Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Audio What one replacement makes the biggest difference?

If you were going to just make one replacement to the "Premium Sound" system, which single component replacement would give you the biggest sound improvement? i.e. Do the speakers suck no matter how good the radio is? or, If you replace the amp, does the sound quality move to somewhere north of complete sh!t?




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Jason
98.5 SE ATX

They all suck. Some people say that the speakers are OK, but when I took min out I noticed they were worse than ANY other speaker I have ever seen. The FIRST thing you should do is replace the Head Unit, and bypass the factory amp

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-Steve
www.geocities.com/sweetsvt99
SweetSVT99@aol.com

head unit and bypass the factory amp.

then speakers and wiring

then amp and sub

then additional amp

then equalizer/processor

then line balancer and new amps and capacitors

new battery and alternator

DVD player/playstation/LCD screens/Dolby Digital

new, better speakers and bigger sub

>>>>> i could go on and on.........

I agree with the order. Change head unit first, and bypass amp. Then front speakers, then rear speakers, then add amp/sub. More than that is up to you, but not needed for great sound!

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I don't have a personality. I have an attitude

Ross 1998 E0 SVT T-Red

Throw away the head unit and its amp.

Just because a speakers likes like junk does'nt mean it sound like junk. I could by Radio Shack speakers and sound as good as most systems on this forum.

Although, you will want to throw them away too.

Start at the source, head unit and amp.

If cash flow is an issue (or your wife won't okay the head unit, hypothetically speaking ), changing the door speakers to the Pioneers does make a big difference without costing a whole lot. I'm getting giddy at the thought that a new head unit could make another quantum improvement.

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1999 Contour SE Sport MTX75 Toreador Red/Greystone
Current MODS:
Mobil 1 5W-30, Pioneer TS-A6855 Speakers x4, Bosch wipers
'Soon' MODS:
Foglight fix w/ 50W Ambers, cargo net, cup holder, Mondeo side markers, K&N Filter, 3 window and visor tint
'Stuck in Appropriations Commitee' MODS:
MP3 CD-Player Head Unit, Donelly Mirror

The Ford 'premium' speakers look like and are junk. They are 1-way speakers w/ marginal materials (including a paper 'tweeter' cone glued to the 'midrange' driver), a flexible plastic frame and a weak magnet. Those are just the worst attributes. And what was the point to the plastic insert between the speaker and the door panel? I just don't get it.

I wonder what kind of junk is in the base system.

i had those same speakers in my base system. i think the premium just adds the amp. at least for the contour, that's all is seems to do.

Thanks. If I'm going to bypass the amp, do I even need to keep it? Once it's bypassed, can it just be removed or what?

I am asking about the best order because I don't feel like dropping a grand all at once, but I can't stand the muddy sound and overloaded speakers much longer.

The thing that really boggles my mind is that I can't stand the Contour's stereo because I got used to my last "Premium" Ford sound system--in a goddam TEMPO. That system had suprisingly good sound. Great low midrange and tight bass. Go figure.

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Jason
98.5 SE ATX

[This message has been edited by Jason (edited September 07, 2000).]

baco99, you are the man.


jason
This post says it all. This should be your guide to the world of better car audio.

Peace,

Brad