Audio upgrade for dummies

41511 Views 65 Replies 18 Participants Last post by hawkeng, Jan 30, 2017

klp

Discussion Starter · Oct 21, 2016

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.

41 - 60 of 66 Posts

surly Bill

· #41 · Nov 10, 2016

Coke, my thoughts exactly.
My observations on subs is that they are a solution for systems that are deficient in capability to begin with, and it IS hard to achieve lower hz in a vehicle because of their design, thus the use of subs to make up for it. "Properly tuned" is key, and for most novices that means a rattling trunk.

USMC Vet

· #42 · Nov 11, 2016

DED said:
USMC Vet:
The Kenwood DNX893s is the head unit I have and is around $1,000 US. Kenwood has similar models with the features you want (DNX693s) for over $200 less. You could get the DNX693s and the IDataLink MaestroRR for less than the DNX893s. This will give you the features you want as well as actual tire pressures and a selection of engine gauges on the screen.

Eric,

Do you have a picture from before and after, by any chance?

Semper Fi

DED

· #43 · Nov 11, 2016

4

USMC Vet:
I don't have any before pictures but I had the OEM 4" screen.

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USMC Vet

· #44 · Nov 11, 2016 (Edited)

DED said:
USMC Vet:
I don't have any before pictures but I had the OEM 4" screen.

DED,

Great, thanks. I have the 58Y radio with 4 inch screen. Looks cool. Did you install yourself or have someone do it?
That tire pressure system on the pic of the gauges, did you have to add something else to get that, does it monitor the pressure in real time or just once in a while? Are there only certain guages you can monitor? I see the screen has the time, can you also get the outside temp?

Semper Fi

Michael Ophus

· #45 · Nov 11, 2016

oh, so that is what that funny looking hole in the dash is for! (cellphone) i am living in the past! (flip phone)

DED

· #46 · Nov 11, 2016

USMC Vet:
I had it installed because I changed all 6 speakers and added an amp and sub.
The vehicle info comes from the IDataLink MaestroRR. It interfaces between the vehicle OBD-II port and the Kenwood. The tire pressure readout is in real time and there are other gauges you can choose to display. I get the outside air temp on the screen behind the steering wheel. Minus 7 Celsius is 19 F on our last night in Yellowstone on Oct. 13th.

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klp

Discussion Starter · #47 · Nov 12, 2016

Could you provide more detail on your components? I plan to install new speakers and add an amp and woofer, I would love to know what you have installed and where.

DED

· #48 · Nov 12, 2016

klp:
I spent double my budget but I really like music and have a few thousand CD's that I have ripped to FLAC and I use all the media sources (SD, USB, IPod and line in) to input my almost terabyte of music.
Kenwood DNX893s
Front doors Focal K2Power ES 165 KX2
Mid location & back doors Focal PC 165F
JL Audio 10" sub
ARC Audio XDi V2 amplifier
My youngest daughter is a musician and neophyte recording engineer so I had her adjust the 13 band Kenwood equalizer so the music sounds as the artists intended even in the van. The sub is to reproduce the lows as recorded not to disturb the neighbors.

Reactions: 2

klp

Discussion Starter · #49 · Nov 12, 2016

Sounds nice, thanks!

USMC Vet

· #50 · Nov 12, 2016

DED said:
USMC Vet:
I had it installed because I changed all 6 speakers and added an amp and sub.
The vehicle info comes from the IDataLink MaestroRR. It interfaces between the vehicle OBD-II port and the Kenwood. The tire pressure readout is in real time and there are other gauges you can choose to display. I get the outside air temp on the screen behind the steering wheel. Minus 7 Celsius is 19 F on our last night in Yellowstone on Oct. 13th.

DED,

Always thought that reading was an engine or oil temp type gauge . Checked it out today against the display in the 4" screen, exactly the same at all time.

Thanks for enlightening me about that reading. Still would like to get it on the radio display as I usually have the dash screen set to another function.

Semper Fi

DED

· #51 · Nov 12, 2016

USMC Vet:
Now that I know I can get the outside air temp on the gauges screen on the Kenwood I'll probably display something else on the other screen too.

impatient

· #52 · Nov 13, 2016 (Edited)

Question about factory "head unit"

I have a four speaker factory stereo with CD. Sound quality sux. Will replace the speakers in front doors, add tweeters ((hopefully in a pillars), and relocate speakers in rear doors up high (above windows).

Question: is there any chance this factory head unit has low level outputs (in addition to speaker outputs)? I am sure internal amp power is weak. Want to add external amp(s). I have old 2 channel amp with high level inputs as well as low level. But I've never used high level inputs, assume it is inferior approach. But, i also need 2nd amp ( or single new 4-channel); if no low level outs on factory head, and often ext. amps don't have the high level option, does anyone have advice on hi-to-low level converters?

Somewhat repetitive: I want to add ext. amp(s) to factory head unit, and get new speakers. Any advice on the connections between the head unit and the amps? Is there a good place to "insert" the front amp without tearing the whole dash apart?

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Michael Ophus

· #53 · Nov 13, 2016

one of the better threads for upgrading factory sound this year, just a fyi: http://www.fordtransitusaforum.com/electronics-audio-lighting/12954-door-speakers.html - Double Din Dash, is another good one!
http://www.fordtransitusaforum.com/electronics-audio-lighting/24113-double-din-dash-kit.html

stevenmonrad

· #54 · Nov 14, 2016

klp said:
I would still like to have a TV for viewing while camping. I imagine something aimed out the side doors big enough to be viewed from outside. I may end up with a 12v TV of some sort.

I am thinking now for my house/camping radio I will get a nice quality bluetooth speaker and use that. They provide decent sound and I can listen to what I want without a drain on my battery. Portable too so I can bring the sound where I need it and be neighbor friendly if needed.

If a Yeti 4000 will power a fridge I may end up with one for house power. Still researching...

Do you have a separate thread on the fridge information?

stevenmonrad

· #55 · Nov 14, 2016

USMC Vet said:
joefromga,

I appreciate your info, but the smaller the device the harder for me to hold it. The cd is everything you say, but it is something I can hold it in my hands without dropping it, too often. (wonder where I stored all those old 8 tracks?) Have to be at a complete stop, out of traffic to handle them anyway as both hands are needed on the controls when driving.

Don't have any devices I could listen to those other methods of storage on anyway, when my 9 year old basic flip phone broke recently, I had to search all over for a replacement, no data either. And no Amazon Prime. :|

I embrace technology when it helps me get around easier, but without the cd's I'm doomed to listening to modern music and endless commercials, till I can pull over to change a channel. And, no dead zones.

Tweeters probably would be a waste for me, have hearing loss, including the high frequency zones.

Semper Fi

I'm with you. The ears can no longer tell the difference. Picked up a stack of used CD's at a bookstore in Tucson, a $20 CD player w/MP3 output at Radio Shack in Texas, got tired of the CD's and gave them all away to the border folks going through Central America. Bought more on the way back. Gave them away in Montana.
We've had all that fancy stuff installed in other vehicles - under the seat in a Eurovan, in the glove compartments of American cars, in-dash units custom. All stolen. Thumb drives we have all over the place, somewhere. CD's you can tell what you're about to hear, books, music.
If you want to pay for some tech just stream it from the smart phone to the mp3.
Earbuds, headphones - paying for tinnitus. We did that too.

Michael Ophus

· #56 · Nov 14, 2016

stevenmonrad said:
Do you have a separate thread on the fridge information?

not Kips thread but maybe it will get you started http://www.fordtransitusaforum.com/camper-vans-conversions/27674-engel-sb47f-built-fridge.html

surly Bill

· #57 · Nov 14, 2016

Pic of my double DIN and Hizpo Android touchscreen head unit (cheap on Ebay):

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klp

Discussion Starter · #58 · Nov 30, 2016

stevenmonrad said:
Do you have a separate thread on the fridge information?

This article was one I found helpful.

http://expeditionportal.com/head-to-head-refrigerator-or-cooler/

Most of my research has been informal on the forums. For the most part you cannot go wrong with any of the modern 12v compressor driven fridges.

Unless you consider spending 1k or so going wrong!

klp

Discussion Starter · #59 · Nov 30, 2016 (Edited)

I got my new speakers from Amazon. I was hoping they would be plug and play but no such luck. I find it a little ironic that I have been building a vehicle from scratch more or less yet still hoping for a pass on this minor bit.

Looks like I need to find some connectors to fit on the new speakers. What have others done? Do I need to solder new stuff in or is a crimp style ok?

Remember the title of this thread - for dummies!

Nomad

· #60 · Nov 30, 2016 (Edited)

Check out http://www.crutchfield.com/Car/

... Select your vehicle and check out "Car Speakers" -> "Speaker Installation and accessories". You'll see brackets to mount the speakers and adapters to connect the speakers.

41 - 60 of 66 Posts

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