2002 Acura NSX
2003 Chevrolet Corvette Z06
2003 Dodge Viper SRT-10
2003 Ford SVT Cobra


2003 Dodge Viper SRT-10

System Score:8.0

Components: The slow-loading six-disc changer in the dash may look familiar because the same head unit is available for the Ram pickup. The rest of the stereo system is provided by aftermarket powerhouse Alpine. An amplifier pumping 310 watts RMS (more than 600 maximum watts) uses seven channels to power as many speakers placed throughout the cabin. Three-quarter-inch tweeters can be found on each side of the dash; both doors have a 6.5-inch full-range speaker; and two more three-quarter-inch speakers in the bulkhead are used to provide fill. A 6.5-inch subwoofer is mounted in the space between the seats and includes a large port near the top of the seats that's too close for comfort.

Performance: The output of this stereo system is impressive in such cramped cabin space. The tweeters mounted throughout the car provide plenty of highs that are clean and clear. The speakers in the doors provide lots of punch for vocals and guitars, but the sound can get muddy with complex arrangements. The small subwoofer is remarkably strong, although some tones sound boomy, and the large port at ear level whistles at times.

Best Feature: Powerful.

Worst Feature: Sub in your ear.

Conclusion: A good stereo system, but it would really benefit from an Alpine head unit and relocation of the bass box. — Trevor Reed

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2003 Ford SVT Cobra

System Score: 7.0

Components: The Cobra comes standard with the Mach 460 sound system that is optional on lesser Mustangs. It includes an in-dash six-disc CD changer hooked to eight speakers and two external amplifiers for a total of 460 maximum watts (230 continuous watts). A pair of 2.5-inch midrange/tweeters stare at the driver and passenger from pods mounted near the side mirrors, and a couple more reside in the shelf above the rear seats. Two 5.5-by-7.5-inch subwoofers are mounted in the door panels with another two in back with the others. Pretty impressive, but too bad you can't get the Mach 1000 option that adds three more amps and bumps the max power to 1,140 watts.

Performance: The huge shift knob can get in the way of the head unit, but who cares in a car like this? Mustang enthusiasts will be familiar with the performance of this stereo — it's been around for a while — but that's okay, and so has the sound quality. Fans of classical music and folk songs may hear some bass flutters and splitting high notes, but not rock and rap aficionados. That's because it's easy to turn up the volume and drown out everything but the exhaust and the sweet whine of the supercharger. Bass response is strong enough to produce double vision in all mirrors, but not terribly accurate, with too many high notes seeping through. The tweeters near the corners of the dash distort sound at moderate volumes, but get loud enough to bring tears to your eyes. The stereo's performance issues can be reduced with use of the many digital sound settings on the deck.

Best Feature: Six in the dash.

Worst Feature: Other Mustangs can have more wattage.

Conclusion: Maybe Ford doesn't offer the Mach 1000 as an option on the Cobra because of the added weight. Regardless, this is a good standard stereo. — Trevor Reed

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2003 Chevrolet Corvette Z06

System Score:6.0

Components: No factory CD changer is available for the Z06, so the familiar GM single-CD player is all you get. It's not bad, and has six sound settings you can adjust. Bose speakers reside in four enclosures, two in the door panels and a pair above the rear wheels. No mas.

Performance: This system gets very loud, but so do the engine and rear tires. Impressive amounts of bass come from the large door enclosures to compress air in the cabin and your ears. Unfortunately, the display of power and noise produced by the drivetrain often overwhelms vocals and other tones in the mid- and high ranges by interfering with the clarity and volume of sounds destined for the listener's ears. The multiple equalizer settings can each be adjusted to add more treble or less bass to compensate for this, but that just reveals that cymbals and other very high tones often cause the sound to split and "hiss."

Best Feature: Pounding bass.

Worst Feature: Can't get a factory CD changer.

Conclusion: A simple system that is quickly becoming outdated. — Trevor Reed

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2002 Acura NSX

System Score: 4.0

Components: "Retro" is a term used for something new that looks old. The AM/FM cassette deck in the $90,000 Acura NSX is not retro, it's outdated. There are only four speakers in the 165-watt stereo system. The self-amplified drivers include two midrange units in the doors, a similar driver between the seats and a subwoofer mounted near the passenger's feet. That's it.

Performance: What do you expect from a cassette player in a supercar? You expect it to work. Unfortunately, for reasons unknown, the few remaining tapes still in existence would not play in this NSX. The test vehicle did not have the optional CD changer, so radio was the only sonic medium available. The midtweets in the doors and behind the seats provide warm sounds and get moderately loud before distortion takes over. The subwoofer response is fairly accurate, but the speaker placement favors the passenger side and totally throws off the soundstage. Bass-heavy songs do not rumble and the origin of the sound is very distracting.

Best Feature: Large volume knob.

Worst Feature: Everything else.

Conclusion: Very disappointing. — Trevor Reed

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