SHO Audio Upgrade Questions

[zoodragon]

Well i hate the way the factory setup sounds (Sony W/ Nav)

Id like to upgrade to something a little better and have a few questions:

First, Im reading that swapping out to another DSP will remove all the neat Sync features that my wife loves and would murder me if i removed. Plus im seeing you lose factory volume control. is there any way around this?

Second, if there's no way around having to lose sync, i guess ill just look toward upgrading the $1.95 "premium" Sony Speakers. 

My thoughts are to swap out the doors with something better. no need to go crazy since id be at the mercy of the factory amp/dsp. something like some jbl GT7s. (if i can power them id swap this for some hertz/morels)

leave the factory center channels and tweeters alone. they seem to be ok.

either remove the "subwoofer" 6x9s the rear deck has so the subs can breath or swap them out to something less rattley and boomy that would help with mids. maybe a matching jbl GT series. 

a couple soundqubed 12s in a ported box and a matching amp in the trunk and a lc2i later and hopefully i can be happier with it.

right?

Thoughts? Concerns? tips? pictures of tacos?

 

[Gjkrisa]

you will not lose volume control using a dsp if you get your signal after the factory amp maybe you will lose option of sync giving you the wierd sound surround sound but the dsp can do that too with tweaking if it has audio delay/timing
there is another user on here that did that using a http://www.audiocontrol.com/car-audio/digital-signal-processors/dm-810/
its what id use also to get the most outputs for such a cheap price compared to audison
this dsp will get you active crossovers so you dont lose power using passive they lose alot converting turned into heat and better control of db levels of matching each speaker output.

 

[zoodragon]

hmm so if i pickup a single from post DSP/AMP ill be ok? i dont care about losing the sync surround stuff but dont wanna lose bluetooth and volume control.

anyone here using the jl fix stuff? self calibrate sounds nice

 

[glock-coma]

I'm using a jbl ms-8 and I'm still retaining all sync functions.
The key is getting the full range signal AFTER the amp.
All sync functions are processed in the amp/acm.

 

[B198301]

You can now get rid of the factory amp and keep all factory features. Axxess has a new interface out called AX-DSP.  https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=eD80LaT2jKY

Sent from my ONEPLUS A3000 using Tapatalk

 

[FearlessAZ]

You can now get rid of the factory amp and keep all factory features. Axxess has a new interface out called AX-DSP.  https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=eD80LaT2jKY

Sent from my ONEPLUS A3000 using Tapatalk

I will definitely look into that more for a little more oomph

 

[LostnEye]

RF has a new DSP coming out in the spring that should work as well. I also I have to find where I saw info about changing things in forscan to make the outputs from the deck include the sync audio and variable output. They are from the factory fixed output and the Sony amp will change volume. Its supposedly and makes sense to me much cleaner this way.

 

[Gjkrisa]

http://www.2gfusions.net/showthread.php?tid=3704

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

 

[lamrith]

So I am no looking at an upgrade to my Sony/nav system in my '13 SHO.  Looking for some more punch and warmth to the sound.  The system just does not have a full bodied richer sound, it is a bit tiny, and boosting mid/low on the head unit does not help.

I read on another ford forum (taurus/fusion/focus?) that people saw a notable improvement just replacing the speakers themselves and nothing else.  Has anyone tried this?

Researching shows we have 6x8's in the doors and that there are adapter plates that make it so you can mount 6.5's in those stock location has anyone done that?

I thougt BPD had a big audio install thread that might help, but I cannot find it and his was a super custom install so likely not using stock locations?

 

[SHOdded]

A MASSIVE install, literally   But I don't think a thread was setup on EBPF.  He did have it at Carlisle and it did very well.

 

[bpd1151]

I did have a MASSIVE one-off, custom audio upgrade done this past spring.

Those who saw/heard it 1st hand while attending the 2017 Ford National's will attest to it's performance therein.

However, due to recent Photobucket changes that prevent 3rd party hosting (at least until I decide IF I want to flip for their $400 recurring, annual fee) the images are in limbo at the moment.

Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk

 

[polskifacet]

You may get better quality but it will never be louder. You would have to have aftermarket amps for it to be louder/pound. Putting in an adjustable subwoofer will suffice for most people.

 

[SHOdded]

Quality first, volume second     It took a while for bpd's build to come together because he wanted both to be first

 

[lamrith]

Yeah I am not really looking for more volume, just more depth and quality to the sound.  What I am reading is pointing me to installing 6.5" 2 or 3 way units to replace the stock 6x8.  Though some people on taurus forum say even replacing the stockers with midrange 6x8's nets a marked improvement.  Then maybe I install a 10" sub if I still need more punch.

Def not wanting to cut the car up, looking for drop in replacement in stock aside from the 10" in an enclosure..

 

[LostnEye]

I have 6.5s up front but have custom mounts replacing the factory plastic 6x8 mount. I'm sure you can do it with just adapters. I can't comment on improvement of just speakers because I had a full system done all at once.

 

[lamrith]

So I noticed something this morning in regards to audio quality.

"FM" - sounds meh no real definition, just muddy with not much punch.
"FM HD" - sounds better, best sound of all formats actually, noticeably more punch though still a bit muddy in midranges.
XM Radio - Worst of all of them, totally tinny sounding, almost has a hiss to it like you are listening over VHS radio like on a boat.

Just thought I would share.  The HD definitely had a much better sound to it which makes me wonder if part of it is signalling as much as radio/speakers.  I need to get a known good DVD and try it in the car next, and USB drive stick as well.

 

[Macgyver]

XM/Sirius are less than 128kbs so crappy compressed sound.

HD Radio is compressed but not as badly so HD radio should sound better.

XM uses an audio codec known as HE-AAC, or aacPlus v1. It's designed to deliver higher quality audio at bitrates lower than 96 kbps (192 kbps MP3). Sirius uses a less efficient codec called ePAC, which takes more data to deliver at the same quality as HE-AAC. XM also uses the AMBE codec for its voice only data channels, aka the robot voice channels, which uses a mere 4 kbps.

 

[SHOdded]

Yup both signal and equipment play into what you ultimately hear, along with the "shape" of the listening room.  Focusing on equipment, while they may state they accommodate multiple sound formats, usually there is a "native" format, one they are really good at, the rest is good or merely acceptable for compatibility purposes.  Just like HDTV.  Most really are not that great with non-HD video.  I am sure a modder could easily elevate the performance of audio equipment in vehicles, there are SO many weak points in the chain from incoming signal to outgoing sound.  The compactness of things poses a real challenge.

 

[lamrith]

Yeah input quality definitely matters.  I was just a bit surprised that the formats were quite so different.  Hate std radio with commercials, but Sat quality so tiny that not enjoyable either...  Gotta get that USB stick all setup! then swap out speakers.

Just read this over on Taurus forum.  It is from 2013, but pretty telling about why so many find the top tier Sony system so lacking..

Also I am just a lowly SEL person so I can't speak for the rear deck but the Kenwoods in the Doors made a world of difference in the sound over OEM Also make note that the same part numbers show for all door speakers whether it is the regular, middle or SONY sound system. It also goes to show that no matter what the sound system is if the sound is being pushed through $7.00 speakers then thats what the sound will be like.

 

[SHOdded]

Only so much joy through equalization