[65madgoat]

Depends on what exhaust you have as that makes any system sound better or worse. First off, I am not a stereo guy and would never butcher a car for one. The dual front speakers balance out the system with two 6x9s in back. Sounds great. Another car has a 10" powered JL Audio sub in back with 6x9s and these dash speakers provide the highs needed up front. But again, with our cars, the real music is the engine. Not the stereo. Just something to have when stuck in traffic or parked at a drive-in even for me. I feel these provide all you need and are in a location that you can actually hear them over being down by the floor in kick panels.

[HWYSTR455]

Well, try going on a highway trip for 3-5 hours without a decent stereo, you may change your
mind on the value of a good stereo.

On 2 separate Power Tours, drove 5 & 4 days straight, and like 5k miles combined. Try that without a decent sound system.

The wind noise in the GTO going 75-80 on the highway will drive you nuts after a while. And it's got Race Pros on it.

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[65madgoat]

Yeah I do drive LONG hours in mine. And thus one reason I even have a stereo. Did Power Tours, coasts drives for hours etc. Heck being stuck in traffic for -hours- a radio gets me through ;-)

[Hammertime]

Originally Posted by HWYSTR455

I originally had a 12" sub & 6x9s in the back, but this time around I did a single 10" w 6x9s.

I did an MDF deck with a sub enclosure.

I figure by throwing enough power at it, that's all I'll need.


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I like loud music and like your setup but I won’t cut up my car. I would consider under the seat or trunk sub but I think if I am not happy with the front dash and some quality 6x9’s I can add the subs later.

[Hammertime]

Originally Posted by 65madgoat

Depends on what exhaust you have as that makes any system sound better or worse. First off, I am not a stereo guy and would never butcher a car for one. The dual front speakers balance out the system with two 6x9s in back. Sounds great. Another car has a 10" powered JL Audio sub in back with 6x9s and these dash speakers provide the highs needed up front. But again, with our cars, the real music is the engine. Not the stereo. Just something to have when stuck in traffic or parked at a drive-in even for me. I feel these provide all you need and are in a location that you can actually hear them over being down by the floor in kick panels.

I understand what you’re saying but my wife and daughter do not want to hear horsepower and exhaust noise. We frequent concerts when we can and my nine year old daughter has seen Sammy Haggar, Loverboy, Benetar, Journey, and will are fulfilling her bucket list AC/DC🤣. I will not chop up my car either. Where did you put the sub in your other car? I don’t like the boom boom vibrating sound but I’m encouraged by your response mentioning the front speaker option in the dash.

[Hammertime]

Originally Posted by HWYSTR455

I didn't like the OE trunk light, so ran an LED light strip with a motion sensor:


.

That’s clever thinking.

[HWYSTR455]

Originally Posted by Hammertime

I like loud music and like your setup but I won’t cut up my car. I would consider under the seat or trunk sub but I think if I am not happy with the front dash and some quality 6x9’s I can add the subs later.

I get not cutting up a car, totally. When I originally added a sub to the 'bird is when I cut into the deck, which was in the early 80s. The car wasn't worth as much then and wasn't concerned with cutting it up. These days, I would certainly think twice.

Trimming a package tray to use the grills that come with 6x9s is a minor sacrifice as the package trays are readily available, and doing so makes a big difference. You can load component 6x9 subs from the top without any trimming to the metal structure, and use surface mount mids & tweeters. There are dual-coil 5x7 low/mid range speakers you could use in the front in stock location, and add surface mount tweeters in the corners.

The rear seat divider/metal package tray for many cars are available good-used, some are even repopped. So even if you do cut the metal, it can be repaired.

Under-seat and trunk subs are not a very good source of sound, they sound 'muddled' at best. I've tried trunk subs firing into the back seat, and it's worthless IMO. But it is good for finding just about every rattle you can imagine back there!

Amps now are so compact, you can pretty much mount them anywhere. I helped a friend mount an amp in a hatchback, used a board that I covered, with velcro on the bottom. Using a D-class amp, it doesn't require monster cables either. For many, 6-10g (quality) wire is fine.

Yeah, on the trunk light, the birds have a wire that runs along the deck lid hinge and thru the subframe of the decklid. It doesn't offer a lot of light, and to make it worse, it uses a gravity-type switch that is sketchy at best. The LED light strip is adhesive, as is the sensor. It's an inexpensive approach to a poor original design. The sensor has a dial that you can adjust the length of time is stays lit, and it lights the entire trunk cavity. Pop the lid, wave your hand, done.

My 'bird project has a 'green' theme, and all the interior and gauge lights are green.

The GTO has a 'blue' theme, same thing.

EDIT: Motion sensors are cheap, and come in a lot of types. I think I paid $11 for the one I have.

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[HWYSTR455]

Just a quick glance at surface mount speakers:

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[HWYSTR455]

No sooner I finished typing, I got an email from Restore-A-Musclecar on speaker grills! Scary! Heheh!

https://www.restoreamusclecar.com/pa...mounting-studs

The OE type grills tho block a lot of sound, but if you want complete stealth, this is a good option.


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[kingbuzzo]

I got the mesh speaker package tray from CI. You can barely notice the 6x9's.

I have a giant wood enclosed sub box in the trunk. I don't have room for a spare but pretty much everything else I need is there. Sounds good too.

I still need to mount the amps against the back of the back seat but I have no idea how to get at anything at my advanced state of decay.

I had to get junior to change out my 6x9's last time. Trunk is so small for my oily hide lol.

[HWYSTR455]

Amazingly, I can fit in the trunk, and I'm 5'11.5" ! It's not easy tho, and I have to get in & out to do the other side of trunk!

I actually have to 'limber-up' in order to prepare for trunk work! Heheh!

I made 2 boards for the back of trunk, covered them w faux leather, it worked pretty good.


.

[Hammertime]

Originally Posted by HWYSTR455

I get not cutting up a car, totally. When I originally added a sub to the 'bird is when I cut into the deck, which was in the early 80s. The car wasn't worth as much then and wasn't concerned with cutting it up. These days, I would certainly think twice.

Trimming a package tray to use the grills that come with 6x9s is a minor sacrifice as the package trays are readily available, and doing so makes a big difference. You can load component 6x9 subs from the top without any trimming to the metal structure, and use surface mount mids & tweeters. There are dual-coil 5x7 low/mid range speakers you could use in the front in stock location, and add surface mount tweeters in the corners.

The rear seat divider/metal package tray for many cars are available good-used, some are even repopped. So even if you do cut the metal, it can be repaired.

Under-seat and trunk subs are not a very good source of sound, they sound 'muddled' at best. I've tried trunk subs firing into the back seat, and it's worthless IMO. But it is good for finding just about every rattle you can imagine back there!

Amps now are so compact, you can pretty much mount them anywhere. I helped a friend mount an amp in a hatchback, used a board that I covered, with velcro on the bottom. Using a D-class amp, it doesn't require monster cables either. For many, 6-10g (quality) wire is fine.

Yeah, on the trunk light, the birds have a wire that runs along the deck lid hinge and thru the subframe of the decklid. It doesn't offer a lot of light, and to make it worse, it uses a gravity-type switch that is sketchy at best. The LED light strip is adhesive, as is the sensor. It's an inexpensive approach to a poor original design. The sensor has a dial that you can adjust the length of time is stays lit, and it lights the entire trunk cavity. Pop the lid, wave your hand, done.

My 'bird project has a 'green' theme, and all the interior and gauge lights are green.

The GTO has a 'blue' theme, same thing.

EDIT: Motion sensors are cheap, and come in a lot of types. I think I paid $11 for the one I have.

.

Thank you for the time and suggestions. I will stop bye a car stereo shop tomorrow and see what is available. I’m learning from all the suggestions and need to put my eyes on stuff.