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gtrkid

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I have a 2012 Focus SEL and the Sony 10 speaker sound system. My problem - and this is big problem - the sound system is not loud enough.

I've read quite a few threads on this forum stating that the sounds quaility is not good. I'm very satisfied with the quality of the sound, just the volume is lacking.

I agree with the other's who claim that once it gets above half volume, there's no actual increase. In fact what happens is the audio sounds like it's being compressed or hard limited. Or possibly.. there's just not enough power available to the system itself.

The car I had before had a 200 watt system with no amp and was plenty loud for me.

Anyone else dealt with this issue? I'm hoping to get some info on what others have done to correct this issue.

-Dave
 
#2 ·
Check Your "MY KEY" Feature

gtrkid said:
I have a 2012 Focus SEL and the Sony 10 speaker sound system. My problem - and this is big problem - the sound system is not loud enough.

I've read quite a few threads on this forum stating that the sounds quaility is not good. I'm very satisfied with the quality of the sound, just the volume is lacking.

I agree with the other's who claim that once it gets above half volume, there's no actual increase. In fact what happens is the audio sounds like it's being compressed or hard limited. Or possibly.. there's just not enough power available to the system itself.

The car I had before had a 200 watt system with no amp and was plenty loud for me.

Anyone else dealt with this issue? I'm hoping to get some info on what others have done to correct this issue.

-Dave
Click to expand...
It's Possible that your "MY KEY" Feature is set to limit the radio. I programmed my spare key to have the radio limited in volume, and the speed of the car limited as well. If you look on the center display between the guages, scroll over to the left, then look for info. If it gives you the "MY KEY" feature, your using the master key, if not, switch keys and try again. Then when you get in the menu, look at settings to see if volume limit is set. When I use my master key, my Sony is PLENTY LOUD! [headbang]

Hope this helps!
 
#6 ·
Im running anice aftermarket system consisting of front doors and tweets, processor and amp. What your finding in it not getting louder past 50% is partially right. It gets louder in the high end range but all your lower end won't increase. So if you want it louder your going to have to go aftermarket. As for quality audio the stock system is bad and its very noticeable if your shown differences in speakers at a car audio shop.
 
#7 ·
deadknite said:
Im running anice aftermarket system consisting of front doors and tweets, processor and amp. What your finding in it not getting louder past 50% is partially right. It gets louder in the high end range but all your lower end won't increase. So if you want it louder your going to have to go aftermarket. As for quality audio the stock system is bad and its very noticeable if your shown differences in speakers at a car audio shop.
Click to expand...
Are you talking about the "Stock stock" or the Sony Stock system? My Sony is plenty loud, I can't stand it above half way, (Yes mine gets louder after half volume).
 
#8 ·
aablakersrf said:
I just finished upgrading mine. Wasn't good enough for me either. When it goes half way and doesn't get any louder, its the amp controlling the output so it doesn't damage the PREMIUM speakers...
Click to expand...
what do you have now?
 
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#9 · (Edited)
Same issue. I like the sound of my Sony 10 speaker just fine but when the sunroof is open and the windows are down, it is not loud enough.

I wonder if the amp can be replaced? It's easily accessible under the hatch floor.

aablakersf - did you upgrade a Sony or stock system? Can you share details?

EDIT - Doh, I see your other thread and I see that it's not as easy as installing a higher power amp. Retaining all the stock functionality of nav, voice, etc is more important than volume at this point. Thanks for the detailed info you posted.

Tim
 
#10 ·
rhiannon666 said:
what do you have now?
Click to expand...
I have the JBL MS-8 sound processor to clean up the signal and EQ. I put The MM series Polk 6.5 components in the front and Alpine 60 Components in the rear. I replaced the center channel speaker with a 3.5 inch infinity speaker, (doesn't help much) and put a 10" Polk Audio in a closed box in the hatch. I am running the 10" with a 300 watt Rockord Fosgate and the components (Front and rear) 150 watts each, with a 600W RF amp also. They are getting loads of power up front, but they like it. The center channel is running off the MS-8's built in amp. Fits real nice. Took some tweaking, but sounds clean and loud now. Super crisp and levelled nicely.

Did take some tweaking though. Install was easier than expected, however.

Be sure to use Dynamat or something of that sort to deaden the rattle of the metal in the doors and the plastic on the door panel if you put more power in those 6.5s.

I can ride with windows and sunroof down and it sounds clean and nice.

Aaron
 
#11 ·
timmytVA said:
Same issue. I like the sound of my Sony 10 speaker just fine but when the sunroof is open and the windows are down, it is not loud enough.

I wonder if the amp can be replaced? It's easily accessible under the hatch floor.

aablakersf - did you upgrade a Sony or stock system? Can you share details?

EDIT - Doh, I see your other thread and I see that it's not as easy as installing a higher power amp. Retaining all the stock functionality of nav, voice, etc is more important than volume at this point. Thanks for the detailed info you posted.

Tim
Click to expand...
No worries Tim. I could be mistaken though about the replacing the amp straight up though, the guys at this shop by my place said it is "the brains" of the system, but they also gave me some other false info and a poor install attempt. I had to do it all myself. When I came back and showed those guys what I did, they "learned a lot from me." So they could be totally wrong on that. I might take a look around and see if you could do an easy swap. Might be as easy as getting a wiring harness and plugging it into the new amp...

Of course if it is that easy, I wasted a bunch of money which would be a bummer for me haha!!

Aaron
 
#13 ·
^^^ Entirely possible. But just remember you can't compare brand name to brand name or even the same brand name between vehicles. Each of these OEM systems is designed for that particular car, many times from the ground up. They have different head units, different amplifiers, and many times, different speakers despite all carrying the same name. That said, yeah, the Sony system isn't for enthusiasts. lol

Unfortunately for you guys, I do believe the installer you spoke to is correct. The Sony amp does do some brain work here, namely, volume control. So if you want to change the Sony system, you'll either have to use the Sony amp's outputs to be the input of your new amp OR replace the factory head unit and run RCAs in a traditional manner.
 
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