want to improve sound quality without taking up space

[GVSS]

I am looking for better sound quality than what I get with the factory setup and I'm looking for creative ways to get better sound quality while not taking up any cargo room.

I am looking to replace the factory sub and amp in my '07 Mountaineer with something with a little more thump and better sound quality.

I need to mount it somewhere where it is out of sight and doesn't take up any cargo room. I am wondering if anyone has been able to mount a sub in the factory location behind the trim panel or under the 2nd row passenger seat.

I also need to have a place to mount a small 4 channel amp to power the front speakers and sub.

Need to keep the factory radio because I have nav and sat. radio and don't want to give them up.

I'm open to any other suggestions and would love to see pics of what you guys have done.

Thanks!
-GVSS

 

[jrford]

mine was an '04 have some notes on it.
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=246610

 

[GVSS]

LOL ... I just finished looking at your post before I checked for any replies to mine.

Something like what you did would probably be perfect, but I would rather not cut into the factory enclosure. Do you know if the factory enclosure would work with an aftermaerket 8" sub, and/or could a MDF enclosure be build and mounted behind the factory panel?

Also, I have motorized 3rd row seats and the small storage compartment doesn't look like it will fit an amp. Do you think the amp could be shoe-horned behind the panel with the enclosure, or have suggestions on anywhere else to mount it?

Thanks!
-GVSS

 

[jrford]

in hindsight, there are a few good options for an 8" to fit. , I was very concerned about the depth, so i opted for pioneer, If you look at the pictures, i had about 1.5-2" depth left to spare. If i would have known . . .

With the sub enclosure there there is no room left, or its as small as the sub amp, whats on your driver side? Where is the jack on yours?
Got pics? Someone else might have a suggestion??

 

[GVSS]

Driver side is out as an amp mounting location, I have the rear a/c controls and there is an air compressor (i believe) on the drivers side rear panel for the rear a/c unit.

I'm looking for the smallest 4-channel amp I can find, but I doubt I'll find anything close to the size of the factory amp. I should beable to mount an amp under the 2nd row seat, but if I can find a way to put it behind a panel I would like to.

The jack is in a small floor storage compartment behind the 3rd row seat, but I know I can't fit an amp in there unless I remove the jack, and even then I would be very limited by the shape of the amp.

I don't have any pics unfortunately.

Since you removed the factory sub, would you by chance know what type of mounting depth i should be looking for in a driver if I was going to reuse the factory enclosure?

Thanks!
-GVSS

 

[HCCA 250]

You could use an Alpine PDX amp under the 2nd row seats. Either the PDX 4.100/4.150 (4-channel), or 2 of the PDX 2.150 (two channel). The amps are stackable. And, two amps stacked should fit under the second row middle seat. Since they are "class D" amps, they should not over tax the charging system. Pricing of the latter amps looks really good, right now.

I have my factory sub enclosure out of my vehicle, right now. I will try to see what the max depth is. I would think that you could get a decent 8"-10" sub in there to do the job. I looked for a loooong time. I doubt you will be able to fit the amp/s behind a factory panel.