I dont know jack about audio systems, I only know I am not thrilled with the sound of the Shaker 500 sound quality. I had a 99 Monte Carlo before the Mstang, and like the sound a lot better. It had a built in equalizer that I liked. So.... without spending a boat load of Money, what are some ideas to improve sound quality?
Any help would be appericated.

 

It depends what the problem is... not enough bass, not enough treble, not enough clarity, staging, etc? If we got a little more info we'd be able to offer you better advice. Also, what kind of music do you listen to?

 

It has plenty of bass, treble seems fine. Im wondering if I just got accoustomed to the equalizer. I had mine set on jazz for most everything.
I listen to various kinds of music, oldies, country, rock, alt rock etc.
Trying to add info on what I feel Im missing .. perhaps depth?
I've experimented with "all seats, and driver seat" on the options menu and lean towards drivers seat.
It just seems the sound quality is not as full as I would like.

 

Have you tryed adjusting your radio to all speakers, you might just have it adjusted wrong. But, If not you could do alot of things to get a better sound, Like someone said before, what are you wanting to acheve with you radio? then maybe we can help you alittle better.

 

Jazz settings on equalizers tend to bbost the midrange a bit to bring out vocals and instruments like sax and piano. Since the radio doesn't have a mid range adjustmet, you need to turn down the treble and bass to about flat (the middle setting) and then turn up the volume.

The driver / all seats toggle is to fix bad speaker placement. It actaully delays the signal from the speaker closest to you by just a tiny fraction of a second, to make sure that it arrives at your ear at the same time as the signal from the passenger side. It aalso adjusts the balance to make the speakers sound like they are at equal volume. Yes, it really does sound better.

 

I don't have a Shaker, just the base stereo, but I can tell you that those speakers are not good quality. You may just need better speakers if the above suggestions don't work. Does anyone know how much of an impact changing the head unit w/out changing the speakers would have? My guess is the poor quality is more likely in the speakers than in the deck.

 

Actually, I put my JVC AR860 head unit in, and my Alpine type R speakers still havent arrived. There is a pretty big boost in sound quality with this head and the stock speakers. I messed with the built in EQ, and I have it sounding much better and louder than stock ever did.

 

Thanks for the replys. I think I will try changing the deck speakers and see what that does.
Can an equalizer be added to the stock Shaker 500?

 

Sorry to bring up the dead here, I'll continue to search other threads...however being a total audio newbie, I'm a little stuck. In general, is it the headunit or the speakers that will give you the best improvement if you upgrade?

Up until yesterday, I thought my Shaker1K was great but then I listened to (don't judge me!) the new Justin Timberlake song "My Love" in a friend's Lexus RX330 w/Mark Levinson sound system and now my stereo sounds like a joke.



It's hard to describe, it just sounds loud, but not really clear and seriously lacking mid range. What would make the ML system better then my shaker? Is it all in the headunit or is it the components or a bit of both? I don't like interiors that don't look stock, so I'm trying to avoid an aftermarket heaunit at all costs...is there something hidden I can do?

Help a sister out...

 

A new HU will help tremendously as will new speakers. As far as looking stock, you cannot tell I have aftermarket speakers and IMO, the HU looks like it came that way from the factory. I only had the Shaker500 but I am so pleased with the outcome of my aftermarket SYSTEM. You can see the individual parts in my sig too.

 

The main thing that makes the ML ssytem in the Lexus sound better is the Lexus itself. Sound dampening and a quiet noise floor can improve sound tenfold. The mid-tweet combo to me is the weakest link in the speaker system, but I'd recommend a head unit first. The Shaker heads are positively dreadful. I'd suggest the highest quality head unit you can afford- and try to go for the double DIN sized units for the aesthetics. I didn't, and I' will be buying a new one soon. Panasonic 6503 here I come.

 

thanks for the help thus far guys.

my problem is that i only want an OEM unit for looks in the car....i do want to put a nav screen inthe car, but only want to use a Ford one...i hate the buttons that come on aftermarket ones, however small they may be. i wish i didn't feel this way, but i know it'll drive me nuts

i just couldn't believe how much better it sounded in the RX...just amazing balanced sound. when i try and turn the treble up a touch and the bass down, it just pops certain 'hits' in the song and flattens the others...blah!

i might try and update the speakers and amp first and then go from there.

k

 

The problem with upgrading speakers and using the stock unit is there is a large amount of equalization built into the Shaker, and it isn't done to a lot of folks listening preference. Seriously, take a look at
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-0xopE9H...50&I=133VD6503
and
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-0xopE9H...50&I=257AVX706
and
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-0xopE9H...0&I=500IVAW200

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-0xopE9H...0&I=113DDX6019

There are others, but these are the most popular. You can get some really nice Japanese units that they don't sell here. Look at
http://www.audiocubes.com/category/C...Receivers.html
Those will all drop in directly. The Panasonic with the vaccuum tube is the finest head unit I've had the pleasure of demo'ing. Absolutely pure sound-unfortunately it IS that funky color.

Also, to upgrade the amps, if you decide to do so, come back or PM me and I'll give you all the info you'll need to do so. The factory speakers are not of normal impedences, and your car has 6 separate amplifiers in it.

 

Thanks for the info Infinity! Do you happen to have a diagram or list that shows the specs for all the speakers and amps in the car (sizes and placement)?

My problem is that I want a Nav unit screen, but it needs to have a volume ****. Don't laugh...it's just a thing I have. I hate those little buttons. And i don't do remote controls either.

Is there a way to hack the OEM headunit to adjust equalization etc?

What's your take on Focal brand? I have a recommendation from a friend for some of those speakers.

 

Focal speakers sound good, when they work. They have very serious QC issues there. They have a very laid-back sound, almost slow for lack of a better term, but smooth.

There IS a way to do the EQ out of the factory unit. Hope you have a good job:
http://mobile.jlaudio.com/products_c...hp?page_id=193
or
http://www.rockfordfosgate.com/produ...s.asp?cat_id=1

Also, Harman Intl. (Infinity/JBL/Harman Kardon) is working on something similar, but I fear it'll never hit the market.

I don't blame you for liking rotary *****, they're the best way to control a head unit. It seems all the new stuff is more bling than zing, I'm afraid.

Now, specs:

front door
6x8" plate with a 4" midrange/tweeter powered off the head unit.
8" subwoofer, narrow 3.5" depth, dual 2 ohm impedence. Each dooe is powered by it's own dedicated amplifier located in the drivers' kickpanel.

Rear Deck:
Standard 4 ohm paper woofer powered by the head unit. Value: $0.09- seriously. Throw them away.

Shaker 1000
2 Dual 1 ohm subwoofers. Decent quality. Each powered by a pair of the same amps that are in the kickpanel. The amps are visible in the trunk.

All this can easily be controlled by an aftermarket unit, and the sound will greatly improve. I mostly enjoyed my 500 while it was just ran off the new head. I'll check some of my "non-mainstream" sources to try to find you a decent head unit. Is navigation a must? What other features do you require?