[Shotimes] Stereo Questions

[Steve Tatro]

In my limited SHO audio experience, I've found exactly the opposite.

With my '90 (with JBL), I replaced the HU only with a JVC merely because I
wanted an in-dash CD player.  I spent the $40 to incorporate the factory
amps, as I wanted to keep the woofers (I refuse to refer to these as subs).
As I understand it, using the bypass would've only sent the HU's power
through the 4 main speakers.

With my '93 (also with JBL), I replaced the HU only with a Blaupunkt, for
the same reasons; I needed an in-dash CD player (and wanted a remote control
HU).  I used the same OEM interface that allowed me to incorporate the amps,
as I obviously wanted to keep the subwoofer.  Sure it's only a 6.5" low
driver, but it's better than the 4 main speakers can do.

With both the cheap JVC and the cheap Blau, I was surprised by the
improvement in sound.  We're not talking about adding earth-shattering bass
or deafening highs, but there is definitely better shielding and better
total sound quality from even basic (yet respectable) aftermarket HUs.  I
didn't belive it, so I spent a day with the original, then a day with the
JVC, then back and forth.  There was a very noticeable improvement with both
aftermarket HUs.

Also, I believe the stock HU has a feature that prematurely quits increasing
the bass output.  This seems to be gone with aftermarket HUs so I'm just
assuming it's built-in to the Ford HU.  Can anyone confirm this?

The only danger in this is that if you're not careful you can blow the tiny
JBL sub.  I've done it twice within the past year.

For anyone on a budget, I recommend the following: (1) make sure all your
factory speakers are in good condition.  (2) replace the HU with one of at
least decent quality.  No generic Wal-Mart brands, but Alpine not required.
(3) Add some flush-mount or surface-mount tweets to the sails or door
panels.  As nice as it is replacing the door speakers to improve sound
(especially highs) they still fire at the dash and do little good.  Tweets
is the way to go.

Sorry to ramble.

Steve Tatro
Red/Black '93 with 167k miles
Cincinnati, Ohio

----- Original Message -----
From: "Leigh Smith" <leighsm@comcast.net>
To: "Jonathon Beisler" <JBEIS001@stvincentshealth.com>
Cc: <shotimes@autox.team.net>
Sent: Friday, May 09, 2003 6:02 PM
Subject: Re: [Shotimes] Stereo Questions


> Jonathan;
>
> My take on ford stereos is this: The head units don't have any power,
> the amplifier is in the amp in the trunk. Aftermarket units put 45
> wattts in the head unit, which is about all the Ford trunk amp has. Plus
> Ford uses some really low power/resistance signals to the amp that are
> not standard specs for the aftermarket. So using an aftermarket head
> unit and a Ford amp is very difficult to get to work, it is only 45
> watts anyway, so why bother?
>
> So; Consider the ford head unit & amp as a package, keep them as a pair,
> or replace them with a single aftermarket head unit with the same power,
> and use the bypass cables to straighten out the wiring. Someone cut all
> the **** wires on my 94's JBL system, and it took me hours to straighten
> it all out!! The 89 was plug-n-play with the right patch cable.
>
> The sub is a separate matter. It will need it's own aftermarket amp.
> 100-150W or so & up. My stock 94 JBL subwoofer speaker is tolerating a
> 200W max Jensen amp O.K. without blowing it up, so far.
>
> Leigh
>
>
> Jonathon Beisler wrote:
>
> >Does anyone know the watts output for the factory sound systems that came
in the 94 SHO?  I have the "premium" system with the separate CD player,
amps and subwoofer if that makes any difference.  I have aftermarket
speakers now and am looking to upgrade the deck.
> >Also, do any of you think that it would be possible to wire in a 2001
double din 6 disc in dash changer to this earlier car?
> >Lastly, I have been looking at some of the Sony Xplod systems and am
wondering about powering the amp.  I know that Crutchfield will give me the
bypass for the amps so where does that leave my sub?  THe one that I am
looking at has 52 x 4 max power output so I am wondering how much better it
will make music, so to speak.
> >Thanks for any advice or knowledge in advance.
> >JB
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