Any other sound system upgrades worth the cost/effort?

[Cody Templeton]

Hey guys! Since I finally have the truck back from the bodyshop I'm currently going through and getting some upgrades done before it goes back into storage for the winter. Here's what I've currently got:

OEM Sony sound system setup
Tesla-style 14.4" head unit (Android 13, 8GB RAM, 128GB ROM)
Focal 5x7 component speakers in front (tweeters mounted in factory location)
Focal 5x7 2-way speakers in back
NVX VADM1 500w RMS amp (4 gauge power and ground)
JL 12" low-profile subwoofer with truck wedge box (fits under passenger rear folding seat section)
Hi/low line converter from the left and right front speakers (fuse-tapped into fuse 38 in the passenger kick panel, also turns the amp on and off)
Remote bass knob installed between shifter and cup holder
Custom Focal badges on the speaker grilles to replace the stock Sony ones
14" 4K Android headrest monitors for rear seat entertainment

From what I understand the only other upgrade really available would be to replace the OEM Sony amp setup and sound processor, but my worry is that with running the Tesla-style Android head unit the tuning ability might not be there to take advantage of it. Thoughts?

 

[Cody Templeton]

Just wanted to bump this to the top to see if anyone else had any ideas. Thanks!

 

[The Car Stereo Company]

a sound processor is always a good idea. just depends on how far you want to go.

 

[Cody Templeton]

a sound processor is always a good idea. just depends on how far you want to go.

I'm just wondering without a better head unit if it would be "worth" it. Also, to replace the stock Sony processor, I'm assuming it would require a ton of rewiring, as in you could use any of the stock wiring still?

 

[Jhollowell]

OEM head unit will be fine and you can get wire harness to plug into the stock wiring. You really need to replace the amp at a minimum. PAC audio makes a harness that will plug into your existing harness that plugs into your OEM amp. just plug that in and run the wires to the new amp/amps

https://catalog.pac-audio.com/catalog/amplifier-integration-harness/5238-aph-fd01

 

[Cody Templeton]

OEM head unit will be fine and you can get wire harness to plug into the stock wiring. You really need to replace the amp at a minimum. PAC audio makes a harness that will plug into your existing harness that plugs into your OEM amp. just plug that in and run the wires to the new amp/amps

https://catalog.pac-audio.com/catalog/amplifier-integration-harness/5238-aph-fd01

I've got a Tesla-style Android head unit.

Is there a chance you have a picture of your setup so I can envision what you're referring to? I'm just trying to figure out if we are talking about having to do a bunch of custom stuff that is going to end up going down a rabbit hole.

 

[Shane361]

I think you're saying you have a crew cab. Check out Fox Acoustic for a good yet inexpensive enclosure. Run two full size 10" subs yet require no seat lift. I've ran RF HX2's and Sundown Audio in my Fox back when I ran 10's. Most good 10's around around 750-1000 watts so a 2k-2500 watt amp would be fine. Down for sound makes a good amp for the price. So many directions you could go.

 

[Jhollowell]

I don't have a pic of the wiring but I'll see if i can explain it. Mine is slightly different because i am running a DSP between the head unit and amp, but if you are just upgrading the amp and speakers, this is all you need.

From the head unit i have RCA cables (2) going to my 6 channel amp. From the 6 channel amp i have the wires from PAC Audio harness connected to each of the speaker outputs. The connector on the PAC Audio harness plugs into the existing wire harness that used to be plugged into the OEM amp. That OEM harness goes to the individual speakers but you don't need to do anything except plug the 2 harnesses together. See pic below. ( i didn't draw in all 12 of the speaker wires but you should get the picture)

 

[Cody Templeton]

I don't have a pic of the wiring but I'll see if i can explain it. Mine is slightly different because i am running a DSP between the head unit and amp, but if you are just upgrading the amp and speakers, this is all you need.

From the head unit i have RCA cables (2) going to my 6 channel amp. From the 6 channel amp i have the wires from PAC Audio harness connected to each of the speaker outputs. The connector on the PAC Audio harness plugs into the existing wire harness that used to be plugged into the OEM amp. That OEM harness goes to the individual speakers but you don't need to do anything except plug the 2 harnesses together. See pic below. ( i didn't draw in all 12 of the speaker wires but you should get the picture)
View attachment 474593

So instead of pulling the speaker signal through the factory wiring, it pulls the speaker signal from the head unit via 2 sets of RCA's (front and rear), bypasses the factory Sony amp and instead uses a 6 channel amp that the RCA's plug into, and then the PAC Audio harness would connect from the 6 channel amp to the factory Sony amp connector which then powers the speakers. That makes a lot more sense. I think my current Tesla-style head unit allows for RCA-out, but I'd need to verify if it provides front and rear RCA-out, or if it's just subwoofer-out.

Would you still need a 6 channel amp if you're only using the factory Sony amp to run the speakers and not the subwoofer? Is this the harness you're using?

APH-FD01 - Speaker Connection Harness

Easily add amplifiers without cutting or modifying vehicle's original wiring for select Ford and Lincoln vehicles

catalog.pac-audio.com

 

[Jhollowell]

That’s the harness i bought. I have a fully active system meaning each speaker gets its own channel so that’s the reason for the 6 channel. I’d only suggest this if you’re going to run a sound processor. Maybe you’re ok with the passive cross overs for the tweeters but idk. If you’re only upgrading the sub, you could get a mono amp and run rca from the head unit to that amp then speaker wire to the sub. You wouldn’t need that harness if you’re just doing a sub upgrade.