[klp]

I need help. Lot's of it.

I want to keep the stock stereo - I like the stock look and don't need crazy sound. What I would like is to make the stocker all it can be. Can someone guide me as to what to purchase. Do I need an amp? Should I add a subwoofer? I plan on upgrading the speakers and adding two more in the middle location. Any suggestions on what to get?

My goals are to have a stereo that is loud and fun enough to make road tripping more enjoyable - I won't be cranking it up at the campground. Maybe tailgating

My final question is how do I hook all this up? I know nothing about stereos and wires scare me. I don't even know how to hook up the extra speakers - do I cut the wires and splice two on? Can I simply use a vampire type clip to get my extra wires?

I don't want a shop to do it because -

I am frugal and want to spend the $ elsewhere.
I don't trust anyone to do the work the way I want it done.
I want to build the whole van myself.

Stereo guys help me out! All will benefit as I will document my blunders here.

Bonus points if anyone knows how I can run the stereo off house battery and truck battery.

 

[Michael Ophus]

i upgraded the door speakers only with the Hertz speakers many here thought were the best! https://www.amazon.com/Hertz-DSK-165-3-Component-DSK165-3/dp/B008B5JPTS/ this link should help get you started! http://www.fordtransitusaforum.com/electronics-audio-lighting/28394-door-speakers-tweeter-install.html

http://www.fordtransitusaforum.com/...ting/28394-door-speakers-tweeter-install.html

 

[Andre Jones]

I would recommend a monoblock amp, preferrably a small one like this:
https://www.amazon.com/Rockford-Fos...qid=1477016440&sr=8-6&keywords=small+mono+amp

and couple it with a sub such as:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JQTU3Q...TF8&colid=1CT09DX0QXIR4&coliid=I1NW2O0OQSJ0K8

Then you would hack one of the harnesses going to an existing speaker for your high level input and have super sound.

If you want even richer sound you can go the multi-channel amp route such as:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01BE76M7...TF8&colid=1CT09DX0QXIR4&coliid=I2GF2PDO0112MB

And add 2x 6x9s such as the Hertz speakers or Infinty Kappas:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009GHQX5...TF8&colid=1CT09DX0QXIR4&coliid=I2LQ9L87I8D17E

Add 2x 6x9 boxes:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000HHOOZ...UTF8&colid=1CT09DX0QXIR4&coliid=IIKXDUEVQXHC5

 

[joefromga]

Amp and sub are important.

I added tweeters to my doors from the factor speakers and radio.

The sound is ten times better than ever and better than just swapping door speakers.

Tweeters play the high frequency that travel in straight lines. Your ears aren't at door level. Check my post on it. It's step-by-step step.

A sub amp needs a signal. That will come from the existing speaker wires and you can tap them from the rear of the radio.

You'll need an amp with a high level input to connect those to.

A sub box with an 8" or 10" should be plenty. Put it wherever you have space.

Adding more speakers to the factory head unit will probably drive it too hot but it may be possible. I wouldn't mess with mid Van speakers. You can't hardly hear them sitting up front.

Once you start you will never be able to have enough sound so be warned. It's an addiction

 

[Taz Pengra]

I've found the stock speakers to be acceptable for radio while driving. There's about enough road noise that you can't really tell $50 from $500 speakers at highway speed. Unlike the stock Sprinter 4" dash speakers, which were horrible and REQUIRED replacement and the addition of a pair of 5.25 or 6.5 speakers in the headliner or door. I guess replacing the speakers and adding a sub might make the Transit sound a lot better when parked. I'm a musician and reluctant audiophile, so I often smirk at what people think "sounds good" with their audio equipment, especially in cars. Usually "good" translates as too loud and too much bass. For me, "good" is when you close your eyes and cannot tell if it's live or a recording.

As for the Transit deck, it depends on which one you have. If it's like the one that came in my van, just AM/FM and 1/8" trs aux input, it is anemic as heck. Something is WRONG with the aux input, I had to crank my tablet up to max AND the radio up to max and even then could barely hear an audiobook while driving. Same with music. Radio volume was OK, though, just not the aux.

I upgraded with a Metra double DIN kit and a 7" touchscreen Android WiFi/CD/DVD/Bluetooth deck, for about $250 total. I'll probably add some 6.5 speakers later. There are other decks that do not have CD/DVD capability for about $100. So, for under $300 you can scrap the stock deck and speakers and install something that will sound good, and/or be too loud with too much bass.

I don't think you can turn a sow's ear into a silk purse.

 

[alarmist]

...Something is WRONG with the aux input, I had to crank my tablet up to max AND the radio up to max and even then could barely hear an audiobook while driving. Same with music. Radio volume was OK, though, just not the aux...

Bluetooth input behaves the same. Somebody effed up, or the lawyers made them do it.

 

[Andre Jones]

I've used the aux input with 3 separate phones for music w/o issues. As a habbit I set the audio to max on the phone and then dismiss the alert that this may damage your ears and turn it up again. Then usually listen between 10-15 depending my mood/windows down.

I appreciate a well done sound system that has rich levels of bass, mixed in with mid-high treble so I can really feel an artist's words. Having a range of things that I listen to it's often hard to find a good balance and wish the factory HU had adjustable profiles..

 

[Michael Ophus]

Usually "good" translates as too loud and too much bass. For me, "good" is when you close your eyes and cannot tell if it's live or a recording

that is me, i fail to understand wasting large amounts of money in a space with poor audio qualities? all my money is spent in the living room!

 

[asdrew]

I know nothing about stereos and wires scare me. I don't even know how to hook up the extra speakers - do I cut the wires and splice two on?

That usually points to the need to pay a stereo shop to do the work, yet your reasons for doing it yourself are admirable and I feel the same (except I'm more cheap than frugal).

There is excellent advice on speakers and equipment already in this thread, but first you'll need to get familiar with basic vehicle and sound wiring principles.

I've found that wires scare some people because what flows through them is invisible, so if you think of wires like plumbing pipes filled with water instead it may help you understand them better.

I once had a wealthy man pay lots of money to fly me to his home to do some complex model railroad wiring because he defined himself as and "electrical moron" but he ended up paying me to stay longer so he could take a few days off and learn how to do some things. If you want to learn, it does not take much effort if it is placed well.

Nowadays Google and YouTube can be your best tutors for a lot less money:
https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=basic+car+stereo+wiring
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=basic+car+stereo+wiring

 

[klp]

Thanks everyone!

I will spend some time researching and simply learning a bit more about the system. I too have noticed the bluetooth and aux hookup are pretty weak and muddy sounding. I had a 12 Mustang with Sync that did no suffer from this.

I am by no means an audiophile but like my music to sound decent. My van is quiet now and only going to get better so I have some ability to hear the stereo even at x way speed.

I forgot to mention which stereo I had - mine is the base 6 speaker setup - can't remember if it has a CD lol. It has the small screen up front.

I will do my homework and report. Thanks again!

 

[klp]

I have done a little research and decided to get some new speakers for now, get an amp and subwoofer a bit later. I think a multi channel amp will be way better but they cost quite a bit of $.

Adding more speakers seems like a bad idea. My stereo is not the base one but mid level, it's got a USB port and AUX, I think it will do nicely with some upgrading.

Will a 4 channel amp power a sub?

I am looking at these speakers -

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008B5CLZ...UTF8&colid=MICHLCSEPFXG&coliid=I15Z0YYLFO9ON9

They are rated as 60w, 120w peak - what size amp can I safely run with these? Should I get some higher rated ones in preparation for the amp?

 

[joefromga]

60w rms amp would match perfectly.

 

[klp]

Thanks Joe.

I like this one.

https://www.amazon.com/MRX-V70-Alpi...=1478136012&sr=8-7&keywords=60w+5+channel+amp

Where should the sub be located? I have door speakers in the front and rear doors - should the sub be front back or middle? Does it matter?

It would be slick to build a small box and put it in one of the side speaker holes.

 

[BabyBuffy]

And add 2x 6x9s such as the Hertz speakers or Infinty Kappas:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009GHQX5...TF8&colid=1CT09DX0QXIR4&coliid=I2LQ9L87I8D17E

The Infinity Kappas look like the ticket.

What I'd like advice on is how to go about installing a multi-purpose system. Would like good sound while driving, particularly listening to audio books etc but also have good sound when parked and everything runs from the house battery PLUS be able to run the sound from a DVD/TV through the house system.

 

[klp]

Good sound is relative to each person but I bet if you can get your stereo to sound good driving it will also sound good for e books, parking, etc. Running it off the house system is do able but requires a bit of work. I don't know if you could set it to run off house and vehicle power. If your plan it just house power, find the power lead behind your stereo and you are good.

Running DVD/TV through the house is pretty straightforward too, if you buy a DVD player many have wireless audio included. I am pretty sure you can retrofit a device to do the same if it does not come standard. The nicer ones use bluetooth I think while others rely on FM signal.

 

[BabyBuffy]

Good sound is relative to each person but I bet if you can get your stereo to sound good driving it will also sound good for e books, parking, etc. Running it off the house system is do able but requires a bit of work. I don't know if you could set it to run off house and vehicle power. If your plan it just house power, find the power lead behind your stereo and you are good.

Running DVD/TV through the house is pretty straightforward too, if you buy a DVD player many have wireless audio included. I am pretty sure you can retrofit a device to do the same if it does not come standard. The nicer ones use bluetooth I think while others rely on FM signal.

Yeah, just a matter of doing enough research I reckon. Your original post got the wheels turning for me on the subject.

In more than one place I've run into people specifically touting Jensen DVD/TV's but in looking at the web I see no compelling reason for settling on that brand. Does anyone who reads this forum know what the special appeal of Jensen is?

 

[klp]

No clue on the Jensens. I looked at a ton of flip down tv's - I found a decent one runs about $300, the gold standard is an Alpine for $600. All for 9 inch screens. I have got two kids so I need two lol.

I decided against them in the end - it would be cool but I could see every trip turning into a battle over what to watch. I bought a window van so the kids would look around while we drive!

I will instead run two Ipads and wifi for the van, I plan to devise some sort of remote arm that will hold them for movies, etc.

 

[Andre Jones]

Yeah, just a matter of doing enough research I reckon. Your original post got the wheels turning for me on the subject.

In more than one place I've run into people specifically touting Jensen DVD/TV's but in looking at the web I see no compelling reason for settling on that brand. Does anyone who reads this forum know what the special appeal of Jensen is?

The appeal of Jensen is that it is cheap, and relatively okay quality. Not unlike Vizio in the TV world, or KIA when they first came out.

 

[surly Bill]

If you can just put some 8" in there, left and right, you wouldn't need a sub. Most decent home systems now do not use a sub, but have full frequency response on either channel.

Maybe in the panels right behind the slider?

 

[BabyBuffy]

The appeal of Jensen is that it is cheap, and relatively okay quality. Not unlike Vizio in the TV world, or KIA when they first came out.

Well here's somebody a little unhappy with Jensen.


http://www.roadtrucker.com/12-volt-marine-boat/12-volt-heavy-duty-marine-tv-dvd.htm