mustang5o

After reading some of threads here I decided I wanted to embark on improving the sound inside my Stang. With all the ways to enjoy good music in the car (Sirius, Bluetooth streaming, USB, USB2, and yes, even trusty old CD's) I figured it would be worthwhile. This will be an going thread and may take a while before I'm finished with it all as I'm going in stages as money allows. I will lay out my plan but you know what happens with best laid plans.

First off, I didn't want to get into a major system like this one (though that would be awesome) so I can eventually spend some money on performance.

https://themustangsource.com/f803/up...s-data-521961/

Great info there though.

OK, so my plan is to replace speakers but keep the factory amplification. At this point I'm not planning to replace the 8" door woofers. I plan to add a sub and amp. Lastly I'm looking at one of the Kenwood head units with the Maestro kit.

Last week I found some Infinity 6832cf 6x8's for what looked like a good price at Sonic Electronix. The price looked good compared to the new models anyway. I had Infinity Refernce speakers in one of my old Fox body cars and it was the best sounding system I've ever owned. I really like their uni-pivot tweeters. I know there's better stuff out there but I'm trying to keep it relatively inexpensive and as I said, the only amplifier I'm putting in (for now) is to power the sub. So anyway, I bought two pairs of the 6832cf speakers.

This past Tuesday I installed the new speakers in the doors. I purchased the Ford speaker adapter plates 4R3Z-18B947-AA and 4R3Z-18B947-BA. I used the foam gasket that Infinity included between the speakers and the adapters. I also used the Metra 72-5600 speaker wire adapters so I wouldn't have to cut any wires. My initial listening confirmed I'm hearing much more detail in the sound than the factory speakers. One little thing I wasn't sure of was what screws to use to mount the new speakers to the adapters. I ended up taking the 4 screws (8 for both speakers) out of the 5.25" factory speaker and used them.

I haven't taken any pictures but I'll try to remember to do that next time I'm working on it. I might be changing the tweeter switch on the Infinity tweeters from +3db to 0db. It's sounding a bit harsh on some songs to me.

My next step is going to be to install an amp wiring kit and the rear speakers. I think I'm going to use a 4 guage OFC kit so it's high quality and I want 4 gauge just in case I get a big subwoofer amp or I decide to add a second amp to the other speakers. If I ever go that far I will probably upgrade the fronts to some component speakers and consider upgrading the 8" woofer. That's way down the road. When I install the amp kit I'm going to use the PAC AOEM-FRD24 for my line out conversion. I will be using an old amp and sub for now.

That will be the end of Stage 1. Total cost of approximately $225 or so depending on the amp kit I buy. If anyone has any suggestions for an amp kit, feel free to let me know.

05PRMTX

The harshness on the infinity tweeters seems to be pretty common. I had a pair of kappa 6.5 comps in an older car. The only way to really fix it is a good equalizer. Probably not a whole lot you can do on the factory system.

5.0jrdnsky59

I installed some of these on the fronts. They made a big difference. I plan on hooking up and amp to them in the future.

awoychosky123

Let us know how it turns out!

mustang5o

Either I'm getting used to the tweeters at the +3 db setting or the speakers just needed some time to break in as they are not bothering me anymore.

I did get the rear speakers, PAC module and amp wiring installed a couple of weeks ago. Took longer than I had hoped but it's nice and clean. At first I thought I had some issues with the PAC module (there's another thread here on that) but everything seems to be working now. However, it does seem that when talking on the phone through Sync people are quieter than they were previously. Unfortunately the old sub I was going to use is blown but I was able to test my wiring with a buddy's Infinity Bass Link. Now I just need a few pennies saved up to get a sub. I will likely wait until the end of winter when I'm getting ready to get the car out. I'm leaning towards a custom box using the spare tire well. The backup plan is a zenclosure box.

Toad 185

I mounted 2 JL 10w1v3 in my spare tire well. Love that I didn't lose any trunk space. Keep in mind they must be shallow depth subs.

mustang5o

Thanks. I'll probably go with a single 12. I might not drop the kind of cash I would need for JL but hopefully can find something decent for the price.

mustang5o

Removed sound tube last week using Advanced Auto parts gasket and part from Lowe's. Less unwanted noise in the cabin means better sound from the audio system. Although I'd really like a slightly better exhaust note.

05PRMTX

So I just looked into this sound tube business. I had no idea this was there. Why would ford do this?

mustang5o

My understanding is that the newer cars are so much quieter inside that they were trying to give us something that sounded cool.

Moejoe_989

Check out this fiberglass box from Atrend. You can buy it at futureshop or bestbuy, but it's $699!!!
I found mine at amazon for $168 plus expediated shipping to my door (another $100) and received it in 2 days.

dohc97

Can you post a link where you got it from? I could not find it. thanks.

Moejoe_989

I looked for it as well;
I can't find it in amazon anymore.
But the product number is: Atrend AFG-FM12S

I did see it for sale at futureshop but it was $699 there.

Paten

I just did a bing search for Atrend AFG-FM12S and it came right up.

05PRMTX

I saw this as well. Has a 3-5 week lead time though. Only comes in black

Paten

It's in the trunk. Who cares what color it is. Then again, my cars black.

Moejoe_989

I ordered mine and got it within two days. Then ordered a second one and got that in 3 days

05PRMTX

Ha very true. I was just merely pointing it out

05PRMTX

Hmm well if that's the case I may go with one. Still debating on a zen enclosure though, as it would have a hidden rack and everything for my giant amps lol

Moejoe_989

A hidden rack?!
****!

I just picked up another subwoofer enclosure for 2 10" subwoofers. But it's 13"a high and under the cross-member of the trunk, it's 12". ****.

I did see one or two online that were made to fit though.