Sound System

[ben]

good morning to everyone.
question
how is your sound system im your retro bird.mine is
terrible
do you take the battery out for the winter.
also i love the car it is nice to drive. have a great day bruce.

[EBird]

Re: Sound System

My oem sound is pretty good.Radio,not so much.CD sound is Good.

Just Dial it in...

[David M 7173]

Re: Sound System

I think the radio and CD are great.
David

[texasbird]

Re: Sound System

Not too bad as fas as factory systems go. DSP feature gives several tweaking possibilities to tune it to your individual tastes. I seldom use the "Top Off" compensation, unless I'm heading out on the highway. My guess is the amp and equalization will compete with most any one-piece unit out there, but the factory speakers could be improved upon by replacing the factory speakers with a set of Polk Audio, or Bose, without the upgrade being visible.

I have had CD's stick in Slot 4 on occasion while trying to Eject, but eventually I've been able to get them to Eject OK. I first thought it was because I had put in a CD-R I made on the computer, but it has also happened once also with a factory produced CD. I've decided to put in a copy of a CD I never tire of listening to, and just leave it.

I worry about what I'll have to do if the unit dies completely. As good as today's aftermarket systems are, I still cringe at the idea of an aftermarket unit because they are so prone to being stolen. And thieves usually don't care what they do to your car to steal one. They just never seem to want a "Ford" radio.

In Texas we're able to drive year round enough, not to have to worry about taking out the battery. I don't necessarily mind rain, but do not take it out on Ice or Snow.

James

[joe166]

Re: Sound System

It is not an earth shaking stereo, but then again, I don't want to shake the people's windows as I drive by. It does the job. I wouldn't even consider changing it to an after market radio. Don't want to lose the stock look.

[Leroy]

Re: Sound System

I think the best solution is going to the satilite radio option using the original radio if sat. equiped and up grading the speakers. That way everything still looks original. I'm going with XM this Spring and then go from there as far as the speakers go. I have the Bose system with XM in my Wifes Malibu LTZ and we love it. Leroy

[Bradford]

Re: Sound System

I have the stock system, and XM satellite, it's OK but leaves a little something to be desired for anyone who truly enjoys music and quality sound. I have been planning on adding a upgraded and hidden amp and upgrading the speakers. I think this will accomplish what I'm looking for and will still retain a 100% stock look. I've been planning to do this for several years, however I'm now dealing with a couple of scratchy sounding speakers that are pushing this to the top of the list.

[islandtime]

Re: Sound System

Like David Mullis, I think the sound system is fine. Are you adjusting it according to top on vs top down? You know that DOES make a big difference - and I forget which button it is that makes the adjustment, but try it before you make any other changes.

[Bradford]

Re: Sound System

It's the DSP button, I've adjusted it many times over the last 4 years I've had my car. Still does not give me the crisp sound at volumes for top down driving, or top up and hardtop on for that matter. I've tried the Top Down, All Seats, Driver Seat settings, the auto speed adjust, all of them. It's acceptable, but I know it can be much better with minimal cost. The dash / head unit should be fine. All it needs is a better amp and speakers, to provide less distortion, even at low volume. Since I truly enjoy my Thunderbird and enjoy travel and road trips, it will be well worth the investment. I almost had this done while on my trip across the USA.

[Icebluebird]

Re: Sound System

I replaced all 6 of my speakers (2 door, 2 rear, and 2 subwoofer) with the ones recomended here and there is a noticeable difference.

I also have the built in Sirius radio option and it sounds great! I don't think that I have played a CD or the regular radio in the year since I put it in!

[ben]

Re: Sound System

thanks everone for your input on my soundsystem bruce h

[Will]

Re: Sound System

I'd like to replace/upgrade my stock speakers myself. To begin, could someone tell me how to pry the speaker grills off? I assume there are specific pry-points one would use to avoid ruining the grills.

[Vintage Merlot]

Re: Sound System

I agree that the factory sound system is not really very good. However, some people think it is excellent. It is all a matter of what you are comparing it to however. If you ever have a chance to look at the speaker construction for the radios in our cars you will see how cheaply made they are and it is no wonder why the sound is not very good. Changing speakers helps a great deal. We changed out all of our speakers and replaced the radio/cd player with an Avic Z2 Pioneer in-dash navigation / sound system. It kicks out some really great music and gives you the ability to equalize the sound to your own taste. May people on the site have modified their factory sound with a variety of solutions. It ramps up the enjoyment factor on our Bird by 100%.

Here is a TBN link to our solution:
http://www.thunderbirdnest.com/forum...igation+system

[Icebluebird]

Re: Sound System

Will, you can search here for stereo, speaker replacement and stereo system and maybe that will help you find what you are looking for.

There are some pictures somewhere about getting at the speakers. The front ones are the easiest, I think that you just pry with your fingers at the leading edge of the grill on the door and they will rotate out. Just use your fingers and wiggle them out.

If you can't find anything, pm me and I will try to find some pictures.

You will also need to go somewhere like Best Buy in their radio installation department and buy the adapters to connect the car's system to your speakers.

Good luck.

[Lonestar]

Re: Sound System

I replaced all 6 of my speakers (2 door, 2 rear, and 2 subwoofer) with the ones recomended here and there is a noticeable difference.

I also have the built in Sirius radio option and it sounds great! I don't think that I have played a CD or the regular radio in the year since I put it in!

Got to ask - what did you replace your factory subwoofers with? IE, where did you find 6X9 subs or did you replace with another size. If another size, how did you mount them? Also, are you still using the facotry amp that drives the factory subs?