Replacement Sub in OEM box?

[coupe20vt]

I cannot hear the sub in my RS. Mine is March 2017 UK car, Sync3 and does not have an amp.

 

Since I do not have an amp does this mean my sub is being driven by the headunit?

 

I’d love to improve the sound from the speakers but want to keep it as original as possible so not looking to run cables and install an amp etc. Has anyone tried to replace the Sony sub with another shallow mount sub in the OEM box for example with something like this Kicker?

[Kenny]

See this update:

Poor Sound Distribution/Quiet Sound from Rear Speakers

[coupe20vt]

Thank you Kenny, presumably since the Sub is in the rear of the car the software update improves the sound from the sub as well?

 

[bobcat]

Details are:
3824 – Focus ST/RS poor sound distribution/quiet sound from rear speakers
If a customer complains that the soud is coming mainly from front speakers and the rear speakers are too quiet, be informed that an improved Audio Control Module software is now released. Note that this update affects Sony Premium Audio System on ST/RS only. Please use SBD for guided diagnostic. Please choose the following symptom. Customer comfort and entertainment -> Audio -> Soundoutput -> speakers -> Poor quality/distorted sound from one or more speakers (not all).

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Honorary Member

 

[irelmo]

I find the so called speaker upgrade to be poor. Sony sound is pants!

[DaveRS3]

coupe20vt, your software should be up to date. Mine is a Jan 2017 build and mine had been updated before receipt. Those with sync 2 complained about the poor sound and apparently the software update made a huge difference.

Can you genuinely not hear the Sub at all?. I certainly can on mine but I will agree that it’s pants which is why I have purchased an aftermarket Alpine cabinet with built in Amp. Ive also purchased a standard Focus boot floormat so I can get rid of the waste of space tray and I need some Polystyrene board 15mm thick to finish the job nicely. There are plenty of how to guides on other forums showing how to do all of the above.

[coupe20vt]

For me all the sound is from the front speakers including the bass.

 

If I shift the fader to max rear then the sound stage shifts more centrally in the car. It is like the front speakers have volume setting or 100% and the rear speakers have volume setting of 20% at any given volume level.

 

It is most bizarre!

[adw]

Pls see Kennys update as per above. Made so much difference when I had mine done

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AccessPort / Stratified tune + STuned extended pops & bangs + custom pop and bang intensity / Boomba Racing short throw plate / DMB inlays / Mountune air filter / Mountune RMM / Mountune Recirc / Milltek Non Res Cat Back

[coupe20vt]

Yes I will request this update when it goes in for HG and it’s first service 🙂

[coupe20vt]

I have booked in with Eastleigh Performance Ford for my HG recall and they who knew about the software update for the RS with the Sony system and will do it at the same time.

 

Thanks all.

[bobcat]

Thanks for the update. You’ll find it sounds a lot better once it’s been updated.

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Honorary Member

 

[coupe20vt]

Well the HG recall sounds like it’s months away so I booked it in for its service.

 

i got them to update the audio module using the details I found on here and wow, there genuinely is a big difference!

 

i can hear the bass from the sub!

[eagle]

@coupe20vt, thanks for the update, pleased you got the audio sorted

[Author]

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