[Shotimes] Stereo Questions

[Steve Tatro]

I'm curious.  How many JBL (or equivalent) systems have you replaced HUs in
and NOT bypassed the factory amps, but rather incorporated them?  If you've
done any, don't you like the results?

I believe our amps are suited to run our speakers very well.  They actually
sound pretty good (for cheap speakers) when just a better HU is installed.

Thanks for your reply,

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

----- Original Message -----
From: <Modemagic@aol.com>
To: <stevetatro@att.net>; <leighsm@comcast.net>
Cc: <shotimes@autox.team.net>
Sent: Friday, May 09, 2003 11:56 PM
Subject: Re: [Shotimes] Stereo Questions


> Having done several SHO stereos at the shop I figure I'll toss my two
cents
> worth into the mix.
>
>   My most common way of upgrading a factory stereo in a SHO, or any
Premium
> equipped ford is to use Bestkits wiring harness BHA5511R.  This has the
> standard 8-pin grey harness for your power, ground, switched, etc. but
also
> has the premium sound plug with RCA's out to utilitize the preouts of the
> deck.  This is also a low level input into the factory amps which
technically
> is what should be fed into the amps.  There is also a premium sound bypass
> also made by Best Kits that has a bypass plug which u can unplug the two
> plugs from the amp and simply patch across it.  This is also a great
method,
> because u can use the deck for the power and not rely on the JBL amps.
Keep
> in mind, if u do this, you will loose the sub if u have it.
>
> I agree with most of Steves recommendations. :)  Always start at the HU
for
> improving sound.  This is number one cause I see of poor sounding systems
in
> cars today.  Don't necessarily stay away from wal-mart... just away from
the
> 50 dollar CD players they sell.  Go with a brand your familiar with, Sony,
> Pioneer, JVC, Alpine etc.  Don't buy the deck because it "looks nice".
There
> are a couple of manufacturers out there that are concentrating on making
> dolphins swim across the screen rather than the good stuff inside the HU.
> Honestly, right now Alpine is the best deck out there bang for the dollar
> sound wise.  U can get a Alpine deck complete with 50x4, Bass engine,
Media
> expander, 3 RCA preouts including independant sub control for under 200
> bucks.  Be aware though that with ANY deck, your not actually throwing 50
> watts of power to each speaker... thats a VERY common misconception.  Yes
I'm
> an Alpine fan... this model year anyway.    If your shopping around for
any
> part of your stereo, whether a deck, speakers, subs, ANY component, stop
by
> your local stereo shop but go to the install department.  Ask the
installers
> on duty what they would recommend.  There opinion is going to be the most
> honest in the store, because they don't care what you buy, it all installs
> the same way, and they don't make any comission as to whether u buy the 20
or
> 200 dollar speakers.
>
> Hope this helps some of you and not confuses u more, :|
> Dave