Well I'm not THAT old, but I would like some opinions about replacement speakers for my 04 Ranger Edge super cab. I actually like the factory double din head unit. I know.....yall probably think it's junk, but it is good enough for me. But I know a good speaker upgrade will make a big difference. So, what is a good speaker I can use that won't break the bank and sound good? I should also add that I have a Blaupunkt Thb 210A subwoofer from a Jeep I had. I have not installed it yet, but plan to. Thanks.

 

Damn, did I ask a taboo question?

 

alot of people just like the basic 6x8 pioneers that you can pick up at walmart or bestbuy.

 

I guess I have champaign taste cause I was lookin at some Infinity Kappas on Crutchfield. lol

 

I'm running the Kappas front and rear, you will have to mod the frame in the rear if you have the 2 door version, ( a "crossmember" support brace thing just under the window area, I just dremeled it out of the way)

I ran the factory unit until it started screwing up last year.

 

Could you tell a big difference? Why was the mod necessary? Because of the magnet size?

 

The Infinitys do sound real good in there. I just have them in my front doors and the stockers in the rear and they stay real crisp. I listen to my music on very loud every time I'm in my truck and they hold up real nice.

 

When you get older, you'll regret listening with it that loud.

 

Kappas are great, but they are only reproducing the sound that the head unit is making. If you really want it to sound better, keep your stockers and upgrade your head unit. Its a BIG difference. That way the sound quality thats coming to your speakers is much better. And if you want awesome quality, may I suggest getting the Kappas and a head unit along the lines of a Kenwood Excelon or anything above the baseline Alpine. KDC-494 is a good one if you're not into lots of features and stuff. Just my 2 cents. I'm a MECP certified professional mobile audio salesperson/installer.

 

Thanks for that. Lemmie splain a little more about what I need. I have permanent hearing loss and tinnitus (ringing in the ears) that results in a severe high frequency hearing loss. I can hear things but not understand. Of course, if I am closed up in my truck, I can hear the radio pretty good. I am looking for something with good high frequency response to help overcome some of what I have lost. That head unit btw, has been discontinued. Also, I noticed it has a detachable face plate. That is a deal breaker for me. Stupid pet peeve I know, but I can't help it.

 

Sorry, I kinda had a brain fart. I meant the KDC-X595. I sold our last 494 today and I guess I was just thinking about it. The Kenwood Excelon has about the best quality that you can get out of a head unit. If you really want to get very crisp clear treble, the Kappas and a new head unit should be just fine.

 

Thanks for the advice. I noticed this is a single din radio. My factory unit is a single din.....but with a double din face. Will this Kenwood unit include somethin to fill the hole?

 

No, you would also need a ford ranger dash install kit for your year, and a wiring harness for your year so that you can wire the harness that comes with your head unit to your factory connection. (you just march colors).

 

Yeah I went on Crutchfield's site and for like 169 bucks I get all that included with it. Not too bad.

 

I feel your pain on the hearing loss.. I experience the same issue with not being able to understand people sometimes because of it. I haven't let that stop me for having one of the best, if not the best sounding systems in my area so they say.

It may seem counter intuitive but I've found that with the hearing loss in the upper range that high notes actually come across as quite harsh and I actually do quite a bit of equalizing them down.. the main area I focus on is the mid range, as that is where humans are most sensitive. specifically the 500hz to 8000hz range. you will want your speakers to play the best at this range for best comprehension and enjoyment.
these lower ranges require a healthy amount of power because the nature of it.

My best recommendation would be to buy some large quality mid-range speakers and a strong amplifier. Im currently running my two 6.5's pioneer mids off of 100w rms each. If you keep the stock unit (which I would just to save money and use it else where) I would defiantly buy a strong amplifier and either a separate set of quality mids or a component set. I would worry the least about tweeters, headunit and sub at the moment.

This is my specific recommendation and what would imo work out the best for you..

These 7" woofers
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/show...number=295-374

And one of these amps..
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_777M225...Sound+Ordnance or
http://cgi.ebay.com/US-Acoustics-USX...item2a0f0ca03a or similar power and quality.

eventually you will want a set of tweeters just to pick up the rest of the mid range and some of the highs that you can still hear.. but these would great until then.

its a small bit more involved than just slapping in some aftermarket speakers but not by much. the difference in sound quality will be very large. even if you do decide to go with just some infinitys or whatever that would be fine to but make sure you buy a powerful amp for them or you will be listening to harsh high notes and not much else.

Let me know if you want some more advice I don't make it on here much any more PM so it shows up in my email.

 

I have a severe hi freq hearing lose too. I had the old factory CD6 in my 2003 Edge. CD changer was junk. Called Crutchfield and got the Kenwood 345U, also the posi connectors. They sent kit, harness and all for $126. I am using stock speakers and the new head unit made all the difference in the world to my ears. I'm 61 and lost most of the hearing do to USMC, Vietnam.

 

First off, thanks for your service to our country. It's because of people like you and those who are no longer with us that we are able to banter back and forth on internet forums like this so thanks. Also, thanks for your recommendation. It seems very affordable especially now because it is 119. I am kinda funny about matching components. The Infinitys I was looking at did not have a matching head unit but the Kenwood head unit has matching speakers that fit. Thanks for that.