Amps can't make sound better on their own. Crap in > crap out.

Definetly the HU like you found out.

When it comes to LOCs I'll only recommed Dave Navone'* equipment.
http://www.davidnavone.com/


When using an LOC in a factory amplified system, you need to catch the signal after the amplifier. This provides impedance matching (some factory amps like the one in the 03 Explorer I did yesterday actually shut off when it saw the LOC on its input) and a higher input voltage. The drawback to that is when the amplifier provides active equilization or crossover networks you're limited to whatever signal appears at the output of the amp. If that isn't suitible for what the system design calls for, then you're really limited to replacing the head unit.

I truely think in your case with a good amp and speaker selection (like you have), you can achieve great results using a HIGH QUALITY LOC on a factory system. I've done several vehicles including a new Acura TL with lesser quality components (RF 4-chan amp, pioneer coaxs) and was flat out impressed with the end result. Obviously you can do more with an aftermarket HU, put I'm not so quick to dismiss a quality sound system simply because it uses an OEM HU.

Enclosing them in some way will probably help you too. Id at least put in a foam baffle behind them. It wont do as much as maybe an actual enclosure would do but it still helps some.

well, I got the speakers installed and sounding great! these speakers are really starting to sound awesome now that I have the pioneer cd player installed. I also put my Infinity 6x9'* in there and that helped even more. My imagining is crap but that can't be helped much anyways because of my factory locations. The woofer is right by my knee and the tweeter is in the sail panel. If I open my doors however and sit in the car holy hell. It sounds amazing! These speakers would be truely stunning in a kick panel setup. In a door they sound good, but not amazing like they have the potential to be. Too bad Oldsmobile angled the woofers slightly away from the driver.

It'* nice to hear Navone is still around! Is he still doing the AutoSound 2000 newsletter with Richard Clark? I haven't been up on car stereo these days but used to compete. I enjoyed the AS2K newsletter a lot.

here are some completed pictures. I got the 6x9'* installed today and the amp rack installed. I still need to fabricate something that will go over the metal straps holding the amp rack up to the rear deck. I'll probably use cardboard covered in carpet that goes the entire length of the rack. It sounds so much better than it did last night. The culprits of the bad sound were A. stock cd player (biggest culprit) B. speakers needed to break in some (#2 biggest culprit) and C. I added sound deadener behind the speaker, and on the door panel itself on the backside.




stock 6x9'* VS Infinity 6x9'*...






amp rack..

I have to admit that I stole the amp rack idea/location from 1993SLE. he used hinges though and I used L brackets bolted to the wall behind the back seat. The amp rack is very solid as well. You can pull up/down on it and it does not move.


So, what do you think?

looks really good i am getting my digital camera soon and will be able to post pics of my install

looks great

I like the amp rack... looks really good, i would steal the idea myself if i could spare to loose the extra room... .maybe i can afterall?

If you wouldn't mind, could you post some pictures of your system in a thread? I'd like to see how some other owners did their installs for this generation.