AudioPhile Sound system my A$$

[hitchhiker]

AudioPhile Sound system my A$$ :down:

There is simply no excuse for a rattling sub-woofer in our cars and a
sub-par sound system in general!

I had a CV rental last year in which the stereo could be turned all the way up with Absolutely NO distortion.

In our much more expensive MM's this stereo system is a joke!

My 1992 Buick (with no CD) has a better sounding stereo!

I am going to start working this issue next.

At this price point, in a vehicle labeled as having an AudioPhile sound system, I expect to be able to crank the unit with full Bass and Treble with absolutely NO distortion whatsoever.

Has anyone else out here tried to get their servicing dealer to address
their audio system?

Is this an issue of decent engineering being sabotaged by poor installation (CUAW) or is the design of the head unit, speakers, and sub only marginal in quality?

Wo should not have to turn to the aftermarket when we already paid for 'great sound"!

Best Regards,

David

[RCSignals]

Well, First of all, if you do a search you'll find the solution to this.

Second, your CV rental no doubt did not have a subwoofer, or an "audiophile" sound system.

[SergntMac]

I'm on my second MM, and the stereo systems in both were very pleasing to me. I now have an aftermarket unit, but only because 1) it was a deal, 2) it plays DVD, and 3) it offers GPS. If not for these reasons, I would still be enjoying my OEM stereo system. Moreover, for many owners who do not want to mod their MM for mechanical performance, the stereo system is one of the few areas where an owner can dabble with mods without penalty, and if this wasn't the truth acrosss the spectrum of automobile owners everywhere, we wouldn't have the aftermarket we do...IMHO.

[Donny Carlson]

AudioPhile Sound system my A$$ :down:

Has anyone else out here tried to get their servicing dealer to address
their audio system?

Is this an issue of decent engineering being sabotaged by poor installation (CUAW) or is the design of the head unit, speakers, and sub only marginal in quality?

Wo should not have to turn to the aftermarket when we already paid for 'great sound"!

The "audiophile" label is more marketing than reality. I was exremely disappointed with my system the night I drove it home because my subwoofer was buzzing and distorting. The fix was easy (those @##$ foam blocks). But still, the sound -- while not really bad -- is not "audiophile" quality.

In invested in better quality speakers and had my subwoofer replaced with a custom unit. Other members have just replaced the speakers, others have modified the OEM sub (though its box is way too small to produce decent sound). The OEM head unit is pretty decent, as is the CD Changer.

You'd be surprised how great the system will sound with different speakers alone.

[lgetz]

Sorry to say Hitchhiker but you should replace the speakers. The original 5X7's/6X8's plain suck at elevated volumes. The "Audiophile" system in the MM is not even comparable to Lexus Mark Levinson or Audi's Bose system. Shoot even the GM Bose system on my SS sounds nicer than the MM's from the factory. Go onto BizRate or Crutchfield and order up some Excelons, Infinity, MB Quart, or other good speakers and you won't believe your ears.

[rookie1]

Sorry to say Hitchhiker but you should replace the speakers. The original 5X7's/6X8's plain suck at elevated volumes. The "Audiophile" system in the MM is not even comparable to Lexus Mark Levinson or Audi's Bose system. Shoot even the GM Bose system on my SS sounds nicer than the MM's from the factory. Go onto BizRate or Crutchfield and order up some Excelons, Infinity, MB Quart, or other good speakers and you won't believe your ears.

The "audiophile" system is not meant to compare with the Mark Levinson or Bose systems and if you look at the options sheets those systems do not come without a heavy price penalty. I believe Fords' comparison is a jbl based system.
As an option,The Delco/Bose system on my wife's Aurora was $1,800.00 not including the cd changer........no f'n way I would pay that kind of money for ANY factory system. The OEM head units in our vehicles are more than adequate(dsp,scv,integrated steering wheel controls) and with a few add ons(speakers,amp,sub) the stereo can sound remarkably good.
Just my$.02

[2003 MIB]

I kept the factory head unit but swapped speakers for (4) Kenwood KFC-C6889ie's, a JL Audio 6W04 sub in the stock box and a JL Audio E6450 6 channel amp. This and a remote bass control gives the sound I wanted. The installation starts in about 3 hours and I'm looking forward to the change. :up:

[sailsmen]

All amplifiers will clip at full blast and grossly distort the sound. Cranking up the Bass and Treble will only magnify the clipping.

I agree the factory speakers are cheapo. Replaced them and I am happy woth the results. The factory head unit, amp and subwoofer are quality and IMHO meet Hi-fi standards.

There is a fix for a rattle on the early MM in that the cut out for the sub on the rear package tray was incorrectly left in place.

[valkyrie]

I was actually pleasantly surprised with the sound from the factory.

I had already made up my mind before purchasing the vehicle to replace the sound system. When I picked up the vehicle I changed my mind. I decided that is wasn't necessary. However I would like built in GPS.

[junehhan]

I was actually pleasantly surprised with the sound from the factory.

I had already made up my mind before purchasing the vehicle to replace the sound system. When I picked up the vehicle I changed my mind. I decided that is wasn't necessary. However I would like built in GPS.


I would definately be interested in a built in-dash GPS as well, but the stock audio system isn't bad for a factory setup. It's nowhere as good as the Harmon/Kardon setup that was in my old Freelander, but it's still better than average. I actually wish Ford would have put a better system with a component speaker setup, but that can be changed since luckily we have aftermarket options.

[Donny Carlson]

I would definately be interested in a built in-dash GPS as wellI was all hot for a head unit that would offer built in GPS, and this may still come about some day. But, consider this - the Garmin Streetpilot 2620 (a new model) offers everything that "built in" GPS systems offer, for half the price. Most add-on GPS systems are in the neighborhood of 1800 smackers, the 2620 can be had if you search for it for $950. This model has a built in hard drive instead of memory cards that can be updated using your PC and a usb cable, AND can be moved from car to car.

http://www.garmin.com/products/sp2620/

GPS Store has it now for $1049 http://www.thegpsstore.net

GPSONSALE has it now for $949.00
http://www.gpsonsale.com/garmin/products/streetpilot2620.htm

[junehhan]

I was all hot for a head unit that would offer built in GPS, and this may still come about some day. But, consider this - the Garmin Streetpilot 2620 (a new model) offers everything that "built in" GPS systems offer, for half the price. Most add-on GPS systems are in the neighborhood of 1800 smackers, the 2620 can be had if you search for it for $950. This model has a built in hard drive instead of memory cards that can be updated using your PC and a usb cable, AND can be moved from car to car.

http://www.garmin.com/products/sp2620/

GPS Store has it now for $1049 http://www.thegpsstore.net

GPSONSALE has it now for $949.00
http://www.gpsonsale.com/garmin/products/streetpilot2620.htm

Hmm, this is the first Garmin portable GPS that i've actually been interested in! What I like, is how the maps are preloaded which is much better than the previous models. What I didn't like about the old ones was that you had to upload and download various maps for it which sounded horribly inconvenient. I'll have to keep this one in my mind since $1000 isn't bad............

[merc406]

AudioPhile Sound system my A$$ :down:

There is simply no excuse for a rattling sub-woofer in our cars and a
sub-par sound system in general!

I had a CV rental last year in which the stereo could be turned all the way up with Absolutely NO distortion.

In our much more expensive MM's this stereo system is a joke!

My 1992 Buick (with no CD) has a better sounding stereo!

I am going to start working this issue next.

At this price point, in a vehicle labeled as having an AudioPhile sound system, I expect to be able to crank the unit with full Bass and Treble with absolutely NO distortion whatsoever.

Has anyone else out here tried to get their servicing dealer to address
their audio system?

Is this an issue of decent engineering being sabotaged by poor installation (CUAW) or is the design of the head unit, speakers, and sub only marginal in quality?

Wo should not have to turn to the aftermarket when we already paid for 'great sound"!

Best Regards,

David




Sounds like sabotage to me.

[Dark_Knight7096]

well i for one and completely unhappy with the stock system (i get no bass whatsoever, and i've looked and i can't find the subwoofer, where is it?). I was going to switch to a complete aftermarket system after christmas, but then changed my mind when i found out the steering wheel controls will no longer work. I hear all you guys saying that you added an external sub and amp to amp your speakers and drive the sub, how did you guys do this? I didn't see any pre-amp outs on the back of the one 03 MM stereo i saw. I would really like to know cause if it isn't that hard i might still hit up tweater after christmas to see about getting different speakers, an amp, and a sub installed.

[Patrick]

Yes here is another thing MM dropped the ball on! Its an OK system for factory but they could have done better.............. 5.4 and a six speed. Sorry. Most cars have to go after market for speakers. They are just trying to save themselves money and then charge us for a name!!! Sad but true!!! :twocents:

[ADE 1000]

I was going to switch to a complete aftermarket system after christmas, but then changed my mind when i found out the steering wheel controls will no longer work.

That is incorrect, you can maintain the use of the factory steering wheel controls with an aftermarket head unit. All you have to do is purchase a head unit that has wireless remote capability and a PAC-SWIX steering wheeling controller. It costs about $100 installed. I have an Eclipse CD3434 head unit and use this controller in my car and it works fairly well.

[valleyman]

DarkKnight -- I feel your pain, or more accurately, felt your pain because I added an aftermarket subwoofer amp and subwoofer while keeping the OEM enclosure and I don't feel the pain anymore because the new sound is 1000% better. All I did was seek the answers from folks on this board who know WAY more than me. Everyone was willing to help. I know nothinng about car audio and slightly less about computers so I don't know how to post a link (aside: will someone please tell me how to do this so my ignorance does not continue to be on display to the universe?) but here is how you find where I described what I did to my MM. Go to the "Quick Links" above, then to "Members List", then find Valleyman and the post called "Subwoofer amp wiring" in the Garage forum started on 7/10/04. Tells you everything as described by an utter novice. Good luck. You will find the people on this site very helpful and willing to walk you through everything, as they did for me.

[JACook]

... I don't know how to post a link (aside: will someone please tell me how to do this so my ignorance does not continue to be on display to the universe?) It's actually quite easy.
Just cut and paste the URL into your post, and the board software will create the link for you.
You'll actually see the pasted text automatically get underlined. Like this:
http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=9675&page=2&pp=15

[valleyman]

It's actually quite easy.
Just cut and paste the URL into your post, and the board software will create the link for you.
You'll actually see the pasted text automatically get underlined. Like this:
http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=9675&page=2&pp=15

:hijack: I'll end this educational hijack with "Thank you"

[JACook]

:hijack: I'll end this educational hijack with "Thank you"As they say, "but wait, there's more!"

The other thing you can do is type text that you'd like to make into a link, highlight that text,
and then click on the button that's just below and left of the scissors icon. Hover over it,
and you'll see it says "insert link". When you click on it, you'll get a dialog box where you can
paste the URL you want to link to. Like this. (http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?p=187754#post18 7754)