Keep factory stereo or replace?

[eZecuel]

I have a 2 week old 2002 Limited and have been debating on whether or not to replace my factory stereo.

The factory stereo is the "Premium" line with the 290W x 5 amp, and 6 disc changer. I plan on replacing the speakers in all the doors, adding a sub, and of course an amp or two ( I have all those things from my old car, including a replacement head unit) but I dont know if I should go ahead and replace the head unit.

I would loose all the neat control nobs off my steering wheel ( I know, who needs nobs when you have a remote?) plus I would loose the advantage of having the 6 disc changer.

My audio shop is also telling me that Ford uses audio shaping within the factory head that will bring the bass and treble down at high volumes, does anyone know if this can be overridden? Or if it is true for that matter?

I also plan on installing some LCDs and a ps2, which may lend itself to needing a replacement head unit, but I just dont know enough about the factory unit to be sure.

I would appreciate anyones commits, woes, or praise for either side. They both seem to have their advantages and disadvantages so I'm split 50/50.

 

[terdrocket]

the audio shaping you are referring to, is most likely the "compression" button. its like a modified loudness.

loudness boosts the bass and treble at low volumes.
compression boosts the quiet parts and puts a threshold on the louder parts. it does shape the sound to thicken it up and eliminate loud and soft spots that cause you adjust the volume. works well on classical music, or talk radio w/ loud commercials.

these two features usually do cut off at high volumes. the only way to find out is install every thing, minus the head unit, and listen to it
loudness buttons on aftermarket stereos cut off at higher volumes.
you will have much better sound with the aftermarket head, but you will loose the aesthetics of the factory unit (is that possible to have in a ford interior anyway?)
and of course the functionality of the 6 changer and wheel controls as you stated.

it just depends what your willing to sacrifice. (sacrifice the looks, e.t.c. for sound, man)
just my opinion

 

[bigwalton]

I'm new to the forums here, having bought my '02 XLT today. I know this topic is old, but thought I had an idea that was worth a post.

I have the same issue as you do eZ... I have the 6CD premium deck while I also have a complete setup with 2 amps, Nak HU, door speakers and sub box out of my old car.

I put a lot of thought in over the last couple of days on what I could do with this setup and what I've come to seems to be a great compromise. It lets me keep the factory HU (with the good fit in the dash and the changer that I'd have to buy otherwise) AND add my nice HU for easy connection of the amps and the improved processing and tuning (when not using the changer obviously)!

It all came together for me when I found the Line Out Converter (LOC), something I'd never hear of. If you don't know, it takes a high level speaker signal down to an RCA preamp level signal and it's usually used for adding amps to factory HU's with no RCA's (they're cheap too!). What I'm going to do with it is tap the signal out of the factory HU, disconnect it from the speakers and send the preamp out of the LOC to the AUX input on my Nak HU... basically turning the factory HU into a separately controlled changer (and tuner, but I'd use the Nak for that).

This adds the changer capability, retains the stock HU look for aesthetics and security, and allows me to add the amps a lot easier than if I just kept the stock HU without adding the Nak. All I have to do now is search these forums for the best alternate mounting place for the Nak that's still within reach of the driver's seat and I'll be ready to start the install! The best part is that all I'll have to add to my current stock of stuff to make this work is one LOC and a patch cable to go from it to the Nak (outside of any additional speaker wires and a wiring harness to go out to the speakers), so this will be really low budget.

My main issue now is the mounting of the Nak. It needs to be horizontal, so the console storage area is out... I'm currently thinking the flat vertical space right below the air ducts at the front of the center console is looking like a winner so long as there's nothing sticking up behind it that can't be cut or moved out of the way. I'd love to make it sit flush with the console panel so I could make up a false front to place over it to get it out of sight... That's the current thinking anyhow.

I'd like to hear about what you ended up doing and I hope this might be something you could do if you still haven't decided or have the old HU around. I'm also interested to hear if anyone else has suggestion for mounting a HU somewhere other than the stock location or if anyone has any improvements or refinments to my idea.

Hope all this typing will help someone somewhere...

 

[MikeF150]

Thanks!

 

[djstatix]

also using a line out converter in my audio setup...

 

[99explorer5.0]

I prevoisly used a line out converter in my explorer. The differance in sound is deffinatly noticeable when you get an aftermarket radio with more sound quality settings.

But if your not looking to win sound competitions then you will be happy with the line out method.