[FordFocus897]

I have an ST3. I don't hate the sound system, but I feel it could be better. The main problem I have with it is that I would like it to be much louder. There's a lot of great info on this form about different upgrades that can be done to the system, but I can't find a clear answer on whether or not it's substantially louder once upgraded. I listen to my music (Bluetooth) at maximum volume, and it's not loud enough for me. I'm looking for a system that can go at least twice as loud with clean and powerful but not overpowering bass. Thinking of going with something like the Kicker KS Series 6.5" 2-Way Component Car Speakers with Polypropylene Cones. Also some kind of 10 inch sub, as well as a new amp. I'll also probably use some sound deadening material. Like I said, I want good lows and highs and the sound to be clear and crisp, as well as having powerful bass. All of that but really LOUD. Should I even bother, or will I get what I'm looking for with these upgrades? Thanks!

 

[Blown5Ways]

You need to look at a few things. Do you want to keep the stock head unit? What is your budget? What type of sound are you after?

Answering a few of those can point you in a general direction. The real limiting I see is going to be the budget. I already plan on dropping a lot of coins because of the setup I am looking for.

I am willing to help you out as I have played in audio for many years.

 

[ride_4_pow]

Yeah, definitely feel like the stock system does not max out, like there is a ceiling programmed into the volume. It sounds crisp, but it sounds like there should be a lot more sound pumping through. I don't know - sometimes it sounds great at 30 sometimes too quiet.

 

[porkcereal]

Unfinished built of my 4th rendition. There is always room for improvement. If it's worth it is only known to you, your budget, and how you want your car to sound.

 

[LockeLamora33]

I have an ST3 also, really disappointed with the stereo right out of the gate. I ripped up all the carpets, seats etc... and put Roadkill extreme and some thick open cell mat down on top of that then put the carpet and everything back. There is a 300% improvement over the sound, bass levels and overall volume. As well as alot less road noise.

I did have this stuff left over from doing the same to my truck and 4runner so it was sort of free. But for like $2-300 you can do your whole car and really improve it. Then I would look into some upgrades after. The only thing I really want to change now is the sub, and I think someone makes a nice 10inch one that fits pretty much where our factory one does.

 

[AkiraSieghart]

I have a 2013 ST3 and an overhaul of the audio system was one of the first things I did when I bought the car used about a year ago. The front passenger woofer was blown and was extremely aggravating. I looked into replacing it with the stock unit but started looking into the specs of the system as a whole and how much work goes into overhauling everything. To be clear, I'm not an audiophile nor am I really experienced with wiring and speaker management and I didn't use extremely expensive components. I used two sets of Infinity Kappa 60.11CS because they weren't too expensive (<$200 a set) and came with the correct sized woofers and tweeters as well as crossovers. I knew that if I was going to do an overhaul, I wanted it to look as stock as possible. So I bought two sets of the Infinity's, a Rockford Fosgate R600X5 amp, a Kicker CompRT 8" subwoofer, and an AudioControl LC6I audio converter.

I'll include a link to my audio build at the bottom so I won't go into too much detail but in my opinion, the hardest part was running the power cable from the battery to the trunk for the amp and wiring up my resistors (something you may not even need to do). I think I've spent $800-$1000 TOTAL and it took me about two afternoons to do. The result is a system that sounds clear, has wonderful bass, and will hurt your ears if you bring it over half volume. If you're looking for more power and clarity, you won't find them unless you do the entire system. The components that Ford used for the system are just awful.

This is the link to my build. The pictures aren't updated but the system looks almost entirely stock aside from the new sub (which DOES currently have a guard) and the Rockford amp.

 

[anxiouz]

Just curious...full volume in any mode or just Bluetooth music?

I don't listen over Bluetooth but in my ST3 I'm not sure I even hit halfway when blasting it. 99% of the time it's music off usb. Wondering if it's Bluetooth volume or everything...

 

[Burnboy]

It's everything. There was an eBay vendor that had a bunch of factory amps from I believe a fusion. Someone found out that the fusion amp was much louder. I bought one and it's much better. That eBay vendor sold out. Next time he had some it was twice the price lol. This was a couple of years ago.

 

[popwarhomie]

What is this I hear that you have to put resistors inline of the amp or something? Im planning on getting an audio control LC7I, replacing the front mids and tweeters, running a 4 channel for them and throwing 2 12"s in the back on an FSD 2600 I have left over. Id like to keep the rear speakers running on the factory amp for when I have passengers.

I went from a 157DB daily driver to this ST3 and really hate the stereo..

 

[porkcereal]

What is this I hear that you have to put resistors inline of the amp or something? Im planning on getting an audio control LC7I, replacing the front mids and tweeters, running a 4 channel for them and throwing 2 12"s in the back on an FSD 2600 I have left over. Id like to keep the rear speakers running on the factory amp for when I have passengers.

I went from a 157DB daily driver to this ST3 and really hate the stereo..

The factory amp doesn't like it when you remove the load. It over heats and cooks tweeters. If you can wait for the new rf device that will clone your amp and allow you to keep all sync controls and give you a dsp. If it's being released early 17

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using Tapatalk

 

[popwarhomie]

The factory amp doesn't like it when you remove the load. It over heats and cooks tweeters. If you can wait for the new rf device that will clone your amp and allow you to keep all sync controls and give you a dsp. If it's being released early 17

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using Tapatalk

Oh okay I understand now. Im planning on adding just subs right now. Would I be okay running the LOC for the mono amp but having all stock mids, tweeters, and factory sub installed? As for RF device are you talking Rockford Fosgate? Wonder what the price on that will be...

 

[porkcereal]

Ya, Rockford, price was estimated under 300. Honestly, just for a sub, id wire high level to low level rca adapters off the sub plug. I did it for an st2 and worked great. This only works for subs and if the amp accepts high level inputs. Pm me for more details.

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[angrychair]

I have a 16 st2 and was really disappointed in the audio quality at almost any volume, it clean and decent 10-15 but anything above 15 i just kinda sounds like ****. this coming from a guy who does studio audio work and listens to headphones a lot for my basis.