A client came to WSS Westminster Speed & Sound looking for an upgrade to his 2007 Ford Mustang audio system. We had done some upgrades to the sound system in this Mustang, but the client decided he wanted to take it up a few levels. We sat down and did an audio consultation and then worked up what we thought we be the best solution for him. He liked our plan and we set up an installation time.
Front Row, Center Is the Order For This Mustang Audio Upgrade
In the dash we started with a Sony XAV701HD touchscreen unit. We chose this unit because it has a great preamp and digital to analog converter. This equates to a very clean signal going into our JBL MS-8 processor. The MS-8 allowed us to time align the sound from all the speakers so they arrive at the ear at the same time. Time alignment completely transforms the imaging and staging of the music. Essentially, it gives the listener a “front row, center” seat at a live performance.
JL Audio Provides Power That You Can Feel
From there, the signal for this Mustang audio system goes into a JL Audio HD900/5 amplifier. This amp sends 400 watts to the front speakers, with each woofer and tweeter having its own dedicated amplifier channel. This maximizes the ability of the JBL processor to recreate that stunning sound. 500 watts of power from the JL amp is sent to a JL Audio 12W3 subwoofer which produces accurate, fast bass that you can feel. This is sure to bring a smile to anyone’s face!
JL Speakers, Hushmat Damping… Winning Combination!
In the front doors we installed Hushmat sound damping material to help eliminate any rattling that these Mustang doors are famous for. Hushmat is a tremendous product and we recommend it when a speaker upgrade in being performed. The front speakers chosen were JL Audio’s ZR650csi which are their flagship speakers. The 6.5” woofer was installed near the bottom of the door in the factory subwoofer location. The tweeters were installed in the door where the factory midranges were mounted. This gave the car a very clean, stealthy look. In the rear deck we installed JL Audio C5-650x speakers, also in the factory locations. We used the internal power in the JBL MS-8 processor to run the rear speakers to provide a solid rear fill.
Proper Tuning Is Key To Any Car Audio Upgrade
One of the most important aspects of any good car stereo installation is the tuning. That becomes even more important when a digital processor is thrown into the mix. A well tuned processor sounds incredible, but a poorly tuned processor sounds horrible. After we were done doing our magic, this car sounded like a million bucks! When you sit in it and listen, you hear things that you did not even know were in the recording. You notice that the sound of the kickdrum is now in front of you where it should be, not coming from the trunk. You can hear the vocalist in the center of the dash, and there is a spacious, airy quality that makes the sound seem much larger than a car stereo should be. It was breathtaking.
The Proof Is In The Pudding
Now, this client is picky. And we thought we nailed it. But the proof is in the pudding. Our client came back a few days later just to sing the praises of the sound. The more he listened to it, the more he loved it! That is why we do this. Plain and simple. We want to exceed our client’s expectations each and every day here at WSS Westminster Speed & Sound. The smile on this client’s face said it all.
If you want to take your Ford Mustang audio system to the next level, give us a call or contact us. Better yet, why not just stop in and let us show you why we are the Baltimore area’s leader in great car audio enhancements and other fun and functional stuff for your ride!