Inexpensive audio upgrades to your ST car audio
The subject of Audio is something that can get really deep into electronic theory and applications. Do you as a car owner need to understand it all to make some improvements? No. Do you need to spend thousands to make improvements? No.
Let?s start with some major terms in audio, first is analog, which is a change in amplitude or volume and frequency or tone. Our eardrums move just like a speaker, slowly in and out with low tones like bass and quickly with high notes. So in a nutshell sound is created analog and we hear it analog. The analog signal is simply increased in magnitude, called gain or amplification to drive a speaker. The best amplifier has always been the rhetorical ?straight wire with gain?. Meaning nothing in between input and output to alter the sound, impossible to achieve perfectly but we can come very, very close to output equals input in well designed analog amplifiers.
Digital is simply a term to define devices that work with a binary (two state) signal of on and off or 0 and 1. We do this by using analog to digital converters to create the digital representation of the analog signal. From there we can take a stream of data that looks like this 0101101001001??..and manipulate these bits to modify the sound in various ways. After the manipulation the digital data is the converted back to an analog signal for your ears.
What difference does it make to an ST owner? It makes a big difference. First, digital is less expensive to make and power, second it is very efficient and hence small, and third the least expensive to provide a high quality 12V sound system. Analog is power hungry (inefficient), expensive to produce and large and heavy. Digital systems dominate the 12V market as the requirements for a high quality system in a car demands three goals, low cost, small space, and high quality.
Many people new to the electronics field think digital audio is some ultra new high tech wonder, not true. AT&T pioneered it over 50 years ago in the telephone industry. Without the digital infrastructure of the telephone industry the internet could not exist today. Digital systems including fiber optics and lasers were also pioneered and first utilized in the telephone industry long ago. I was fortunate in the electronics industry to enter at the close of tube type equipment and solid state (transistors, also developed by AT&T) started to dominate electronics along with early digital systems. I ushered in the digital age with AT&T and was a pioneer in digital systems years before the consumer audio people even knew what it could do. Digital Signal Processing was used in amateur radio equipment for consumers, as a Ham radio operator that builds my own equipment I used DSP, Digital Signal Processing again years before the consumer audio market understood its capabilities. Digital audio is only relatively new to the 12V auto sound and inexpensive higher power amp markets like cheap A/V systems. The rest of the electronics industry has been working with it for many, many years even though some seem to believe it is brand new, only to them. The single most important reason for digital audio popularity is it finally reached a price point that makes good quality equipment available at very low prices.
Digital has its share of poor sound, see below for some examples of the inherent problem in the signal sources for digital audio. There are many other forms of audio files and systems but this will give you a taste of the problems in digital audio. Good info if you did not know about it.
?Automotive News
Lost in transmission
The growing popularity of compressed digital formats is a sore spot for makers of audio systems, who want to support customer preferences but worry that listeners don't know what they're missing.
And it's a lot. While music from a CD flows at about 1,400 kilobytes per second, songs from Apple's iTunes store usually play at 256 kbps. Streaming Internet radio services such as Pandora compress songs even further, to about 64 kbps.
Chop those files in half, and you get satellite radio. To beam down its tunes, Sirius compresses them to 32 kbps -- about 1/50th the fidelity of a CD."
And if you use MP3 files even worse news awaits you. MP3 compression effectively kills all signals above about 14 KHz even though your amp and speakers will produce highs out to 20 KHz or better. If you use a memory stick or phone for audio on MP3 files in your ST any tuning or upgrades are almost a lost cause due to the loss of the sibilance signals affecting voice tones and percussion instruments. Listening to Joe Bonamassa rip a guitar to shreds sounds ten times better on CD than MP3. Try it, play a track from a CD then the same track on a MP3 file.
Distortion is another term to define; in an amplifier it is signals in the audio stream that are different from the input signal. Noise is one type of distortion along with an alphabet of other possible distortions. The two most common types are harmonic distortion (THD) and intermodulation distortion (IM). These have long been tamed in both analog and digital amps and generally of no concern so no reason to dwell on them here. Digital on the other hand modifies the original signals and adds a whole new layer to the subject of distortion.
One of the objections to digital audio is the quantization errors. Quantization is the process of converting a range of input values like an analog signal into a smaller set of values (numbers) that closely approximates the original signal. That term is not mine but comes from the designers of the analog to digital converters used in digital audio. Why closely approximates? Because the analog to digital converter only takes sample reading of a continuous audio signal, not the entire signal. So the whole analog signal is no longer even present in the digital data, just a sampling that is reassembled into a ?close approximation? of the input in a digital to analog converter to drive an amp. Also the sampling rate will determine the number of samples taken and the more the better. But the analog input will not be 100% sampled.
You also have ?bit depth? to deal with. Bit depth in the number of bits used to quantify or define the input signal. If we use 8 bits to quantify we have 256 combinations to define the signal, if 16 bits are used to quantify the sample the resolution we would have over 65 thousand combinations to define the sample and at 24 bit depth we would be over 16 million combinations. So bit depth is important to sound because the more we can define an analog signal the more accurate it will be. And bit depth can and does change often in a digital chain, if we go to or from 16 to 24 bits we ?dither? the data to make the transition. In other words, even more approximations.
But the real numbers and approximation problems lie in the sampling rate, how often the sample of the signal is taken. The best way to understand sampling rates is a visual example. If we take a photograph of the Mona Lisa and cut it into 100 equal size strips and reassemble it with every other strip missing our eyes will still recognize it as the Mona Lisa but will it be the same? Of course not. Digital systems attempt to fill the spaces with ?approximations?, what an algorithm (formula) tries to guess is placed there. So now we have a Mona Lisa with ? the original information and the other ? mathematical ?approximations.? The picture will be closer to the original but in reality can never be the exact copy with half of the information approximated. Even with this and all the other problems in 12v audio digital it is still the best bet for cars if your budget allows and your heart desires it. By careful reassembly and lots of manipulation of data we can get a very good audio product. But who can't understand the fact that approximations of ? of the signal are never as good as the original no matter what we use for error corrections in digital.
Analog systems still dominate the home audiophile market for one reason. They are the best at reproducing the signal that matches the analog input source because we retain the entire original recording signal not half and approximate the other half. At home we don?t have to concern ourselves with power consumption as we don?t have an alternator or battery. We are not as concerned about equipment size either. My home amp is two 18 watt RMS class AB vacuum tube mono blocks total weight is a little under 30 pounds.
A home audio enthusiast ?tunes? his room to provide as close to a resonance free environment as possible for a good sound. We are also free to have large highly efficient speaker systems so that only 10 watts will easily fill a room with solid sound. And 18 watts will provide 105dB sound levels. Equivalent to a chain saw full bore at 3 feet. Loud, damn loud! Home audiophiles also understand the drawbacks and limitations of digital sources like CD?s. Digital music has been defined as ?strident, harsh, edgy? and many other terms to define its aural properties. That effect is lessened in a noisy environment like a car where the background noise competes with the audio in your ear.
In a car we don?t have the absolute freedom to tune the car interior which is the epitome of a terrible listening environment to start with. We can manipulate the digital data to tune the amplifier and counteract the car resonances. This is much cheaper to do with data than analog circuits in a car. In a home listening room the acoustics do not significantly change, in a car used as a daily driver things like windows or Moon Roof open, package shelf removed, seat positions, temperature, rear seats down or even the load in the hatchback area can alter the resonances and the ?tune?. In auto sound competition the car is judged in one configuration only??.the one it is tuned for. Tuning in a car is not dependant on the type of system, analog or digital ?tuning? is a one configuration is correct and all others are compromises.
So what does one do that has no desire to spend thousands on audio?
Start with this quote?.
"Out of all of the options you can add into a car, premium audio has the largest profit margin for an automaker," says Mark Boyadjis, a senior analyst at IHS Automotive. "There's not always a lot of cost involved in creating a premium audio system."
The speakers are one of the lowest costs in the system in our ST?s. What Sony did is have a woofer and tweeter made or existing ones modified to meet a cost/performance envelope for the contract with Ford. They met their goal and we have a better than stock sounding system. Audiophile was never in the conversation between Ford and Sony. All Ford wanted was a name brand audio system that performed better than stock and with a nice profit margin. Sure Sony ?tuned? the audio to work better with the car's interior but this was to tune out the effects of the car not to make the speakers sound better due to speaker deficiencies. Since the speakers have little to do with the resonances of the interior of the car then as long as the replacement speakers are roughly the same in frequency response the ?tune? will have the same effect on the replacement driver. With the speakers in the door they are not affected like they are operating in a tuned, sealed or ported enclosure. The door panels are acoustically called an infinite baffle meaning they are not tuned to a specific frequency so again any factory tune will have a minimal effect on them. Do not buy the set of four 2000 watt 6 ??drivers for $9.99 from the flea market, audio show or Freight Outlet. Buy a quality product and you will be fine.
Replacing the stock speakers are not some kind of disaster scenario, as the reviews on many quality speakers show customers were satisfied in the high 90 percents. Our 6 ? inch speakers are not much different from the average 6 ? inch quality replacements in frequency response. We can do better with a higher quality speaker, things like a more expensive, stiffer, lighter cone and stronger magnets will increase efficiency and transient response for tighter mid bass and a clearer mid range.
So if you are like the majority and do not want to spend a fortune what do you do?
The answer to that question begs more questions like what do you want to change with your factory system? For example, if you are happy with the sound in general but want more bass then a subwoofer is the simple answer. Read some reviews and decide if you want a box in the hatch area or a hidden sub, get some input from others and go shopping. Changing the door speakers will do little for more bass. If you are not happy with the overall sound then replacement speakers can fill the bill with some limitations depending on staying stock looking or modifying your interior. The only real decisions you must make is whether to utilize the existing door mounted tweeters, adding external mounted tweeters or simply disconnecting the existing tweeters and utilize the tweeters in new coaxial speakers.
My opinion after listening to the combination listed below in a regular Fiesta with the premium sound system like ours was a distinctly positive impression. A friend tried this combo with and without the factory tweeter and preferred not using the factory door tweeters, and after bouncing back and forth from my stock system car to his cleared up some of my issues with the stock system. The placement and low quality of the door tweeters create a harsh sound and beaming effect to my hearing. Utilizing all four tweeters in the replacement speakers made the beaming disappear and provides an open airy feel to the highs, using four tweeters compensated somewhat for the losses with them being located so low in the door. The difference in the midrange is apparent to me in the clearing of what I felt was a muddy sound. With the sub you have a lower extension and stronger physical feel. Is it like a 10? 300 watt sub in a box?..no. But then it is invisible.
If I purchased today (not until after my exhaust) and I had only $500 to spend this is what, why and how I would have it installed. Does this mean this is the best thing for everyone? No, because you may not have the same goals as I do. You may have a higher goal and funds or lower. I am 65 years old and as such I have normal age related high frequency hearing losses. The four tweeters may be too bright sounding for a 30 year old. You also may be happier with simply replacing the front speakers or utilizing the existing door tweeters. Define what you want to do.
What this system will do is give an improved low frequency response that is not going to vibrate your mirrors, higher efficiency, improved midrange and a fairly bright sound that may need adjustment of the factory EQ for some listeners. All for about $500 installed and hundreds less if you can do the installation yourself.
Sub
Crutchfield Sound Ordnance B-8PTD
Why?
125 watts and an 8? aluminum cone driver give solid if not super low bass, located under the driver?s seat actually gives bass you can feel. Add a 3 year warranty, high customer satisfaction and $150 price and it is also a winner. Wiring to the rear speakers allows you to use the fader to adjust the bass level. I had one for years in my previous ride.
Door speakers
Infinity Reference REF-6522EX
Why?
Rubber surround and poly cone for the woofer will work more efficiently and longer than foam surrounds, textile (cloth) dome tweeters for a smooth sound and a very high customer rating along with a high efficiency rating make it a winner. After hearing it I don?t think you can do much better for the price, not that I have auditioned all possible choices. I have been an Infinity speaker fan for many years and never had an issue.
Will these two changes break the bank? $140 for the door speakers online shipped and $150 plus shipping for the subwoofer leaves about $ 200 for wiring/installation for the sub, the doors are an easy DIY for some people. And you can install the sub yourself if you are capable of it. Have more money to spend? Go for component speakers with a tweeter in the ?A? pillars or a rear mounted sub and amp. Have less money? Leave the rear speakers stock and change just the front pair for now.
I did not buy my ST for serious listening, that I do at home. There is not a 12V audio system that will compete with that so I have no desire to try. In my cars I prefer Steppenwolf?s ?Born to be Wild? dimed out with bass thumping my butt and sizzling cymbals assaulting my ears while hard driving a back country mountain road. Touching the sound system in my car is a good reason to stop and open the passenger door for you with two exceptions, my wife and my Autistic grandson who has HIS listening mode.
The thousands of engineers that have spent hundreds of thousands of man hours designing aftermarket drivers and the 10?s of millions of happy customers are not all wrong. You will not be either, try to listen to other systems and ask other ST owners for their suggestions. But please feel free to change your speakers, your life will not end, your car will not self destruct and your ears and wallet will thank you.
Hearing is like your other 4 senses, we all are different and we have our own preferences. If you hate the taste of Brussels sprouts do you think you can be talked into suddenly liking them? If you dislike the feel of wool on your bare skin is it because you never learned to feel it correctly? I know people that think Picasso was a real artist; I guess my eyes were not trained correctly. I don?t. I think the smell of newly mowed grass is great, my wife says it stinks. Your senses are unique to you, let YOUR ears do the listening??.and when the music makes YOU smile you have found what the other tens of millions that replaced their factory speakers have. You don?t have to spend tons of money to get better sound in your car. Just start with the weakest link?..the cheap drivers used in the car.
Please feel free to ask questions about low cost upgrades or share what you have done for the rest of us.
If you want to argue about digital wait until a digital signal has the entire analog signal encoded, is not dithered and the A/D and D/A designers stop having to use the word approximation so they don't get sued. Then get back to me.
The subject of Audio is something that can get really deep into electronic theory and applications. Do you as a car owner need to understand it all to make some improvements? No. Do you need to spend thousands to make improvements? No.
Let?s start with some major terms in audio, first is analog, which is a change in amplitude or volume and frequency or tone. Our eardrums move just like a speaker, slowly in and out with low tones like bass and quickly with high notes. So in a nutshell sound is created analog and we hear it analog. The analog signal is simply increased in magnitude, called gain or amplification to drive a speaker. The best amplifier has always been the rhetorical ?straight wire with gain?. Meaning nothing in between input and output to alter the sound, impossible to achieve perfectly but we can come very, very close to output equals input in well designed analog amplifiers.
Digital is simply a term to define devices that work with a binary (two state) signal of on and off or 0 and 1. We do this by using analog to digital converters to create the digital representation of the analog signal. From there we can take a stream of data that looks like this 0101101001001??..and manipulate these bits to modify the sound in various ways. After the manipulation the digital data is the converted back to an analog signal for your ears.
What difference does it make to an ST owner? It makes a big difference. First, digital is less expensive to make and power, second it is very efficient and hence small, and third the least expensive to provide a high quality 12V sound system. Analog is power hungry (inefficient), expensive to produce and large and heavy. Digital systems dominate the 12V market as the requirements for a high quality system in a car demands three goals, low cost, small space, and high quality.
Many people new to the electronics field think digital audio is some ultra new high tech wonder, not true. AT&T pioneered it over 50 years ago in the telephone industry. Without the digital infrastructure of the telephone industry the internet could not exist today. Digital systems including fiber optics and lasers were also pioneered and first utilized in the telephone industry long ago. I was fortunate in the electronics industry to enter at the close of tube type equipment and solid state (transistors, also developed by AT&T) started to dominate electronics along with early digital systems. I ushered in the digital age with AT&T and was a pioneer in digital systems years before the consumer audio people even knew what it could do. Digital Signal Processing was used in amateur radio equipment for consumers, as a Ham radio operator that builds my own equipment I used DSP, Digital Signal Processing again years before the consumer audio market understood its capabilities. Digital audio is only relatively new to the 12V auto sound and inexpensive higher power amp markets like cheap A/V systems. The rest of the electronics industry has been working with it for many, many years even though some seem to believe it is brand new, only to them. The single most important reason for digital audio popularity is it finally reached a price point that makes good quality equipment available at very low prices.
Digital has its share of poor sound, see below for some examples of the inherent problem in the signal sources for digital audio. There are many other forms of audio files and systems but this will give you a taste of the problems in digital audio. Good info if you did not know about it.
?Automotive News
Lost in transmission
The growing popularity of compressed digital formats is a sore spot for makers of audio systems, who want to support customer preferences but worry that listeners don't know what they're missing.
And it's a lot. While music from a CD flows at about 1,400 kilobytes per second, songs from Apple's iTunes store usually play at 256 kbps. Streaming Internet radio services such as Pandora compress songs even further, to about 64 kbps.
Chop those files in half, and you get satellite radio. To beam down its tunes, Sirius compresses them to 32 kbps -- about 1/50th the fidelity of a CD."
And if you use MP3 files even worse news awaits you. MP3 compression effectively kills all signals above about 14 KHz even though your amp and speakers will produce highs out to 20 KHz or better. If you use a memory stick or phone for audio on MP3 files in your ST any tuning or upgrades are almost a lost cause due to the loss of the sibilance signals affecting voice tones and percussion instruments. Listening to Joe Bonamassa rip a guitar to shreds sounds ten times better on CD than MP3. Try it, play a track from a CD then the same track on a MP3 file.
Distortion is another term to define; in an amplifier it is signals in the audio stream that are different from the input signal. Noise is one type of distortion along with an alphabet of other possible distortions. The two most common types are harmonic distortion (THD) and intermodulation distortion (IM). These have long been tamed in both analog and digital amps and generally of no concern so no reason to dwell on them here. Digital on the other hand modifies the original signals and adds a whole new layer to the subject of distortion.
One of the objections to digital audio is the quantization errors. Quantization is the process of converting a range of input values like an analog signal into a smaller set of values (numbers) that closely approximates the original signal. That term is not mine but comes from the designers of the analog to digital converters used in digital audio. Why closely approximates? Because the analog to digital converter only takes sample reading of a continuous audio signal, not the entire signal. So the whole analog signal is no longer even present in the digital data, just a sampling that is reassembled into a ?close approximation? of the input in a digital to analog converter to drive an amp. Also the sampling rate will determine the number of samples taken and the more the better. But the analog input will not be 100% sampled.
You also have ?bit depth? to deal with. Bit depth in the number of bits used to quantify or define the input signal. If we use 8 bits to quantify we have 256 combinations to define the signal, if 16 bits are used to quantify the sample the resolution we would have over 65 thousand combinations to define the sample and at 24 bit depth we would be over 16 million combinations. So bit depth is important to sound because the more we can define an analog signal the more accurate it will be. And bit depth can and does change often in a digital chain, if we go to or from 16 to 24 bits we ?dither? the data to make the transition. In other words, even more approximations.
But the real numbers and approximation problems lie in the sampling rate, how often the sample of the signal is taken. The best way to understand sampling rates is a visual example. If we take a photograph of the Mona Lisa and cut it into 100 equal size strips and reassemble it with every other strip missing our eyes will still recognize it as the Mona Lisa but will it be the same? Of course not. Digital systems attempt to fill the spaces with ?approximations?, what an algorithm (formula) tries to guess is placed there. So now we have a Mona Lisa with ? the original information and the other ? mathematical ?approximations.? The picture will be closer to the original but in reality can never be the exact copy with half of the information approximated. Even with this and all the other problems in 12v audio digital it is still the best bet for cars if your budget allows and your heart desires it. By careful reassembly and lots of manipulation of data we can get a very good audio product. But who can't understand the fact that approximations of ? of the signal are never as good as the original no matter what we use for error corrections in digital.
Analog systems still dominate the home audiophile market for one reason. They are the best at reproducing the signal that matches the analog input source because we retain the entire original recording signal not half and approximate the other half. At home we don?t have to concern ourselves with power consumption as we don?t have an alternator or battery. We are not as concerned about equipment size either. My home amp is two 18 watt RMS class AB vacuum tube mono blocks total weight is a little under 30 pounds.
A home audio enthusiast ?tunes? his room to provide as close to a resonance free environment as possible for a good sound. We are also free to have large highly efficient speaker systems so that only 10 watts will easily fill a room with solid sound. And 18 watts will provide 105dB sound levels. Equivalent to a chain saw full bore at 3 feet. Loud, damn loud! Home audiophiles also understand the drawbacks and limitations of digital sources like CD?s. Digital music has been defined as ?strident, harsh, edgy? and many other terms to define its aural properties. That effect is lessened in a noisy environment like a car where the background noise competes with the audio in your ear.
In a car we don?t have the absolute freedom to tune the car interior which is the epitome of a terrible listening environment to start with. We can manipulate the digital data to tune the amplifier and counteract the car resonances. This is much cheaper to do with data than analog circuits in a car. In a home listening room the acoustics do not significantly change, in a car used as a daily driver things like windows or Moon Roof open, package shelf removed, seat positions, temperature, rear seats down or even the load in the hatchback area can alter the resonances and the ?tune?. In auto sound competition the car is judged in one configuration only??.the one it is tuned for. Tuning in a car is not dependant on the type of system, analog or digital ?tuning? is a one configuration is correct and all others are compromises.
So what does one do that has no desire to spend thousands on audio?
Start with this quote?.
"Out of all of the options you can add into a car, premium audio has the largest profit margin for an automaker," says Mark Boyadjis, a senior analyst at IHS Automotive. "There's not always a lot of cost involved in creating a premium audio system."
The speakers are one of the lowest costs in the system in our ST?s. What Sony did is have a woofer and tweeter made or existing ones modified to meet a cost/performance envelope for the contract with Ford. They met their goal and we have a better than stock sounding system. Audiophile was never in the conversation between Ford and Sony. All Ford wanted was a name brand audio system that performed better than stock and with a nice profit margin. Sure Sony ?tuned? the audio to work better with the car's interior but this was to tune out the effects of the car not to make the speakers sound better due to speaker deficiencies. Since the speakers have little to do with the resonances of the interior of the car then as long as the replacement speakers are roughly the same in frequency response the ?tune? will have the same effect on the replacement driver. With the speakers in the door they are not affected like they are operating in a tuned, sealed or ported enclosure. The door panels are acoustically called an infinite baffle meaning they are not tuned to a specific frequency so again any factory tune will have a minimal effect on them. Do not buy the set of four 2000 watt 6 ??drivers for $9.99 from the flea market, audio show or Freight Outlet. Buy a quality product and you will be fine.
Replacing the stock speakers are not some kind of disaster scenario, as the reviews on many quality speakers show customers were satisfied in the high 90 percents. Our 6 ? inch speakers are not much different from the average 6 ? inch quality replacements in frequency response. We can do better with a higher quality speaker, things like a more expensive, stiffer, lighter cone and stronger magnets will increase efficiency and transient response for tighter mid bass and a clearer mid range.
So if you are like the majority and do not want to spend a fortune what do you do?
The answer to that question begs more questions like what do you want to change with your factory system? For example, if you are happy with the sound in general but want more bass then a subwoofer is the simple answer. Read some reviews and decide if you want a box in the hatch area or a hidden sub, get some input from others and go shopping. Changing the door speakers will do little for more bass. If you are not happy with the overall sound then replacement speakers can fill the bill with some limitations depending on staying stock looking or modifying your interior. The only real decisions you must make is whether to utilize the existing door mounted tweeters, adding external mounted tweeters or simply disconnecting the existing tweeters and utilize the tweeters in new coaxial speakers.
My opinion after listening to the combination listed below in a regular Fiesta with the premium sound system like ours was a distinctly positive impression. A friend tried this combo with and without the factory tweeter and preferred not using the factory door tweeters, and after bouncing back and forth from my stock system car to his cleared up some of my issues with the stock system. The placement and low quality of the door tweeters create a harsh sound and beaming effect to my hearing. Utilizing all four tweeters in the replacement speakers made the beaming disappear and provides an open airy feel to the highs, using four tweeters compensated somewhat for the losses with them being located so low in the door. The difference in the midrange is apparent to me in the clearing of what I felt was a muddy sound. With the sub you have a lower extension and stronger physical feel. Is it like a 10? 300 watt sub in a box?..no. But then it is invisible.
If I purchased today (not until after my exhaust) and I had only $500 to spend this is what, why and how I would have it installed. Does this mean this is the best thing for everyone? No, because you may not have the same goals as I do. You may have a higher goal and funds or lower. I am 65 years old and as such I have normal age related high frequency hearing losses. The four tweeters may be too bright sounding for a 30 year old. You also may be happier with simply replacing the front speakers or utilizing the existing door tweeters. Define what you want to do.
What this system will do is give an improved low frequency response that is not going to vibrate your mirrors, higher efficiency, improved midrange and a fairly bright sound that may need adjustment of the factory EQ for some listeners. All for about $500 installed and hundreds less if you can do the installation yourself.
Sub
Crutchfield Sound Ordnance B-8PTD
Why?
125 watts and an 8? aluminum cone driver give solid if not super low bass, located under the driver?s seat actually gives bass you can feel. Add a 3 year warranty, high customer satisfaction and $150 price and it is also a winner. Wiring to the rear speakers allows you to use the fader to adjust the bass level. I had one for years in my previous ride.
Door speakers
Infinity Reference REF-6522EX
Why?
Rubber surround and poly cone for the woofer will work more efficiently and longer than foam surrounds, textile (cloth) dome tweeters for a smooth sound and a very high customer rating along with a high efficiency rating make it a winner. After hearing it I don?t think you can do much better for the price, not that I have auditioned all possible choices. I have been an Infinity speaker fan for many years and never had an issue.
Will these two changes break the bank? $140 for the door speakers online shipped and $150 plus shipping for the subwoofer leaves about $ 200 for wiring/installation for the sub, the doors are an easy DIY for some people. And you can install the sub yourself if you are capable of it. Have more money to spend? Go for component speakers with a tweeter in the ?A? pillars or a rear mounted sub and amp. Have less money? Leave the rear speakers stock and change just the front pair for now.
I did not buy my ST for serious listening, that I do at home. There is not a 12V audio system that will compete with that so I have no desire to try. In my cars I prefer Steppenwolf?s ?Born to be Wild? dimed out with bass thumping my butt and sizzling cymbals assaulting my ears while hard driving a back country mountain road. Touching the sound system in my car is a good reason to stop and open the passenger door for you with two exceptions, my wife and my Autistic grandson who has HIS listening mode.
The thousands of engineers that have spent hundreds of thousands of man hours designing aftermarket drivers and the 10?s of millions of happy customers are not all wrong. You will not be either, try to listen to other systems and ask other ST owners for their suggestions. But please feel free to change your speakers, your life will not end, your car will not self destruct and your ears and wallet will thank you.
Hearing is like your other 4 senses, we all are different and we have our own preferences. If you hate the taste of Brussels sprouts do you think you can be talked into suddenly liking them? If you dislike the feel of wool on your bare skin is it because you never learned to feel it correctly? I know people that think Picasso was a real artist; I guess my eyes were not trained correctly. I don?t. I think the smell of newly mowed grass is great, my wife says it stinks. Your senses are unique to you, let YOUR ears do the listening??.and when the music makes YOU smile you have found what the other tens of millions that replaced their factory speakers have. You don?t have to spend tons of money to get better sound in your car. Just start with the weakest link?..the cheap drivers used in the car.
Please feel free to ask questions about low cost upgrades or share what you have done for the rest of us.
If you want to argue about digital wait until a digital signal has the entire analog signal encoded, is not dithered and the A/D and D/A designers stop having to use the word approximation so they don't get sued. Then get back to me.