Worth it to upgrade spkrs?

[sarge816]

I've got a 98 Ex Sport with factory "premium" sound (no amp/sub) with the 5x7 "premium" whizzer cone speakers that came with the vehicle. I inspected them and they are in terrific condition, with no dry rot apparent and surrounds intact. I plan on keeping the factory cd hu, and realize it is rated only 20wx4 @ 10%THD, which realistically means it is 12-15w/ch at reasonable distortion. This all said, is it even worth upgrading the factory speakers? I was looking at several models including JL Audio and Kicker, both with 90+ sensitivity, but just not sure it is really worth it without any real amplification. Anyone replaced just speakers and have rave reviews?

Our other vehicle is my wife's 07 Stang Convertible, and it has a Shaker 500 system. Wow. Never heard the Shaker 1000, but the 500 is pretty amazing for a factory system. It's funny how bad my old "premium" sound system in the exploder is in comparison.

 

[sabasigh]

I've got a 98 Ex Sport with factory "premium" sound (no amp/sub) with the 5x7 "premium" whizzer cone speakers that came with the vehicle. I inspected them and they are in terrific condition, with no dry rot apparent and surrounds intact. I plan on keeping the factory cd hu, and realize it is rated only 20wx4 @ 10%THD, which realistically means it is 12-15w/ch at reasonable distortion. This all said, is it even worth upgrading the factory speakers? I was looking at several models including JL Audio and Kicker, both with 90+ sensitivity, but just not sure it is really worth it without any real amplification. Anyone replaced just speakers and have rave reviews?

Our other vehicle is my wife's 07 Stang Convertible, and it has a Shaker 500 system. Wow. Never heard the Shaker 1000, but the 500 is pretty amazing for a factory system. It's funny how bad my old "premium" sound system in the exploder is in comparison.

I too have the Shaker 500 in a '06 Stang...very nice.

I had a 2000 Ford Focus (prolly most recalled vehicle in history, thank u very much.) Had the stock HU and I put in hella nice Boston Acoustics all the way around. Put Dynamat virtually on every panel...all in anticipation of putting some monster watts in it...never did. Ended up being very satisfied with the sound.

Don't think it was worth the $$ though.

 

[Joe Dirt]

Not really, if you turn your bass up all the way as well as the treble, you can get decent sound form the factory Ford stuff. I don't think you'll notice much difference. In fact, I've run into some installs where the aftermarket speakers actually sounded worse, like with some low cost Pioneers.

 

[sarge816]

Thanks a ton for the info Saba and Joe! Unless someone has some incredible speaker review with stock hu, I'll probably just keep what I have for now. Guess you guys saved me some $300 or so, much appreciated amigos.

Joe, really enjoy following some of your threads. The one where you were restoring Shamrock was terrific, lots of good info. I just today used the magic erasers on my leather, and wowwy! After leather treatment, they look so much better.

 

[celly]

To me, aftermarket speakers tend to sound lousy without some power behind them. OEM systems tend to be underpowered so not really worth "upgrading" speakers unless you have plans to upgrade the rest of your system.
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[Joe Dirt]

Thanks!

I'll be doing the same to my newest Ex, so I'll post up again... Keep them conditioned as some of the vinyl coating is removed in the process, but that's no big deal at all as long as the leather is kept conditioned- I like having actual leather now...