I mounted my stereo under the heater box using a unit the "closes" when the power is off, leaving a black face. With the power off, you don't even know it is there. See the picture below.
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I put speakers in the footwells and on the rear bulkhead. and carpeted right over them. I adjusted the base and treble a little and they sound fine.
I've got the best of both worlds. You don't even know it's there, but you've got tunes when you want them.
I use my stereo all the time