Ok, of all the great things I love about my GT there are like 5 annoyances, that really ANNOY me. One is the Shaker 500. I checked and I had the B revision, but I still get the "bad disc" problem occassionaly, some discs wont read at all. To top it off I noticed that for being a "500 watt" system with 8 speakers, it is very weak. I feeling like their sh**in me with 500 watts. To me 500 watts should rattle the earth! Mine sounds almost the same as the stock 6 disc CD deck that was in my 2003 V6 mustang convertible, I would almost say that one sounded better and if I remember correctly that must have been like a 60 watt or so system that came with that model year, so how come the shaker 500 isn't like 10x as loud or powerful? Why does the music get very distorted if i crank it higher than the middle? You guys think I have a lemon shaker (a lot of them seem to be). Maybe someone that's had a 2003 v6 can tell me if they notice a HUGE difference.

I should also add that when i have discs in the deck and it's off, while i'm driving i'll occassionaly hear like a whinning or disc whirling noise from like inside the deck as if the discs are loose and the deck is trying to scan them. Have you guys hear this with yours?

Other probs I have with my 05 is the fuel problem, the popping struts which are getting worse every day, big time plastic rattling sounds coming from the dash and vents everytime the road has even the slightest imperfection (in other words, ride is bumping and feels hard and choppy, not smooth at all considering that the new suspension is so praised), and lastly the acceleration just feels like I dunno, forced, it just doesn't lift smooth in my opinion, it doesn't glide, it's like kinda stalling to get into takeoff.

 

Well, on the Shaker - it is rated 500 watts instantaneous peak - not RMS average output.

It is not 10 times more powerful because the wattage-to-decibel increase is a logarithmic function. You need double the wattage for a 3db increase in loudness, if I remember correctly.

As for distortion once you crank the volume **** past the 50% point - that may depend on the style of music you like, EQ settings - even the relative loudness of the source (some CD's are "hotter" than others). For example, if you are EQ'd for extra bass, it may be overwhelming the system at your preferred listening level, where it would not distort if the EQ was flat. Just a possibility.

If you're using MP3 discs - many MP3's are encoded 128 mbits (or even lower). This is the absolute bottom acceptable for stereo sound. Ideally, they should be encoded at 320 mbits for the best possible sound from MP3's.

Or, your Shaker may stink. I have listened to a few of them with my discs, and thought they sounded great. Your music preferences and mine may not match, though.

Hope this helps some!

 

There is a TSB on the fuel problem. There is a TSB on the popping problem. There is a TSB (or at least an article) on the dash rattling problem. Take the car in to the dealer to get those issues fixed.

There are multiple threads about the acceleration issue. You might want to visit those threads and see what other people say about it. If it bothers you a lot, take it to the dealership and have it checked out. Do the same for the Shaker.

 

I replaced the Shaker 500 Head Unit with a AVIC-D1 and let me tell you it makes a world of difference. The added audio functionality of the unit with EQ's and crossovers really helps bring out the power of the subs. They hit pretty hard, so much in fact that I'm going to have to dynamat the doors.

 

I was a little disappointed in the sound quality from the Shaker 500 too. To me, the Mach Audio System in my Taurus sounds better, and that's only 80 Watts. I think the biggest difference in sound comes from the placement of the tweeters. In the Mustang, they're sort of down in the middle of the doors, but in the Taurus, they're up much higher, behind the side rearview mirrors. However, the Shaker does sound much better at lower volume levels than the Mach.

You're not alone with the plastic rattles in the dash, either.

 

I had the rattle on my dash. Was driving me crazy. Took it in twice for it. the second time, they nailed it. Was some was some improper installation of insulation around the vent tubes within the dash. Check this thread.

 

Actually i could be wrong but i remember reading somewhere a few years ago that the human ear can not percieve a higher bitrate than 128. so encoding at the higher rates doesnt mean anything but increased file size and less songs per disc.

 

[quote=Rins05GT,June 15, 2005, 10:27 PM]
Ok, of all the great things I love about my GT there are like 5 annoyances, that really ANNOY me. One is the Shaker 500. I checked and I had the B revision, but I still get the "bad disc" problem occassionaly, some discs wont read at all. To top it off I noticed that for being a "500 watt" system with 8 speakers, it is very weak. I feeling like their sh**in me with 500 watts. To me 500 watts should rattle the earth! Mine sounds almost the same as the stock 6 disc CD deck that was in my 2003 V6 mustang convertible, I would almost say that one sounded better and if I remember correctly that must have been like a 60 watt or so system that came with that model year, so how come the shaker 500 isn't like 10x as loud or powerful? Why does the music get very distorted if i crank it higher than the middle? You guys think I have a lemon shaker (a lot of them seem to be). Maybe someone that's had a 2003 v6 can tell me if they notice a HUGE difference.

Everything that I have read, the Shaker system sounds crappy due to the cheap speakers Ford used. A lot of people have changed out the top speakers in the doors and rear shelf speakers and they say it sounds a lot better. Ford used cheap Chinese speakers. I have a Shaker 1000 system and to me it doesn't sound that great either. I'm going to change the speakers and see if it sounds any better. I'll let you know what happens after I change them.

 

I'm happy with my Shaker system so far... It's better then the system in my Civic so that's all I care about. That and I listen to more AM talkshows then anything else .

Since there is talk about the dash in this thread I'll post it here. Anyone else get a lot of creaking out of your vents when you go from regular air to A/C? I'm guessing this is just the plastic contrasting and settling but maybe not?

 

I have the Shaker 1000 and like it. I use to compete in stereo competitions but no longer do so I didn't want to dump $20,000 worth of stereo equipment in the car. My thoughts on the Shaker 1000, mids do not have enough low end, subs cut out too soon once the volume is around 75% on the head unit. Head units output to the amps is only 2volts (that is what I measured) and most aftermarket companies use 5 volts. I have the Bad Disc errors all the time as well. I listen to a wide range of music and find that for what it is worth the Shaker 1000 does a great job. These systems were not meant to be blasted in hopes that people down the block would hear your coming. Sure the 1000 has some good thump but change the headunit add an amp and a 12" sub and it would kill the Shaker 1000 subs. So those of you with the Shaker 500, since you don't have subs in the trunk you are relying on the 8" subs in the doors for all of the base. It might sound good to some, others will think is stinks and that is most likely because you had, or your friends have subs in their cars.

As for MP3 quality, I use to convert everything to 128. I now convert at 320. There is a noticable difference. The thing to remember is 128 is considered "near cd quality" therefore it is not as good and you will notice it. Also depending on the application used (or if you d/l the file) there could be some problems with the song. I rip mine at 320 VBR and they are perfect.


Edit: Forgot to mention I wish ford placed the tweeters in pillars next to the mirrors. That would have given a better field of sound than sticking them in the doors.

 

If the sound is really bad when you're playing a CD, you may want to check the Shaker settings for compression (you can only see the setting when a CD is playing).

With a CD playing, keep hitting the "menu" button until the compression setting comes up, and make sure it's disabled.

I enabled compression accidentally once, and couldn't understand why all of my CDs/MP3s sounded like crap all of a sudden (thought I had blown the speakers).

It's crazy what can happen when I read the manual =)

 

Ya, I found the manual to be very useful so far. A lot of issues people discuss on the forum can be resolved by reading the manual. Go figure.

 

Guess I'll have to check my compression setting because my Shaker 500 isn't as loud and doesn't sound as good as the Mach 460 in my '03.

 

I tried the compression thing, doens't do much. Mines about the same as my 03 Mach speakers in my v6 vert, those were mounted by the window. Now why the heck would ford go with chinese speakers? I mean do you know what the real RMS output is? You mean to say then they're prolly just shiitin us and the 500 watts is the max peak it's capable of producing, but they onoly put in chepo chinese speakers that are maybe 60-120 watts or something? (no offense if your chinese lol)

 

Checked my compression. It was off so that wasn't the problem with mine.

 

Man you took the words out of my mouth! After all the hype I expected the Shaker to sound better than the Mach 460 in my '03, but boy was I wrong!!
Less power, and a much dirtier at higher volumes.
It's like they took the 460 and said we have to cut the cost of this system in half but not tell the customers! What a big disappointment!!! :notnice: :notnice: :notnice:
Also, my 460 never skipped once in the two years I had the car!
Paul

 

Rins, my understanding is that the "500" and the "1000" in the Shaker names is instantaneous peak power, power the systems are capable of delivering at very brief peaks. The average power is in fact lower.

MP3, like Sony's ATRAC or miniDisc compression, is a lossy compression format. It discards information that the algorithm determines won't be missed. As the bitrate is reduced, more is discarded. The sound can be just as clean (no noisier in the analog sense) but becomes what most people descibe as "edgier" when the bitrate goes down. If you have the software, try encoding a song at the lowest bitrate (as low as 64 mbits), then encode the same song at 320. Burn both songs in a standard audio CD format (not an MP3 disc) and listen to them back-to-back on your better quality home system. You should definitely hear a difference.

As for the OEM speakers, I do not know what Ford used - have to take the word of our lucky current owners on the board here. But the old audiophile rule is, "Spend half your budget on the speakers". If Ford put in cheap speakers, that definitely violates that rule. It might be worth going to a reputable shop and hearing what speaker replacement can do for the system.

 

Paul,
Thanks. That means it's not my imagination.

BTW, the similarities of the Mustangs we've owned is spooky!
65 Fastback
88 LX 5.0 coupe
88 LX 5.0 coupe (liked the first one so much I had to buy another one)
03 GT coupe
05 GT coupe

Oh, and how do the brakes in your 05 compare to your 03? I never would have noticed, but I drove my 03 a few days after getting the 05 and when I went to press the brake pedal, since I had gotten used to the 05 already, I pressed it too hard and the car came to a jolting halt. In other words, I had to apply a LOT less pressure to the 03 brakes.

 

I checked out a GT on a lot, salesman took me for a ride (this is before mine came in & a diff dealer)

this GT had the shaker 1000, I noticed the "shaker " was off when I played around with it, not likley the issue here but you should check

also for the original post, rough ride issue, make sure air pressure is correct or if you have aftermarket low-pro wheels/tires or springs this is a side affect.

edit to above, by "off" I ment there is a way to turn off the subs on the shaker 1000, when in "off" mode the system sounds very weak

my opinion on the shaker 1000, I was a bit worried after I ordered it with all the bashing of sound quaility and the problems people were having

when my car came in (4-11) all worries were put to bed, I love it it is worth it for me, as of today only a few short skips, sound quaility is perfect for my taste, I listen to clasic rock and modern rock with a little bit of hiphop once in a while (when you listen to some hiphop/rap on a good system you can apriciate it a little more) I bought the new 50cent CD and it does shake the car, people think its an aftermarket system

of course upgraded speakers may help but for now. Im happy

 

Weird, so are we coming to the conclusion that the 05's in away are a little overrated in proportion to the old model. I mean sure it's so much better in many ways, but all the media, sites, reviews and mags would make it seem like it's hundreds of times better, no more rattles like in the old ones, extremely faster, louder, it just doens't seem as true to me.