I'm on week 2 of Expedition ownership and have noticed some problems with the audio system. Firstly, unless you are sitting up front, the audio system lacks treble. Passengers in the second or especially the third seat can barely make out dialogue while watching a DVD or listening to the radio. I have played with the settings and have it set to "all seats" and treble 50% base 50%. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o>


Secondly, the ambience feature of the stereo has little or no effect on the sound. I wouldn't think twice about this but my father inlaw has a new thunderbird with the same stereo. He constantly raves about this feature. It could be the difference in speakers between the two vehicles, but i would this that i could at least tell a difference when it is turned up.<o></o>

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So any ideas? Is this something I should haul in for a warranty repair, or am i missing some setting?

Thanks for the help. <o></o>

 

Are there any other Eddie Bauer Expedition Owners out there? Does it sound fine in your back seats?

 

Probably you don't have set it up properly the ambience feature in your radio. This feature for sure works in all the vehicles. For your information, although the Thunderbird and the Expedition came with the same radio, both of them sounds different because every radio came with a special equalization curve designed specifically for every car line. This is a Ford requirement so don't surprise if you notice a difference between the two vehicles. For example, the Expy came with a subwoofer located just at the right of the third seat, the Thunderbird does not, so they have to behave different specially with low frequencies.

What kind of radio do you have?? Is it an CD6 Audiophile? If that is the case then you need to press the "DSP" button once, in the display you should read "Ambiance Off", then press the up seek button to turn it on and with in 5 seconds you need to specify the ambiance level you desire using the **** volume, you must notice how in the display the ambiance level bar change. Read your manual about this feature and for sure you will notice a difference. Feel free to email me if you would like to see a more specific documentation about your radio so you can take advantage of it.

I know the back passengers would not perceive the same quality sound as you do in the front seats, and that's because of the subwoofer I just mention, the two speakers at the front have better response to high frequencies, and also that's why the audio system lacks treble in second and third seats. Try to set up the ambiance feature properly and let us know what happend.

 

thanks for the reply,

I have the turned on the ambiance, and have adjusted it from 100% to 0% with negligable audio difference. I'm starting to think that the speaker setup with the expy is simply not able to take advantage of this feature.

As far as the 3rd seat goes, i am very dissapointed. The major reason why i purchased a DVD system was for the kids to watch from the rear seats. I guess my only option is for them to always wear the headphones because the dialouge is difficult to understand. Its unfortunate that the sub has to go right next to the third seat passenger, but i guess it has to go somewhere.

 

I noticed this problem with the back speakers and eventually replaced them with high-quality Infinities. When you look at the old ones, you'll realize why they sound so bad: they are made of super-cheap cardboard. The front speakers are better, but I replaced them too. The new setup has much better high frequency. The whole operation will cost between $300-400. Not bad.

 

I have long wondered what was wrong with my system. I've had the dealer check the stereo each time it's been in for (regular) service only to be told it is working fine. I cant tell any difference when fiddling with the ambiance either. Cant have the stereo on when passengers are in the 3rd row as they get drowned in bass. Cant enjoy a DVD from the 2nd row without constantly adjusting the volume - way up for dialogue, way down for everything else. Generally disappointing. Now that I know its not just my vehicle I'm sure others have addressed this. What is the solution - new speakers, new sub, both? Any specific recommendations?

 

It pretty much blows for everyone but the front passengers. Kids wear headphones.

 

I have an 05EB with the same stereo. The ambiance feature on mine does nothing (yes, it is turned on). Front row sounds good. Middle row is poor. Third row, must use headphones (or ear plugs).

There is another lengthy post about upgrading the speakers. Search for "Audiophile Finally Sounds Good."