Stereo Information (Wiring, Upgrades, etc...)

[S550_Newbie]

I understand. A great tip!

Perhaps first $ should go to JBL DSP 4086 that goes in same location as Ford Amp for a good budget starting point.

Since it's a vert I'm not expecting much with top down.

I feel like I need to upgrade something I the Mustang haha

That is a pretty impressive DSP for what it is. Only thing I think it is missing is an RTA.

 

[Hanavarian]

That is a pretty impressive DSP for what it is. Only thing I think it is missing is an RTA.

What's an RTA? What else do I have to buy to run this amp?

My sense it this will double in price LOL

 

[S550_Newbie]

What's an RTA? What else do I have to buy to run this amp?

My sense it this will double in price LOL

Because that DSP can sum channels to other channels it helps to see what the signal looks like to know if you have a full range, factory EQ'd, or partial signal in real time. (RTA - real time analyzer) - It shows you the audio spectrum coming into the DSP and what you are sending out to each speaker. Audio Control DSP's have it built in. Even their DM-608 and DM-810 have it. It just helps to know what your dealing with and what you are sending to your speakers, AudioControl also allows you to level an EQ'd signal which is awesome.

 

[Hanavarian]

Because that DSP can sum channels to other channels it helps to see what the signal looks like to know if you have a full range, factory EQ'd, or partial signal in real time. (RTA - real time analyzer) - It shows you the audio spectrum coming into the DSP and what you are sending out to each speaker. Audio Control DSP's have it built in. Even their DM-608 and DM-810 have it. It just helps to know what your dealing with and what you are sending to your speakers, AudioControl also allows you to level an EQ'd signal which is awesome.

It's clear and makes sense. Thanks!

 

[GTP]

I find this highly ironic but music and sound is subjective.

What is ironic?

 

[S550_Newbie]

What is ironic?

That you design loud speakers and think that the factory front stage is good enough. No offense. That is why I said sound is subjective. To my ears the factory speakers are garbage in every way.

 

[GTP]

That you design loud speakers and think that the factory front stage is good enough. No offense. That is why I said sound is subjective. To my ears the factory speakers are garbage in every way.

Ah, thanks for the explanation, and now your comment makes sense.

A person's listening skills improve as their system improves, and therefore they may also desire, or require, high quality sound from their car. I have very high expectations from my home system, and by contrast I keep fairly low expectations from car systems.

To my ear some (non Mustang) audio systems sound pretty good, and are therefore "good enough" for me. Those systems are not worth investing more money IMO.

Other car systems sound pretty awful, and that certainly holds true for the Mustang 9-speaker system. That system needs more bass for starters, so that is worth pursuing.

The 12-speaker (or B&O) system is better, but the audio engineers dropped the ball in two ways. First the center and rear speakers are natural distortion generators, and second, the spectral balance is way off especially in the bass.

Knowing all this, I chose to kill the output from the bad speakers and re-balance the sound for the door speakers using the controls. A free improvement.


But one universal fact is that there is much more background noise than a home system, and more distractions that divert one's attention from any deficiencies in the sound quality. This is the main reason that I aim for "good enough" in car audio.

 

[S550_Newbie]

Ah, thanks for the explanation, and now your comment makes sense.

A person's listening skills improve as their system improves, and therefore they may also desire, or require, high quality sound from their car. I have very high expectations from my home system, and by contrast I keep fairly low expectations from car systems.

To my ear some (non Mustang) audio systems sound pretty good, and are therefore "good enough" for me. Those systems are not worth investing more money IMO.

Other car systems sound pretty awful, and that certainly holds true for the Mustang 9-speaker system. That system needs more bass for starters, so that is worth pursuing.

The 12-speaker (or B&O) system is better, but the audio engineers dropped the ball in two ways. First the center and rear speakers are natural distortion generators, and second, the spectral balance is way off especially in the bass.

Knowing all this, I chose to kill the output from the bad speakers and re-balance the sound for the door speakers using the controls. A free improvement.


But one universal fact is that there is much more background noise than a home system, and more distractions that divert one's attention from any deficiencies in the sound quality. This is the main reason that I aim for "good enough" in car audio.

I know what you are saying. I started with speakers that were an "improvement" over factory, then I installed some that were better and then I went full on. Now I can't go back and everything else becomes meh. The speaker differences are so vast that you start paying attention to your audio source files and if they are good enough lol. I am spoiled now, with the Focal in my stang and the Morel's in my truck. I enjoy car audio because it's a great environment for sound, like a mini sound booth.

 

[djcwardog]

My base GT had only the lower door 6.5” woofer and the opening for the mid ranges found in the Premium cars was there but covered with foam. If you’re adding midrange drivers into the doors as I did, you’ll want to get a pair of wires to them. A bit of careful drilling into the door opening connector lets you get those wires through from the door and into the kick panel.

 

[S550_Newbie]

My base GT had only the lower door 6.5” woofer and the opening for the mid ranges found in the Premium cars was there but covered with foam. If you’re adding midrange drivers into the doors as I did, you’ll want to get a pair of wires to them. A bit of careful drilling into the door opening connector lets you get those wires through from the door and into the kick panel.

NIce, this is the only way you are ever going to get wires from the inside into the door. I see you also have "car stereo installation thumb." It's like tennis elbow but on the outside.

 

[djcwardog]

NIce, this is the only way you are ever going to get wires from the inside into the door. I see you also have "car stereo installation thumb." It's like tennis elbow but on the outside.

Yes, my thumbs and fingers develop skin cracks, an autoimmune dermatological disorder actually requiring topical meds for now. Hurts! Anyway, I also carefully trimmed the top of the connector to allow the lighter plug to slide into its jack while letting the new wires clear the metal opening. Use a flexible plastic wire feeder to get the wires through the rubber tube that seals it all from the rain.

 

[S550_Newbie]

Yes, my thumbs and fingers develop skin cracks, an autoimmune dermatological disorder actually requiring topical meds for now. Hurts! Anyway, I also carefully trimmed the top of the connector to allow the lighter plug to slide into its jack while letting the new wires clear the metal opening. Use a flexible plastic wire feeder to get the wires through the rubber tube that seals it all from the rain.

You did a good job. My hands end up looking like that after doing a car stereo, especially this time of year.

 

[djcwardog]

You did a good job. My hands end up looking like that after doing a car stereo, especially this time of year.

Thanks! I’ll wait to do the rears, trunk sub and external amps for my “new” leather seats (adding the heat/cool feature as well) to arrive. All of this is so much easier without an interior in the car!

 

[S550_Newbie]

Thanks! I’ll wait to do the rears, trunk sub and external amps for my “new” leather seats (adding the heat/cool feature as well) to arrive. All of this is so much easier without an interior in the car!

Oh yes, and make sure if you are putting some decent power to the new speakers you sound deaden the doors. Once area that I missed or didn't think would vibrate was the drive and passenger defogger vents on the door sills. Had to take the door panel off again and treat the door cover to stop it. Was driving me insane.

 

[bitterXend]

I am about to upgrade my speakers in the front (6.5", 3.5" and tweeters). The kit I ordered comes with a crossover for the mids and tweeters. What I can not find so far is where the wiring for the 3.5" and the tweeters split, so I can put the crossover in between.