While I'm waiting for my bonus to come in to buy my exhaust setup, I'm sitting here with questions.

When I purchased my 'stang a month or so ago, I was mainly listening to the radio, because I just got back from Iraq, and most of my CDs were still in storage. After getting them out, and playing them, I noticed that the stock CD slave unit (2000 'stang. Not a mach system.) would not eject my CDs! I actually had to McGuyver rig them by putting another CD in under it, and having the slave eject them both after a nice amount of whirring pop noises. I know this is not good for my system, and I decided to replace the slave and head unit alltogether since I get paid tomorrow. I've found a decent little Sony Xplod CDXGT300 I'm buying from my buddy for now. Then, I got to thinking about it. I've never been that big into systems (in my Wrangler, I had replaced my stock speakers in soundbar/front with some Pioneers, replaced the headunit with an Alpine, and took the cheap method with a Basslink in the back (wierd little product. Boxxed-in subs with only one amplified, and the other just there for looks I guess.) because there isn't much room in the trunk. However, the 'stang offers a whole new set of options. I'm definitly in it for quality this time, and was thinking about perhaps a seat delete with the subs installed within the delete, maybe with some red glow behind them for a more aggressive look. (Someone on this site has the setup, with a mustang in the delete and a blue glow with two subs. Very nice looking IMO.) So, questions on that:

1) Will that better or worsen the sound quality? I know most people have them mounted in the trunk, which I figure the box and amp will be, just faced into the seat delete and the cabin.

2) Do these sorts of seat deletes have to be custom-made, or are there sites out there that do them? Please post sites if you know any! (for a 2000 tan cloth int.) Any suggestions on lighting and what type of sound mats, etc would be appreciated! (I figure using Dyno or whatnot all around, and possibly finding some custom design to put on the trunk lid so it doesn't look like ****. Suggestions?)

3) I was thinking 2 12"s. Not sure on brand or model yet. I'm hearing alot about JL Audio and Alpine Type-R's and X's. I'm sure this is mostly a personal preference, but any input would still be appreciated, as well as sound clips!!! If you post your preference, please give me an amp to power it with as well. I know this is most important!

4) Cabin speakers. A HUGE idiot as far as these go. As far as replacing them, how much better would the sound be versus not doing it? Keep in mind I know nothing about tweeters, amps to speakers, etc. Please fill me in!

5) Head unit. I've heard that basically any decent aftermarket headunit will make your system fine. I know that you get what you pay for, but how much of a difference is it really? This Xplod is rated for... 52x4 MWC, 23.2Wx4 RMS, 2v pre-outs. Will it run whatever you suggest?

Thanks in advance, and hope you guys have fun helping me put a good system together. =)

 

I can only really shed light on a couple of your questions, but here it goes anyways. In regards to the head units, there is a lot of opinion rather than fact. With that in mind, it is my opinion that Alpine is a much better head unit than sony. They have a better sound quality and produce clean power. My only suggestion is to go to bestbuy or some car audio place that sells both and hear them side by side using the same song, speakers, etc.

In terms of subs, I have Alpine Type R's and I love them. I also know that JL's are a great quality sub as well. In terms of which to go with, I think it depends on the size of your wallet. But either one, with the correct amp will be louder than you ever need.

For the cabin speakers, I went with Infinity 5x7's all around and bass blocked them all. I think they sound pretty good. But again, the best thing to do is just go hear a set. What sounds good to you might not sound good to me, depending on the type of music you like. But no matter what your choice is, I would recommend bass blocks. Since you have the subs, the bass blocks will allow you to crank the radio and not get the distortion from the cabin speakers, which usually happens when they try to produce more bass than they can handle. Besides, bass blocks are cheap, $20 will do all 4 speakers. I hope that helps, and good luck in your buildup.

 

It is my suggestion to first upgrade the front stage and do a considerable amount of sound deadening before adding subs.

The key to any good stereo is not bass, it is faithful reproduction of the entire frequency range. The first step I would take is to buy a channel amplifier and a good 6.5 in component set. Round speakers will sound better and distort less (in general) then a 5X7. If you cannot find a way to make a 6.5 fit, a 5.25 comp set would also do the trick. That headunit is putting out around 10watts rms clean power and is clipping like crazy if you puch. Giving speakers adequate power is a must. For instance, I have a diamond audio 600.4 bridged to my front CDT HD-62cf comp set. The true rms output is somewhere around 300 watts per channel. They sound amazing.

In regards to rear speakers, ditch them. I have never seen a sound quality comp car with rear speakers and I personally don't turn around at concerts to listen to music from behind. The money saved on rear speakers should go to your front stage.

Sound deadening can have more of an impact on your stereo then anything else. I have around 150 sq. ft. of sound deadening in my pathfinder and it is a quite as a lexus and has no rattles caused my stereo. It will make your bass louder, and your mids and highs clearer. Overall, great bang for the buck upgrade.

When it comes to subs, ideally you would match the amp and sub to work at their best abilities. If you want "loud as all hell bass" take out your rear seat and put in a couple of 12's or 15's. If you want something that sounds good when you listen to a variety of music, I think a singe 12 can be more then adequate.

In reallity it all depends on what style of music you listen to.

Here is a list of the components I prefer. In no particular order.

HU's
1. Eclipse
2. Alpine
3. Clarion
4. Nakamichi (tend to break, but great sq)

Amps
1. Elemental Deisgns
2. Arc Audio
3. Diamond Audio
4. Zapco
5. PPI Art Series (used)

Speakers
1. CDT
2. Diamond Audio Hex
3. DLS
4. Rainbow
5. Elemental Designs

Subs
1. Resonent Engineering
2. Elemental Designs
3. Eclipse
4. Diamond Audio TDX
5. Ascendant Audio
6. Digital Desings

 

I disagree with CDT, Diamond and Ed for speakers. I would only go rainbow or DLS.

 

ED is great bang for the buck but a little weak against the higher end stuff.

I really like the smoothness of the diamond hex with silk tweeter. Aluminum tweeter is a whole other ball game.

I have found that CDT's tend to be hit or miss. I have heard a set of CL-61a's and was not impressed at all, but with the proper install my HD-62cf's sound very very good. Then again, I also upgraded the tweet from a .5 inch CDT to a .75 Aura.

RE had a decent comp set for a while but I don't now what happened to it.

 

Depends on th $$$ you want to spend, I agree with some of the other posts that you don't need rears, I have MbQuart QSD 216 components in my front stock location (6.5" 2way)
and in my custom rear seat delete I have two jl audio 6" subs, with the right set up and power my system slams. Best piece of advice I can give is spend most of your money on front speakers and power them with an amp. MyQSD are powered with a jl audio 300/4 so each woofer is getting 75 rms and each tweeter is getting 75rms, my subs are powered with a jl audio 250/1 125 rms per sub, it is the only way to get good clean sound even when cranked. Power, power, power and speakers that can take it.
I could send you some pics of my install if it would help for some ideas.