chrisc

i think that the thing is a lot of people like to keep stuff stock, and pretty much we dont see this point of view on this forum very much because every body comes here for modding info lol

one_focused_svt

but if you look at the whole picture, being thats its under warranty, a nice clean install, the head unit is a six disc in dash MP3 player, and the fact that you get a bigger alternator with it. it really is a pretty good deal! oh and i do believe you get audiophile speakers because a friend of mine has the 500, and when i turn off my shaker and just use the in cabin speakers mine sounds WAY better then his.

Philostang

Hey Folks,

Crucifix, after reading the article, I can see why you read it that way--not terribly precisely written. It does make it look like the 1000 has upgraded speakers. But then again, it also says the 1000 has 9 speakers--nine? I count one sub in each door (that's two), one plate in each door (with a mid and a tweeter, that's another four, total 6), two rear speakers (8 total--what the 500 has) and two (count em) subs in the trunk. My math comes in at 10 total. Even if you counted the plate in the door as one, that would bring it down to 8 total, and if you counted the trunk subs as one, you have a problem with your eyes--there are two big ole sub rings back there...I don't think that's for show. The Canadians aren't to blame , the text was taken pretty much from Ford's PR guys, and they make frequent mistakes. 9 speakers?

Focused, I don't doubt your experience of hearing a better system in your ride--only the causes for the difference. Comparing one system to another should be approached with caution--in audio competitions it isn't always the guy with the most advanced system that wins, much like tuning a suspension system, it's the guy who sets it up correctly. Different songs highlight different musical strengths, the bass, treble, fade, balance all influence how a system sounds, etc. Also, I'm only commenting on the speakers--to my knowledge the headunits are pretty much the same, save the silkscreened "1000," but I don't know this for sure. If the 1000 headunit can process music better, then even with the same speakers it would sound better. I only know both 500 and 1000 headunits are both 6 disc in-dash changers that play MP3s, any other differences I can't comment on.

Back to the speakers--you're in a great position to help! These are the speakers that were pulled from a base 2005 Mustang system:


The first image has the speakers (sans sub) from a Shaker500:

Note that the door speakers are upgraded to the 4x6 plate--although, curiously the door does accept a 6x8 conventional speaker (so if you were considering upgrading, this is an option for the doors).

Now here's an image of the back of the rear deck speakers--the part number matches both Shaker500 and base systems. I have a 500, and I've checked my rear shelf speaker part numbers. They match the base system rear speaker part #s.


I thought I had images of the 1000 rear speakers, but I can't find them. Soooo, if you take a peek in your trunk, we can find out if they are the same as the rear shelf speakers found in the base and 500 systems. I'm pretty sure the door speakers are the same in 500 and 1000 systems, but you would have to take your door panel off to find out--yikes! Easier to look in the trunk. Here's a door speaker out of a 500...hmmm, Ford recycles ("Mach" anyone?):


Another thing, these are one off examples of 500s and 1000s, so it's possible that this or that car didn't get the right speakers--although, in the case of the 500s, I think we'll all find the same "Made in China XW7F-18808-BB" speakers in the rear. Would be nice to know what 1000 owners find.

Finally-whoo, sorry for such a long post--I still don't think $1K+ is worth it (even including a better alt.) given what you can run (with warranty) from the aftermarket and some home-grown skills.

Best,
-j

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RetiredGeneral

Keep in mind that the shaker (or skipper as they are also known) have had issues. My skipper 1000 is going in again today for another head unit. This time my cds got jammed in the head unit and won't play or eject. Sure it's under warranty, but what good is a warranty when they replace crap with other crap? However, it sounds great when it works.
I got my '05 when finding a GT on a lot was a little difficult. It was fully loaded (just like I wanted), except I didn't want the skipper 1000. I had no choice but to take it. I would have preferred the base unit, then spend the $1000 on a better system. Hmmm, maybe the name Shaker 1000 isn't becuase of the watts... I think it's Fords way of shaking us down for another 1000 dollars!

Philostang

Thanks for that General. Yeah, I feel the same way about warranty items that really NEED a warranty. Certainly, these units seem to earn the name "Skipper." Fortunately I have only had one odd incident where it just didn't want to power on. Shut the car off, and it came right back when I started it. But from what I've heard, it seems I'm one of the lucky ones.

Best,
-j

one_focused_svt

I be in luck as well, no skippy for me! I'll check me speakers as soon as I get the car back from the body shop!