Beginner question about the cost of a good setup

[Bullseye0105]

Hello.

I have a 2018 Ford Explorer XLT which came with a basic sound system, 7 speakers I think. I would like to upgrade that and replace the speakers that came default. 

I was wondering how much would I likely have to pay to improve the current audio by a sufficient margin to be impressed (aka to be sure not to be disappointed regarding the $$$ I'll spend vs how much it will be better than the current audio)

Note that I don't want to buy a new head unit, the OEM head unit is fine with me (plus it has nav which I wouldn't want to lose)

So basically I want speakers, amp, maybe tweeters, a small sub (I do want some bass but nothing too much) 

I know a good place to get good service but as a total newbie I'd like to know a little bit about what I'm getting into before going to see a salesman...

Any help would be appreciated

Thanks

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[youdoofus]

Hello.

I have a 2018 Ford Explorer XLT which came with a basic sound system, 7 speakers I think. I would like to upgrade that and replace the speakers that came default. 

I was wondering how much would I likely have to pay to improve the current audio by a sufficient margin to be impressed (aka to be sure not to be disappointed regarding the $$$ I'll spend vs how much it will be better than the current audio)

Note that I don't want to buy a new head unit, the OEM head unit is fine with me (plus it has nav which I wouldn't want to lose)

So basically I want speakers, amp, maybe tweeters, a small sub (I do want some bass but nothing too much) 

I know a good place to get good service but as a total newbie I'd like to know a little bit about what I'm getting into before going to see a salesman...

Any help would be appreciated

Thanks

in order to keep the factory deck, youre going to want either a LOC (line out converter) or a DSP (digital signal processor) and heres why. The factory head unit is built specifically by bean counters to power the speakers that it was designed to run with, which are maginal at best, hence the reason you want to upgrade. Factory head units dont have line level outputs and in order to get better speakers sounding good in the car, youre going to want to amplify them. Some DSPs have amps built in and they can do a decent job at powering aftermarket speakers, but ideally, youre going to want a bespoke amp to power those better speakers youre wanting. You can get a 5 channel amp and run front components off it, rear coaxials and a sub and make it sound pretty decent. DSPs arent terribly cheap tho, but they are the best option for adding stuff after a factory deck

 

[Jeffdachef 5,000+ posts]

Hello.

I have a 2018 Ford Explorer XLT which came with a basic sound system, 7 speakers I think. I would like to upgrade that and replace the speakers that came default. 

I was wondering how much would I likely have to pay to improve the current audio by a sufficient margin to be impressed (aka to be sure not to be disappointed regarding the $$$ I'll spend vs how much it will be better than the current audio)

Note that I don't want to buy a new head unit, the OEM head unit is fine with me (plus it has nav which I wouldn't want to lose)

So basically I want speakers, amp, maybe tweeters, a small sub (I do want some bass but nothing too much) 

I know a good place to get good service but as a total newbie I'd like to know a little bit about what I'm getting into before going to see a salesman...

Any help would be appreciated

Thanks

I'd keep the speakers, add an amplifier, a Dayton audio DSP which takes low level inputs and add a subwoofer.   A basic speaker swap would most likely sound like shit if you keep the stock head unit which has its own built in EQ curve set by the factory.  The stock head unit only pumps out 5 watts a channel. Those stock speakers will definitely come alive when you put a high pass filter on them along with 100ish watts to them. The dayton DSP will take care of the SQ aspect allowing you to perfectly tune up everything.   So 150 for the dsp, 130 for a 4 channel amp and a basic sub setup with all the wiring you need would run you 500ish for the setup if you do the install yourself.    Dont even bother thinking of switching out speakers unless you are planning on doing major sound treatments with proper baffles and literally turning the door into a full blown speaker enclosure. It takes a lot of work to make aftermarket speakers sound good. A simple swap with budget 150 and under speakers usually sound like sh*t vs just amping the stocks.

 

[MattinMO]

Off topic, why are dsp’s so gd expensive!? There isn’t much to them it seems like good ole price gouging fuckery to me 

 

[blazian87 10+ year member]

Off topic, why are dsp’s so gd expensive!? There isn’t much to them it seems like good ole price gouging fuckery to me 

There's definitely a markup on practically every good dsp out there. They're all made in china too. There wasn't enough of a market before to produce so much of them so they have to mark it up but nowadays it's been getting more attention so companies are finding ways to make them with cheaper parts so that they can be super affordable. I bought my alpine dsp for 400 brand new never used hooked up from an employee who used to work for Alpine headquarters. They gave me the one that was in their display room never even powered on. This was like more than 5 years ago and even till this day it's still more expensive anywhere online.