Well I brought her home last Monday. She is less than a week old. Damn, what a car! She is an 06 with Red Fire Metalic, with a black top, red leather trim sport seats. She has a shaker 1000. And I am ready to design my stereo system. And I am here to seek your suggestions on building the best system for my car, tailored to my tastes. I know there are a lot of opinions on this board about which is better, do this, do that, yadda yadda yadda. Unfortunately, there is a lot to choose from, and not everyone will agree on what is best. So just keep in mind, I am looking for input and suggestions to make an awesome system for my car. I will outline some background information, my preferences/tastes, as well as what I already have.

Installed:
Shaker 1000. I know this system is not as good as an after market system. I am willing to use some or all portions of it for the time being. I am also willing to rip it all out this weekend and sell it as well. Ultimately, this will be completely removed. But I am going to do this installation in steps for the next few months. 1 question I have is: Would it be best to sell each component of the shaker 1000 on ebay individually or as a whole system? Normally I would keep stock pieces to reinstall in case of resale. I am 199% sure this car is going to be a lifer for me! I love mustangs and I am glad to be back in one again. So selling the unit I intend to do. Which would net me the best cash flow for the system? How much is this worth? Any input on that is desired.

Owned Equipment
Kenwood 11 band parametric EQ. It's 10 yrs old but still works. This is the manual ****/slider version
Kenwood Sirius Tuner
1 Pair Boston Acoustic 5.25 Components. (10 yrs old as well). Black series I believe (entry).
1 Pair Boston Acoustic 12" subs. I will need to get you the exact model and specs. (10 yrs as well)
Orion Black series Amp. 275 sx, 150 watts RMS.
JBL GTQ 400 amp 4 x 100

On order:
Kenwood DPX701 2-Din receiver
Kenwood iPod connector
Wiring kit for Mustang

Future order when available:
Kenwood Bluetooth adapter.

Tastes/Preferences:
As you can tell, I prefer Kenwood head units as well as their add ons and EQ's. I also have a liking for Boston speakers, subs and components. I am more concerned with sound quality than any thing else. I want to thump and have awesome bass, but I have to have sound quality first!

Budget: 2k but will be done in stages.

The plan:
Initially I am just going to install the new HU with Sirius. I am not going to replace anything else for a month or two, until I decide ultimately what is going to go into the car. This is where all of you knowledgeable and opinionated fine folks come in. I am looking for suggestions on how to get the best bang for my buck while also building a quality system. I will do the entire installation myself. I am currently researching fiberglassing so to build a custom enclosure and amp rack.

I know all of the equipment I have may not be top of the line, but it has served me well for about 10 yrs. Excluding sirius that is. I love my Orion amp. Though one of the suggestions might include moving onto a bigger and better amp. As I build this system here is what I was planning on starting with:

New components for up front. I wouldn't mind getting a 3-way setup. I would like to replace the 8" door subs with a 6" sub, then put a 4" mid where the 6x8s are, and then a tweeter. For a 3-way setup. Any suggestions on a good 3-way component set? Cost? I prefer not to install tweeter in the door. I am thinking of mounting it in A-Pillar. This 3-way component will likely be my first upgrade. I would then use the boston 5.25 component and mount onto a custom 6x8 bezel and use for rear speakers. Finishing with reusing my 12" boston Subs in a newly designed custom fiberglass enclosure. I would use my current amps to power the system. The Orion for Subs, the JBL for the front & rears. Might not be as powerful as the shaker subs, but I think it will be better overall. Would you agree?

I forgot the 11 band EQ. I have a question about that. I see that is still used today and same model # being sold. I even see a digital version of that. This is a manual adjust EQ without pre-sets. Is this worth still using? Where to mount it? I am thinking I can mount it into the center console glove box. Anyone here do that? But everytime I want to adjust it, it will be difficult. Any suggestions on this? Maybe upgrade to the digital version of this that has presets. Please chime in on this topic.

I would build an amp rack with a false floor to recess amps.

Questions for you:

Should I continue to use EQ? Should I go digital instead?
Of my current equipment, which is worth using still? Which pieces are worth upgrading?
I hear a lot of good on JL Audio, but I am really happy with Boston Acoustic. Is it worth switching to JL since I will be getting new components for front almost immediately?
Also, prioritize which parts should be replaced and in what order.
Best way to sell Shaker 1000 to maximize cash. This can be an extra step and get me there faster.
It has the factory anti-theft system, should I upgrade this?
Lo Jack? Anyone have it installed? I have it scheduled.

I will likely just get a few pieces at a time. I hope to spend no more than $500 at each step. I am not opposed to going more for a quality amp when it gets time to upgrade my amps. I am looking forward to everyone's suggestions.

 

1 more thing I failed to ask. It is in reference to the EQ. The new Kenwood HU has a built in cross over for the 3 pre-amp outs as well as a 3 band EQ. Would it be best to utilize the HU for equalization or is it best to use one of the other EQ's for better sound control?

 

I was hoping to get a better conversation going than I have. Anything I am not including? I know the first post was a lil long. Anyhow, I need to update you on equipment. I bought a used Orion xtreme 1400. This bad boy will do 350 watts at 4 ohm stereo, 700 watts at 2 ohm stereo or 1400 watts mono at 4 ohms. I intend to have this power my subs. I might need a pair of subs that can handle this amp. I don't think my Bostons will be able to run that. Any suggestions on what size subs I will need for this amp! Orion amps (these older ones) are extremely clean watts and also under rated.

I think I will get another 275sx and use each of those to run a set of components. Is that enough power with such a large sub?

 

If it were me id just say F**k it and keep the shaker 1000 for a while. When you start putting nice stereo equipment in a vert it starts getting broken into, then your back to stock anyway...As for the 2k I say go get an exhaust done for a few hundred and the rest should be more than enough to get a hooker to give you a Cleveland steamer and a rusty trumbone....

 

Before I go brainstorm about what to do. Getting rear comp sets are are redundant. DO NOT waste your money.

 

While I know many folks are into performance mods, I am not one of them. I have been a music nut and always had a decent system in my vehicle. And my stereo got stolen in 95 in a contour, and also out of a 96 saturn last year. Yeah it sucks, I know. That is a risk. From the inside, looking in that is, the only visible stereo equipment will be the kenwood deck. Of course It will also have a sirius antenna. I already ordered the paint. I am painting it the same color of the car. Will that stop all thieves? Probably not. Heck the car itself could be stolen. But one thing I have learned is to mount the hell out of whatever goes in it. They won't get a smash and grab and be on their way in a minute or two. It will take work and might damage my vehicle more. But hell, if it is at that point, the vehicle is already going to be damaged. I appreciate your advice. Maybe a new exhaust some day will be in it. I do like her roar, if I can improve that I just might. But I am not into performance mods. That is just me.

 

So one set up front is sufficient? Anyone use two sets? I ordered new mounting hardware from Boston Acoustic for the tweeters. That set really rocks, after 10 yrs. I was going to use the 275sx to push components. And the 1400 for the subs. Any reccomendation on subs with that amp? I just pulled out the subs in my enclosure. They are RS10 Bostons (rally series) and are 350 nominal at 4 ohms. That is all I have on those.

Any input on the use of EQ's? I was reading the manual for the new HU and I think it will be sufficient for using its internal cross over as well as its 4 band EQ. Though I am open to discussion on this!

I am also wondering what is the best placement for the tweeter. I don't think in the door is ideal. Anyone mount them elsewhere, such as on the A-Pillars? Where can I get the best staging with tweeter placement.

 

I have seen them inside the air conditioner. Pretty cool if you ask me.

 

I put my tweeters in the AC/HEAT wents they sound good in there and nobody can see them.

 

Do you have any pics of them inside the vents? That sounds cool. Would love to see an 05 or 06 in the vents! How many tweeters is ideal?