So I upgraded the stereo in my AP1 yesterday...WOW, what a difference! Last time I did this in an S was probably 11 years ago, so there's different and better stuff available now of course. Here's what I went with...

HU - Kenwood KMM-X503
Component Speakers - Morel Hybrid 602
JL Audio 10" sub (ebay tool well box)
Alpine PDX F4 Amp

Those Morel speakers...UNBELIEVABLE!! I gave myself a headache last night playing different songs sitting in my garage with the top up. They just play so loud and so clean...zero distortion, zero strain. Plus you hear stuff in the audio track you may never have even picked up before, they're just simply amazing! The Sub is fantastic for a shallow mount unit and the PDX, well, it's just a great amp that always works and is always clean.

If you're looking for a setup and can't decide which route to go...you won't be disappointed with this combo, I promise you that!

 

Any pictures to go with the install?

You will find even better sonic performance if you put in some NVH material in the door and or under the carpet.

 

What was the cost of everything?

 

I did take some pictures fortunately. Hopefully I'll have those up shortly, although they're just the pictures of the actual pieces I put together.

 

Here was the breakdown...

HU - $100
Morel Hybrid 602 - Crutchfield $860 (may find them cheaper on ebay from a reputable dealer)
Alpine PDX F4 - $400
JL Audio sub - $300
Sub box - $105
Modifry interface - $100
Miscellaneous wiring - $60
Total - $1,925

Now, I've seen the speakers for a few hundred less on ebay here and there. You may already have wiring, Modifry interface, sub box etc. Not having anything on a fresh build, like myself, you're creeping up on $2,000. Having some stuff, or finding some of these items at a reduced price you may save $300-$400 perhaps more. I've seen that sub used for $200, amp I got lucky once on another build for $280, I saw a guy selling the speakers once for $600 had a receipt for them too...right there you'd save $480. Of course you'd have to be patient, but you could build this system for around $1,500. Then again, if you have the wiring, sub box and interface you're even further ahead.

 

I have it all already, but the cost of those Morels is making me consider upgrading my 8 year old Focal component speakers. They were only $250 at the time, but it's now got me wondering how much better things may have gotten over the years. Could my ears tell the difference if I were to upgrade, I wonder....
I do hear the Morels are warmer in general than focals.

 

I had some Pioneer Premier speakers in my last build that I thought were awesome...11 years ago. I'm blown away with the sound of the Morels! I was actually searching for months trying to find the Pioneer Premier TS-C720PRS hoping a set would pop up on eBay, that's how much I liked them, but they never did.

I'll have to say...I'm glad I didn't find a set.

 

Interesting. Maybe I'll upgrade soon enough to a more expensive component set, after all it should be an easy swap keeping everything else the same.
Here is what I have: https://www.crutchfield.com/S-jukqIp...ss-165-VB.html

 

This was my second choice...

https://www.crutchfield.com/S-Ed0n4I...-PS-165FX.html

If you're going Focal, perhaps you'd like these. Again, you wouldn't be sorry with the Morels though.

 

Do the Morel 602s fit on the door ok? I was looking at these earlier but Crutchfield was saying they don't fit the S2000 front door.