imitation is the best form of flattery....

[98mkiv]

Ok,

I get overwhelmed when putting together a good stereo for my 95 explorer expedition (AKA sport). Here is the deal. I have the stock system for the 2 door, it is the JBL with the sub, no CD. I want to pull that system out and install a new system that has excellent quality.

I want as few "bells and whistles" as possible. I like that the stock system is simple. I want the new system to be as simple, but have excellent sound.

I want good bass, but prefer to have the sub mounted in either a stock location or at least not be a seperate "box". I want good speakers, but don't need to break the bank either.

If you think you have a great sounding system in your truck, can I copy it.... I would really appreciate it.

I will install it myself.

On another not, if someone has had any luck installing a car computer with radio/gps/etc built into to the stock location that would be way cool too!

TIA
Mark

 

[ExplorerSportNu]

Welcome to the site, don't mean to hijack your thread here but what color is your expedition? I have the same thing, and just curious?

 

[98mkiv]

its green with silver. I think they all were that year....

 

[ExplorerSportNu]

Ahhh actually mine is white with a purple/gray trim.

 

[terdrocket]

1) Get a head unit with at least some level of sound processing. Alpine, Clarion, Pioneer, and some others have different versions of onboard sound processing. The higher the model level the better the options. Don't worry about the power output from one to another, as they pretty much all lie.

The sound processing option will range from minor enhancement features, to equalization features, to actually being able to create a "focus" or "image". The way a center channel in a good home theater system tricks your ears and eyes into hearing the words come out of the persons mouth is similar to some of these image effects. Good sound field processing can create a center channel effect, without the speaker, making a well recorded live album feel live, as though the singer is in front of you.

2) Get a good pair of front speakers. 6 1/2" components are the preferred choice. The tweeters can be mounted in the doors, the A pillars, or in the defrost vents in the top corners of the dash.

Bring in a CD you are familiar with and audition the speakers at a store with that CD. You can choose what sounds "right" to you.

3) Amplifier(s) I suggest either (1) 4 channel amp, or (2) 2 channel amps.

The 4 channel amp can power the front speaker (from channels 1 & 2) and power a sub (bridging channels 3 & 4). A 50 x 4 amp is probably the minimum power you would want to look at.

If you go the (2) 2 channel route, get a 50 x 2 to power the front speakers, and mono amp to power the sub (at least 200 x 1). The class D mono amps use a little less power and usually offer bass boosts and sub sonic filters.

4) Sub - get a 10" and custom make a box to fit it where the stock sub is if you need the space. There are plenty of 10's that fit in .5ft^3. Thats a pretty small box and can fit under the cargo cover easily.


I wouldn't spend the $$ upgrading the rear speakers or buying amps to power them. Power the stock with the new head unit, or forget them all together. Good processing to a powerful amp, powering good components will give great sound without having any rear speakers. I haven't run rears in my last two installs and have not regretted or missed anything.

 

[davesexplorer]

Ahhh actually mine is white with a purple/gray trim.

...and my friends is black w/ the grayish trim...

 

[maresca]

Ok,

I get overwhelmed when putting together a good stereo for my 95 explorer expedition (AKA sport). Here is the deal. I have the stock system for the 2 door, it is the JBL with the sub, no CD. I want to pull that system out and install a new system that has excellent quality.

I want as few "bells and whistles" as possible. I like that the stock system is simple. I want the new system to be as simple, but have excellent sound.

I want good bass, but prefer to have the sub mounted in either a stock location or at least not be a seperate "box". I want good speakers, but don't need to break the bank either.

If you think you have a great sounding system in your truck, can I copy it.... I would really appreciate it.

I will install it myself.

On another not, if someone has had any luck installing a car computer with radio/gps/etc built into to the stock location that would be way cool too!

TIA
Mark

lol sounds like an annoying geico or aol commercial