MM...……..
I have a 2018 Sport with SONY. Lately It feels like the speakers are fading in and out and even with system set to Surround it appears that the sound jumps and feels like it is coming out of the center front ONLY. Obviously I can't put my head to the door at highway speeds but when parked seems like the doors are putting out sound. Just seems to fade and eventually focuses to the center grille.
Having had Taurus before both with and without the SONY System it appears the common denominator of bad sound was the factory speakers. Appears that 2018 models are no exception. With the Taurus I swapped speakers out to Kenwood 6X8 and 3.5 for center grille and rear center deck. For the NON SONY Taurus I even managed to hang some rear decklid outer 6X8 since the cutouts were there. For power I tapped into the left and right rear doors.
Assuming that it is the speakers and even under warranty if I take it to dealer they are just going to replace with the same $7.99 speakers with the SONY Logo that they charge $100 for and will probably last until 36,001 miles...you get the idea.
Personally I would like to R/R speakers but in this case I want to make sure the steps are correctly understood.
My game plan 1. R/R Speakers Front and Rear door anyway, probably the center dash since if it is anything like the Taurus the steps should be pretty similar.
2. R/R AMP but not totally remove factory AMP, just bypass.
3. R/R Factory Subs if necessary.
4. Another option is to install a combination SUB/AMP under the drivers seat, the Kenwood one I had for the NON SONY Taurus worked great and was a very good start towards factory system improvement without a major investment. This would be to supplement/enhance factory SUB/AMP not replace. in addition to the speakers.
As a Side Note, I have a set of Pioneer TS-A6886R four way 6X8 350 watt speakers. I had them for a vehicle that I never got around to installing before trade in. I am looking for improved sound without a lot of cost but I drive enough to make it worth while especially with my two major east coast road trips a year and use of my B/T Sirius XM app...…"Road Trip Radio" anyone?
I understand that the Fronts will probably need a set of good Coaxial two way with separate tweeters for front.
Will the Pioneer TS-A886R be usable and decent for one of the rear sets. I only have two that are in immediate vicinity but if I find the other set will they work and be decent in either of the rear seating positions as in 2nd or 3rd row. I am way past return window and don't want to just give them away., I would rather use them for rears.
I like your Kickers and although I have had luck with Kenwood's in the past I also used Kicker for the front center and my friend had good review of his Kicker Combination SUB/AMP Combo for his Taurus and his 2018 Explorer Sport. Yes our Sports are not quite twins but only about two months apart for assembly and about two weeks apart for purchase. Identical in all aspects except for his Magnetic with bench second row and mine is Blue with Center Bucket seats and console.
Any input? Thanks for the kudos on the Taurus speaker install, the center dashboard grille looks intimidating but once you get a few ideas and see the set up not overly complicated. My Mistake was letting a shop do the first set of center dash.....(They removed WAY TO MUCH of the center dash plastic to get under and draw up retaining screw) but that's another story.