Stereo question for Select trim

[zeak]

Recently got the Select trim and love everything about it except the stereo. Ive read many complaints about it on this site and was happy to see that switching to surround sound was an option. But when i go into sound settings, there's no option for surround sound. Is this normal for the Select trim? I've looked at you tube videos and am sure i'm in the correct menu on the tablet. If it's not option, then my follow up question is whether anybody has replaced speakers vs the entire radio to improve sound. I'm not an audiophile and suspect surround would make a huge difference. I'd like to do the cheapest upgrade without messing with the car's electronic system. Thanks.

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[ReelSweet]

Recently got the Select trim and love everything about it except the stereo. Ive read many complaints about it on this site and was happy to see that switching to surround sound was an option. But when i go into sound settings, there's no option for surround sound. Is this normal for the Select trim? I've looked at you tube videos and am sure i'm in the correct menu on the tablet. If it's not option, then my follow up question is whether anybody has replaced speakers vs the entire radio to improve sound. I'm not an audiophile and suspect surround would make a huge difference. I'd like to do the cheapest upgrade without messing with the car's electronic system. Thanks.

I have not seen a "surround" setting...there is Treble/Mid/Bass .....there is however a setting to adjust for the "driver" or "all seats".....perhaps try to see if that setting changes things for you. I read somewhere else that maybe there are software updates needed for your car?

To my ears the sound system in the Select sounds just fine...like every other car I have (Subarus with Harmon Kardon). I do notice a difference in sound quality between radio, Spotify, XM. Also yesterday I noticed the buttons on the steering wheel to advance the station is not working for XM radio stations....only radio.

 

[generaltso]

Depending on when your car was built, you may need the DSP update. Others have reported that it vastly improved the audio quality.

https://www.macheforum.com/site/thr...acm-or-dsp-dtc-u1084-u0237-and-or-u0238.5466/

 

[jgargano44]

I'm not quite sure what "surround sound" would be in a car stereo. I haven't seen that option. But since the speakers are placed at the outside corners of where you are sitting in the car isn't it kinda surround sound by default?

However, I have a Select as well and I added a subwoofer to the setup which improved overall sound. I haven't replaced the speakers as of yet. Maybe when there is a plug and play option I will.

 

[bgentilesco]

To my ears the sound system in the Select sounds just fine...like every other car I have (Subarus with Harmon Kardon). I do notice a difference in sound quality between radio, Spotify, XM. Also yesterday I noticed the buttons on the steering wheel to advance the station is not working for XM radio stations....only radio.

This is the biggest factor. Listening to Sirius over satellite has such an atrocious bitrate, they try to compensate by beefing up the bass. Listening on the Sirius app makes even a dramatic different. FWIW - I don't have my MME yet, but I had an Escape and Edge with B&O sound systems where I prefer the Sirius app because of the audio degradation over Satellite.

 

[MachEZRt1]

I'm not quite sure what "surround sound" would be in a car stereo. I haven't seen that option. But since the speakers are placed at the outside corners of where you are sitting in the car isn't it kinda surround sound by default?

However, I have a Select as well and I added a subwoofer to the setup which improved overall sound. I haven't replaced the speakers as of yet. Maybe when there is a plug and play option I will.

What did you go with for the subwoofer? Easy to install?

 

[JohnnyForensic]

I'm not quite sure what "surround sound" would be in a car stereo. I haven't seen that option. But since the speakers are placed at the outside corners of where you are sitting in the car isn't it kinda surround sound by default?

However, I have a Select as well and I added a subwoofer to the setup which improved overall sound. I haven't replaced the speakers as of yet. Maybe when there is a plug and play option I will.

It’s definitely an option on the Premium line, and it makes the B&O stereo sound about 10 times better than it does without the option being turned on. That said, it still pales in comparison to some other stock stereos I’ve had in cars (notably the ELS Audio system in the Acura RDX), but if you have the option, turn it on.

 

[jgargano44]

What did you go with for the subwoofer? Easy to install?

I put in a Kicker HS10 powered sub enclosure. For the speaker input I tapped into the rear speaker wire that is running under the foot panels of the front doors on each side of the car.

 

[MachEZRt1]

I put in a Kicker HS10 powered sub enclosure. For the speaker input I tapped into the rear speaker wire that is running under the foot panels of the front doors on each side of the car.

Very cool and clean! How about the power? How’d you run that?

 

[Nklem]

Try downloading some hi bit (320) MP3 rate music files on a USB drive from Amazon or Apple and try the Select system again. With good music, I found it sounds terrific. Lots of mirrors shaking bass from the doors.

 

[jgargano44]

Very cool and clean! How about the power? How’d you run that?

Ran the wire under the footboards along the drivers side and then poked it through a rubber grommet that is in the firewall to attach it to the battery under the hood. You have to remove some plastic trim to get at the battery.

The first post in this thread has a couple pictures of the grommet I used. https://www.macheforum.com/site/threads/adding-a-decent-subwoofer-amp-to-your-mach-e.5481/

 

[Polar]

I put in the HS8! Hello fellow Kicker Owner!

I was able to get the remote up in the center console - highly recommended!

Adding a sub made the base select stereo significantly better. Helps round out the low end.

 

[aasagamore]

I put in a Kicker HS10 powered sub enclosure. For the speaker input I tapped into the rear speaker wire that is running under the foot panels of the front doors on each side of the car.

I ended up getting the same subwoofer. Getting ready to install sometime this week in my Select. Did you tap into both the left and right speakers, or just one side?

 

[Mach1E]

I ended up getting the same subwoofer. Getting ready to install sometime this week in my Select. Did you tap into both the left and right speakers, or just one side?

You’re better off using both. That way you get bass from both left and right channels. Sometimes a song or something will only have a deep sound on the left or right and you’ll want to have the sub pick up that note all the time.

 

[87450kalle]

Hey! Almost a year since last comment but maybe someone can give some more details how to tap in to the rear door speaker channels on the Mach e Select?

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