Looking to upgrade factory speakers, non Sony system

[SHOmeDa$$$]

Hey guys, want to upgrade my factory speakers but am wary to do that as I've done it in the past and the factory system seems to be tuned for the cheap ass factory speakers and when you add aftermarket speakers to the system it sounds like trash with little to no bass or mids. I'm not really looking to add an amp and was wondering if there were worthy door and rear deck speakers that sound better than the stock system? Thanks!

 

[krewat]

Subscribing, only because I think the stock Sony system is not all that bad, but would love to read what others have done in the Taurus.

 

[SHOmeDa$$$]

I wish I had the Sony system to give my option however my SHO did not come with that option

 

[2011TAURUSSEL]

From personal experience changing the speakers is a very god first step in stereo system upgrade. To be honest the factory systems themselves are not that bad but the weak link is the $5.99 speakers. Yes having had non SONY and SONY systems I can compare the two. Even the SONY systems had weak speakers sad part is the OEM speakers seem to have the same cheap paper speaker stamp a SONY logo charge premium and probably most customers would never know the difference. Change a couple of digits in the part number to not arouse suspicion and be done.

With that said I went with Kenwood's on my main speakers. For the NON SONY systems the cutout is there in the parcel shelf to allow mounting 6X9. I tapped into the left and right rear door speakers as a power source. Been a few years so I don't remember the wiring code but fairly easily available.

5X7 and 6X8 are a pretty much direct plug and play replacement. If you have the premium system with the door tweeters and center dash then BASS Blockers will be a good purchase. More on that later but definitely speakers is a good first step. You can obviously go as much as you want I went with a under seat low profile Kenwood SUB/AMP combo which was a good upgrade without getting too carried away on logistics and price.

I might have some old photos but again been a while. I even changed the center dash and since they usually come as a two pack the 3.5" center speaker for the instrument panel, the same speaker can be used for the center rear deck. Yes the rear deck has three cutouts one for the 6X9 outside and a 3X5 center.

Start with a good set of 6X8 for drop in plug and play replacement 6.5" can be installed but will need some trim rings/adapters.

 

[Lostneye]

If Sony I have heard this is a noticeable upgrade. I haven't heard one of these cars with just a speaker upgrade personally and I went past that with my build so cant comment directly. I will say I don't care for the surround processing and feel the power supply in the factory amp can't keep up with all the speakers driven and will distort earlier than in stereo mode.

 

[Christian]

I just went through all this a month ago or so. Here's what I did/found:

First off, the bass roll off is the biggest issue (and the associated processing from the OEM Sony system). Therefore, an aftermarket sub and an amp to power it, are a must. But more on that later.

I replaced ALL my speakers. Front doors got BLAM (yes i know, terrible name), component 5x7's. These speakers are made in France by the former sound engineer from Focal. They are beasts. And they are very competitively priced (about 300 dollars Canadian). Rear doors got Hertz 5x7 2 ways. cneter rear and center front got Pioneer 3.5 two way. I added sound-deadening behind all speakers. At this point I tried the system out and it made a HUUUGE difference. Problem was, when cranking the sound up, the bass began to disappear and the sound becoming very shrill and tinny.

That's where the sub comes into play. I installed a 10" sub box with Kicker Pro sub with a Clarion Amp I had lying around, (about 350 watts). When I fired the system back up....wow....NOW it sounded like it should. The factory 6x9 subs, just don't cut it. The sound is AMAZING now. So clear and the hit is real. I grabbed the signal for the sub from the OEM sony amp in the trunk (the one going to the 6x9 subs. I kept the stock amp for all the speakers. I considered and aftermarket amp and processor, but avoided going into that rabbit hole. No need anyway. The sound is exactly as it should be for me.