Davom97 Posted November 9, 2011 Report Share Posted November 9, 2011 (edited) Hey Everyone, I'm loving this forum. I've had my 2011 SEL for a few weeks and really am enjoying the vehicle. I have already decided to upgrade the speaker system and I'm going to do it one step at a time and pace myself in respects to cash flow. I am a home theater buff, but am a novice when it comes to car audio. I've done a lot of reading on this forum to see what other owners have done and spoken to the local install shop that I'm going to use. I am not a do-it-yourself kind of guy, so here's my plan & questions: Leave the head unit as is. For the money it will take, I am not that unhappy with it. Door speakers are the first to go. I will be replacing the fronts and the rears with two sets of MB Quart FKA 157. I've ordered them and they will be here on Friday. The installer said normally in a simple swap out they leave the stock tweeters, but in reading this forum it sounds like something needs to be added (a crossover?) in order for this set up to work properly. What do I need to tell / ask the installer to make sure he does to the stock tweeters? Adding a subwoofer will be my next step down the road, but I'm at a loss in my research. I'm thinking of going with a low profile powered sub under the second row bench for two reasons. One, I want keep the cargo area clear. There are times I'll need to fold the rear seats down and haul stuff. Two, using the cargo cubby hole on the passenger side is just too expensive from what I can tell. The JL Stealth box is way out of my price range and a custom box for that hole is too. I initially looked at a Bazooka BT6014, but I don't think even something that small will fit under the rear bench. The other options I'm considering are the Pioneer TS-SWX251 , Boss BASS1200 , or Kenwood KSC-SW10 . I am not a bass hog, but simply want some solid low end fill to balance out the door speakers. I realize powered units are not as elite as a component sub, but I need something compact and uncomplicated that will fit where I want to. What are your thoughts on the subs I am considering? When adding the subwoofer, it is also my understanding from reading here that I will need a piece of equipment that reverses something my stock head unit does automatically. It lowers the bass frequency as the volume is increases, so to correct that I need an MTX RE-Q5 , right? A sub won't sound right without this, correct? Finally, a separate amp for the door speakers will be my last step. I realize the amp in the stock head is not the best, but I can live with it for a while. Again, I'm totally in the dark here and there are thousands of amp options and a wide range of specs, so I'm open to your recommendations. I don't want to blow my windows out or annoy other drivers when I'm at a traffic light. I'll eventually just want to bring to whole system up a notch. What brands of amps should I look at and stay away from? What features should I definitely look for in an amp? I'm open to any other input you all could give. Thanks in advance for your assistance. Peace, DM Edited November 9, 2011 by Davom97 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted November 9, 2011 Report Share Posted November 9, 2011 Yes, you'll need a crossover if you want to keep the factory tweeters. The factory door speakers have the crossover built-in. What you should have done for the fronts is to get a 5.25 or 6.5 component kit which includes a new tweeter and the crossovers. You might want to consider sending back the 5x7s and going with a component setup. Otherwise you'll have to ditch the factory tweeters or add crossovers to filter out the lower frequencies from the tweeter feed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davom97 Posted November 9, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 9, 2011 (edited) Otherwise you'll have to ditch the factory tweeters or add crossovers to filter out the lower frequencies from the tweeter feed. I appreciate the quick response. If I did the latter half of your suggestion, what would you recommend I get? What brand & model of a crossover would work? Am I getting four crossovers, two for the fronts only or just one? Thanks so much, DM Edited November 9, 2011 by Davom97 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted November 9, 2011 Report Share Posted November 9, 2011 I appreciate the quick response. If I did the latter half of your suggestion, what would you recommend I get? What brand & model of a crossover would work? Am I getting four crossovers, two for the fronts only or just one? Thanks so much, DM No idea. They're typically sold as part of a component speaker kit - that's why I recommended switching to components. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mazz Posted November 9, 2011 Report Share Posted November 9, 2011 What is the RMS spec for the new speakers? Will the factory radio hit the mark? I've seen many aftermarket speakers that a factory radio would not properly drive, and so the volume was very low. As far as the factory tweeters go, I too would have gone with two pair of components. That would have been two woofers, two tweeters, and two crossovers. The sound stage would be better enhanced. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishx65 Posted November 9, 2011 Report Share Posted November 9, 2011 Are you sure your SEL has separate tweeters? I've always run separates in my vehicles but a great coax can sound really good and is an easy swap. The Quarts you ordered are a little low on sensitivity (88db) so you may not be happy powering them with the stock headunit. I would also spend some time listening to the new door speakers before going to a sub cuz you may be perfectly happy with the added bass they produce. I've always gone way overboard with installs but I guess old age is mellowing me out a little because I've been fine with just swapping out the front speakers on my Edge. I think I have enough older high-end car audio equipment to start a small shop!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dingo Posted November 9, 2011 Report Share Posted November 9, 2011 You don't need a crossover. The factory tweeters have their own channels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted November 9, 2011 Report Share Posted November 9, 2011 You don't need a crossover. The factory tweeters have their own channels. They didn't in my 08. The crossover was in the door speaker and only one channel went to each door. That may have changed for the new models. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dingo Posted November 9, 2011 Report Share Posted November 9, 2011 (edited) It changed. Edit: Wait, I just noticed that it's an SEL. The Sony system has separate tweeter channels, but the SEL doesn't even have tweeters. Edited November 9, 2011 by Dingo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davom97 Posted November 9, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 9, 2011 (edited) What is the RMS spec for the new speakers? Will the factory radio hit the mark? Spec sheet for the MB Quart speakers says "RMS Power Range : 40 Watts." No idea on your second question. Edited November 9, 2011 by Davom97 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davom97 Posted November 9, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 9, 2011 (edited) Edit: Wait, I just noticed that it's an SEL. The Sony system has separate tweeter channels, but the SEL doesn't even have tweeters. Yes, my Edge is an SEL and for the life of me since I bought it, I have NOT been able to figure out where the tweeters were. Every website I pull up says the stock (non-Sony) system with Nav has a six speaker system. Heck, my window sticker says I have six speakers, but I only see four door speakers and the grill on the front door only exposes the oval 5x7 speaker that's there. Back doors show the same. So where are the tweeters? Thanks so much guys. Peace, DM Edited November 9, 2011 by Davom97 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted November 9, 2011 Report Share Posted November 9, 2011 Yes, my Edge is an SEL and for the life of me since I bought it, I have NOT been able to figure out where the tweeters were. Every website I pull up says the stock (non-Sony) system with Nav has a six speaker system. Heck, my window sticker says I have six speakers, but I only see four door speakers and the grill on the front door only exposes the oval 5x7 speaker that's there. Back doors show the same. So where are the tweeters? Thanks so much guys. Peace, DM If you have separate tweeters they're mounted on the inside of the door right next to the side mirror. On the pre-2011 models they're in a separate black enclosure with speaker holes - not sure about the 2011. I do know that Ford likes to count 2-way door speakers as 2 speakers. I had an 11 speaker setup in my Lincoln LS - 4 2-way door speakers plus 2 subwoofers plus a center channel speaker. In your case you either have separate tweeters or they're counting the front door speakers as 2 speakers each and the rears as 1. Assuming you don't have separate subs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dingo Posted November 9, 2011 Report Share Posted November 9, 2011 Yeah. You have 4 speakers. The front just has a woofer and a tweeter in one. I just looked at the wiring manual. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davom97 Posted November 9, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 9, 2011 Yeah. You have 4 speakers. The front just has a woofer and a tweeter in one. I just looked at the wiring manual. Ok, with that confirmed, am I ok with the speakers I bought? Mazz had a concern due to the RMS rating. They have already been shipped and if I don't need to mess with crossovers or tell the installer anything, I won't. He'll just do a simple swap. I do realize that a component set would have been better, but I'm watching my funds carefully and will gradually upgrade my system over time. Thanks for the help gentlemen. Peace, DM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rogersmj Posted November 9, 2011 Report Share Posted November 9, 2011 Yes, my Edge is an SEL and for the life of me since I bought it, I have NOT been able to figure out where the tweeters were. Every website I pull up says the stock (non-Sony) system with Nav has a six speaker system. Heck, my window sticker says I have six speakers, but I only see four door speakers and the grill on the front door only exposes the oval 5x7 speaker that's there. Back doors show the same. So where are the tweeters? Thanks so much guys. Peace, DM Yeah, our SEL's have the "tweeters" integrated into the door speakers -- there's really only 4 speakers in an SEL, one in each door, but Ford counts the components of those speakers separately. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dingo Posted November 9, 2011 Report Share Posted November 9, 2011 They'll be fine. Worst case, you lose a little volume. Look on the bright side. The Sony setup has 4 6x8s, 3 3½s, an 8, and 2 tweeters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davom97 Posted November 9, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 9, 2011 They'll be fine. Worst case, you lose a little volume. Look on the bright side. The Sony setup has 4 6x8s, 3 3½s, an 8, and 2 tweeters. Thanks Dingo. I appreciate it. I'm sure the Sony system is nice. Mazz, you still concerned? Anybody have any thoughts on questions 3, 4 & 5? Thanks all, DM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dingo Posted November 9, 2011 Report Share Posted November 9, 2011 Thanks Dingo. I appreciate it. I'm sure the Sony system is nice. Mazz, you still concerned? Anybody have any thoughts on questions 3, 4 & 5? Thanks all, DM The Sony system is really a complete bitch unless you want to leave it alone as is. On the other questions, that or an Audiocontrol Lc-2i would be good. I have a really nice 5-channel Boston amp here that could push all four door speakers and a sub nicely if you're interested. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mazz Posted November 10, 2011 Report Share Posted November 10, 2011 Mazz, you still concerned? The factory deck puts out less than 30 watts RMS. Those will probably be fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davom97 Posted November 10, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 10, 2011 Thank you all. This is so helpful. Anybody got any ideas on the powered subs I'm looking to fit under my second row seat (question #3)? Peace, DM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dingo Posted November 10, 2011 Report Share Posted November 10, 2011 You know, you might be able to fit a 6½" Bazooka tube next to the spare if you take out the plastic tray. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishx65 Posted November 10, 2011 Report Share Posted November 10, 2011 (edited) Since you are not a bass hog, maybe a really nice small boxed single 8 incher would cover your needs just fine. Add a small amp that has a crossover and speaker level inputs and you're good to go. Not sure how much room is under the seat but a very small box in the back would not take up much room and could be easily removed for those times a little extra space is needed. I have a small 10 box that's been following me around for years. Edited November 10, 2011 by fishx65 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted November 10, 2011 Report Share Posted November 10, 2011 Since you are not a bass hog, maybe a really nice small boxed single 8 incher would cover your needs just fine. Add a small amp with crossover and line level inputs and you're good to go. Not sure how much room is under the seat but a very small box in the back would not take up much room and could be easily removed for those times a little extra space is needed. I have a small 10 box that's been following me around for years. Wouldn't he need speaker level inputs on the amp? Or was there another piece that I missed? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishx65 Posted November 10, 2011 Report Share Posted November 10, 2011 Wouldn't he need speaker level inputs on the amp? Or was there another piece that I missed? Good catch A! Fixed it. A passive X-over for the sub would be another option if the amp does not have one. I'm wondering if anyone has just gone ahead and added a sub without addressing the stock radio's bass reduction system. I would guess that the sub would still make a world of difference even if the stock radio lowered the bass at high volumes a little. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davom97 Posted November 12, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 12, 2011 (edited) Well, I got my new speakers installed yesterday (MB Quart FKA-157) and I really am happy with them. Sound very clean and much more robust. The muddiness is gone. I am please with how much healthy bass these produce. I still hear the deficiencies of the stock amp. I could argue I hear them more clearly now than I did previously, but I spent less than $150 total for 4 nice quality speakers, install included. In looking at the stock speakers they took out, yes the tweeters in the front door are there as a part of the speaker itself. Ford's not lying, but they are cheap little suckers. I had the install guy look under my rear seats and he thinks a low profile powered sub is my best option since a.) I don't want a rig taking up space in the back and b.) since I'm too cheap to pay for the JL rig that fits in the cubby. There's just not much room under the seat, not even for a 6" tube. If anybody has any thoughts on the subs I'm looking at in my OP above, I'd appreciate it. Disregard the Pioneer I mentioned. It wont fit. Peace, DM Edited November 12, 2011 by Davom97 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.