Hi guys,

I'm trying to work out if its worth upgrading my stock Ford head unit to a Sony one, but someone posted here that the speakers are different with the Sony unit.

Obviously if it comes with better speakers as well, I don't know if I would get the benefit from just replacing the head unit.

Anyone had their door cards off or know if the speakers with the Sony unit are any different?

Cheers.

EDIT:

Seems the answer is yes. I'm getting a quote from Ford for pricing on 6 new speakers (eek!) but will be getting the Sony HU fitted either way. Still apreciate anyone's comments who may have made the switch :)

You will notice a difference with just the headunit, the speakers are different though.

Thanks for the reply.

I'll get the head unit fitted and see how it sounds. Maybe look into fitting some better speakers later on.

I'm correct in thinking I'll need to create an adapter though right, as my car is a 2009MY.

Yes, apparently the Sony DAB headunit also comes with upgraded Pioneer speakers, which sound better than the standard Ford ones.

I thought about doing this myself but the Sony headunit is designed to match the piano black interior of the Metal. Doesn't look right with the silver trim of the standard car.

I don't think it comes with pioneers, just better oem ones.

I was looking through Ford's website and ecat and it looks like they are just slightly different all round and with double cones in the rear woofers.

The gloss finish also was about before the metal edition, the vents still match the standard silver. I'll be honest when I first saw the pics of the Sony I didn't like it, but it's really grown on me and now I can't wait to get it fitted.

You will notice a difference with just the headunit, the speakers are different though.

Maybe my hearing is messed up, but the basic stereo sounds fine to me....

I just want USB!!!!!

Well I've managed to grab a head unit off ebay, and I have also asked Ford to quote me on the uprated speakers, we'll see how much it will cost. I've been looking at all the guides on accessing the speakers and it doesn't look too bad, especially if I have another OEM speaker to just swap out with.

Got some trim tools on the way which should make life much easier and printed off a guide on fiestamk7.com on how to create a loom adapter.

I'll start a new thread with progress, findings, etc once I have all the stuff here and let you know the difference in sound between:

• Stock HU
  
• Sony HU and stock speakers
  
• Sony HU and uprated speakers.
  

Maybe my hearing is messed up, but the basic stereo sounds fine to me....

There's nothing wrong with the standard one - Sony just sounds better

I just want USB!!!!!

Get it then!!!!! :P

There's nothing wrong with the standard one - Sony just sounds better

Get it then!!!!! :P

Usb/Aux-in Panel is fitted

Bluetooth HU, screen and fascia fitted

Bluetooth/USB Module is fitted

I just need all the looms and maybe Ford to activate it all....the Hu and screen works fine so maybe I won't?

USB definitely won't work until activated.

USB definitely won't work until activated.

I thought as much, but if the HU is a USB one (I bought ALL the components except looms from a totalled s1600) will it work right away or will the GEM still need programmed?

I thought as much, but if the HU is a USB one (I bought ALL the components except looms from a totalled s1600) will it work right away or will the GEM still need programmed?

USB definitely won't work until activated.

:P

:P

Point taken B)