The modern stereo system

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Princess Valiant

A.K.A. Rainy Day Auto
Joined
Dec 14, 2011
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So I'm putting together a road car (72 dart) designed for long road trips. Highway gears, gas sipping engine selection, comfortable bench seat with an armrest, cup holders. A lot of thought given to accessories.


Then comes the audio..... I've been daily driving a 68 dart for the past 7 years with a radio delete plate and I've had it.

So I'm thinking of an underdash mp3 with USB to some kickpanel speakers, a pair of custom made speaker enclosures that will bolt on the package tray in the corners.

Then I'm thinking of a dual 12 inch subwoofer box or extra large bass cannon, mounted above the where the rear end is in the trunk. Then a package tray with speaker grilles left empty for the bass to come through into the car.

Bass is key and has to be very strong or it is not really worth doing.

I don't fool with old *** cd's, so it would have to be USB or blue tooth.

Has anyone done anything similar, suggestions ??

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I never have liked kick panel speakers. Too low and close to feet and dirt and water and everything that's a speaker's enemy. I know you said no "old ***" C/D (gosh thanks for that) but I have been exceptionally happy with mine. AM/FM/CD/MP3/Blootoof/AUX....I really like it plus it looks like the rest of the car. If you ever wanted to play a CD, you would have that option.
 
My “modern” stereo system consists on a pair of 6x9’s located in what would normally be the rear doors in an early A wagon, a pair of 4 inch midranges mounted in a modified early A dash center speaker bracket snd a pair of 2 inch tweeters mounted at the outboard ends of the dash. Used early 70’s B Body speaker grilles there. The radio is a simple AM/FM/Sirius unit. Can’t remember if it has a CD player. Figured that was enough and Called it good
 
I have 4 Pioneer 6x9s in my Bronco, with a Pioneer am/fm/cd/aux input and bluetooth, and a remote! I've been thinking about getting a standalone bluetooth speaker for my Ventura, doubt I would be able to hear it in the Dart with it's Flowmaster 40s.
Does that count as modern?
I have had some crazy multi amp mega power systems before, but now I'm just old and tired. LOL
 
Always hated cutting up dashes to mount a stereo. Currently using a gauge pod radio originally intended for marine use.
 
Always hated cutting up dashes to mount a stereo. Currently using a gauge pod radio originally intended for marine use.

Me too.....but I did it anyway and I am REALLY glad! It hurt at first, but I'd do it a hundred times over.
 
@Princess Valiant

You should be able to run a pair of 6X9’s in the rear deck easy enough but the front kicker speakers are not really worth it. As RRR said. You would sonically be better off with a larger 6 inch door speaker. Larger if it fits, but not smaller than 6 inches.

I don’t know why you would need two 12’s for bass, but if you think you need it..... the real issue is amplification or at least the power to run the amp(s) needed to run system. Look into alternator & wiring upgrades as any amp your going to be looking at that is worth there salt will require a good bit of power.

For ideas, info and perhaps even selection, stroll through the online catalog @ Crutchfeild to see what they have. Since your going to go down this concert hall approach of sonic bliss, aim high on the quality of the parts. The initial cost may hurt a bit but when your done, you’ll be VERY happy you went the extra mile for years to come.
 
I know I cannot stand overwhelming bass. It's pretty stupid.Even a real concert doesn't sound like that. At least not one I would attend.
 
Oh and I have two 3.5" coaxial speakers in the stock dash location and two 6x9s on the rear deck. Plenty of bass for this "old CD guy". The Allman Brothers kick *** on it. I don't even have an external amp.
 
Wow, I think I'm convinced on a ported bass box after watching this.

I'm looking to rattle the deck lid.

 
Oh and I have two 3.5" coaxial speakers in the stock dash location and two 6x9s on the rear deck. Plenty of bass for this "old CD guy". The Allman Brothers kick *** on it. I don't even have an external amp.
The stock dash speaker location is a good idea. I didnt even think of a speaker(s) in the dash
 
The stock dash speaker location is a good idea. I didnt even think of a speaker(s) in the dash

I got the nice aluminum bracket from the member here that makes them. Bolts right into the stock location and holds two 3.5" speakers. I used the bass filters that came with them to filter out the bass signal, to help them not distort. The 6x9s on the rear deck have really nice bass response in the rear using the trunk for a speaker box.
 
So I'm putting together a road car (72 dart) designed for long road trips. Highway gears, gas sipping engine selection, comfortable bench seat with an armrest, cup holders. A lot of thought given to accessories.


Then comes the audio..... I've been daily driving a 68 dart for the past 7 years with a radio delete plate and I've had it.

So I'm thinking of an underdash mp3 with USB to some kickpanel speakers, a pair of custom made speaker enclosures that will bolt on the package tray in the corners.

Then I'm thinking of a dual 12 inch subwoofer box or extra large bass cannon, mounted above the where the rear end is in the trunk. Then a package tray with speaker grilles left empty for the bass to come through into the car.

Bass is key and has to be very strong or it is not really worth doing.

I don't fool with old *** cd's, so it would have to be USB or blue tooth.

Has anyone done anything similar, suggestions ??

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View attachment 1715720159
I have an AM/FM/Bluetooth/Aux/Pandora head unit that I located inside my factory stereo housing. I control it through the old dial window with the remote. Also allows hands free phone calls. I have a pair of 4” speakers in dash location and 5 way 6 x 9’s in the package tray. I have this TS-WH500A - 8 ¼" - 150w Max Power - HVT Sealed Active Subwoofer little gem under the passenger front seat for bass. It does not rattle the trunk lid but it sounds amazing in the car. I can even turn the a/c off, roll down the windows and hear everything perfectly at 80+ mph.
 
I sent my stock AM/FM to the same team who rebuilt my cluster, Mr Heaterbox. in addition to heaterbox refurbishment and cluster rebuilds they offer a radio service as well. They gutted the stock internals and installed new tuner, USB, aux input and Bluetooth interface. Its got RCA outs for adding on an amp. It was a little expensive but I can get all the features of a modern radio all packaged within the stock unit.

I bought a bracket from a forum member to mount 2 - 3.5" speakers in the dash, I will install 2-6x9's in the rear shelf and I bought a slim underseat sub to fill in a bit of low end. I haven't installed all this yet since I'm still waiting on paint but it should be a hell of an improvement!
 
I have dual 3.5" kickers where the factory dash speaker was. I also got th bracket from a member here. I have some old *** pioneer 6x9 in the rear package tray. And one 10" sub sitting right underneath the package tray and it sounds really good to me. The sub is controlled by one amp and the speakers are ran off the head unit.

While my head unit is a cd player it has bluetooth/aux/USB support. I have all my music on a USB stick.
 
I did the twin 3.5 inch speakers in the factory dash location in a couple of cars. Made my own bracket for one with a piece of plywood, modified the stock one on the other car. I have had speakers mounted in the kick panels before and I am in agreement with others that it's not a good idea. As RRR said, I ain't into the obnoxious bass, can't stand it in fact, but again I'm old.
 
Wow, I think I'm convinced on a ported bass box after watching this.

I'm looking to rattle the deck lid.


You might look into some good ear PROTECTION while you are rattling the deck lid!
Otherwise you will be one of those people who say "what did you say?" a lot!!!
 
You can leave the heavy cardboard trunk divider panel out and face your bass speakers towards the interior compartment, and they will blow right trough the back seat. Really good 6 x 9's bolted under the package tray will sound good. I think a 4 x 10 will bolt in the center of the dash. I plan on putting a nice new radio with all the goodies in the dash of my Duster, and also the 65 Barracuda. I know you like to leave stuff like the factory made it, but I will cut the hole in the Duster dash to make the DIN box almost an interference fit with the radio in the factory location. I just like them to be up there where I can see it without having to crane my neck looking under the dash. What it gets down to, is do it the best way for YOU. If we were all the same it would be a boring world! :D
 
I had a nice sounding system installed in my 2008 GMC 2500HD. First things first though. The electrical system needs to be upgraded to handle the amp draw of your system, the interior of the car needs to be removed and replaced to install sound dampening panels and insulation under nearly every surface and the positioning and proper mounting of of the speakers needs to be carefully planned.

I upgraded to a 200+ amp alternator, heavy 0 gauge cabling and a dedicated AGM battery to supply adequate and nearly instantaneous amp flow.

Component selection depends on your budget. I used a Zapco HDSP-V digital processor and 4 Z-AP amps driving a pair of Hybrid Audio Technologies Legatia X1 tweeters mounted in my A-pillars, 4 Legatia X6 7.1" wide band carbon fiber mid-basses mounted on an infinite baffle on my doors and 2 Clarus C12SW subs mounted under my rear seat in a custom enclosure.

I subscribe to Tidal music service which streams digital, CD quality and above music via bluetooth to a Pioneer double din head unit.

The combination of quality components that are properly installed and powered in a well prepared environment makes an incredible combination and is capable of producing stunning clarity, fidelity and performance.

The bottom line is the car interior preparation, sufficient 12V power supply and the installation is critical to getting the most out of any car stereo components you install.
 
Wow... this stuff adds up fast.
Personally, as a half-deaf old fart who can't hear the person in the passenger seat screaming for dear life, the "concert hall experience" is a moot point.
In my D200 pickup I've got a cheap azz swapmeet FM convertor hooked to the stock AM radio. In another of my Darts I've got a head unit with remote in the trunk, and use a pair of decent wireless earbuds. Works for me and doesn't annoy everyone else.
 
I have the kick panel speakers shown above in my 69 cuda and like them. They don’t put out a lot of volume, so the 6x9s in my trunk divider carry most of the load. You can buy better speakers cheaper than the ones that come with it, so just buy the panels. It is completely reversible, so you can take them back out.

Door speakers would sound better, buy I don’t want to cut up my door panels.

Search for “Bluetooth amplifier “ on Amazon. They have a lot of cool ones very cheap. You just hook one to your speakers and power and control it from you phone. It can be hidden, turn the volume all the way up and you don’t need to fiddle with it anymore.
 
Modern stereo systems have moved far beyond the original goal of the accurate reproduction of sound. Many years ago I taught a section on audio in my high school electronics classes. One part of the curriculum covered the range of human hearing and how different audio components covered each portion of it. I’d recommend anyone wanting to put a comprehensive sound system in their car to do some research on the frequency range of various audio devices. Speakers, cross-over circuits, filters and enclosures are all part of any comprehensive audio system. At one time high-end audio installers would do an acoustic analysis of homes and cars using pink noise. I think you would find the research into all this quite enlightening. It would also help you understand proper placement of the various elements of an accurate sound system. Tweeters, for instance, are highly directional and work best at ear level, which is why you see so many of them mounted on windshield pillars or on stands in a home environment. You might do some reading on why most professional musicians prefer tube amplifiers and avoid non-analog devices. In my opinion, modern audio systems, whether in homes, cars, boats, etc., have succumbed to a fad of exaggerated bass at the expense of everything else. It’s a reflection of modern musical tastes, but it doesn’t mean they provide good, or accurate sound. Just my opinion. My hearing these days pretty much signs off above 4kHz, but I still enjoy hearing good music, even if I can’t hear all of it. If you are young, think about that. Loud things can be fun, but come with a price if you don’t protect your hearing.
 
I bought a fm/usb/bluetooth stereo. No cd player and its 1/3 the depth of regular stereos.
Cheap junk. Next round will be pioneer.
 
I prefer loud music, whenever i can. But not beyond what i can tolerate. Previous job had hearing tests once a year,and i had the best hearing in my department. As a mechanic i figured my hearing would get worse after so many years of using air tools. I do use hearing protectors in extreme conditions.
Please dont tell my wife. i’m not hard of hearing, i just dont listen.
 
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