[rcviper25]

Hey guys,
Well my question is pretty simple. I know that the shaker 1000 is better that the shaker 500... but is it worth the extra money? I have enough money to buy the car... but at the same time, it's only just enough and I need the monthly payments as low as possible. Performance is the name of the game with these new mustangs (and I love the new look). Could I live with the shaker 500 going from a Mach 460? Or should I just close my eyes and sign the deal with $1000 tached on to the overall price?

[Legion681]

Originally Posted by rcviper25

Hey guys,
Well my question is pretty simple. I know that the shaker 1000 is better that the shaker 500... but is it worth the extra money? I have enough money to buy the car... but at the same time, it's only just enough and I need the monthly payments as low as possible. Performance is the name of the game with these new mustangs (and I love the new look). Could I live with the shaker 500 going from a Mach 460? Or should I just close my eyes and sign the deal with $1000 tached on to the overall price?

I have the 1000 and IMHO it's not worth the price difference. I only got it because I didn't want to wait and therefore got a car off the lot.

[darcyb62]

I have a 500 and its by far the best stereo I have had in a vehicle. I have never heard the 1000 so I have absoutely no idea what the price difference actually sounds like, but for the music I play I like the 500 just fine.

[dekujala]

I have the 1000 and a friend of mine has the 500, so I have heard both of them. Here is my take and my reason for getting the 1000.

If you are a true audiofile, doesn't matter what you get you should replace it with aftermarket stuff for better sound quality. The quality of the shaker system is good overall, but just doesn't have the crisp highs and deep lows that you can get with higher quality speakers and amps. If you are like me, into audio but not obsessed then the shaker will work for you in either case 500 or 1000. The highs are there just a little mucky compared to some high quality aftermarket tweeters, and the lows and punch of the subs on the 1000 is real good for a factory stereo.

If your into more of a bunch and deeper bass then either get the 1000 or install subs and another amp to the 500, the 500 just doesnt have the low end punch that your going to want.

Now as far as the price, I think it was 1200 more for the 1000 over the 500 on the GT premium for me. For 1200 you can get better subs and a better amp aftermarket then what comes with the system, my reasoning behind paying it was this is my first new car and I didn't want to go through the hassle of ripping everything apart to wire up an amp and subs. I wanted something that I could live with and be happy without having to take off trim, run wires everywhere and a cable to the battery for another amp, etc, etc. Plus the easiest way to add new subs would be to replace the head unit as well, or rig up something to work with the factory harness which I think you can find some articles on it on the message boards somewhere. This is my first car I've had where I haven't put aftermarket stuff in it.

So to sum everything up.
Big time audiofile: replace everything
Bass isn't my thing: Shaker 500
If you do want subs and dont want to rip apart the car: Shaker 1000
If you do want bass and are willing to rip apart your car: aftermarket subs

[blackhawk 9]

i have the 500 and i love it. i'm not a big car stereo guy, so i don't have much of a frame of reference. but the 500 is the best i've heard as far as factory goes. the bass is definitely deep enough for me. but if you're a rap fan, you may want to upgrade to a 1000 because of the factory trunk woofer. personally, i don't want something like that in my trunk because it takes up space. but that's just me. you'll be pleased either way, but i'd go with the 500 because it's worth it.

[monk99]

I'm with dekujala. I didn't want to spend the extra $$$ on the 1000. I have heard both the 1000 and the 500. I opted for the 500 and I'm using my sub and amp that I already have and I will install that for the bass. I can get WAY more bass than the 1000 can put out for much less than the $1000 price difference.

[Preacher]

1200$ for some amps and speakers which will just take up a ton of trunk space is overpriced to me. I have the Shaker 500 and I agree with everyone else. It is the best stock radio I have ever used with some good features and options. However, it still isn't up to the sound quality of a good aftermarket model. If you really want more base, Scosche makes a form-fit base unit for the Mustang's trunk. It's only 500$, matches the stock carpet perfectly, looks and performs great, and doesn't take up 1/2 your trunk. There is an article on it in the September Issue of 5.0 Mustangs and Super Fords.

[drbino]

I have heard both systems, and if you want to cruise around town all laid back in your seat with the bass hitting so hard your head itches, everyone for a block around to turn and look at what idiot is disturbing their peace, and to have to turn to your passenger, lean over to her, and say "WHAT???" when she tries to tell you something, then drop the extra cash and get the 1000. However, if you are just a casual audio kinda person who wants a great sounding stereo without the need to hang out with the pimpin' heavy hittin' brothas, then the 500 will more than suffice.

[Baginoman]

I LOVE my 1000!!

[2horseowner]

Who listens to the stereo with those beautiful twin pipes back there? Ah - the sound of a good old American V8 is all the music I need.

[R3dF1r3]

If you have the $$, get the S1000, it more than makes the car a concert arena for you. I'm not just talking about blowing out the block, I mean for your own listening pleasure.

BTW, the 2005 Pony is built so "solid" that when you think it's cranked inside, it really isn't that loud outside.

4 x 10" subs > *

[06stang]

I agree with dekujala too. You wrote many good points. I've been shopping for a new car for quite sometime and I was reaching for cars that were starting at 43K-46K in price. After I crunched the numbers I came to my senses and I started looking at cars in the 28k-30K range which I could afford.

The Mustang fits the bill. This is my first performace car and when I ordered the options, I was leary about shelling out $1200 for the Shaker 1000. The sticker shock of those 43K cars kinda dulled my senses and when the price of the '06 Mustang came in at 29K, I said "why not?"

I know there are alot of aftermarket audio systems that are cheaper and blow the Shaker out of the water but like dekujala, I didn't want to tear into a brand new car to re-wire a new system. I know there are many audio gurus out there that enjoy that kind of stuff but not me. I don't regret ordering the Shaker 1000.

[necrochaos]

I noticed there is a button on the Shaker 500 for AUX. Are there ports in the back that are usable? Is there stereo connections or a jack to plug an iPod in back there?

Also, how to I get to the back of the stereo? I can't figure out how to remove the dash to get to it.

[lardadd]

Get the stock system and for 100 bucks you can install some woofers and save yourself alot of $.....Good luck.

[bigwilly43729]

I didn't get my Stang from the dealer; I got it from a front yard. Anyway, if I had gotten it from the dealer, I would have told them to just keep the Shaker and don't give me anything. The only good part are the door subs. Most guys like to keep the stock look, but I'm not one of them. I swapped out the 6x8's for some Pioneer's, hooked up the door subs and got me a 12" sub in the trunk. Yes, I do love bass, but songs that don't have a lot of bass sound awesome too. People complain about too much bass. Simple fix: TURN THE BASS DOWN!!!

Bottom line, take the stock system, go home, rip it out, get the aftermarket HU and 6x9's of your choice, throw a couple of subs in the trunk and voila!, you have a quality sound system for the same price or less. Slather some Dynamat on them doors and in that trunk and musical bliss will be yours. BWAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!!!!