Hi all,
First post on the forum.
I just bought a new 2011 GT premium convertible. And as in my previous mustang (2006 GT premium convertible) I did not like the sound system. I wanted to change the HU but as I did not like the aftermarket dash kits I decided to keep it and work with its sound output.
So I just ordered some sound stuff:
Audio control lc6i sound processor to clean out the factory HU signal (non-nav shaker 500)
Polk audio MM5251 components for the doors
Polk audio MM571 for the rear side panels
And Polk audio PA 500.1 4 channels amp to power all the 4 speakers.

I think am in a good shape as far as speakers but am not sure about bass. Unfortunately local audio shops are not good when it comes to subs brands, amps and sub boxes building. And I don’t have the skill or the tools to build one either. So am better of ordering the whole thing from the internet (Box + sub + amp)
What would be the ideal setup for a convertible? Would a single 12" sub pared with a decent amp do the trick or do I need to have dual subs? My setup in my previous car was not that good for me (MTX enclosure with a Kenwood sub and amp)
Any suggestions would be appreciated please.
Am looking for good SQ and SPL if possible
Budget is around 600 $ but could be more if the setup is worth it.

Thanks and excuse my poor language as I’m not a native speaker

 

Hi and welcome. Just curious - why didn't you get the Shaker 1000 system? It supposedly already had a trunk-mounted sub with 500 more watts.

Those Polk speakers sound (from your description) nice. I have some for my home theater and they're quite good.

 

As of my understanding the Shaker 1000 has the same speakers’ setup with the addition of 2 subwoofers in the trunk. And I don’t like the sound quality of the shaker 500 speakers and don’t think that the shaker 1000 would be any deferent.
I did go with the Polk audio from previous experience as I used to have the db5251 components all around in my previous mustang (2006 convertible) and I liked how it did perform. I wanted to step up a little bit this time and went with the MM series. I see good reviews about it in deferent applications and am excited to try it myself.
For the sub box, I could not find a lot of choices for the convertible, the only one I could find is here:
http://cgi.ebay.com/FORD-MUSTANG-CONVERTIBLE-12-05-UP-SUBWOOFER-SUB-BOX-/310304177848?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item483f91 feb8
and there is another one which is a corner mount but am not sure that it fits convertible:
http://cgi.ebay.com/2005-MUSTANG-SUB-BOX-Subwoofer-Box-1-12-CORNER-MOUNT-/380315238440?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item588c8e 0028
it all will depend on the woofer choice and the cubic area that it requires.
Am open for all input and suggestions.

 

can any one with an s197 convertible post some pics of his sub setup. I want to see if having two subs firing toward the trunk would take much of the truck space or having two in each coner would be better.

 

Where did you go to do most of your car stereo research? I'm trying to figure out what direction I should go with my car. The stock speakers outside of the midbase drivers are trash.

 

Go with a single 12"..if the box is built right for the sub it will blow you away.

People get to caught up in more is better when it comes to car audio. But if you don't have the right box, any sub is going to sound like crap. Not to mention adding all that weight and slowing the car down (trust me you notice)

Go for an alpine type R, JL W6, or a premier sub (pioneers higher end stuff)...one of those should do the trick for ya and be more than enough bass..unless you want to be heard 3 blocks away...these subs are a nice mix of SQ and SPL...

You'll also have to decide if you want to go ported or sealed...personally I prefer sealed because I prefer tighter bass

 

I'm all over mustang forums and car audio forums to see what would be the best bass setup.

I'm getting Polk Audio speakers as I had it in my previous convertible and it was amazing. I'm stepping up from the db series to the mm series this time as I had it for a steal deal.

Polks are good drivers for all kinds of music but you'd need to have a sub with them as they have good highs and vocals but they lack on the bass.

I've already decided what I'm getting for the whole setup and already ordered the stuff.

Audio Control LC6i sound processor to clean up the signal and restore the bass from the head unit
Polk Audio PA 500.4 4 channel amp for my 4 front and rear speakers.
Polk Audio MM5251 5.25 component speakers for the fronts
Polk Audio MM 571 5X7 coaxial speakers for the back
Polk Audio PA 600.1 Mono Amp for the sub
Polk Audio MM1204-dvc 12" sub

I've seen a DIY post where the guy is having the same sub I'm ordering and he likes it. So I’ve decided to have the same sub as it is shallow and lightweight and build the same box as it matches the required air space for the sub.

This is the post am talking about:
http://mshanecrowe.wordpress.com/mustang-audio/

If you need another sub enclosure that will fit the same area I've contacted MTX and they confirmed that their enclosure will fit the new mustang 2010-11 models cope and convertible. I'd have ordered it if I did not order the sub already as it does not match the airspace of the sub (the MTX enclosure has 1.22 cu.ft of air space)
This is the link for MTX:
http://www.mtx.com/thunderforms/p_32/Mustang_2005_2011/show.html
If you’d like to order this enclosure, just go with the unloaded version as the enclosed sub is not that good. Just make sure that that the sub you have matches the air space of the enclosure.

 

I'm already going with a sealed single sub. I'm more into SQ than SPL.
Thanks for the tips and info anyway.