ConnectPro Car Audio Services

[TanyaEgeland]

Hi,

I am looking to purchase a complete audio system for my 2001 Ford F-150 XTR 4x4 (extended cab), as I would like better quality sound than what my current factory sound system (am/fm radio & single CD player) offers. I’m looking for something fairly versatile, and would like to be able to connect my android smartphone (Motorola XT860) to it in order to access my stored music (mp3’s etc.) from my device (and/or SD card) or have the option to listen to music via internet/satellite radio. I would like bluetooth as well for handsfree calling. Currently, I use google maps on my android for navigation, and would like to still have that ability. I would like to have USB in order to keep my phone charged when in use. I would very much like to have a receiver with a large touch screen. I was hoping that I could get some recommendations on a system(s) that can offer all these features  in one unit? If so, could you provide any suggestions/recommendations? I would also require an amplifier, subwoofer and speakers. I hope I’ve explained things clearly and given you the necessary information that you require, but if I’ve missed anything, please feel free to message me back. Thank you for your time.

[srtbull2004]

Hi Tanya,

There are a thousand different combinations of equipment than anyone on here could come up with.

My recommendation would have to start out with one of these head units:

Pioneer App Radio
Pioneer BH8400

The 8400, I personally have it in my own vehicle and I love it. The "App Radio " aspect of things is very cool.
Check it out.

As far as speakers go, this is what I recomend you go have a listen to:
Infinity 6x8 Component

They will blow your mind with clarity and definition.

For a sub, you have a lot of choices. Depending on what you want to retain for cabin area, you may want to consider the size of the enclosure required for subs. A lot of people are okay with just sitting a sub box on their back seat, some aren't okay with that.
Check out MTX's Thunderform


And then of course you have to power all of these goodies.
The MTX 5 Channel would do everything quite nicely.


I hope that help give you a starting out point.
There are so many options and questions that I would love to be able to ask you to make sure you get the right fit for what you want. Be sure to go and see your closest Future Shop Product Expert, and hopefully you can speak to a Connect Pro Expert as well, just to talk about installation options.

Good Luck!!

[TanyaEgeland]

Hi Rob,

Thank you very much for the great suggestions! I'm really considering the Pioneer BH8400... it looks perfect. Although, a couple sites said that it would NOT fit my vehicle. I just wanted to confirm with you that they will indeed fit. The factory sound system I currently have is a single CD player/AM/FM stereo. I should also mention that my truck is actually considered a F150 4x4 XLT (extended cab) - which is upgraded with an XTR package (I'm not sure if this would make any difference). I have a 60/40 split bench seat with the higher center console as well. Ideally, I would like to retain as much cabin area as possible, so it would be nice if the sub box was hidden (i.e. under the back seat, or whatever). Sound quality is the most important to me (followed closely by volume). I listen to quite a variety of music (dance, rock, country, etc.). It's not necessary for my truck to be 'thumping' with bass. Would the components you listed be possible on a budget of $2500?

Thanks,

Tanya

[srtbull2004]

Hey Tanya,

I'm glad I could help you get going down the right track.

Okay so this is where things get tricky.  Technically, without any modifiation, the websites you're refering to are correct, that HU won't fit in your truck.  However, if you find someone that really know's what they're doing, they'll know how to make it fit.  There is a bracket on the inside of the dash, behind the factory stereo location that needs to be removed in order to make this possible.  There is also a substantial about of modifcation required just above and below the factory location.

Don't worry, when the job is done, when the factory trim bezel is put back in place, it will look exactly as it should.  You won't see all of these mods.

Now bare in mind, that if you have these mods performed on your truck, please please PLEASE make sure you trust the person that's doing them.  It's imortant that it get done properly.

Another thing to keep in mind, once these mods are done, your factory HU won't lock into place like it does now.  So if you were to remove your gear down the road, and want to put your factory gear back in, it will still fit in there, it just won't lock as solid as it is right now.  Also, remember that Connect Pro will remove your aftermarket gear and reinstall your factory gear, free of charge.

My next concern is of course going to be your budget.  Actually, it's more my fault than anything.  I was recommending things at the top of the scale.  Infinity component 5x7, MTX 5 Channel, Thunderform, and Pioneer 8400, with installation, all of your required wiring and PSP, will certainly put you over that mark.

Don't stear away from the Pioneer 8400, trust me, once you play with one in store, you'll want it.  I have it, it's awesome, you'll love it.

Where you may have to make some changes is going to be with your speakers, sub(s) and amp(s).

Whats the closet FS location to you?

[TanyaEgeland]

Hi Rob,

Thanks for the great info! The closest FS to me would be Medicine Hat. Would there be a trustworthy Connect Pro installer at that location? I'm quite impressed by the Pioneer 8400, so what sort of adjustments would you recommend I make in regards to the speakers, subs and amps in order to stay within my budget? Just wondering if this audio system could be transferred to another vehicle down the road (or what would be involved in that process)? Thanks again for taking the time to help.

Tanya

[srtbull2004]

Hey Tanya,

In the interest of making things fit into the budget, let's change the Infinity Kappa 5x7 to the MTX 5x7, they are on sale right now until the 16th of August, great price.
Rather than having the MTX 5 Channel let's use a Kenwood Mono Block Sub Amp. It'll help save us a couple bucks. It will leave you with a little less power for your front and rear speakers, but then switching to MTX 5x7, they don't require as much power anyway. So running them off deck power will still be a substantial upgrade from your stock system.

That should leave us with enough room in the bank to look at Thunderforms again. Here's that link again so you can picture how it would look in your truck.
Now my only issue with that, is if you purchase this for your truck and then down the road you want to remove it all and put it into a newer vehicle, this enclosure will be for this style of truck only.
So if a new truck is in your near future, maybe I suggest you just put a small 10" sub in a prefab box and put it on the floor in front of your back seat, hopefully in the center area to retain room for your rear passengers' feet.

As far as that process of removing gear when purchasing a new vehicle goes, it's really quite easy. All you have to do is call your local FS, book an appointment and they'll arrange to have all of your gear removed from your truck and then replace it with all of the original equipment that was removed during the initial install. Free of charge. Bare in mind, any modifications could hinder it being free, so make sure you talk to your installer first to make sure there won't be any charges to retro fit things. As for a tech that I trust, if Jen is still the lead at The Hat Future Shop, she'll be your guy, (or girl, as it were)


And then of course, if you're ever up in Northern Alberta, come see me, my team and I would be more than happy to help out.

[TanyaEgeland]

Hi Rob,

RECEIVER

Pioneer P8400BH

SPEAKERS

Just wondering if Focal speakers would be a possibility, as I've heard great things about them? If not, what if I dropped down to the Infinity Reference X-Series 6"x8"/5"x7" 2-Way Speakers? If these options are not available, I could certainly live with the MTX 5x7's.

SUBWOOFER

If I were to opt for the Thunderforms, would you suggest that I get them unloaded, loaded, or amplified? Also, if I had them amplified, would that save me money on purchasing a separate amplifier?

I liked your suggestion about putting a prefab box with sub, as it wouldn't be as costly (especially if I change vehicles down the road). I would prefer if it could still be fitted under the rear seat though. I've been doing some looking on the internet and have seen some amplified, loaded subwoofer enclosure systems (i.e. Kicker TCVT122 or Kicker PES10C). Were you thinking of something like those? Or, what would you recommend?

AMPLIFIER

If I have 2 rear speakers and 2 front speakers, plus a subwoofer, wouldn't I need a 5-channel amp? I was just wondering how the Kenwood Mono Block Sub Amp would work in that case? Sorry about the million questions, but I'm a total newbie to car audio. :-(  There's just way too many options out there.

Once I've determined what I need/want for a system (which I hope is fairly soon), I will definitely check and see if Jen is still around to help me with the installation part of things.

Tanya

[MAErnest]

Hey Tanys,

Good Choice on the deck it is nothing but 7" of glory.

SUBWOOFER

Unloaded: You will only get the mould that sits under your rear seats. Unloaded also mean it will not come with any subs or an amp. Thats why the price tends to be a little lower. If you choose to go with unloaded you will need to purchase 2 8" subs and a mono amp to power those 2 subs. 

Loaded: With loaded you get the moulding and dual 8" mtx T4500 as a package. You will be paying more than a unloaded because you are simply paying for the two subs. You still will require a amplifier. 

Amplified: Amplified is the ultimate package you can go with MTX, You get all 3 peices, moulding, Dual 87" mtx T4500s and a 300W RMS intergrated BTL amplifier. Since the amp is intergrated YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE to pull it out and use it in another system.

When your shopping deffinatly do get the prices if it is unloaded, loaded, and amplified.

I would reccomend you go with loaded, mtx makes awsome subs! Also buy your own amplifier. The one Rob suggessted will do the trick, that way you can reuse it another system. If you do sell your Ford sell the Mtx Thunder form with it, just don't forget to pull out your amp.

AMPLIFIERS

You are somewhat correct. You can go with a 5channel amp for all 4 of your speakers and the subs. That is the way to go however since yor budget is limiting you, Rob suggested you just go with a 1channel (mono) amp to save some $$$. IF you do want to go with a 5 channel amp (Stronly reccomened) the range from $300-$400.

Here are some suggestion for a 5channel amp:

http://www.futureshop.ca/en-CA/product/alpine-electronics-alpine-5-channel-car-amplifer-mrx-v60-mrx-... 

http://www.futureshop.ca/en-CA/product/kenwood-kenwood-5-channel-car-amplifier-kac-7005ps-kac-7005ps....

Ernest L.

Product Expert

Mobile Audio 

Kanata609, Ottawa

[TanyaEgeland]

Thank you so much for your advice Ernest. Yes, I agree about the deck... I think it would be an awesome unit. That's at least one component in my new stereo system that I've made a definite decision on!

As far as the subs go, your advice to get the MTX subs sounds good, but I'm wondering if it would be possible to save a little money by using a previous suggestion of Rob's... by putting the subs in a pre-fab box? I don't really want to spend any extra on a custom moulding if I can't move it to my next vehicle. Would there be some sort of universal sub moulding where I could just slide the MTX subs under my back seat (without having them custom fitted)? Would something like the Bassworx ported boxes work? Or would something like this even work?: MTX 12" Dual Sub Box? Or would you recommend something different? 

Either the Alpine 5-Channel Amp (MRX-V60) that you recommended sounded real good, or the Alpine 5-Channel Amp (MRX-V70).

I'm still not sure what I would need for speakers. All I know is that I require 2 sets (2 for the front and 2 for the back). I'm not even sure what size I need. I was looking at these: MTX 6x8/5x7 Speakers. What do you think? Would they work? Or would you suggest something different? 

Well, I think I've got it just about figured out... just a few more things to figure out now. Sorry for the millions of questions. There's just sooooo much to learn and know about car audio systems. I really don't know what I would do without your guys' help. ;-)

Tanya

[srtbull2004]

This is what it's all about. This what this forum was designed for.
Keep asking questions. It keeps me in a job