Some will perhaps cringe as one aspect of my sound system, but music is really a part of my cruising experience, which is different from my driving experiences when all I want to hear is the exhaust note and wind.
Even when cruising, sound quality can be challenging in the open cabin. You need clarity and imaging, you need balance, and you need depth... at all volumes.
I have a simple, 55watt Pioneer deck that actually has two knobs and station buttons that approximate the aesthetic old style radios... this rather than the multitude of toggles and gizmos of contemporary styling.
I put a pair Infininty 6" in the kick panels, a pair of Infinity 6x9's in the package shelf, AND and Infinity self-powered subwoofer in the trunk.
The 6" bring a brightness to the sound from the front that really helps with the clarity of voice and high notes. The 6x9's bring some brighness from behind to help with imaging, plus the mid-range sound is closer to the ears and less likely to be muffled our by road/wind noise. The Subwoofer really does provide some needed depth and heart to the sound. The woofer can be adjusted remotely as well, and is not in my case used to rattle the windows of the car next to me, but simply to add feeling (literally) to the bottom end.
The 6x9's have a solid mesh screen covering them so that if I occassionally place something back there, the speakers are protected. Also, stuffing the compartment below the speakers/shelves with a micro/fiber fill (like pillow or quilt stuffing) really helps the speakers gain some depth.
Most who join me in the cabin really seem to recognize and enjoy the quality of the sound, whether it is talk radio, soft rock, or R&B. I'm sure country and Rap would sound good, but they aint allowed in my car.
Just thought I would share...
`68 280sl
`62 Lincoln Continental Conv.
`73 450sl