My base speaker upgrade plan

Moto

So I slightly regret not getting the touring edition although saving the 4k sure feels nice. And while I'm about 70% happy with the stock radio it just needs to be slightly better sounding.

So here's my plan:

* Keep stock HU - I will use AUX input for my iPhone (Pandora junkie)
* Upgrade front speakers to Focal 165a1 which is 6.5" and 1" speakers.
These focal speakers are meant to be drop in replacements for your stock speakers w/o upgrading the stock HU. I found them for $219 on amazon.

I will wire them up myself and see how things sound.

Phase 2 will be adding focal's 4" coaxial 100ca speakers to the rear stock locations (currently empty and w/o wiring) but only if necessary. This would simply provide some fill in the rear which I think is missing right now.

If the stock radio can't handle the power of the new speakers, I will then add a 4ch amplifier.

And finally if I find that there just isn't enough bass, I will add a small sub-woofer, hopefully something that fits into on top of the spare tire like the bose system does.

My goal was to keep things looking and feeling stock while spending as little money as possible. One of the best features of the stock HU is the fact that it has an AUX input.

I'll update when I get the focals in.

david712370

Hey Moto...Sounds like a decent plan. I find myself in a similar position and thought that I would share with you my plans and things that I have read.

I have seen that there have been some people that have put 3.5" and 4" speakers in the rears (I would like to find out the depth but haven't gotten a chance to check myself, I just got my car a few days ago). I currently find myself in a dilemma...I've read that some people think that if you have very good quality components up front that putting in rear speakers will make the system sound worse. Their logic is that it will mess up the channeling and what not (I believe that was the wording). This is because the Car is much smaller and those 4" rear speaker spots are close to the head rest.

I have had someone else tell me that if powered by a quality amp that the rears would add to the system. I am definitely planning on changing the head unit (Kenwood DDX 714, looks like a really good fit for the none touring and offers tons of add ons such as rear camera, bluetooth, garmin navi, ipod, hd radio, sirus and steering wheel controls.) and adding a 4 channel amp even though i'm not sure if I want the rear speakers. Having the option would always be nice. I was thinking about a Rockford Fosgate T400-4bd or the JL 300/4v2. The components I plan to get are the JL C5-650. I believe the retail on those at crutchfield are 500 but am getting them for about 283.

Anyways....I think u'll be better off to upgrade you head unit and 4 channel amp. If you plan on getting the 4 channel from the start you may be able to satisfy your bass needs granted you got the proper amp. For example, instead of getting the 4" in the rear and possibly the sub... you could get a pair of 6x9s.

One last thing, I saw on a recent thread that someone fit 3" mids in the upper dash. I am currently thinking about that option as well.

Best of luck.

Jeff Smith

If your looking to not add a amp and only use the stock radio the HERTZ ESK 165.3 are very good speakers and are high in sensitivity for low power system or radio power . MOTO there are quite a few HERTZ dealers in South FL I recommend you give them a lsten before you dive into the focals.

__________________
Jeff Smith
Autosound Specialist
Atlanta, GA

antennahead

Are you close to the Tampa area? Zenclosures is looking for a test car to use to design a sub enclosure. They are offering a free enclosure in exchange for your time. There is a thread in the audio & video section on this.

John

Moto

I'm on the east coast of FL about 3.5 hours drive from Tampa... but that may be worth the drive.

antennahead

If you end up going, talk to them about doing one like this thread:

8" Subwoofer box WITH spare tire

Allows you to keep the spare AND your trunk space, totally stealth. This would also work well with a 10" Pioneer shallow-mount sub. They only need a .35 sealed box.

John