Alright guys, stick with me here for a second. I'll admit now that I've never done anything with car audio, and I don't plan on building anything ridiculous, but I would like an upgrade over my stock, non-mach system. I was just hoping you guys could help me out with a few questions I had and some general info about our Mustangs, or links to anywhere that has good info. I was curious about some of the basics.

To start, one of the first things I did with this car when I got it was replace the basic headunit and rip out the crappy aftermarket CD player that the previous owner had put in (I didn't even know they made CD players that used the radio to send signal... ugh, that's disgusting). I replace it with an Alpine CDA-9856 and got an iPod plug. That's almost all I ever listen to unless I'm just going for a short drive and don't feel like spending the time picking what to listen to.

On top of that, a buddy of mine just gave me a Sony Xplod XM-475GSX 4 channel amp and a pair of Infinity Reference 5000cs component systems (well... I guess since it comes with 2 it's one set, either way, 2 woofers, 2 tweeters, and 2 crossovers, you understand what I mean).

So what do you think is next now? I much prefer quality over loud for my music, so I'm not looking to go install 4 subs or anything like that. I read a few of the stickied topics and I noticed one of them saying not to bother with the rear speakers. I had never heard anything like that, but the reasoning seems to make some sense at least. I understand there aren't going to be enough seperate audio channels to play something different on each speaker with just stereo, but there is still that effect when you're surrounded by music that makes it sound great. What opinions do you guys have on that? I was thinking of getting another similar set of speakers (they don't sell the 5000s anymore, so maybe just the 5010s), and do my 2 front and 2 rear, maybe a small sub to help the range reproduction, and be done for only another couple hundred. I know it's not going to be anything award winning, but I'll be damned if it wont be a winner of the crappy stock speakers.

So I know this is a lot of basic questions, and I know a lot is up to opinion, but I was wondering what the general opinion of the pros here would be, and also what there is to know about Mustangs in general (stock speaker size, wiring, whatever). Thanks in advance for taking the time to help a newbie.

 

To add a few extras if you don't mind... the CDA-9856 head unit has 3 preamp outs, front, rear, and sub. The amp is 4 channel and has inputs for front and rear already, so I figure that's plenty for what I want, but I assume if I want to add a sub I should/need to get another 2 channel amp to push the sub? If people do suggest just fronts, should I bridge the 4 channels to two and just try to get a really powerful clean signal to those two speakers? Sorry again for the simple questions, I'll catch on fast but I just have never touched car audio before. Everyones gotta learn right?

 

do you like the sound of the Infinitys you have now? if you do keep them and get a new 4 channel amp. then get one 12" sub and power the whole system with the 4 channel. OR you could sell the Sony amp and get a 2 channel for the speakers and a mono sub amp for the sub. the guys will chime in and recommend specifics. what kind of music do you listen to? how much MAX do you want to spend? are you going to install yourself?

 

I don't have anything installed yet. I was just given the pieces yesterday and they are all sitting upstairs in my room for now. I'm just trying to get some info and pick up any extra pieces I might need before I dig into installing it. I will be installing it all myself, because it's only wiring which isn't hard, I just haven't done it before so I don't know what components I need to look at for the best setup.

If you say keep them and get a new 4ch amp, do you mean just getting a better amp and running the two off 2 channels and bridging the 3rd and 4th for the sub? I guess you don't need 2 channels for a sub, I don't know why I said that earlier. From what you're saying, are you in the 2 speakers is all you need group as well?

As for music, I listen to all kinds. Sometimes I listen to something where I want to hear the instruments really clearly, sometimes I listen to things I just want to turn up and be loud. Obviously there's no point in putting TOO much money into clarity in my car with as loud as the exhaust is, but that also means I need something that can maintain clarity while being loud enough to overpower the exhaust (which isn't as big a deal when I'm cruising around and just stick it in 5th or something, I like to hear the engine and exhaust when I'm accelerating anyway).

For cost, I really don't have a set price right now. I'm not looking to spend a ton and have anything ridiculous. I don't need loud enough to break everyone's windows or anything, and I don't need so much quality it sounds like the band is playing next to me, but I do want something that's a nice upgrade over stock. Having an amp and two speakers already, I don't mind spending a few hundred more, and if I could justify it, maybe a little more. I just want the affordable quality setup basically.

 

Alright.

1. Will you be installing it?
2. Can you build your own box if given specific guidelines?
3. Name a decent price, we need an estimate at least brotherrrr.
4. SQ (Sound Quality) seems to be your main concern.
5. Your headunit will work just fine.

 

1. Yep
2. Yep
3. Well... the problem is I don't know how much everything costs. Lets say I wouldn't mind spending around another $500 on top of the speakers and amp I already have, but I'd consider going a little higher if it would make a big difference. I'd guess $500 would be plenty if all I end up looking for is another pair of speakers and a sub, plus wiring and random bits and pieces.
4. Yeah, sound quality is my bigger concern over just loud, but I know I'm not going to have anything amazing with a relatively cheap set up. I remember sitting in a BMW once that had the premium sound and it sounded great the way the sound just filled the car and was very clear without having to be loud.

 

If you're going to add a sub later, you might need a larger amp depending on what subwoofer you go for.


You'll most likely be installing the amp in the trunk, so why not just go ahead and get new rear speakers and amp them? You'll get some more sound that way and you're not using only half of the amp. Plus, the rear speakers are right there at the amp. It doesn't make sense to me to not amp them especially if it's going to be that easy. (Of course I can't remember if the rear speakers are in the rear deck or in the side panels. I'm guessing the rear deck.)

Plus, you'll be making more use of the headunit you have by using all of the preamp outs. I'd consider looking in to a JL Stealthbox or two 10" subwoofers and an appropriate amplifier.

I would also suggest that you don't skimp on the amplifier either. Get the best you can afford. If its a little more than what you have to spend, maybe consider waiting a few weeks to get the better equipment. 99% of the time it will be well worth it. Brand names aside, I bought a cheap amp and wound up buying the better amp I should have bought within two weeks. The first one I bought was just wimpy and got really hot.

 

Yeah, I've kind of picked up on the fact that the Xplod amps aren't the best, and that the "800w" on the top is a bit optimistic. From reading the owners manual I can't see of anyway it even reaches 700w peak. Either way, I figure that's still plenty for what I want to put inside. Those Infinity speakers that I have are 75 RMS, 225 max, so just taking that number for 4 speakers, I doubt I'll push them near max very often if ever, so I think I could get by with that amp. If I put a sub in I know I'd want to put in a second sub amp.

Like I said, the $500 number is just a random number to throw something out there, that's if I used the speakers and amp, I think I should be able to get even 2 more speakers, a sub, and sub amp for just about that number exactly. If I need to go a little more for quality though, I certainly don't mind considering it.

 

yea you don't need rear speakers. waste of extra money. i have rears, but have them faded out. when i get better fronts i will be removing the rears and bridging my 4ch into a 2ch for the front components. i've heard the Infinitys and the tweeters sound pretty harsh to me. (same thing with my Alpine components now). i prefer a more laid-back, softer sound. if you get a better 4ch amp, yes you can power the front components with channels 1 and 2, and bridge 3 and 4 for a sub. however, i would suggest selling the Sony amp to get a better 2ch for the speakers, and a mono amp for the sub. if you use the speakers you have now, $500 is a pretty good budget for one 4ch amp and a sub/box materials/wiring. you can always upgrade later. i'd use the Infinity's you have now, because how speakers sound can be very subjective; who knows, maybe you will like the way they sound. like i said they you can always swap them out later, and the install will be 100x easier the 2nd time; plus anything is better than stock.

also for the rear speaker thing. for right now, go out to your car and fade the rear speakers out so you can't hear them at all. drive around for a few days and see if you don't even realize that the rears aren't there. you won't miss them. i usually drive at least 2 people around while i'm here at college. my rear passengers never noticed that there was no sound coming from the rear until i told them. it will sound better without the rears. trust me.

this is just a sample system using your current speakers and Alpine head unit.:

4ch amp: PPI 4ch amp
sub: Image Dynamics 12" sub

if you could spend maybe 30-50 bucks more that would cover your wiring and box materials. and it would sound awesome. of course you could spend a little less and get stuff that doesn't cost as much. this is just a sample system. you could even sell both the speakers you have AND the sony amp and have more left over for better speakers. but again i say just try them out since you have them already. if you don't like them, buy some new ones, then sell the Infinity's and you won't be out any money.

 

Alright well I'll check out the 2 speaker setup for a little while and see what I think. If that's good enough then I'll probably just stick with the speakers I have now, probably keep the same amp and bridge 2 channels for each speaker. That should leave that amp as plenty powerful for those two speakers, then I think the best idea would be a seperate amp for the sub. I like the idea of the sub having it's own amp either way, and that means I don't have to spend as much for a new nice amp than I will for a second amp.

I'm still not convinced about the whole 2 speaker thing though. Like I said, technically no, the two rear speakers are doing no more since they are still only stereo, so it's just a replication of the front speakers, however you can still hear directional and it sounds nice to have the balance all around you even if it's only 2 different channels. I dunno, I guess I'll play with it and see.

Does anyone else want to toss in any other or additional suggestions for ideas or components? I guess the main thing I need is one good quality sub since I don't even need it to be loud, I just want it for the range.