Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Audio simple upgrade possible ?

Is a simple stereo upgrade possible,to achieve acceptable results? I don't need concert hall quality, just something better than stock crap. For instance, would new speakers be enough to get me there?
Thanks

You can upgrade the headunit and speakers fairly easily yourself if you can use basic hand tools. Get a hold of a Crutchfield audio catalog. You will have numerous choices of headunits and speakers. I put Polk Audio 5x7s I already had in my wifes tour, very easy, just had to drill a few holes. If you buy a headunit or speakers from Crutchfield they will send you the instructions for installation. I have found their prices to be competitive, especially since they give you the wiring harnesses.
Good Luck...

Which Polk speakers - the dx7 3 ways or the 2 ways? I'm thinking of buying 2 or 4 dx7s...

Do you like them? I'm looking for good mid and high end as I'll have a sub.

I used the EX572a 2 ways and a pair that that model replaced. To me they sound just fine, however, speakers are subjective, what sounds great to me may sound like garbage to you. I used these because they fit and I had them on hand. I would assume that you are going to use a cross over to keep the low bass out of the 5x7s. The 572as are not going to bounce your car up and down if used as stand alone for bass. They should sound good if used as mid bass and treble. A three way will always sound smoother for that purpose. I liked these a whole lot more than Pioneers I used to have. My 2 cents worth...
LT7D101

The better Sony head unit support high and low pass filters on the 3 sets of preamps. Hopefully the high pass also applies to the amplified outputs.

I'm thinking of going with 2 Polk dx7 3ways and maybe the Infinity 2ways. I figure wherever either speaker is weak, hopefully the other one will cover (don't want any dead spots).

I think what you loose in 2 ways is either upper mid range or the upper end (depending on which speaker they get rid of) - the woofer is the same either way.

I plan to get a 10 or 12" sub in a sealed box as sealed boxes are smaller and have a flatter frequency response. Infinity's site has frequency curves for sealed, ported, and bandpass boxes. Bandpass were really good, but I want to save trunk space and I think bandpass are the same size as ported boxes.

I wouldn't recommend put 5x7's because the stock contours (front and rear) speakers are 6x8's, unless your 'tour is older than a 98 then I don't know what I am talking about:confused

5x7 speakers will fit just fine. You will have to do drill new mounting holes. Quick tip: get a Sears quick change drill/driver set to do this, made the install much, much faster...

Or just buy two cheap $30 drills. I used 2 when I mde my deck - one for drilling the hole and countersink, and the other for driving the screws.

5x7s and 6x8s are (usually) the same size. it's just a difference in the name and where holes are placed.

also, unless you have serious high frequency hearing capabilities, you'll never notice the difference between 2 ways and 3 ways. especially if you're going to cross them over somewhere in the mid-bass range anyway. the tweeter on the dB/dX series Polks is ver good and very powerful. the extra "mid" is a waste of a few dollars, IMO.

Glad to hear that. A local respected installer is the only Polk reseller and has the dx7's for only $102! But they do not have them on display, so I have no way to listen to them before I buy them.