Shelby/Kicker Shaker speaker upgrades

Has anyone upgraded the stock speakers/amp with the kit from Shelby? If so how much difference is there in the overall sound quality? Is it really a plug n play kit with no mods necessary to the doors/deck lid?

I have priced upgrades through various websites, and consistently end up with a final price tag that is double/triple the price of the Shelby, and I don't relish the idea of custom building a sub box, amp rack, gutting interior to run wires, mount, tweek and tune crossover slopes and eq's. Not looking for a competition level system, just something that will play loud and clean, and sound good.

I haven't upgraded an audio system in about 15 years, so I am a bit out of touch with audio gear. Seems most of the top line companies I remember are now relegated to the cheapo bin.

I currently dont have either, but I am shopping for an 06-10 GT Premium, and if the Shaker 1000 makes a huge difference, I will try to limit my search to those. I planned to pick up the full Shelby kit, which includes a larger amp for the 6x8s and door woofers. I have priced going the full replacement route, and before I include a sub, im over the price of the full shelby kit with the sub.

With that being said, IF I go the full replacement route, I will get some of the top line gear, Like the JL Steathbox or custom box for 1 12W6, Alpine (INA-W910) or Pioneer Navi head unit, JL Digital amps XD600/6 and XD300/1 , JL C3 5x7/6x8 components, and probably the Pioneer 8" slim subs for the doors. Audio Control DQXS(?) digi crossover/eq or the new as yet unreleased Alpine digi signal processor PXA-H800, Monster or Stinger interconnects, JL amp wiring kit(s), dynamat dynalight sound deadening material.

If I am going to have to gut the car to do an install , I am going to do a right proper one LOL.

Honestly, I have always preferred sq to spl. I don't care if you can hear it 10 feet away if its reproducing sound as it should be heard. I hate the current fad around here where guys are throwing marine grade speakers under the car for the world to have to suffer hearing. To give you an idea, my last full system was Alpine CD head unit, a/d/s 6.5" components, 2 Kicker C10s in a sealed box being powered by a Soundstream Ref 405 5ch amp. Now this was about 18 yrs ago, installed in an 1990 Mercury Capri (yes THAT POS). While this was far from a perfect system, and lacking in any real tuning, it was clean up to levels that you really shouldn't listen to for more than a few minutes and the bass hit hard and low. It could play everything from classical to rap, rock metal blues and jazz equally. For research when building it, I based some of my choices from reviews in CA&E and Car Stereo Review magazine, as there wasn't much for the internet then, as well as in store demos. I chose JL speakers for the review on CA&E's website review of the 6.5" set, and the amps based on reviews. I have looked at various online retailers, and I only recognize a few brands, so I went with a known. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Could you point me to the audio forums you mentioned?

Thanks for the info, I will join the boards, as I just picked out the car tonight, and am awaiting dealer transfer from NC to here in Charleston. It only has Shaker 500, and I didnt even listen to it tonight on the test drive. Good thing I get another chance before signing on the many lines LOL. Back in the day (1988/1989), I had a friend that had the same issues as you, but he was dealing with a reg cab 85 Chevy S10, with custom door panels holding i believe RF 10's and a custom wood and fiberglass enclosure in the bed with 2 15's, firing through ports cut and mounted between the bed and cab. It wasn't exactly my cup of tea, but it sure was fun to take a few trips up and down Main St getting kicked in the butt by Sir Mix A Lot LOL