I've got a base model 2012 Mustang, and anyone who has heard the base model radio knows that it sounds like something from the 1970s. Obviously an upgrade is in order.


I want to keep the stock look. I want it so that if anyone looks in the window or sits in the car everything looks like it's still base model equipment. I don't want any visual cues that the sound system has been upgraded.

With that in mind, this is what I think I've decided on. Take a look, and see if you have any alternate suggestions or opinions to help me get the best sound at a reasonable price.


Front speakers = Alpine Type-R SPR-50C Component Speakers


Rear Speakers = Alpine Type R SPR-68 Coaxial Speakers


Amplified = 5 channel Alpine MRX-V70 700 Watt amp (4 channels @ 90 watt RMS, 1 channel @ 340 watt RMS)


Subwoofer enclosure = MTX FMUST05BK12U


Subwoofer = Alpine Type R SWR-1242D




I plan on mounting the amp under the passenger seat since I don't have power seats. Should keep everything clean, and still leave almost the entire trunk free.


Thoughts? Opinions?

 

Great choices! You will love the Alpine Type R 12. And the components up front make a huge difference, plus your amping up the interiors! This is the way to go!

 

I have the kicker system & I like it

 

I'm in the same position. Have a 2013 base model and want to upgrade the stereo.

Does the stock head unit have line outs? Sub outs?

Is there a separate amp or does the head unit provide the power in the base configuration?

Thanks!

 

The stock unit has 4 channels out. Two front and two rear. No subwoofer and no amp. I believe the stock head is a 20watt RMS unit.

That's why I'm getting an amp with a built in crossover and subwoofer channel. I wanted to get the kick of a nice subwoofer plus boost the 4 interior speakers without having to have 2-3 amps and an external crossover taking up space in my truck. 1 amp under the seat and I'm all set.


I'll have to assume from the large number of views and total lack of alternate suggestions that I must have picked out the right stuff.

 

Have you completed the install? How do you like the results?

I was thinking 2 10s powered by a dedicated amp and a 4 channel amp for the doors & deck. I don't track my car but I also don't want to add a lot of weight. Trying to find the balance between a good system & weight.

So if you like your setup I'll have to look into a similar setup.

Thanks

 

Haven't installed anything yet. I'm trying to get it all lined up so I can do the installation for my birthday (Last week of June).



I honestly have never understood the "2 subwoofer" setups. Both subs push the same power, both produce the exact same sound. So why have two?

If it were a home setup with each subwoofer placed in different locations to "fill out" the room with sounds and reduce any dead zones that would be one thing, but with both speakers placed side by side they aren't doing anything to improve the sound. Even in audiophile home systems the use of two subwoofers requires some serious placement decisions and calibration to get noticable improvement from them. Putting them in the trunk of a car negates any sound quality improvement you may get from having two.

Generally speaking one larger sub will produce deeper bass tones than two smaller ones. Assuming the same power to the speakers, there won't be any difference in volume or clarity. If your concern is sound quality vs weight then I would definitely suggest a larger single sub vs two smaller ones.

 

 

Would you like me to show you the Db and Frequency comparison between a two sub and one sub setup in a car?

It would be one thing if it was an open room like a home theater or auditorium, but in a car.... Waste of time. Especially with 2 subs mounted in the trunk, behind the rear seats, usually facing backwards.

It's a placebo, you have two speakers so it must sound better than one. Never mind that a single speaker facing forward with the rear seat dropped would be both louder and clearer.

 

I would like to see that.

 

Sure thing.


One speaker, measured from 16 different locations.


Two subs stacked. (Same as side-by-side placement in car trunk)


Now, look at the top line of both charts. With a single speaker in the same position as dual stacked speakers there is almost no difference in frequency and only a 2-3db difference in volume, and that's in a home theater with no obstructions between speakers and listener. Placing the speakers in a trunk will deaden the sound. Facing them backwards will both deaden the sound even more and alter the frequency.

 

thats a BIG difference in your graphs when it comes to home theatre. Look at the sub frequencies eg. at 20HZ. Its almost 3 times as loud. That's what rocks the couch around They say a human ear can hear to 20 hz, but its mostly for impact. + 3db which is already considered twice as loud. Anyways getting off topic, can you verify there are 2 pairs of outs off the stock radio? RCA pairs? thanks bro

 

There are no rca's on the stock radio. There are wires that are transmitting a high level signal like rca's to the factory amp if you have the shaker 500 or 1000. But there are no rca type plugs. I soldered some female rca's onto mine but the output signal was no where near as loud as a line output converter. Your better off using a good LOC.

 

thanks Rob, just the base radio is what I have so its speaker level then. It might be a bit dated now but 7 years ago I bought a JL Audio CL441 (clean sweep) for my other car that I never used. Ill throw it in this car.

 

The clean sweep is a high quality piece. I would definitely use that!