The system in my dodge nitro sounds 10 times better.. This thing is crap crap.. The best premium system i heard and owned was in my 08 bmw 335i.. From what i heard there is a circuit somewhere in the radio or amp that limits the output.. I say its crap everyone call mitus and ***** maybe a software update can disable this crap...

 

No it doesn't.

 

No it doesnt what? Sound like crap, or have good sound quality at lower volumes?

As I said, it doesn't get loud like something aftermarket, but as for covering all the frequency ranges, it handles that quite well. I'm really happy for you and your 32 cars with craptastic stock stereos, but I've been installing aftermarket car stereo systems since before I could drive (well over half my life). I know how to test for holes in a sound system, where some components aren't producing sounds in certain frequency ranges. Like, for example, a poorly tuned aftermarket stereo that contains holes between the 100-250Hz range due to mismatches of components, or lack of understanding in crossover tuning.

Now, what you're missing is that I HATE the Rockford stereo. However, listening at a low volume, all frequencies are produced, but the problem is that all of those frequencies are softened at higher volumes, to attempt to circumvent failure of any one speaker component in the system. That's simply how stock systems work, because it's how they keep the number of warranty claims down.

IMO, you can compare the Rockford stereo to a Bose product. They sound great and all, but turn them up, and you get nothing but crap.

 

In later model cars, it's generally a system that actively monitors and readjusts levels of the entire frequency range produced. This is to avoid clipping, which causes distortion, which is generally the primary cause of speaker failure. Unfortunately, it's not just Mitsu that does this.

 

Webman does know his radio stuff , +1 to ppl who talk about stuff they really know about

 

I dropped an Alpine in my stcok SSL evo viii. Fixed the power issues and got the meta cable kit worked perfectly----simple quick and nice.

 

Really? Your the first X owner that I've heard mentioned anything negative about it.

 

The biggest problem is the stock speakers.
The second biggest problem is the amp.
I have Focal components up front and Hertz coax in the rear doors, and the quality has improved dramatically.

The amp needs more go go juice. I would like to just replace the amp, retain the stock HU, and keep the CANbus happy, but its probably too much to ask for.

CDs that are recorded fairly loud sound very nice. Older stuff like classic rock CDs, FM radio, sat... the preamp gain is too low for these. Sirius sounds like arsehole casserole anyway, so that's a bust.

But its not too bad with upgraded speakers. Its no Logic7 BMW 335i stereo fo sho, but there are worse stereos out there, read Honda and Subaru.

 

My Bose home theater speakers are awesome, especially turned up.

It's true, sans the under seat subwoofer the STi's factory system sounds awful, I know it isn't a "premium" upgraded system, but still. With it, this car sounds better than the Porsche which had aftermarket headunit and nice front components. That's what happens when you have room to put larger than 4" speakers I guess...

And my gf's Mini with the Harmon Kardon system sounds amazing. Dunno if I'd pay extra for the system, but it sounds nicer than stock for the 0 dollars she spent on it.

 

So I take it by this its got to be in the amp. I wished I can get my hands on that crapford amp service manual..

Alos I found in the service manual that the nav unit can be programed for 6 speaker output and premium. If that is the case I would have the dealer program it to 6 and wire in some high to low to bypass the amp.. If that dont work out.. Give me a month.. I will rip this crap out and go aftermarket I cant take it anymore..

 

puff puff pass..

 

In EVO you must listen engine and look out to the track not the stereo.....

 

But not the last

 

It may not sound like crap. But it doesn't sound outstanding either. I could easily out do the factory setup with 1/2 the $$$. And yes I do understand Frequency Ranges, SPL and that other stuff. If I had an area to describe where the Rockford is weak it would be in the highs. The Rockford Highs are far from being crisp. I've heard other makes Premium Stereos that sounded much better all around. If the Rockford performed as well as those stereos I wouldn't be complaining.

 

Actually I believe the biggest problem is the stock head unit. My car came with only the 140 watt base system but the sound quality increased dramatically after only replacing the head unit. It sounds so much better now I may just leave the stock speakers alone. Now the fosgate system has an external amp so that may differentiate it from the 140 watt system but even the stock non-fosgate speakers aren't that bad as long as they are fed a from a quality source.

In regards to the people that say the Fosgate system is the worst on the market a big LOL to that. It's not even close to the worst. As others have said take a new Subaru WRX STI w/premium system out for a test drive. It's appauling how bad its sound system sounds. Some Acuras have nice systems but most Honda's have garbage systems. Surprisingly domestics come with some of the better factory sound systems.