Options for aftermarket audio?

[VileKnight]

Back in the day when I did the car club and went to car shows, I was far more of a "show" than "go" guy. Tinkered with plenty in terms of car audio, and this is something I would love to dive into once I get my hands on a new Mustang, but in car entertainment is in a different world from even 5-10 years ago.

To that point, I haven't seen a ton of info/builds outside of replacing the stock B&O sub, and maybe some speakers. I assume that a new head unit isn't going to be needed, so what sort of build would you look for if you're looking to drop some money on a nice system?

For an example build the last time I put some good money toward a premium setup, I had:

• New head unit
• tweeters in the front
• replaced 4 stock speakers (doors and back shelf)
• added 2 10" subs in the trunk
• amp for sub and smaller amp for the speakers
• capacitor for sub amp
• sound dampening material on doors, trunk, and roof.

Right now my main idea is upgrading the speakers, and adding a single 10" sub, amp, and laying down some sound dampening in the trunk. Not looking to win any SQ competitions at shows, but I want a nice premium sound for my drive. Am I forgetting anything? I want to take everything into consideration, and I think the idea of not replacing a head unit it throwing me off.

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[Sofa King]

Back in the day (see what I did there), I was a car stereo nut... ever since my second car, every car got a stereo as the first upgrade. I graduated to elaborate systems and did some car stereo competitions. My "Sunday driver" (show car) won a first place in a stereo competition. My previous "sunny daily driver" won a second place and a couple of third places. It has been quite a few years since doing these... and my "daily drivers" have been Cadillacs for the last 20+ years, and with the Bose systems, have been good enough for the daily driver. I was hoping the B&O system in my new "sunny daily driver" Mustang would be better, as I like a nice stereo in my nice cars.

I have been contemplating upgrading my S650 (already did a sub swap), but nowadays the head unit pretty much has to stay, as it is so integral to the car. Not as hard to do these days as there are several options available (which I have only just begun to research), not like when I thought about replacing an earlier Bose system in a previous Cadillac years ago. There are a few members here that have done some better installs, and some from the S550 (M6G), may be relevant as the cars are so similar.

I don't have much to add at this point, as I'm just starting the research phase... but I do know that getting the right interface is key to the best audio. I will be keeping an eye here with you and hope others have some good tips.

 

[Cobrakit]

I have an extra ugraded center speaker if your interested. Easy to replace. I also replaced sub woofer woth Infinity 10 in speaker and open grill (from Amazon). About $120 total and it did improve. Obviously if you replace amp and all speakers, it would be better.

 

[Fruitstang]

Get the PAC Audio AmpPRO AP4-FD31.
True plug & play (driver side in trunk) with necessary harness included.
This provides clean 6 channel cinch preouts + remote out and speaker cables for front woofers, mids, center, rears and main sub, meaning you don't have to run new cables to all of these speakers (front tweeters are different, see below).
And all bad factory stuff like bass roll off and other active equalizing is completely bypassed.
Fader, balance etc. will work.
It has also an optical digital out, but then Fader will not work.
Only thing you need to do is either connect the A pillar tweeters with a separate cable to the mids in the doors, or route the new cables to the rear where you place the new amp.

I kept the original speakers and use an 8 channel DSP-Amp from Helix and it's a day and night difference.

Sub is the only speaker I replaced.

 

[wingerys]

Get the PAC Audio AmpPRO AP4-FD31.
True plug & play (driver side in trunk) with necessary harness included.
This provides clean 6 channel cinch preouts + remote out and speaker cables for front woofers, mids, center, rears and main sub, meaning you don't have to run new cables to all of these speakers (front tweeters are different, see below).
And all bad factory stuff like bass roll off and other active equalizing is completely bypassed.
Fader, balance etc. will work.
It has also an optical digital out, but then Fader will not work.
Only thing you need to do is either connect the A pillar tweeters with a separate cable to the mids in the doors, or route the new cables to the rear where you place the new amp.

I kept the original speakers and use an 8 channel DSP-Amp from Helix and it's a day and night difference.

Sub is the only speaker I replaced.

What sub did you go with?

 

[Fruitstang]

https://ddaudio.com/le-sl600/loaded-enclosures/le-df-sl612-1/

Had to turn off the fake exhaust "Electronic Sound Enhancement" via Forscan to enjoy it as intended.

 

[Cobrakit]

Amazon $70

 

[VileKnight]

Well, now the real work starts. My GT has the 12 speakers system, and I’m pretty underwhelmed with the SQ for what I paid for. I’ll wait a month before tinkering but that pioneer upgraded will be a minimum.

 

[Fruitstang]

Weird that you get a substantial and comprehensive answer to your extensive OP which indicates you are striving for an audiophile update based on your background and just give thumbs up to no-text mentioning of an almost placebo recommendation of a $70 replacement sub chassis with no additional info on how to actually improve what the sub is fed with.

 

[VileKnight]

Sorry if your feelings got hurt, bud. This thread isn’t the only source of info, and there is a lot of feedback on the pioneer being an inexpensive plug and play to get by until a full build can be done. Not sure what you were expecting that caused you to be so mad that you removed your original post with your contribution. Relax.

 

[Fruitstang]

Writing Saturday evening/night with a couple of beers in the belly is never a good idea ;)
Stupid enough to delete my own post when right below another fella had a full quote of it.

So nevermind, didn't want't to be rude.
The Pioneer is a good start, but it obviously won't fix the issues with all other frequencies that hurt ears of people depending on what kind of quality they are used to listen to.

 

[VileKnight]

No worries man. I can never fault someone for drinking a good German beer! Far better than most stuff we have state side.

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