Convince me to get 400a over 401a

[CMC#5]

I spent around 20 minutes sitting in two cars yesterday testing the stereos; a 400a and a 401a. In the end I decided to go 400a because the shaker did not impress me enough to warrant the incremental money. I dont need the seat memory because I'm the only one that ever drives this car (if you're buying recaros you lose that anyway) and I dont particularly care for the BLIS system so the package is literally just a stereo upgrade. I'm old and listen to classic rock and metal lol. The shaker was ok but I know for 2/3rds that I can do TONS better.

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[DreamingBig]

CMC...what decision would you make if you weren't planning on upgrading? Meaning...if you had to live with either the 400 or the 401 for the life of the car?

I haven't had the opportunity to test both systems side by side like you have. Forget the seats and BLIS for a moment...let's just talk sound - especially since you listen to the same music as I do.

Presume you won't upgrade...what would you do?

 

[Khyber]

CMC...what decision would you make if you weren't planning on upgrading? Meaning...if you had to live with either the 400 or the 401 for the life of the car?

I haven't had the opportunity to test both systems side by side like you have. Forget the seats and BLIS for a moment...let's just talk sound - especially since you listen to the same music as I do.

Presume you won't upgrade...what would you do?

good point

 

[DreamingBig]

Thanks Khyber. I've got to be realistic. I'm not going to purchase the car and then dump money into the sound system. My budget will be for winter tires, tint, and exhaust. Later...maybe new wheels.

I can fool myself into thinking I'll upgrade the sound system, but I doubt it would happen anytime soon.

So I'd like to hear what he's got to say about which system he'd live with if he had to choose one and stick with it.

 

[SC_Sport_Pilot]

Khyber, I did test both systems before I ordered. If I could have gotten
heat and cooled Recarros I would have(they do make them). The 400 base
stereo sounded very blah. Really flat and that was after I tweaked it the
best I could. I took some of my favorite music, Zeplin, Floyd,
AC/DC, CCR and played them in both the 400 and 401A. Hands down the
401A rocked. Now, can you do better with upgrades? I am sure you can.
The biggest question is how much will you be will to spend to have great
sound?

 

[OppoLock]

I had to go with 401A after getting a chance to try the two back to back. The 400A system is seriously lacking, and it sounded like the majority of the noise came from the front of the car. No level of EQ/fade/balance could get it to at least feel natural.

 

[Khyber]

I had to go with 401A after getting a chance to try the two back to back. The 400A system is seriously lacking, and it sounded like the majority of the noise came from the front of the car. No level of EQ/fade/balance could get it to at least feel natural.

this is exactly what i thought and my dad who was with me... we both were like "where are the rear speakers?"...we tuned it up and put the fade to the back some but then it wouldn't go very loud.

401a just makes more sense I think... i was just trying to find a way to save $1800 :frusty:

 

[DreamingBig]

Yup...now I'm getting the kind of info I need. Had to laugh too...after I discovered that SC Sport Pilot stole my playlist off my phone!

I'm sure I could do better with upgrades, but I suspect the 401a is going to a better choice for me.

Khyber, let's just dump the $1800 and not look back. Gotta be something around this place I can can sell...

 

[Khyber]

well $1800 over 5 or 6 years ain't much anyways!

 

[Alloye]

The Shaker Pro sounds decent in Driver occupancy mode with some EQ tweaks. It's not particularly loud, though, and low-end extension could definitely be better.

Compared to my '13, the same option had considerably more bass, but it sounded kinda muddy and boomy. The '15 sounds cleaner all around and has much better mids and smoother highs.

One suggestion: Avoid using Sirius when evaluating these systems. Sound quality is simply awful on most channels these days.

 

[CMC#5]

I'm comfortable with modifying cars; I take mine apart and put them back together regularly lol. I didnt choose the 400a because I think it'll be good enough, but rather because I think I can do better than the shaker and for less money and I'll actually have fun doing it.

Ask yourself how often you blast music in your car. If not then really any stereo is fine. For me, not always but certainly often I do like to go to 11 and the 400 is just not enough. if I couldnt upgrade later, then I would've gotten the 401a. But honestly any good stereo shop can do an upgrade. With a 1400 budget you'd be rocking even when paying for labor.

 

[Jason Richardson]

Heh it's a Mustang, I wouldn't be worried in the slightest in putting in aftermarket audio like speakers l, sub, etc. To put it right out there, these things aren't even put together in the greatest quality in the first place. Its a Ford, they dont have high tolerances and it ain't going to rattle any more or less if you do it right.

 

[SC_Sport_Pilot]

Yup...now I'm getting the kind of info I need. Had to laugh too...after I discovered that SC Sport Pilot stole my playlist off my phone!

That is funny.. I am a 60yo guy who loves all kinds of music. But those are
what I listen to when I am cruising down the highway. I left out Rush and
The Who and many other great artist that I listen to.

 

[SC_Sport_Pilot]

well $1800 over 5 or 6 years ain't much anyways!

Khyber, $1800/60 = $30/month. Less than a couple of trips through the
drive through for lunch.

 

[Khyber]

yup!

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