radelow
Well-Known Member
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Just finished my stereo upgrade so while I drink my beer thought I would run through what I did in case anyone is interested... The factory Shaker system is weak at best. It lacks any low end (due to a lack of subwoofer) and the highs and details is not the greatest. Mainly due to the subpar midrange speaker they use. Surprisingly the factory woofers in the doors are not half bad. The goal of my upgrades were to improve the overall listening experience from a detail/imaging/bass perspective while not making any major modifications to the car. My goal on my GT350 is that anything I do should be very easy to take back to stock with little to no need to purchase replacement factory parts. In addition no modifications of the car would be allowed and certainly no cutting of sheet metal to fit speakers etc. My listening is broad ranged from Miles Davis to System of a Down to U2 to Snoop Dogg to you name it. I am not trying to win any SPL contests and truth be told most of the time I just enjoy listening to the engine... Regardless the results are, in my opinion, quite startling in light of that very little was changed/added. I am very happy. FYI I DID NOT install the subwoofer and amp. A mobile install company did it for me. The JL is a bear to install and frankly I didn't want to go through the time and effort to run the power wires, speaker wires, etc.
The following modifications were made.
1. Installation of a JL Audio Stealth Box. I found a used one online for $300 in excellent shape. I checked the woofer etc. and nothing was out of the ordinary. Link to the part is here: SB-F-MUSCPE/12TW3
2. Installation of a WavTech 500 watt mono subwoofer amp. As I was keeping the factory stereo it was critical that line level inputs were accepted. I have heard good thing about this amp and the installer recommended it. Link to the part is here: Wāvtech Link500.1 mini
3. Installation of new midrange speakers in the door. That is the most lacking part of the front stage in my opinion. Along with the speakers I installed 500hz bass blockers. I went with Infinity REF 307F midranges. I debated between these and the Hertz DCX 87.3. In the end I got a great deal on the Infinity's and I have some Amazon credit to use so didn't have to come out of pocket. They have built-in tweeters. I am going to continue using them with the factory tweeters and the center dash. For now it sounds really good to me and no need to disconnect things. Link to the part is here: https://www.crutchfield.com/p_108R307F/Infinity-Reference-REF307F.html
Below are some photos of the install with some notes.
JL Stealthbox installed in the passenger side well of the trunk. You really don't lose any space.
The poor quality of the factory midranges is readily apparent.
The WavTech amp was installed underneath the passenger seat. Plenty of room as this amp is TINY.
Infinity Speakers are installed. You really can't tell. Plenty of clearance to the grill (something I was concerned with).
Again the factory midranges are very poor in quality,
Infinity Speaker mounted in the factory basket. To make it fit without modifying the door sheet metal you have to solder wires directly to the speaker terminals. There is no clearance for butt connectors or the like. I also covered them in shrink tube to prevent any electrical short issues. You can see the bass blocker in the photo as well.
Just another photo of the speaker in the factory basket.
Factory basket installed in the door. I am using the factory harness in case I ever want to go back to the factory speaker.
The following modifications were made.
1. Installation of a JL Audio Stealth Box. I found a used one online for $300 in excellent shape. I checked the woofer etc. and nothing was out of the ordinary. Link to the part is here: SB-F-MUSCPE/12TW3
2. Installation of a WavTech 500 watt mono subwoofer amp. As I was keeping the factory stereo it was critical that line level inputs were accepted. I have heard good thing about this amp and the installer recommended it. Link to the part is here: Wāvtech Link500.1 mini
3. Installation of new midrange speakers in the door. That is the most lacking part of the front stage in my opinion. Along with the speakers I installed 500hz bass blockers. I went with Infinity REF 307F midranges. I debated between these and the Hertz DCX 87.3. In the end I got a great deal on the Infinity's and I have some Amazon credit to use so didn't have to come out of pocket. They have built-in tweeters. I am going to continue using them with the factory tweeters and the center dash. For now it sounds really good to me and no need to disconnect things. Link to the part is here: https://www.crutchfield.com/p_108R307F/Infinity-Reference-REF307F.html
Below are some photos of the install with some notes.
JL Stealthbox installed in the passenger side well of the trunk. You really don't lose any space.
The poor quality of the factory midranges is readily apparent.
The WavTech amp was installed underneath the passenger seat. Plenty of room as this amp is TINY.
Infinity Speakers are installed. You really can't tell. Plenty of clearance to the grill (something I was concerned with).
Again the factory midranges are very poor in quality,
Infinity Speaker mounted in the factory basket. To make it fit without modifying the door sheet metal you have to solder wires directly to the speaker terminals. There is no clearance for butt connectors or the like. I also covered them in shrink tube to prevent any electrical short issues. You can see the bass blocker in the photo as well.
Just another photo of the speaker in the factory basket.
Factory basket installed in the door. I am using the factory harness in case I ever want to go back to the factory speaker.
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