Center audio sounds horrible

[Scooby24]

Maybe my ears don't work well because I found the sound system very good even compared to my previous cars' HK systems and especially better than the meridian system in the EV6.

I have mine in Surround. I forget my EQ settings but I generally have bass near max, treble 3/4 and mid neutral.

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[StuMc]

I made the exact same center speaker change you made, including switching over the connector. I bought the speaker from a member who had bought the Kenwood two pack and changed out his center speaker, leaving him with the extra one to sell.

I enjoy music but have pretty much a tin ear. High end systems are more or less lost on me. That said, the Kenwood center speaker is a nice change and makes things sound much nicer, even to my tin ears. In addition I recently got Beosonic up and running compliments of pal who knows how to work that magic.

I’ve also borrowed the trick others have spoken of, of moving the fader more to the rear to get a bit more base from the “sub base” that lives in the fender. I am toying with the idea of a small powered sub that draws < 20A that can be powered off the outlet in the trunk area. That’s not urgent and may never happen. We’ll see.

As OP says above, this center speaker switch out is a really simple, easy change to make. It adds positive value out of proportion to the cost and effort of the job.

That's so cool... and here I thought I was the only one who ran the 83db sensitive Kenwood. Glad to hear I'm not alone in appreciating this easy fix.

 

[Jarrattp]

I made the exact same center speaker change you made, including switching over the connector. I bought the speaker from a member who had bought the Kenwood two pack and changed out his center speaker, leaving him with the extra one to sell.

I enjoy music but have pretty much a tin ear. High end systems are more or less lost on me. That said, the Kenwood center speaker is a nice change and makes things sound much nicer, even to my tin ears. In addition I recently got Beosonic up and running compliments of pal who knows how to work that magic.

I’ve also borrowed the trick others have spoken of, of moving the fader more to the rear to get a bit more base from the “sub base” that lives in the fender. I am toying with the idea of a small powered sub that draws < 20A that can be powered off the outlet in the trunk area. That’s not urgent and may never happen. We’ll see.

As OP says above, this center speaker switch out is a really simple, easy change to make. It adds positive value out of proportion to the cost and effort of the job.

Can you tell me where I can buy this speaker from and how to fit?

 

[Ahlarict]

Can you tell me where I can buy this speaker from and how to fit?

Here's the "what":

• https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07Y2FTW4L
• https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09VBG1PZM This is not the correct wiring harness after all

The "how" was covered here, more or less. Looks like if you have a Torx set and a plastic trim spudging tool, yer half way there - I'm going to give it a go this weekend.

To understand the "why", you must search deep within yourself ;-)

 

[rreddy3]

Can you tell me where I can buy this speaker from and how to fit?

Ahlarict covers it. The speaker is sold in a two pack. You only need one. I got lucky and bought one from a member near where I live who installed one in his Mach E. I did not use the connector kit noted in Ahlarict’s post. I just clipped the connector off the Ford speaker and connected it to the Kenwood. Various ways to connect…soldering, wire nuts, or the Posi-Product connectors. If you do a search in YouTube you’ll find EvVida’s video on the MME center speaker R/R. It’s actually very easy. Take your time, have all the things you need before you start the project, and, “Keep Calm and Carry On”.

Edit: if you don’t have trim tools, if you know someone who tinkers with auto trim a lot ask if she or he has any trim tools you can borrow, otherwise they’re available at Harbor Freight, other parts stores, or online. Ditto any bits you need. The trim tools are inexpensive, at least if they’re pre-tariff stock ??

 

[BlackOnGray]

I use Spotify so simple solution for me was to adjust the car speaker’s equalizer AFTER I adjusted the playback equalizer in the Spotify app to the type of music I’m listening to. Made a huge difference In my opinion. Probably obvious but thought I would mention.

 

[Ahlarict]

Ahlarict covers it. The speaker is sold in a two pack. You only need one. I got lucky and bought one from a member near where I live who installed one in his Mach E. I did not use the connector kit noted in Ahlarict’s post. I just clipped the connector off the Ford speaker and connected it to the Kenwood. Various ways to connect…soldering, wire nuts, or the Posi-Product connectors. If you do a search in YouTube you’ll find EvVida’s video on the MME center speaker R/R. It’s actually very easy. Take your time, have all the things you need before you start the project, and, “Keep Calm and Carry On”.

Edit: if you don’t have trim tools, if you know someone who tinkers with auto trim a lot ask if she or he has any trim tools you can borrow, otherwise they’re available at Harbor Freight, other parts stores, or online. Ditto any bits you need. The trim tools are inexpensive, at least if they’re pre-tariff stock ??

 

[Jarrattp]

Thank you!

 

[StuMc]

Thank you!

Ahlarict has given excellent advice and the EV-Vida shows you everything you need to see for the practical installation. We both used the Kenwood Excelon that has a low 83bd efficiency. I have no doubt that the Infinity driver EV-Vida used in the video sounds better than stock in terms of high frequency extension and midrange definition, but it is a 91db efficient speaker. In my opinion, that will not fix the problem of the center channel playing too loud, particularly in surround mode. In fact, it may exacerbate the problem by playing even louder than the stock speaker.

 

[Ahlarict]

Ahlarict has given excellent advice and the EV-Vida shows you everything you need to see for the practical installation. We both used the Kenwood Excelon that has a low 83bd efficiency. I have no doubt that the Infinity driver EV-Vida used in the video sounds better than stock in terms of high frequency extension and midrange definition, but it is a 91db efficient speaker. In my opinion, that will not fix the problem of the center channel playing too loud, particularly in surround mode. In fact, it may exacerbate the problem by playing even louder than the stock speaker.

Did you and @rreddy3 install it with the inline crossover filter or without? I do have a dedicated subwoofer installed in the trunk if it makes any difference...

 

[rreddy3]

Did you and @rreddy3 install it with the inline crossover filter or without? I do have a dedicated subwoofer installed in the trunk if it makes any difference...

I did not use the inline x over. The person I bought the speaker from did not use it in his car either.

He’s more savvy about this stuff than I could ever hope to be, and I know he’s happy with his speaker performance, as am I with my speaker. I am very pleased with this sound upgrade.

Even before I got the Beosonic up and running, I was very pleased with the results. The Beosonic is icing on the cake for me. Sorry, but I have no idea if using the inline x over in this case would add even more to the sound experience.

All I can tell you is the Faroese performer Eivor with her amazing vocals on The Last Kingdom tracks sound awesome to me!

 

[Ahlarict]

I did not use the inline x over. The person I bought the speaker from did not use it in his car either.

He’s more savvy about this stuff than I could ever hope to be, and I know he’s happy with his speaker performance, as am I with my speaker. I am very pleased with this sound upgrade.

Even before I got the Beosonic up and running, I was very pleased with the results. The Beosonic is icing on the cake for me. Sorry, but I have no idea if using the inline x over in this case would add even more to the sound experience.

All I can tell you is the Faroese performer Eivor with her amazing vocals on The Last Kingdom tracks sound awesome to me!

Thanks! I skipped the crossover and the install went smooth, except the speaker wire kit I bought and linked to earlier is most decidedly not the correct one. Fortunately, the Ford speaker connecter socket on the OEM speaker was easy to pry off and solder onto the Kenwood replacement speaker so that I could avoid butchering up the wiring harness. Sounds great, and thanks for the help!

 

[Buh-Bye Tesla]

Put my kenwood center speaker in today from member @StuMc.

I can confirm that additionally the other harness available 72-5601 doesn’t work either. In anticipation I got it from Walmart so I can return it to store.

I popped up the center grill. Didn’t even take it all the way off as it was connected to whatever that is in the center dash by the windshield. Plenty of room to work with.

I had plenty of foam tape from wheel covers from my old Tesla to put behind the speaker basket.

The kenwood speaker had wires already attached so I kept them and just twisted/taped them onto the plug/wires removed from the stock speaker. Super easy and just glued the plug to the bottom of the Kenwood speaker.

At advice of someone here who I don’t recall, I taped off the front vents in case a clip came flying off but that never happened.

Anyway, I am quite impressed by what this easy and inexpensive upgrade does…especially if you can pick up a single one and/or unload the other.

I’ve gone from using Stereo to now favoring Surround Mode instead. The kenwood takes away the shrill midrange of the front and warms up the sound quite a bit.

 

[StuMc]

Put my kenwood center speaker in today from member @StuMc.

I can confirm that additionally the other harness available 72-5601 doesn’t work either. In anticipation I got it from Walmart so I can return it to store.

I popped up the center grill. Didn’t even take it all the way off as it was connected to whatever that is in the center dash by the windshield. Plenty of room to work with.

I had plenty of foam tape from wheel covers from my old Tesla to put behind the speaker basket.

The kenwood speaker had wires already attached so I kept them and just twisted/taped them onto the plug/wires removed from the stock speaker. Super easy and just glued the plug to the bottom of the Kenwood speaker.

At advice of someone here who I don’t recall, I taped off the front vents in case a clip came flying off but that never happened.

Anyway, I am quite impressed by what this easy and inexpensive upgrade does…especially if you can pick up a single one and/or unload the other.

I’ve gone from using Stereo to now favoring Surround Mode instead. The kenwood takes away the shrill midrange of the front and warms up the sound quite a bit.

Great to hear that the speaker arrived and you had no problems with the install. I have a big smile from reading that you too are a Surround mode convert with the Kenwood center channel. I'm loving it and can't go back to stereo. Today I finished my subwoofer installation. I used the Hertz DBA 201 which is a very compact box with a built in Class D amplifier. It has one active 8" driver and two passive 8" drivers. It's current draw is very low, so I was able to power it with the 12v accessory plug in the back deck. I have a wide velcro strip on the bottom and on the rubber mat, so it stays put, but can easily be unplugged and moved if I need the space. I'm quite satisfied with the sound.

 

[areacode413]

How many of you out there remember when this HVAC and Audio was good enough? I chose this picture cause it was my first car. Unlike replacing this turd radio that included a mono speaker in the dash, unless that center speaker is busted, it’s my opinion it’s not worth the effort.

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