DIY: F430 Stereo System Upgrade

I thought I already posted this info here but I cant seem to find it so here it is (again)
Please see info below and attachments. Hope this helps some of you.

Disclaimers & just to level set:

My F430 Spider has the AP headers installed. And Kline Innovation exhaust.
The engine & exhaust sound is awesome. Yes, that is all the sound I need as mentioned here many times. However, there are times I park my car by the lake and listen to some music in between long drives to just relax and enjoy the beautiful Northwest. Sometimes I’m parked at the mall waiting for my boss at home to get done shopping I want to listen to music coming from a clean sounding stereo system (no distortion, no rattles, etc.) or watch music videos on my Samsung S8+ Bluetooth connected to my Alpine head unit.

Upgraded sound is now like being in a concert. Night & day difference compared to stock.

My F430 has the Becker HiFi option. As many threads here have mentioned – it is crap. A $19.95 Kraco system probably sounds better in my opinion. The head unit puts out crappy signal, original speakers and tweeters are weak & crappy, ASK amp is also crappy. The entire system is dull sounding at low volume, harsh sounding at high volume). The subwoofer is the worst as it just rattles at medium to high volume and really no bottom end sound.

So I decided to upgrade my stereo system.

I don’t want anything that people can hear 6 miles down the road. Just a good clean sounding stereo system whenever I want to listen to music.

My goal is to keep it looking as stock as possible but improved sound quality.

Note: if you are happy with the Becker system and it sounds good to you – then good for you. No need to change anything. Always remember, to each his own, do whatever makes you happy. It’s your car. My suggestion is don’t worry about the next guy that will own it. I suggest tailor your car to whatever makes you happy & not worry about the next guy that will own it.

Note also that Im posting for sharing info in case someone wants to upgrade theirs too, here’s info to make your upgrade easier for you. Im not here to debate or argue with anyone. I have better things to do. Again, Im sharing kind of guy so I am posting for sharing and hopefully this info helps some of you. Always remember – to each his own. In life, do whatever makes you happy and not worry about what other may say. We all have an opinion..... Life your life how you want it.

Now that we got that out of the way…………….

My choice of stereo equipment and parts you will need.

· Head Unit – I went with Alpine CDE-164BT. Outstanding sound. My only complaint is the bright LED on input source selector switch.

· Speakers – I went with Morel Maximo 6.5” 2 way speakers. Almost perfect fit. Just need to trim one leg of the stock bracket.

· Subwoofer – I went with JL Audio ACS110LG-TW1 400 watt, 10” powered subwoofer

· Antenna adapter from Euro to US.

· Metra wiring adapter Metra 70-1784 wiring harness adapter (VW/Audi)

Important info: Thanks to Aldous Voice and other FChat members for this info: Link here: Some of this info below are captured from their posts. No need to re-write so some credit goes to them.

See attached DIY write up. Some photos below.

 

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Photos of JL Audio subwoofer and a short video coming soon.

Time to run some errands. Im off work this week.

Dan

 

Nice write up. So far I have just swapped the subs for focals and hid the amp under the center carpet under the stock amp. I will do the doors next so this will come in handy.

 

Great write up Dan as always. Will be doing mine shortly.

 

Great work Dan

 

Thanks Phil!

Dan

 

Here's instructions on how to replace the door speakers.

Please see attachment.

Dan

 

Thanks Anthony!

Dan


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

Very detailed and great instructions. Nice job again Dan!

 

Thanks Dave!

Dan

 

I must admit as much as I really cant tell the difference anymore (I just turn my hearing aids up these days) between the high 3D sound system in my S class (or the 23 speaker meridian in the RR) and the alpine in the 4C, I have thought about changing the stock speakers out and seeing what difference it makes. My car has the hifi system with the nav and I unplugged the ipod plug and bought the cable so I can attach my phone through USB.

 

Awesome write up and clear pics to go along with it Dan. Unfortunately years of djing has taken a huge toll on my hearing. On the upside my S Line exhaust is audio nirvana.

 

Sorry to hear some of you folks are starting to have hearing problems already.

I play in a band and have played for many years and I'm lucky not to have hearing issues.

Wishing you all the best.

Dan

 

As promised, photo of my JL Audio 10" powered subwoofer below and links to a short 1.5 minute video on how my upgraded stereo system now sounds.
You may want to really watch the video as I like this band from Brazil. Not only they're great musicians but their female singers are very talented and Hot!

If you have a set of great speakers with subwoofers hooked up to your PC I say crank it up and hear this. If not, a set of headphones plugged in to your cellphone will work too so you can hear the sound quality.

Summary: Deep low tight punchy bass from JL Audio. System is plenty loud & distortion free. Thanks to Alpine head unit, Pioneer power amp and Morel Maximo 2 way speakers.

Here you go: Enjoy!




And when I get tired of listening to good music my Kline Exhaust is what I listen to.




All the best to all of you.

Dan

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Dan,

Always enjoy your posts - informative and respectful. I assumed I had 6 1/2" speakers in the doors of my '06 Spider with the "Hi-Fi" option, so that's what I ordered. Turns out, mine are 5 1/4". Pretty sure I'm not going to be able to get the 6 1/2" speakers to work.

 

Hi Frank, thanks for the kind words.

My F430 Spider is also a 2006 with the HiFi Option and mine had the 6 1/2" speaker.
And I thought all F430 with the Hi Fi Option has 6.5" speaker. Sorry about that.....

I dont think a 6.5" speaker will fit on a 5.25" opening.....but you can certainly try.
It only takes about 20 minutes to open up the door panel to check and see.

Dan

 

Well I decided that the Becker unit is just too annoying to keep in the car. Even with the USB connector wired to the back it still stops playing Pandora from my iPhone, so I just bought the Alpine and the Morel pro speakers. I am going to follow you on this one Dan, even though I cannot hear very well anymore, what I ccan hear needs to be the Dead!

 

not to hijack here, but is the factory deck even adjustable? I cant find a way to adjust bass and treble ... I have a 2005 f430 factory stereo

 

Hi Morrie, even with hearing challenges I am fairly certain you can hear the difference in sound after the upgrade.

Most especially the mids and the highs of the Morel speakers are super clear and clean and crisp even in high volume.
But the biggest impact is the addition of subwoofer. Just ensure the subwoofer of your choice is powerful enough to handle the low bass.

Similar to you, the Becker just sounds so crappy it was one of the top 3 on my Upgrade list as it bothered me.
Now, Im 1,000% happy.

We're here if you think we can help.

Dan

 

Yes, it is but its not very intuitive. Its in the Radio Owners Manual.
Sorry I cant remember right off hand but you have to push and hold one of the buttons for the bass and treble menu to show up.

But you will be disappointed as when you increase the bass all you will hear from the stock subs are rattle...
And when you increase the treble it will be harsh sounding.....

I still cant believe Ferrari would contract with Becker for the way it sounds. They must not have very good listening ears...
If I am one of the buyers on Ferrari supplier management group Becker would definitely not a system we would offer in our cars especially for how much they cost.

 

I remember when I spec'd out both the 360 & 430, (which was well over 12 years ago), I was all too happy to pay for the hifi option (which was way over priced), and this 430 has the nav unit and hands free (which I did not have on my 430), that system cost more than the 3D super system in my S class (which I am told sounds really good). Ferrari has always been a little crazy when it comes to option prices, but for what these systems cost they do not give much.

 

Not to hijack this thread or to offend anybody but I personally find the engine noise so loud (even during idle) in my 430 that stereo sound quality is almost a moot point. I'm sure for those whose cars had exhaust upgrades, the cabin noise would be even louder. I thought about replacing my crappy Becker unit but I figured what's the point. The engine noise just overpowers everything. Are you guys who are upgrading your stereos also putting in extra sound insulation? But then again, for me, I much rather hear that glorious exhaust note than listening anything on the radio. I guess Ferrari purposely put in a crappy stereo so owners realize this. lol.