Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Audio speakers or head unit?

I know this is probably an old question in this forum, but I need to ask it anyway. In my 2000SVT, which is the best upgrade to make first, new speakers or a new head? I can only afford to do one or the other right now, and want the most beneficial one first. Thanks!

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2000 SVT Silver Frost
1999 SE Sport V-6 MTX

do the speakers first you will apreciate the sound better than a good looking head unit



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2000 se
kkm intake
fog light mod
pioneer 4100 (no remote-your welcome chris)
green interior lights
(alot more to come)
1999 se (no mods yet)intake on the way
email-jessneric@peoplepc.com
yahoo instant messanger-eric_j_linders
icq-94866821

well it depends.

*Do you feel that the speakers are decent right now?
If yes, then get the head unit. If, no replace speakers. Keep in mind if you buy a head unit from a chain store (like good guys or circuit city) its possible to get a really good deal. Sometimes you can get a headunit and free installation and theyll throw in free speakers. these speakers won't be outstanding but will be better than the stock ones. if you look you might be able to get both done (knock 2 birds down w/one stone). Do understand tho, if u do decide to keep the stock speakers that they will blow very easily at high volumes with your new head unit if u listen to your music loud.

However, if you are planning to redo your whole sound system (speakers and headunit) in the future, but don't have the funds yet id go for the speakers b/c the technology of speakers doesn't change as much as headunits do. ie. if you bought good speakers today they still will be good in a year or even 2. but if you bought a good head unit, it may be good in a year or two, but it will definitely be lacking some of the advanced features on the market.

again it comes down to personal preference and the deal you can get. Personally, i would get a headunit because i think the stock speakers are decent. In fact another approach i can suggest is getting a new head unit and a decent subwoofer then using the stock speakers as tweeters and midrange speakers basically. Ive heard this type of set up in my friends truck and it sounded surprisingly clean and good. many people here have taken that route too. but then again maybe a sub isn't what you want.
sorry for the long post, hope i helped or at least conveyed my opinion.

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1998 Ford Contour SVT
*Silver Frost/Midnight Blue
*New cupholders, ceg sticker =)
*BONE STOCK*

It all depends on money. How much do you want to spend now, how much later? For $250 I could put in 8 all new speakers and a modest head unit that would sound better than the stock system (with a lot of time).

I currently use the factory speakers (with caps to block bass), 2 additional surface mount tweeters ($14) for imaging (I am tall so I sit far away from them) and added a subwoofer. My brother thinks the factory speakers are good enough, but I want to change them anyway to some kind of custom 6 1/2" mid-driver or full range. I also have an aftermarket head unit that I'm not using for power. I just transfered it from an old car since it is a CD changer controller.

I agree with vcontoursvt, the head units will get cheaper or you'll get new features the longer you wait. Speakers are a lot more simple and have limited tradeoffs. However, I don't use many features in my headunit. I just want good, clean power (even though *I'm* not actually using it currently).

Figure out what you want in the end. Sub? If yes, then factory speakers are okay until money allows replacement. No, then you'll have to figure out how much you want to spend on your head unit and speakers.

It doesn't really matter which you replace first. Both will dramatically improve the sound by themselves and once you get the other done.

HU first. The stock speakers are actually quite nice a mids. Put some aftermarket tweeters and a sub like one of the other posters mentioned. the cap on the mids to protect them from bass is also a good idea. and add a 10" sub and a small amp, and you'll be extremely hppy with the sound.

HU:150-200
Tweets:15-50.00
Sub:48.00
amp:150.00

For 363-450.00 you could have a system that would blow away most, if not all factory systems.

HU: $100 from outlet store 2 years ago
Tweets: $14
Sub: $50
Amp: $80

That's what I spent plus $300 for the CD changer 4 years ago.

A friend found a deal on a Sony 4 channel amp at an outlet store for $100. Excellent amp with adjustable high & low pass filters so he has no capacitors/inductors/crossovers.

The estimates for prices that I posted are realistic easy to find prices. The prices you quoted would require some patience to find.

Either way, for less than 500.00 you can get quality sound, as you have shown.

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99 SVT
Sony ES CDX-C910
Sony Digital EQ/X-over
Sony Changer
McIntosh MC440M
Adire Audio Shiva
MB Quart/Vifa seperates