Audio Build Factory HU

[P4RKER]

I am currently planning my first true audio build for my 400a Mustang. All of my previous cars were old enough I could swap the headunit without feeling bad and had enough trim panel rattles that a good sound system would have been a waste.

I plan to keep my MFT in place and I have a PM in to OEMRadio to get the factory processing taken care of.

As I said this is my first full build so I am looking for some input both for quality of item/brand as well as making sure I have what I need.

Rockford Fosgate 3sixty.3 (based on reviews considering Alpine PXA-H800 w/ controller instead)
JL Audio XD600/6v2
Rockford Fosgate Punch P300x1
Kicker 43CSS674
Kicker 43CSC674 (scrap passive crossovers)
JL Audio StealthBox

I plan to remove the 3.5" in the front doors as well as the center channel. I'll run the 3sixty.3 as an active crossover for the front woofer/tweeter, full range to the rear 2 way (lpf handled by XD600) and run the P300 from the last channels for the StealthBox.

Any input is greatly appreciated!

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[NewTekBuzz]

Hey Alex, I'm gearing up for my build as well! I will be receiving my sync 3 w/nav upgrade today from OEM with rca harness and processing removed.
My plan is a little different though. I think I will only be running front channel sound off an older JL 300/4 bridged into two channel with a JL 500/1 for subs. I would also like to ru. Some sort of trunk mount eq... maybe audio control? Not sure.
Good luck, I'll be following this close. Please share some pics

 

[mumbles]

I am currently planning my first true audio build for my 400a Mustang. All of my previous cars were old enough I could swap the headunit without feeling bad and had enough trim panel rattles that a good sound system would have been a waste.

I plan to keep my MFT in place and I have a PM in to OEMRadio to get the factory processing taken care of.

As I said this is my first full build so I am looking for some input both for quality of item/brand as well as making sure I have what I need.

Rockford Fosgate 3sixty.3 (based on reviews considering Alpine PXA-H800 w/ controller instead)
JL Audio XD600/6v2
Rockford Fosgate Punch P300x1
Kicker 43CSS674
Kicker 43CSC674 (scrap passive crossovers)
JL Audio StealthBox

I plan to remove the 3.5" in the front doors as well as the center channel. I'll run the 3sixty.3 as an active crossover for the front woofer/tweeter, full range to the rear 2 way (lpf handled by XD600) and run the P300 from the last channels for the StealthBox.

Any input is greatly appreciated!

Since you asked for input, I'll give you my two cents worth...
Your choice of amplifiers and processor should work just fine.
I'm not a fan of metal dome speakers, too bright, so that would be the first change I'd make.
I would not do rear speakers, but would instead do a 3 way up front so you would be able to take advantage of the time alignment that the 3sixty3 offers.
The StealthBox is a great piece, just a bit pricey. Unless you are looking to save room in the trunk, there are other enclosures worth considering.

 

[P4RKER]

Since you asked for input, I'll give you my two cents worth...
Your choice of amplifiers and processor should work just fine.
I'm not a fan of metal dome speakers, too bright, so that would be the first change I'd make.
I would not do rear speakers, but would instead do a 3 way up front so you would be able to take advantage of the time alignment that the 3sixty3 offers.
The StealthBox is a great piece, just a bit pricey. Unless you are looking to save room in the trunk, there are other enclosures worth considering.

I am scraping the StealthBox and doing a zenclosure with P2D2-12 sub and amp rack. Costs about 1/4 as much and has more power.

What would you recommend for better speakers over the kickers? I am open as these were just convenience.

I know the front stage is most important but I've had cars before without rears and it never felt right to me. I'm a tall guy and sit pretty far back and enjoy the encapsulating feel of the back fill.

Thanks for your input!

 

[mumbles]

I am scraping the StealthBox and doing a zenclosure with P2D2-12 sub and amp rack. Costs about 1/4 as much and has more power.

What would you recommend for better speakers over the kickers? I am open as these were just convenience.

I know the front stage is most important but I've had cars before without rears and it never felt right to me. I'm a tall guy and sit pretty far back and enjoy the encapsulating feel of the back fill.

Thanks for your input!

Its difficult to recommend a specific brand, I just know that I've heard very few metal domes that sounded good to me. Having said that, usually anything from Morel is good, or you can go with Polks or Boston... get something with a 3/4" tweeter to avoid having to modify the A-Pillar. If you feel more adventurous, you could try combining separate speakers from different manufacturers... Scanspeak on the high end or Dayton Audio for more affordable but still great speakers.

As for staging, if you have to have rear speakers, I'd just incorporate the factory amp and rear speakers since they typically won't be played very loud. The alternative would be to add another amp and rear speakers and use time alignment on them...

 

[P4RKER]

Modified my build list:
Rockford Fosgate 3Sixty.3
JL Audio XD600/6v2
Rockford Fosgate Power T500x1BR
JL Audio C5-075ct 3/4" Silk Dome Tweeter
JL Audio C5-400cm-RP 4" Mid Range
JL Audio C5-650cw 6.5" Woofer
Zenclosures single rear fire 12" w/ Amp Rack
Rockford Fosgate P2D2-12

I had a chance to listen to a car with a properly done front stage and no rear deck and it still gave that full sound feel I am looking for. Thanks for the recommendation [MENTION=20499]mumbles[/MENTION]!

 

[mumbles]

Modified my build list:
Rockford Fosgate 3Sixty.3
JL Audio XD600/6v2
Rockford Fosgate Power T500x1BR
JL Audio C5-075ct 3/4" Silk Dome Tweeter
JL Audio C5-400cm-RP 4" Mid Range
JL Audio C5-650cw 6.5" Woofer
Zenclosures single rear fire 12" w/ Amp Rack
Rockford Fosgate P2D2-12

I had a chance to listen to a car with a properly done front stage and no rear deck and it still gave that full sound feel I am looking for. Thanks for the recommendation @mumbles !

Glad to help! One more recommendation... since you are using a 4" mid, you will likely have to make your own spacer. Dont use wood... pick up some cutting boards from the kitchen dept at your local KMart... they cut just like wood but you won't have to worry about moisture.

 

[Shouldhavegotthegt]

Why not go JL on the sub too? I've got a rockford P3 and it's ok. Definitely loud but not super clean and tight. You've already got all JL anyhow.

 

[16stangGT]

I thought the a-pillar used 1" tweeters, why would that size be problematic?

I'm personally leaning towards going with Hertz's best offerings for speaker replacements...

 

[P4RKER]

I am going with Rockford for the sub because I like the sound.

Everything I have found points to the tweeters being 3/4". 1" would be doable you would just need to expand the opening.

I am bouncing between the JL Audio C5 and Hertz Hi-Energy for my components.

 

[mumbles]

I am going with Rockford for the sub because I like the sound.

Everything I have found points to the tweeters being 3/4". 1" would be doable you would just need to expand the opening.

I am bouncing between the JL Audio C5 and Hertz Hi-Energy for my components.

Both are great speakers, however, Hertz lists the tweeter size as 1", so have your Dremel handy

 

[P4RKER]

Hertz sells the HT20.4 which is 3/4" but I noted that hertz doesn't have any tweeters that can handle the output of the xd600. Highest I could find was only 45 and even using the 150% is still too low. I'm leaning JL Audio still.

 

[P4RKER]

In need of some input on my wiring layout. The yellow line is where i would like to run my PS speaker wire from the XD600 off the amp rack and then up into the panel around the window and to the door/tweeter. Im concerned this runs it directly over the power cable for my sub map. The only other alternative is to run it with the DS speaker wire and all the way around the front of the car. Will this minor overlap with the battery-amp power line cause any issues or could/should I put a metal cover between them to block any interference?

 

[mumbles]

In need of some input on my wiring layout. The yellow line is where i would like to run my PS speaker wire from the XD600 off the amp rack and then up into the panel around the window and to the door/tweeter. Im concerned this runs it directly over the power cable for my sub map. The only other alternative is to run it with the DS speaker wire and all the way around the front of the car. Will this minor overlap with the battery-amp power line cause any issues or could/should I put a metal cover between them to block any interference?

Its usually not too bad if a signal wire crosses a power wire at a 90-ish degree angle, but you don't want to run them parallel to each other.

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