sq mid level car upgrade

I'm thinking about upgrading   my 1997 mercury grand marquis ls sound system.....I aiming for a mid level sq sound experience. I plan not to use the factory amp at all.

Will 6 1/2 speakers work in the front doors? will i have to modify?
Do i have the correct wiring harness for the pioneer avh-p4400bh to connect?
How extensive of a modification must be done to make the pioneer avh-p4400bh fit in the dash?

Will i have to install new wires for speakers to perform the best?
Do I need to consider a sound processor? which one?

Considering the following equipment.


1997 mercury grand marquis
sq audio ent. sys

head unit/assessories

pioneer avh-p4400bh
pioneer cd-iu51v
metra 95-5817 dbl din dash kit
metra 70-5600 wire harness
metra 82-5600 6x8 adaptors


speakers/amps

frt cdt hd-62 as comp. sys w/ imaging tweeters

rear   cdt hd 690cfx 6x9 coax.

spk amp cdt sqa 4075 4 ch amp

tsunami amp wiring kit w/ dist. block
tsunami interconnects

subs/mono amp

subs   

cdt    hd 1000 cf 10' sub

sealed box enclouser
(for tight....crisp....presision bass)

sub amp

kicker dx500.1 amp

tsunami amp wiring kit w/ dist. block
tsunami interconnects

*sound damping*
front doors and behind speakers
rear trunk lid....top deck ...(where sub enclosure sits)
behind lic tag
in sub box behind the subs

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Charles

you will most likely have to trim the lip on the top and bottom of the hole where your radio sits now and maybe cut out some plastic from behind the dash. if there is a ac vent behind the radio then you might have to take a piece out of that too and cover the hole back up with duct tape so it doesnt leak but it flexes enough to let the radio slide back far enough to lock in.

you shouldnt have to modify the doors to get the 6.5's in there just make sure to check the clearance with the power window so you dont hit the speaker or cut a wire.

other than that everything looks good.

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thanks   for   the   info.....I wanted to know about speaker   wiring for the set up above   too......Will running new speaker   wire for all speakers be   needed? Will it    improve the sound quality?

Any   thought on sound processors/audio processors?
I have heard of the Audison Bit one.....but its a bit on the   pricey side....Are there some mid level processors you would recommend?

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Charles

running new wires isnt really necessary but on my personal cars i like to do it just as an upgrade.

if possible i would skip the processor and put that extra money into a better radio with it all built in. i just switched to the new model jvc navigation and i cant say it was cheap but it was money well spent. built in 13 band equalizer AND digital time alignment are awesome tools when you are trying to setup an sq system. if you try to buy those features on external processors you will spend just as much plus having to find extra space to put those processors and the extra risk of unwanted noise as your system gets more complex. simple is always better.

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Thanks   for the info....after talking to   others and seeing this    reply that agree.....I think running   new   speaker wires the rca twisted kind.... maybe a tsunami or stinger... would make for a better signal flow then the factory wires can provide.

I'm I right about thinking this?

I wanted to clarify...I'm not really   interested in navigation on my deck....just wanted built in hd radio and built in bluetooth with dvd playback,ipod connection. Doulble din of course.

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Charles

well the better audio features are usually found on navigation units and once again you need to consider how much money you spend on external processors. its usually worth it just to upgrade your radio so you can have better features built in.



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I did   look at the jvc double din.....and   compared to the   reviews and testing one   out at Best Buy I was not really impressed   with the jvc.....pioneer avhp4400bh....has what i need

I    might   just have the   stuff installed and later if   I decided to add the   processor....if I feel its needed....I   added it later.

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Charles

yea i will admit that pioneer is pretty nice. it has a good built in equalizer so you really shouldnt need any external processors. the only thing that keeps me away from pioneer is thee widespread noise issues they all have. you have to be very careful when installing them. make sure you have everything grounded including your amplifiers before you plug in any rca's. to me that is a lot of money to pay for something that has a high probability of having unstoppable noise issues.

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I plan to have this professionally installed......I'm not going to do it myself.....it is to much to undertake....I figure if the pros don't do it right then they will be responsible for install and equipment.

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Charles

actually they will probably tell you that it was like that out of the box and to send it back to where you got it and hope they warranty it, which leaves you out of a radio for who knows how long. you wont be able to prove they did anything wrong. shops get very touchy when you bring in stuff from the internet to get installed. not trying to discourage you but thats just how it is.

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You are   so right about this.....Its been a concern of mine because when they (con shops) find out i got equipment from another   merchant they won't take proper care of my equipment during the install.

I'm hoping to find a dealer/installer in my area that sells and install cdt equipment because they will take better care of it knowing I purchased from them and installed through them.

I have   not found   one yet.....which concerns me...because the local shops will tell me ''we will install your equipment"'....setting me up to be ripped off when they botch the install.

i stand a better chance of doing it myself....if   I purchase from the dealer online. (ie crutchfield, sonicelectronics,Amazon)
But thats only talking out of my mind at this point.

Do anyone know of a dealer/install shop that sells and installs cdt equipment in the Orlando,fl area?

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Charles

cdt should list their dealers on their website.

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They   do   list   there dealers and installers on there website.....I   just   don't have   one   in my area yet....So I'm at a stand   still as to finding an honest install guy in my area.

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Charles

Try this shop.  https://www.audiofashion.com/mobile.htm  Call them and make sure they are fine with you bringing in the CDT speakers you want to use, then buy them from the CDT on-line store on their website.

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Support the12volt.com

Okay I will give them a shot.....I   just don't want to get the run around to purchase their equipment....when i know I want cdt equipment.....It will be great if they sell/install cdt   equipment...But   can't hurt by talking with them.

So you have any   knowledge of this shops history and install workmanship?

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Charles

I   did check with Audio Fashion that you recommended.....And   it was not a pleasurable meeting...Talked to someone by the name of Diego and another guy (don't remember his name)...But any way...I submitted what I want in writing   for the CDT equipment and explained I wanted to get the equipment from CDT Audio and   have it installed....the guy I spoke   with said   sure   we can give you a price on that come by Sat 3-31-12...I also   asked    him is it possible for me   to get the   equipment through them and just pay a little more for it   ....The   guy tells me yes we (Audio Fashion) can get CDT equipment. So I get to the shop(expecting them to have a price quote ready for me) and the   guy is there and Diego is there...And they started with pouring on the "song-and-dance" about how I should get there equipment and not what I wanted....They did the tag-team thing....So finally   I said if   you can get this equipment (CDT) when can you have a        quote for me...He said Tues...I said   fine if you can not   get this equipment (CDT)...then   good day.
So it   was not a good meeting.I feel if they can't be honest upfront....And tell me No they can't get it....I can't trust them to be honest about installing anything in my car.

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Charles