An okay gentleman here is what I am trying to decide and I could use some good advice. Currently I have a Stock radio non shaker set up. I have bought today a brand new Kenwood DDX 7017. My next purchase this weekend will be a set of four speakers. I have picked MB Quart as the brand I would like to drop in. My plan is not to run an amp, but I want to leave it open as a possibility in the future without having to change my speakers. Currently I can pick up a pair of 5.25" MB Quart PCE 213 for $318 with a 2 day turn around from a very reputable dealer (I live in Germany).

Do you think this is a good price? Does anyone know of a dealer online that can beat this price that they would swear on their mother's grave by their reputation? With my set up, am I wasting money going with MB Quart's Premium speaker; maybe I should go with their Reference or Discus series. Also the reference series has 6x8's, should I get those for the back or do the 5.25" all the way around? Last but very important, if you can answer only one question, do 5.25" MB Quarts drop in with a Crutchfield brand adapter plate?

Thanks for the help, and when I am done with all this I will post some Pics!

 

I don't know if the MB quarts will "Drop in" with the adapter plate in the front. But, as I recall there is a pretty good amount of clearance up there, so you should be OK. The rear deck speakers will definatley fit, assuming the crutchfield plate has the "standard" bolt pattern on it. There is nothing to get in the way on the rear deck.

But, I think those speakers are simply overkill for use with the stock radio. Don't get me wrong--MB quarts are fantastic--but in a stock car, with the stock head unit and the road noise, you won't really see the benefit from those speakers.

Now then, if you are planning for the future and are going to add an amp or a better head unit later, that's a different story.

My advice is to make your #1 a sound deadening project to reduce road noise. No, it's not as glamorous as saying that you just installed a new set of MB Quarts, but I'd bet good money that it will be cheaper and will have a more pronounced effect on your audio quality.

Next, replace the rear deck speakers and the front door speakers with quality aftermarkets. The Infinity Referance speakers are nice and they're a lot cheaper than the MB Quarts. Yes, the Quarts are better, but I don't think it will matter much unless you are later going to add an amp and head unit.

You might want to read this thread: https://mustangforums.com/m_1328777/tm.htm

 

I am running the following:
MB Quart 5.25 in componemts - upper doors
MB Quart 6.75 in midbass - lower / sub doors

No way is that stock HU going to be enough to get anything spectacular out of them.
MB Quarts are awesome and can be REALLY smooth but unless you feed them the power they want it will be muddy.

Let me throw this out:
What about their Discus line?
That would be a better fit for the stock HU and still give you some headroom if you wanted to add an amp.
I know that is their cheapest line - but from past experiences they are a fantastic suprise!!!

Also forget the rear deck speakers. I wished I had. Just concentrate on your front sound stage and you will be happy!!!!!!!!

 

Maybe I didn't clerify, but I have already purchased a Kenwood DVD head unit. How well do you think MB Quart speakers will sound with that amp. I probably should have said this before, I want a high fidelity system. Supple bass, strong mids, and rich highs. I don't know if anyone has ever experinced B&W's house speakers, but that sound is exactly what I am going for. If I need to buy a cleaner amp I will, but not to just pump up the volume. I do think I should do the sound deadening project. Does any one know what the best material to do this is project is available on the market, and what am I looking at as far as cost?

 

I do know what you mean about B&W home speakers...definatley nice. Though like any system you have to consider the whole thing, not just the speakers.


I have years of experience as a car audio enthusiast and competitor. I would suggest that you define a budget for your system and then decide what to do from there.

If you really want a "TOP END" system, then you need to get an amp--not necissiarily becasue of volume, but for quality purposes. You will also need a proper subwoofer (again, with an amp) in the trunk.

Sound deadening (like many things) is a case of diminishing returns. If you want, you can go crazy like the SPL competition guys--who might spend hundreds, if not a thousand or two on this. But, I think that's going WAY overboard.

I used the Products from SecondSkin Audio on my car. (Google for web site) My project used 5 gallons of the Spectrum spray-on liquid and 7 sheets of Damplifier Pro. I belive the overall cost was a bit under $300. I also used about $20 worth of supplies such as masking tape, masking paper, and plastic sheets.

You can read about my install here:
http://www.secondskinaudio.com/forum...ead.php?t=1199


Dynamat is the most well-known brand of this kind of product. I have used a LOT of it in the past. I used SecondSkin in my Mustang based on several on-line reviews. I am very happy. Not only was it cheaper than Dynamat, but it worked better as well. There are various other brands I'm sure, but those are the two that I'm familar with.

 

DO NOT get MBQ "P" series speakers if you do not intent on amplifying them! You are wasting your money, regardless of that being a pretty good price for them. I recommend some focal "polyglass" speakers, which should run 150-ish per pair of coaxials, and will sound just as good. If you SERIOUSLY intend on amplifying them in the NEAR future, then the MBQ's would still be the way to go, but in my experience, they do not put out competetive spl if underpowered like that.

 

If you want a high end setup and are looking at decently high end speakers - you are going to HAVE TO use an AMP with them and a dang good one
System will only be as good as the weakest link.
Focals are also great but trying to run them off that headunit is going to be difficult.

Yes MB Quarts and the Focals will work off of it, but it will be a night and day difference if you give them the wattage they want

 

I have the MB Quart Speakers and they need to have an Amp to power them, they sound OK powered by the head unit but when add the Amp is when the sound quality will really shine. I could not be happier with the sound of my system, I am planning on putting in some sound dampening in the car this summer and I think the sound will be even better.

 

i was not implying that the focals would sound nearly their potential or even any better if not amplified, just that they would sound as good for half the price. honestly, anything better than some 3way coaxials from circuit city DESERVES an amp to power them. look into CDT as well, as they make good stuff for a great price.

JJ_stang--you have by far the best system in a new stang that i have heard of, next to me of course

 

Thanks,
what are you running in your car?

It was my first mod after the intake and tune.