BLAH 2010 F-150 audio system
 

Hey there! I know....you've seen this a million times, but here it goes.

I have a 2010 F150 supercrew with the base system that is in a desperate need of an upgrade or complete overhaul. I've put in a lot of time reading all kinds of reviews and forums and am just getting more confused. I was at a local audio shope this weekend and spent an hour or so talking to a salesmen/installer. After listening to what he had suggested in the showroom, I asked him what he had in his vehical. After he showed me eveything, again in the showroom, I asked if I could hear his system in his car. It was a good thing because it took me 2 seconds to realize that what he was telling me would not make me happy....at 2k for a set of comps and an amp I would have been a little upset to say the least.

What I want is suggestions for entire systems. I'm looking for the type of system that sounds FULL not only at loud volumes but also at lower more comfortable levels. I'm not looking for something that the guy three cars down at a set of ligthts is going to feel....I want a FULL sounding system but don't know where to draw the line when the investment starts to become overkill. I'm not going to say that I have no budget, but if I'm going to do it I'd rather spend what it takes to get that feeling that sound is coming from all over with that full bottom end and life like mids and highs. One more thing, I'm big on keeping things looking stock as possible.

Please...if you've put together a sytem that fits what I'm looking for I would love the hear from you.

An Alpine CDA-117 head unit (awesome built in tuning features with a 24 Burr Brown DAC), a good 3 way components set for up front and possibly a 2 way component set for rear fill with one hard hitting, high power handling, high excursion 8" sub should get you what you described.

Hey Bumpin Balt thanks for the suggestion! This is what I was sort of thinking. Do you have any suggestions as for a comp speakers.

This is always a tough one. There's no right design and so many good products out there.

Replacing the factory deck is your choice. If you use a good interface you can get good sound out of it. It comes down to features and cosmetics.

I would go components in the front, a 10 in a box under half the back seat, and a 4channel amp behind the seatback with half of it running the sub. Replacing the rear speakers is your call - I would leave it until later. Future upgrade potentially for a sub amp and run the 4ch on highs only.

Brands are wide open and personal choice. Visit every dealer and listen to what they have.

He suggested a 3-way and you stated you want to keep things looking factory. Well you don't have a spot to fit 3 speakers on each side unless you build or cut.
You've got factory sized 6x8's in your door. How about going with a nice 2-way 6.5 set. The 6.5 will easily fit without cutting your door (building a adapter piece is easy enough) and hiding a tweeter so it is barely noticeable is easy as well.
I second the idea of a single 10 in the rear.

Sooo many great speakers to choose from. Go do some listening. Actually first pull your speakers and see what kind of mounting depth you have to work with. If you have lots then your options are many.

Thanks again to everyone for the suggestions. Yes I do like the "stock look". I don't mind mods just as long as they look like they could have come from the factory or tastefully done. Although I do like the three ways, I was already leaning towards a 2way system. I have an XTR but have seen stock tweeters on the piller in a Lariet. There are a few loactions for the tweeters that would still keep a stock look and not lok out of place. I still appreciate the idea and think Bumpin balt's suggestion was a good one.

I was originally looking at some Focal's. It was the price tag that got me started on this quest. If I do decide to go ahead and upgrade I'm prepaired to fork out whatever it is to do it right the first time. I'm just wondeing were that line is before stepping into the rediculous.

For example. I was looking at Focal K2's (I believe 165 KRX2) in a sound display at a local shop. You know what....for 12 or $1300 if they sound like that in my truck I'd be pissed! I understand that after installed and tuned and broken in they won't sound the same ( had better be damn good for that price). I've read professional reviews on these Focals and on a set of JL C3-650's. Both by the same magazines and both get rave reviews.....so what's the deal?

Like you say Hardwrkr, there's sooo many choices. Are those top notch expensive comps worth it? Once installed, tuned and the rest of it will there really be that much of a difference? Where's that line?

Forgot to say that the JL's are 1/3 the cost of the Focal's.

It's your ears but IMO there's plenty available that sound as good or better than the Focal's.
It's hard to recommend speakers as everyone's ears are different and also install location, power, music, all come into play.
I'll bet though that you'd be very happy without spending the big bucks on speakers.
Just to give you an idea, check out the Boston Acoustics Pro60se set. Give them ~125rms per side (or more) and install them properly and you'll have all the midbass you could want and an excellent top end. Really a great sounding set and I'd highly recomend them. Oh and you can get them for $290 at sonicelectronix (great online retailer btw).

have u looked at CDT?
they will surprise u for sure.
i have listened to all and the cdt are the ones that really stood out for me. they are not expensive and we have a dealer in ottawa who is a member here (Ross).
the ES line is what u should look at. high power and high SQ
if ur ever in TO i can demo them for u. not this week tho since the truck is in getting the box made for the sub and amp.

good luck

I just finished my build in my ford f350 which is a similar cab with slightly more volume, I did a avh-p3300bt head unit with jl hd750/1 monoblock and 300/4v2 jl amps. I used a 13.5" tw5 behind the rear seat and used the underside of the rear seat for the 2 amps and cap. I went with focal krx2's up front and bridged my 4 channel and using deck power on rear tr570 jl's for rear fill. I think it sounds absolutely amazing and am quite pleased. If your wondering how the focals sound and your down in Calgary you could swing by for a listen.