU and to buy a better HU to throw more power to the stock 6x8's to sound better. While others say the stock CD HU is fine and to just upgrade to some better 6X8's b/c the stockers get disorted too easy and then new speakers will make a huge improvement. So why so many oposing views? I'm trying to figure what the next best step is. If there are any guys that are experts on this subject I would really apreciate some help. I dont want to spend hundreds of dollars on a new HU and 4 new 6X8's unless I am going to hear a rediculous night and day difference. So my question is, what should I buy 6X8's or a HU. I was at BB today and saw the punch 6x8's for $112, but the $99 Pioneers seemed to sound better  Any other good suggestions? As for head units I have an old eclipse im my stang and i like it but its way out dated. Any suggestions on a really good HU for around $300-$400? Thanks for the help in advance P.S. I dont want to have to amp the 6x8's b/c i dnt want to have to do all the wiring or pay more $ to have it done. So is there a HU that is strong enough to power a good set of 6X8's effectively. Or am i better off saving the $ and keeping all stock b/c there is no combination of HU and 6x8's that will sound better that the stock audio setup?
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Joined: Feb 2001
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Hard-core CEG'er
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Hard-core CEG'er
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Replace the HU first, then do the front speakers. The End.
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 230
CEG\'er
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OP
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Joined: Oct 2004
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Joined: Oct 2000
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Hard-core CEG\'er
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Hard-core CEG\'er
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Get the Panasonic MXE CQ-C9800U if you want the most powerful head unit on the market today. It produces 60x4 RMS (ignore max ratings as they're useless). They go for around $350 on eBay. An optional step 3 after HU replacement and front speaker replacement would be an 8" free-air sub in the rear deck powered with a small amp.
1999 Ford Contour SVT #900/2760 (SOLD)
2005 Mazda 6s
2003.5 Mazdaspeed Protege
1998 Ford Ranger 4x4
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Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 3,264
Hard-core CEG'er
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Hard-core CEG'er
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Originally posted by chill1110:
Thanks Bill Nye
You're welcome, but what's the Bill Nye [censored] for?
Replace the HU first it will make the most difference, then do your front speakers if you still want more improvement. It's fairly straightforward so I didn't think a two page writeup on it was necessary. A quick search over the last month will answer any of your other questions, but lets do this anyways.
HU for around $300-$400? That's pretty much any HU made right now. I'll suggest the CDA-9835 because I am most familiar with Alpine. Eclipse, Pioneer, etc... all make perfectly good HUs and at any price point the difference between them is pretty minimal so go to a shop and play with them all until you decide you can live with one day to day.
For door speakers, really pretty much all the 6x8s/5x7s all sound the same, don't expect alot of bass and don't expect a night and day difference. The door locations in the Contour suck and bass response from anything in there is really just a dream.
You won't have to amp them to sound better than the stock HU. I can reproduce music better with my ass than that piece of garbage can. Take it out of your car and smash it, you will be doing the word a favor. Seriously, the "premium" stereo in the Contour is one of the worst stock systems I've ever heard in my entire life.
If you do get that unit posted by cthomp21, be prepared to buy new speakers as the stockers will die fairly soon after installing that HU. But instead of looking at 6x8s, spend a little bit less on the HU (meaning get a mid level HU, you obviously won't be needing 90% of a high end model's features) and spend the difference on a decent set of front 6.5" component speakers. Make a plate and pop them in the doors. Well worth the litte extra.
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Joined: Sep 2000
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I feel Guilty, Oh so guilty
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I feel Guilty, Oh so guilty
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 4,789 |
I told you not to post here anymore Luke, do I need to ban you outright 
"If you are flammable and have legs, you are never blocking a fire exit"
-Mitch Hedberg
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 7,392
Addicted CEG\'er
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Addicted CEG\'er
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Posts: 7,392 |
Originally posted by dnewma04:
I told you not to post here anymore Luke, do I need to ban you outright
Luke? i thought his name was richard clark!
crap! 
02 Mustang GT... Tuned by Nelsons. Low 12's, anyone? 
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Joined: Feb 2001
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Hard-core CEG'er
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Hard-core CEG'er
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 3,264 |
We are often confused
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 7,392
Addicted CEG\'er
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Addicted CEG\'er
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 7,392 |
Originally posted by Honkeytonk Monkey:
We are often confused
yes, you are.
02 Mustang GT... Tuned by Nelsons. Low 12's, anyone?
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 230
CEG\'er
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OP
CEG\'er
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Posts: 230 |
Originally posted by cthomp21:
Get the Panasonic MXE CQ-C9800U if you want the most powerful head unit on the market today. It produces 60x4 RMS (ignore max ratings as they're useless). They go for around $350 on eBay.
Ya I like that HU alot...being that it has alot of power, I wouldnt need to wire an amp to the door speakers that i plan to replace anyway. However, i do really like the new HU that have the 16color displays (i believe its Pioneer) that is at Circuit City for i think 499. Those are the most atractive out. There is the one Sony w/ the miny video screen but I've been told you need extra hardware to make that work which is stupid considering the price tag. Guess the desion is b/w looks or power. (Wish there was a high power HU like the Panasonic MXE CQ-C9800U with better display ) Is there such a HU out there in my price range $400ish?
I have heard from various sources that ppl tend to favor putting component (round speakers) in the doors instead of 6x8's. Is there better sound quality w/ these? IIRC 6x8's have better base responce even though there wont be much comming from the doors, they seem to handle the bass a little better, I could be wrong.
As far as door speaker recomendations???? Infiniy Kappa's, Punch,JL, Pioneer, Polk, others??? what is the best buy?
Thanks again in advance for the help
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