Will soon be getting a '24 Ford Maverick XL base trim (without the B&O premium system). Looking to improve the sound for a maximum budget of $500, including install cost. My biggest issue with stock systems like this is NOT the clarity of sound, but rather the horrible imbalance of the frequencies. They sound like there are huge gaps in the frequency range and, because of this, they lack fullness and usually have one particular area that is way too strong--even with every combination of EQ adjustment and zoning on the head unit. In the case of my last car, it was the high frequency that was so harsh on my ears that I literally couldn't listen to certain songs.
The most common advice online is to start by replacing the speakers. However, I have a few issues with this. Firstly, I tried this on my last car. I replaced the stock speakers of a 2019 Elantra with some decent Infinity Reference components in front and coaxials in back. Even had a Pioneer power pack amp installed. The result was not much improvement. Sure, the clarity of the sound improved, but the BIGGEST problem was still there: the massively imbalanced highs, mids, and lows.
When I think back to my first car, I recall replacing only the head unit and leaving the stock speakers. The sound was greatly improved. Way more improved than what I got by replacing only the speakers on my 2019 Elantra. I think what's going on these days is that factory HUs have so much sound processing built into them (to match the stock speakers) that you're not going to get much improvement with aftermarket speakers. As they say, speakers are only as good as the sound coming into them. And if the factory HU has sound that is heavily processed, speakers won't do much to change that.
This leads me to the point of this thread. I'm considering doing as my ONLY upgrade...a Kicker Key200.4 amp which includes automatic DSP. What this is supposed to do is balance out the frequencies going into the speakers so they are more flat and workable. It's also supposed to resolve timing issues based on ear position in reference to the speakers. I've been reading in some forums that even stock speakers sound pretty good with this amp+DSP combination. Some have said it made a bigger difference than speakers alone. I think if we were living in the 1990s or earlier, I wouldn't say this. But nowadays, I think the best way to START upgrading a sound system is with an amp+DSP combo. If stock speakers receive a little bit more CLEAN power (from the amp), and the tonal frequences are BALANCED (from the DSP), I would think that they could sound very good. If there are any sound professionals on here, I'd love to hear your thoughts. Thanks.
The most common advice online is to start by replacing the speakers. However, I have a few issues with this. Firstly, I tried this on my last car. I replaced the stock speakers of a 2019 Elantra with some decent Infinity Reference components in front and coaxials in back. Even had a Pioneer power pack amp installed. The result was not much improvement. Sure, the clarity of the sound improved, but the BIGGEST problem was still there: the massively imbalanced highs, mids, and lows.
When I think back to my first car, I recall replacing only the head unit and leaving the stock speakers. The sound was greatly improved. Way more improved than what I got by replacing only the speakers on my 2019 Elantra. I think what's going on these days is that factory HUs have so much sound processing built into them (to match the stock speakers) that you're not going to get much improvement with aftermarket speakers. As they say, speakers are only as good as the sound coming into them. And if the factory HU has sound that is heavily processed, speakers won't do much to change that.
This leads me to the point of this thread. I'm considering doing as my ONLY upgrade...a Kicker Key200.4 amp which includes automatic DSP. What this is supposed to do is balance out the frequencies going into the speakers so they are more flat and workable. It's also supposed to resolve timing issues based on ear position in reference to the speakers. I've been reading in some forums that even stock speakers sound pretty good with this amp+DSP combination. Some have said it made a bigger difference than speakers alone. I think if we were living in the 1990s or earlier, I wouldn't say this. But nowadays, I think the best way to START upgrading a sound system is with an amp+DSP combo. If stock speakers receive a little bit more CLEAN power (from the amp), and the tonal frequences are BALANCED (from the DSP), I would think that they could sound very good. If there are any sound professionals on here, I'd love to hear your thoughts. Thanks.
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