THX Sound System Questions

[MKZTHX07]

I have a 2007 MKZ, with THX sound system (14 speakers etc)

 

Here is (are) my AUDIO questions...

 

1) Can someone guide me into taking a door panel off so I can "see" how those mid range speakers are and if I want to "upgrade" them

 

2) On the rear deck is a center channel and two subwoofers. I would like to have more "hi tone" from the rear then it sounds now. Can I add "tweeters" to the back to add crispness by "splicing" them to either the center speakers wires or the subwoofers? Are the wires to these rear deck speakers tone specific? Meaning that adding a tweeter connection may be useless in that the wires used will not handle that range because of the way the amplifiers are hooked up?

 

Hoping someone can guide me thru this...

 

Love the radio and the usage, just want to tweek the sound somewhat.

 

Thanks.

[akirby]

The THX components are carefully chosen and tuned for the vehicle. I'd be very careful about trying to "upgrade" any of the components - it may sound worse.

[MKZTHX07]

The THX components are carefully chosen and tuned for the vehicle. I'd be very careful about trying to "upgrade" any of the components - it may sound worse.

 

Hmmmm...I was wondering about how "connected" the THX system is, because it is more stereo then I have ever had. Though I did have a nice Infinity system in a 2002 Diamante that I tweeked here and there and really liked its sound. Mainly with after market speakers. I did not change HU or amps or anything like that.

 

As I stated, I would like more highs out of the rear, even though I know audiophiles say the rear shold "just fill in" the sound, I like more "tweeter" or "mids" out of there verse what I hear as much more bass and low tones.

 

So I shouldn't mess...right? But, but.... :-)

[akirby]

Hmmmm...I was wondering about how "connected" the THX system is, because it is more stereo then I have ever had. Though I did have a nice Infinity system in a 2002 Diamante that I tweeked here and there and really liked its sound. Mainly with after market speakers. I did not change HU or amps or anything like that.

 

As I stated, I would like more highs out of the rear, even though I know audiophiles say the rear shold "just fill in" the sound, I like more "tweeter" or "mids" out of there verse what I hear as much more bass and low tones.

 

So I shouldn't mess...right? But, but.... :-)

 

Not saying you shouldn't, just be aware that there is a lot more work put into the THX components and tuning than a regular stereo.

 

Have you tried adjusting the bass/treble/fader/DSP settings (if there are any)?

[MKZTHX07]

Not saying you shouldn't, just be aware that there is a lot more work put into the THX components and tuning than a regular stereo.

 

Have you tried adjusting the bass/treble/fader/DSP settings (if there are any)?

 

 

I have been "playing" with the radio settings and the DSP settings as well. I prefer the "full seating" setting on the DSP verses "Driver" or "Front Seat". I like the fullness of the "full seating" sound. I guess it does kind of come down to owner musical preference, but still feel the back seat area is missing something.

 

I certainly don't want to take the THX system, mess with it, and do myself a disservice. So hearing what others have to say will influence what I do or don't do.

[MKZTHX07]

Not saying you shouldn't, just be aware that there is a lot more work put into the THX components and tuning than a regular stereo.

 

Have you tried adjusting the bass/treble/fader/DSP settings (if there are any)?

 

 

Also wanted to say that when I adjust the balance/fade, the only "mid tones to high tones" I hear coming from the back seat/rear of car, are from the back door side panels and nothing from the rear deck. The center speaker on the MKZ front dash instrument panel region sounds great, but the center speaker in the rear deck seems awfully "bassy" to me. I know the three speakers on the rear deck are 1 center channel and 2 subwoofers. The subs work fine but the center speaker, I just don't get a sense that it is quite active as it should be.

 

Not sure what the center channel speaker is to be, you know? I like the sound of the center instrument panel set up over the singel rear center. (hence thinking of adding a tweeter system to the rear center...)

 

Here is the THX lineup off of the THX link I goggled...

 

Lincoln MKZ 2007

Locale Speakers Amplifiers

 

Instrument Panel CSA 1" tweeter (1)

2.75" midrange (2) 50 watt (3)

 

Front Door 1" tweeters (2)

5x7 mid-woofers (2) 50 watt (4)

 

Back Door 5x7 two-way (2) 50 watt (2)

 

Rear Package Tray 4" rear center channel (1)

6x9 subwoofer (2) 50 watt (1)

50 watt (2)

 

TOTAL 14 speakers 600 watts

 

 

Thanks for listening to my audiophile dilemma.

[akirby]

If you're in the driver's seat and you're getting the highs from the front speakers, I don't understand why you need more highs from the rear speakers.

 

That said, if the rear center channel is getting sound you could try replacing it with a coax or component setup. I say "if it's getting sound" because it may only be used for multi-channel audio sources.

[enormus]

I have been "playing" with the radio settings and the DSP settings as well. I prefer the "full seating" setting on the DSP verses "Driver" or "Front Seat". I like the fullness of the "full seating" sound. I guess it does kind of come down to owner musical preference, but still feel the back seat area is missing something.

 

I certainly don't want to take the THX system, mess with it, and do myself a disservice. So hearing what others have to say will influence what I do or don't do.

Short of putting speakers in the individual seats, it is tough to deliver the same quality throughout the vehicle. The ELS System in the Acuras has the same issue and most would agree that the ELS System has few peers.

[redbullssg]

If you're in the driver's seat and you're getting the highs from the front speakers, I don't understand why you need more highs from the rear speakers.

 

That said, if the rear center channel is getting sound you could try replacing it with a coax or component setup. I say "if it's getting sound" because it may only be used for multi-channel audio sources.

It is called sound imaging. In which I would have to agree that the rear is lacking. I don't have the MKZ, but I wouldhave to say that the Fusions and the Milans have the same dilemma. I would think if you could find a coax speaker with the same OHM and wattage ratings that is also a good speaker, the one speaker wouldn't hert. It may be worth a try.....

[MKZTHX07]

It is called sound imaging. In which I would have to agree that the rear is lacking. I don't have the MKZ, but I wouldhave to say that the Fusions and the Milans have the same dilemma. I would think if you could find a coax speaker with the same OHM and wattage ratings that is also a good speaker, the one speaker wouldn't hert. It may be worth a try.....

 

I am going to try a coaxial speaker and see what happens. I will let the forum know what transpires. It might take me a few weeks before I have time to test, but I will let the results be known.

 

I know this is "to each his own" issue on music sound.

 

Thanks for the threads!!!!!!!!!!

[MKZTHX07]

I am going to try a coaxial speaker and see what happens. I will let the forum know what transpires. It might take me a few weeks before I have time to test, but I will let the results be known.

 

I know this is "to each his own" issue on music sound.

 

Thanks for the threads!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

OK, here is what I did.

 

I tested and re-tested and found out a 3 way speaker linked to the rear shelf subwoofers, does NOT elicit the mids and highs. Linked to the rear center mid speaker it does, but limited, if any bass. So obviosly the wiring/amp set up is SPECIFIC for the THX system set up speakers. They are only running from the source the type of tone the speaker is meant to handle, nothing else.

 

So I took a set of tweeters, soldered them to the main wires feeding the center speaker. Ran the wire through the underside trunk area up to the "child seat" holder compartments on the rear shelf (after popping off the subwoofer speaker grills), and surface mounted the tweeters on the plastic flip door for the restraint holder door (2 of them on the rear shelf). Symmetrically this looks balanced on both sides. The tweeter casing and grill cover match the stone gray, black, chrome interior of the car.

 

As for now, I am ready to listen away!!!

 

I have tweaked the system here and there and am finally settling in with this combo...for now!

[Mercury Milan]

so I can "see" how those mid range speakers are and if I want to "upgrade" them

If you play around with the speakers you most likely will regret it afterward. Any 'new' speaker will sound good when you first install it. Once your ear adjusts it's a different matter. Those speakers are acoustically tuned to your cars interior. The speakers are actually pretty good, it's the signal going into them that you want to change. For best results look into something like the JL interface and a good amp (key word 'good'). You'll be surprised at how good the THX system sounds with really good amps hooked up :)

[MKZTHX07]

If you play around with the speakers you most likely will regret it afterward. Any 'new' speaker will sound good when you first install it. Once your ear adjusts it's a different matter. Those speakers are acoustically tuned to your cars interior. The speakers are actually pretty good, it's the signal going into them that you want to change. For best results look into something like the JL interface and a good amp (key word 'good'). You'll be surprised at how good the THX system sounds with really good amps hooked up :)

 

MM, I know this is a loaded question, but how does one add amps to an already amped system? I have heard about the JL interface (and will look info up on it) before but not so sure how this "connects" with what is already there.

 

I do recall reading in the past where a "good" amp does more for the stereo then anything else could. Thanks for reminding me of this.

[Mercury Milan]

MM, I know this is a loaded question, but how does one add amps to an already amped system?

Unfortunately there are no hard fast rules regarding this. It used to be that you could buy a name brand amp and know that it was going to sound great, but a lot of the old classic high-end companies have been bought out by cheap companies, and are only using the 'name' to sell equipment. Phase Linear comes to mind as one example. Before buying any amp, audition it thoroughly.

 

The JL interface diagnoses the incoming signal from the stock radio and corrects it before it sends it back out to the new amps. There are other similar systems, such as the Alpine PXE-H650, but I haven't heard any good reviews about it. Preferably you would use new higher quality amps with the interface, but you should also be able to use the old stock amps (located in the trunk) with a few adapters. This however doesn't make much sense because the old amps are probably the same 'quality' (for lack of a better term) as the stock radio, so essentially you would be starting with a dirty signal from the stock amp, processing it and cleaning it up with the JL interface, and then sending it out to a stock amp which would dirty it back up again. This is why most people also replace the amps. However the Ford nav system head unit is not the typical stock head unit. In-fact it is made by Pioneer which is one of the best head unit companies that you could get. I haven't seen the specs on the Ford NV-1 but I'm sure they are better than most other factory head units, so you may not need to clean the signal up. For this reason you may not even need the JL interface (unless you want the absolute best sound). You should also be able to use a interface from PAC which would allow you to also directly use an aftermarket amp.

[MKZTHX07]

In-fact it is made by Pioneer which is one of the best head unit companies that you could get. I haven't seen the specs on the Ford NV-1 but I'm sure they are better than most other factory head units, so you may not need to clean the signal up. For this reason you may not even need the JL interface (unless you want the absolute best sound). You should also be able to use a interface from PAC which would allow you to also directly use an aftermarket amp.

 

So is the FORD NV-1 the radio then? The LCD screen, navigation, thx radio? How can one find the specs to the radio to see what is available as far as adapters, connections, etc?

 

Thanks for the info!

[Mercury Milan]

So is the FORD NV-1 the radio then?

When you choose the navigation option, yes. As far as specs, I've been looking for them for months now, but so far not much in the way of specifics. If I come across anything I'll be sure to send a copy to you :)