Upgrading stock Explorer system

[gregr]

Hey all,

I'd like to hear what folks think about upgrading the "premium" sound system in my 2014 Explorer XLT. The first dilemna is the touchsreen display/console- everything is integrated into that screen. Phone, nav, reverse cam, climate, voice control, vehicle settings (maintenance stuff too) and the radio of course. My inclination is to keep the head unit and display so I keep all the functionality. I realize that means the system will be handicapped from the getgo. Considering all that I'm ready to live with less than magnificent sound. I do want good sound though and the premium radio... is not good.

So first question- is there a way to keep all those features and keep the price under $2K (head unit, comp door speakers, sub and sub amp, installation)? I own a Directed 500 4 ch amp.

If not, second question- I've read a comment from a respected member here saying speakers in the second row aren't going to help much and may actually muddy things up. Thoughts? If I went with just comps in the front doors and a sub in back could I run the comps and a sub with just that one amp?

Lastly- if there are things I haven't mentioned that I need to consider I'd appreciate any and all pointers.

Thanks!

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[CSCStang]

Hey all, I'd like to hear what folks think about upgrading the "premium" sound system in my 2014 Explorer XLT. The first dilemna is the touchsreen display/console- everything is integrated into that screen. Phone, nav, reverse cam, climate, voice control, vehicle settings (maintenance stuff too) and the radio of course. My inclination is to keep the head unit and display so I keep all the functionality. I realize that means the system will be handicapped from the getgo. Considering all that I'm ready to live with less than magnificent sound. I do want good sound though and the premium radio... is not good.

So first question- is there a way to keep all those features and keep the price under $2K (head unit, comp door speakers, sub and sub amp, installation)? I own a Directed 500 4 ch amp.

If not, second question- I've read a comment from a respected member here saying speakers in the second row aren't going to help much and may actually muddy things up. Thoughts? If I went with just comps in the front doors and a sub in back could I run the comps and a sub with just that one amp?

Lastly- if there are things I haven't mentioned that I need to consider I'd appreciate any and all pointers.

Thanks!

Get an lc6i loc so you can run your stock hu. This loc will restore the bass lost with the factory. Yeah, focus on your front stage and just run the rears stock. You could run a 4 channel with the rear channel bridged for a sub but make sure you're running at 4 ohms or higher.

 

[gregr]

Great- thanks that's the plan I'm working on now then.

 

[gregr]

I decided to put speakers in the rear doors too, so the 4ch amp runs all the doors and I added custom box for a 12" sub, down firing/ported, and mono amp. The sub is where the 3rd row seats folded down- seats are now in storage (as planned).

It's a big improvement but I'd still like to add an EQ. Right now there's just treble, bass and midrange adjustments. That along with the crossovers and gain controls on the amps/LC6i.

Is there any way to install an EQ between the stock head unit and the amps?

 

[gregr]

I hope a thread bump is ok here. I'm trying to find out if I can add an equalizer after the stock head unit on this system- anyone know?

Thanks!