I can never hear the kids in the third row! 
Stereo, Mach, Premium?
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Junior User
Joined: Nov 2002
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From: Vegas Baby
Stereo, Mach, Premium?
Probably an easy question. My front door speaker grills say Premium on them. I've seen other Expy's that say Mach. What's the difference? Would I have a factory sub, or is that only with the Mach system. Thanks
Junior User
Joined: Apr 2004
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I did a LOT of homework before I bought my Expy last March. The "Premium" audio system is the direct antithesis of it's name: it's Ford's bottom-of-the-line Expy audio system. The Mach audio system is an upgrade and has a sub-woofer and supposedly better speakers.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2004
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I just removed my "premium" speakers in all 4 doors, and although i didnt think the system sounded that bad, those speakers are cheap looking pieces of junk when you pop them out, what junk. I replaced with 4 Polk speakers and kept the stock headunit, sounds incredible.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,595
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From: Lawton, Oklahoma
Premium sound was always Fords nameplate for 4 speaker audio, often with a separate amp for the rear speakers. Mach is a speaker upgrade, with subwoofer module and subwoofer amplifier. It also has its own unique head unit.
The Premium sound system is not wired for subwoofer.
The Premium sound system is not wired for subwoofer.
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Junior User
Joined: Apr 2004
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To "Mook929RR": What model Polk speakers? Same model for both front and rear doors? "Plug and play", so to speak, or are adapter plates or any other modifications req'd to mount them to the door enclosures?
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I bought 2 sets of Polk db5250 componenet speaker systems from Crutchfield, they were on sale, buy one get one 50% off last month. Although Crutchfield does give you all the brackets and wiring/plugs for free, its not really plug and play because i had to run all the component wiring, and drill holes in each door for the surface mount tweeters. Up front I mounted them in the sail panel, and in back i mounted them in the door, about 4 inches to the right of the handle. It sounds so sweet with the highs and lows seperated. I can also tell that these speakers can take a lot more than what the factory head unit is pushing. Next i'll amp them and get a new headunit...maybe for XMAS. the speakers are pricey(on sale they came to $260 for 2 sets), but it sounds like home theater in my Expi now. I listen to everthing from the Doobie bros to hip hop and it all sounds incredible.
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Joined: Apr 2004
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To "mook...": Thanks very much for your input. I've checked-out the Polk website; they suggest db570 for rears (supposedly no vehicle mod's) and db5250 for the fronts. The 5250's look like they have a separate cross-over unit I must mount somewhere. From your ID, can I assume you ride a CBR929RR? Do you have others? At 58, I'm ALMOST too old to ride my RC51. My sentimental favorite has to be my '97 VFR750F. Thanks again.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2004
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Yes, the crossover unit was a pain to mount. I used doublesided tape and mounted it to the back of the door panel, took me about 3 tries before I found a place it would fit and not get in the way when remounting each door panel. Yes, i have a CBR929RR. After putting Lucas gas treatment in my expi and seeing how nice it ran, i put some in the CBR last night before a ride...not a good idea, it fouled the plugs and I struggled home on one cylinder! ARRRGGH!
Junior User
Joined: Apr 2004
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Oh, gosh (mildly put!!); don't tell me that!!! I bought two cans of Seafoam the other day: one for my '01 Expy w/48k miles and, from the 2nd can, four oz. each in my '86 Goldwing, '98 VTR1000F, '01 RC51 and the VFR750F. The VFR got me to/from work yesterday and today OK. I think my only worry might be the hi-compression, 93 octance RC51. I'll do some more research on the Expy speakers and maybe pull apart the door panels this weekend. Thanks again.
