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Originally posted by tiv:
I have a stock '97 Contour GL, and just installed a CD player instead of the factory tape unit. Now I can play CDs, but the system still sounds awful (no bass, no high freq sounds, lifeless).
I suppose it's because the cheap stock speakers.
Right ?
Most likely. You should have noticed a tremendous improvement in sound quality, except for the really high and really low, with just the HU. Did you bypass the external factory amplifier, if you have one?
Should I:
- replace all 4, with 2 identical pairs
- replace only the front pair
- replace with 2 different pairs
for best result.
Do you have any recommendations (or price/product range I should think about or avoid) ?
I have some EE background, and zero knowledge of audio systems.
Tivadar
First note: with any modifications, you decide your budget first, then pick what's are the best products in that range. If we see a product we like a lot just outside of that budget, we'll also include it and give reasons why. So, if you can give us you budget, we can go from there with exact recommendations. Best sound quality will come from 4 equal replacements. But I'd rather have really good fronts and lesser rears if on a tighter budget. For $250 or even $200, you can have a really good custom component setup. Since you noted some EE backgroud, I assume you are willing to splice some wires and crimp some connetors?
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Originally posted by APT CSVT:
First note: with any modifications, you decide your budget first, then pick what's are the best products in that range. If we see a product we like a lot just outside of that budget, we'll also include it and give reasons why. So, if you can give us you budget, we can go from there with exact recommendations.
Best sound quality will come from 4 equal replacements. But I'd rather have really good fronts and lesser rears if on a tighter budget. For $250 or even $200, you can have a really good custom component setup. Since you noted some EE backgroud, I assume you are willing to splice some wires and crimp some connetors? Yes, I'm in friendship with wires  And I don't think I have factory amp - I haven't seen one when removed the old unit - suppose it should be somewhere around. Price range: exactly what you've mentioned: $200 is OK, or $250 if there's a really good reason, but no more. Thanks again
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I have a problem with the buzz from the trunk of my car when i play my 10inch speaker. how do i get rid of that. I Originally posted by SHOoff:
Hi how every body doing i just thought i would offer anybody advice on car stereo installation or product referals i have over 8 years experence in the car electronics field and have been a professional installer for over 5 i also love to work on and customz contours and taurus sho let me know if anybody needs anything
Wine RedMercuy Mystique 99
Alpine 60x4
4 pioneers 6x9
kenwood amp
rockford fosgate 10inch
speaker
in the processes of putting a superchip in
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Originally posted by tiv:
Price range: exactly what you've mentioned:
$200 is OK, or $250 if there's a really good reason, but no more.
Thanks again
Well, I have Pioneer 6x8s (3 ways) in all four of my doors. The sound is excellent, and there is ample bass, but lotsa clarity and sharpness. Cost me 200 bucks for all 4 speakers. I'd wished I would have gone for cheaper speakers in the back. I'm *rarely*  back there to listen to music. The installation took about 2 hours for all the speakers. Simple install too! Take off doors (little trouble there) and take out old speakers. Reconnect wires to new speakers and reverse! I was done just like that! Bestbuy wanted something like 50 bucks for (installation) the back, and 40 for the front, HAH! Email me if ya need more info on these speakers! SHOff, were in MI is your shop again? I might stop by and say Hi, and look at some amps soon!! ------------------ Andy littlefishie@mail.com 97 GL T-Red SE Mich. Pioneer 3100 HU/Pioneer 6x8s 3 Ways (All doors), LeBra, K&N Car Pictures! http://pmipog.hypermart.net [This message has been edited by LittleFishie (edited April 19, 2001).]
STD's are like Pokemon...
Gotta catch em' all!
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Joined: Dec 2000
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Originally posted by tiv:
Yes, I'm in friendship with wires
And I don't think I have factory amp - I haven't seen one when removed the old unit - suppose it should be somewhere around.
It isn't obvious if you just replace the HU. The external ampwould be located behind the glove box. open your glove box, look for a silver, finned box (the amp). Or, if you have the MSRP stick from new, look for Ford Premium cassette sound or something similar. The 'Premium Sound' means external amp for us.
Price range: exactly what you've mentioned:
$200 is OK, or $250 if there's a really good reason, but no more.
Okay then. I just installed some of these parts myself last night, although I'm not finished yet. What I recommend is custom components. Tweeters and midranges separate. Comercially, they run from $130 on up to over $200/set. We're going to build them, better for cheaper by selecting some quality components. Everything can be gotten fro mthe same place. Pease take my word when I recommend this place. I've spent well over $600 there on things from wires and cables to 15" woofers for my home theater. Start at www.partsexpress.com I'll reference by part number. You can use the search by item nuumber at the top left corner. Tweeters: #265-344 2 @ $24.50/pair They can be mounted flush (cut hole in door panel), surface, or surface/angled. I got 1 pair for myself and am working on the install. Alright, I'll have to edit this later for more info. Gotta meeting.
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Hey SHOoff I have a stick and it's ok I found a hole for the wires to go in. If you look at your car from the front it's right by the driver side strut and right behind the wiper motor. Your goin to have to take the plastic part of the wiper off before you can reach it. Also your goin to have to put a hole in the rubber stopper.
1997 T-Red Contour
V-6 MTX
Magnaflow custom dual exhuast
SC Cold Air induction
Sony LCD screen with PS 1
Neon interior lights,gauges
Momo shifter knob
SVT E0 Rims
Touring Spoiler
In the means to change the sound system.
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thanks shoof, okay heres my info: 1 Digital Designs 3512 in a slot ported enclosure the box needs an internal air volume of 2.5cuft. tuned to 35hz I got that info from here: http://www.ddaudio.com/twelveInchOP.htm the mounting data for the sub is here: http://www.ddaudio.com/mountData.htm its occupid volume is .09 using WINISD (a box design program..which I dont know how to use correctly yet) I got these numbers: W=1.68 cuft H=2.6 cuft (2.6 is as high as I can go) D=1.0 cuft port=10 x 2.68wide and 11.42 in long the numbers just arent adding up if you could help me get the correct measurements for the box that would be great. I guess I also need to take into account the wood used in the port. any help/guidance would be great as its the first ported box Ill be making. Inspin
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give me the max length width and height and i will design you a box, also tell me what you want it tuned at
------------------
Donny C
Bone frickn' stock
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There's a metal box under the glove box on the far rigth side (looks like the ECU on my previous car). Is it the amp or is it the ECU ?
Reading the opinions and getting some further advice I think I'd start with 4 Pioneer TS-A6815s - they are fairly cheap ($60 /pair) and very easy to mount.
I was told that if I want to spend more money, I should spend it to a better HU or amp, because these speakers are good enough for my setup.
Thanks,
Tivadar
[This message has been edited by tiv (edited April 20, 2001).]
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Originally posted by tiv:
There's a metal box under the glove box on the far rigth side (looks like the ECU on my previous car). Is it the amp or is it the ECU ? The flat wide silver metal box??...that's your ECU. ------------------ Brad W. 1998 Silver Frost SE brantleyiii@earthlink.net Photopoint Album-(Updated 2/28/01) ------------------ "Just remember, when things look bad, it can always be worse."
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