Sound System

[ScottyNeutron]

Re: Sound System

The Sound System is the worst aspect of this car, in my opinion. It's absolutely horrible compared to my Chrysler 300 (Boston Acoustics) or my Audi TT (Bose). I replaced the door speakers and rear cove speakers and it improved the treble, but the midrange is hollow and the bass has no substance or control. I think the solution is a completely new amp, and subwoofer setup.

But, then I didn't buy this thing thinking it would replace the McIntosh system at home.

[catb1rd]

Re: Sound System

I also felt the sound system was very weak. Sounded like an old AM radio to me. Added an amplifier and am very pleased with the results! It was placed in the trunk mounted in the open area of the trunk. It was a wonderful upgrade!

[Icebluebird]

Re: Sound System

Lonestar, I ended up choosing Infinity Reference 6812cf 6" X 8" 2-way speakers in all of the locations. I know that the rears and the subs don't receive any real high sounds but the regular 6x8 cone will certainly be better than what was there!

My next thought is about changing out the sub amp to see if that would "clean" up my base. Sometimes it is a little "muddy." I listen to classical alot and sometimes it depends on the recording.

Any suggestions?

[capslock]

Re: Sound System

No stuck CD's here, thank God. the midtones appear to take a hit, but I've driven with the volume at full with the top open.. incredible.. no distortion....

Keep in mind, with things where they are, adding an after market radio increases the chances of your car being vandalized. Not advisable if its a daily driver...

[Lonestar]

Re: Sound System

Lonestar, I ended up choosing Infinity Reference 6812cf 6" X 8" 2-way speakers in all of the locations. I know that the rears and the subs don't receive any real high sounds but the regular 6x8 cone will certainly be better than what was there!

My next thought is about changing out the sub amp to see if that would "clean" up my base. Sometimes it is a little "muddy." I listen to classical alot and sometimes it depends on the recording.

Any suggestions?

So, the two factory subs in the enclosures buried under the soft top well were replaced with 6812CFs? That is interesting - how did you get to them?

[Vintage Merlot]

Re: Sound System

With the Pioneer system I have installed in Vintage Merlot there is more bass coming from the factory sub than you will ever want.

[redhedsmom]

Re: Sound System

A couple of weeks ago, my second cd player died, after it ate 6 cds. Right now they're all still there, stuck. I've been giving serious consideration to replacing it with a better system. I'm too cheap to pay to listen to the radio, which I generally don't like anyways. So, ....

[Icebluebird]

Re: Sound System

Lonestar, very carefully!

With the soft top up but not locked and the two seats all the way forward, an old fat man can sit in the back of the car facing backwards??!!

While there you can remove the cloth well for the top and have access to the subs. They are secured to the frame points by three 10mm nuts, I think, one in each corner of the triangle. There is a control box in the center of the car which lifts off with one bolt on each side. Unplug the wiring and out they come!

I think I might have a picture of them in my gallery when I put in the sound deadening material.

Its lots of fun!!

[Lonestar]

Re: Sound System

Lonestar, very carefully!

With the soft top up but not locked and the two seats all the way forward, an old fat man can sit in the back of the car facing backwards??!!

While there you can remove the cloth well for the top and have access to the subs. They are secured to the frame points by three 10mm nuts, I think, one in each corner of the triangle. There is a control box in the center of the car which lifts off with one bolt on each side. Unplug the wiring and out they come!

I think I might have a picture of them in my gallery when I put in the sound deadening material.

Its lots of fun!!

Well, you have me described.... when I installed my amp I mounted it to the back side of the metal piece where the rear speakers are mounted. I looked at the enclosures and was about to go after them but decided not to... Might have to rethink and revisit that area.

[Daktari]

Re: Sound System

Hi there,

Each to their own I guess but I'm satisfied with the system it came with. It's strange how fashions change and right now, there is a phase of 'louder the bass, the better it is'. Because of this lots of foks are going to overkill on the wattage and size of subs needed to actually get a pleasing 'musical' sound.

I have grown up playing bass in my dad's jazz band, I also had my own reggae band for a number of years. I like bass! I listen to a lot of African and reggae as well as jazz and some classical. Honestly, the original system seems to cope just fine with all these different styles. Maybe it's those after market exhaust systems that could be interfearing with the general listening.

Like I say, whatever lights your candle I guess.

Happy weekend to all, Gordon.

[Daktari]

Re: Sound System

Hi again,

I've just realized that I've never checked on the system in our bird. I was presuming it was a factory unit but because we are the second owners, maybe the original owners put something different in there. I know the parts that are on view are original but they could have changed out the speakers.

Now I'm curious, I'll check this weekend.

Gordon.

[Welker]

Re: Sound System

I admit I have two bad ears filled with thousands of dollars worth of digital hearing aids so the quality of my review is somewhat strained. However, I will say that when I bought the car new and read all the reviews on the internet the sound system got high marks from the reviewers. For me, it is all in the base, and there seems to be plenty of that.

[Lonestar]

Re: Sound System

There are many threads and post related to the sound system if one does a search but to sum some things up…. The factory Audiophile is good compared to the standard Ford issues in other models during the run of the Thunderbirds.

I had a long and in-depth conversation with an individual with Boston Acoustics who has their name on systems in some Chrysler cars. Bottom line, Boston, Bose, Harmon Carmen, on and on basically have a choice… 1) provided a system that hits a pre-specified price point or 2) not be a player in providing “high end” factory systems. The guy at Boston told me the Boston speakers they make for manufactures are not sold after market because they are below anything they offer to the public. Basically, the components are as low as they dare make them and still place their name on them.

Again, the Audiophile system is pretty good but the clarity the head unit can produce when coupled with higher end after market speakers makes a big difference. Running the factory head unit into an amp and then running from the amp to the speakers is night and day difference. First, the amp (assuming not one purchased at a garage sale or a guy in a parking lot) will clean up the sound. Second, the amp will allow you to hear much more clarity at very low volumes and as the volume increases there is less or no distortion.

Factory Audiophile system = good
Factory Audiophile system with after market speakers = better
Factory Audiophile system w/after market speakers and amp = best

I would inject an after market head unit with after market speakers in between better and best. After market head unit, after market speakers, and after market amp would be above “best” in the example above. Naturally, this all depends on the quality and capabilities of the head unit, speakers, and amp selected.

[Icebluebird]

Re: Sound System

Lonestar, I was describing myself!
Sorry, I guess I was too tired to take all of the pictures I should have?

I found a picture of the right rear subwoofer box.

[HEYMON1]

Re: Sound System

I think the factory unit sounds great. The top down feature will boost the sound and make it brighter. The only upgrade I did was Hardwire my Ipod through the SAT button and it sounds great.