Front center speaker quality is poor

[Turbogolf]

My dealership replaced my front speaker after the "audio" technician agreed that the sound quality was distorted and sounded like it was coming from a tin can. It was replaced with a Ford replacement speaker. Unfortunately the new speaker has the early signs of the same issues. The dealership is unaware of a larger problem, yet reading the forum suggests otherwise.
Anyone have a solution? And what is the real issue? I wish Ford would investigate.

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[Vgkfan]

The center channel speaker is lousy and tends to blow easily. a Few threads on that on here. Many people have replaced it with a kenwood speaker(I forget which model) With very good results.The kenwood has 2 speakers So may find one on here for sale.

 

[markboris]

My dealership replaced my front speaker after the "audio" technician agreed that the sound quality was distorted and sounded like it was coming from a tin can. It was replaced with a Ford replacement speaker. Unfortunately the new speaker has the early signs of the same issues. The dealership is unaware of a larger problem, yet reading the forum suggests otherwise.
Anyone have a solution? And what is the real issue? I wish Ford would investigate.

Using the search function on this forum, I found 10 threads all pertaining to the center speaker issue. You just need to read what others have done which is basically purchase a higher quality center speaker and your issue will be fixed.

 

[Scottie’s MachStang]

I am a bit of a stereo guy - I'd describe all the speakers as poor and the sound quality as muddy. Adequate for my needs, but blah. Not a huge fan of car audio, no matter what you do, it is a pretty poor listening environment: full of reflective and absorptive surfaces that are rather difficult to address. If it was not a lease, I'd replace all the speakers with something of at least decent quality. The rest of the system is a bit too bespoke to justify tearing it all out. My daughter has a Volvo with the Bowers and Wilkens upgrade, as good a car stereo as I ever heard - but can't really touch a real two channel rig in a properly sound treated space.

 

[markboris]

I am a bit of a stereo guy - I'd describe all the speakers as poor and the sound quality as muddy. Adequate for my needs, but blah. Not a huge fan of car audio, no matter what you do, it is a pretty poor listening environment: full of reflective and absorptive surfaces that are rather difficult to address. If it was not a lease, I'd replace all the speakers with something of at least decent quality. The rest of the system is a bit too bespoke to justify tearing it all out. My daughter has a Volvo with the Bowers and Wilkens upgrade, as good a car stereo as I ever heard - but can't really touch a real two channel rig in a properly sound treated space.

This is exactly what I have been saying for years. Very poor listening environment for sure. I disconnected the center speaker (does not belong in a stereo audio system), added a sub and called it a day.

 

[Vgkfan]

Hadn’t heard that about the volvo, thanks for the heads up.

 

[allenj444]

My dealership replaced my front speaker after the "audio" technician agreed that the sound quality was distorted and sounded like it was coming from a tin can. It was replaced with a Ford replacement speaker. Unfortunately the new speaker has the early signs of the same issues. The dealership is unaware of a larger problem, yet reading the forum suggests otherwise.
Anyone have a solution? And what is the real issue? I wish Ford would investigate.

My dealership replaced my front speaker after the "audio" technician agreed that the sound quality was distorted and sounded like it was coming from a tin can. It was replaced with a Ford replacement speaker. Unfortunately the new speaker has the early signs of the same issues. The dealership is unaware of a larger problem, yet reading the forum suggests otherwise.
Anyone have a solution? And what is the real issue? I wish Ford would investigate.

 

[Jeff-NoVA]

The speaker I used is

Kenwood eXcelon KFC-X3C 3.5-Inch Mid Range Car Speaker with Silk Balanced Dome Tweeters for Chrysler/Toyota/Others, 120 Watts Max Power (Pair)

Come in a pair. I sold the extra to another member on the forum. Big improvement in sound.

 

[jksu]

if you value your time, just get the aftermarket kenwood and replace the center speaker yourself. or just unplug it and live without it.

i decided it was not worth my time to go back to ford multiple times (schedule appt, drive to dealership, wait for service advisor to check for dents, wait for print of service order, wait for a ride home or ride my bike home, wait for when the car would be done, etc etc) even while the speaker's under warranty for a cheap speaker that will just blow again.

$75 on amazon for a pair (only need 1) and maybe 30minutes to pull it out, remove the stock harness from stock speaker and sodering it to the new speaker, and re-installing. and i can feel more confident it's gonna last the life of the car.

should the oem speaker be blowing so quickly? no. but it's the cost-cutting they chose and whoever they contracted with clearly had a price point to hit and so that's what we get. and ford don't seem to be making an effort to source or stock better quality replacements.

My dealership replaced my front speaker after the "audio" technician agreed that the sound quality was distorted and sounded like it was coming from a tin can. It was replaced with a Ford replacement speaker. Unfortunately the new speaker has the early signs of the same issues. The dealership is unaware of a larger problem, yet reading the forum suggests otherwise.
Anyone have a solution? And what is the real issue? I wish Ford would investigate.

 

[DugthePug Dad]

Put the fade to the center of the back seat.

You will thank me later…

 

[Bimps]

Put the fade to the center of the back seat.

You will thank me later…

Oh, hell no. You don't turn your back on the band when you're at a concert to hear the music coming from behind you, do you? Keep the tunes in front of you, like they were meant to be heard.

 

[allenj444]

I installed this, extremely easy if you're good with a soldering iron. This speaker sounds Great to me, once you get used to the increase in quality from the original paper-cone speaker..
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002CMYVLI?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1

 

[DugthePug Dad]

Oh, hell no. You don't turn your back on the band when you're at a concert to hear the music coming from behind you, do you? Keep the tunes in front of you, like they were meant to be heard.

Concerts don’t have a shitty front center speaker.

Do whatever you like….

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