Stereo base 4.3" head unit upgrade: Ideas? Plans?***

[Lein]

Annoying issue with the Taobao-sourced unit: sometimes after the vehicle has sat for 12 hours or so--not every time--the clock will be way behind. Hours behind. Not sure the reasoning and I haven't been able to duplicate it really...

...but then I'll enter the reverse gear to leave my parking spot and have the huge screen for back-up purposes and it feels better again.

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[shahram72]

The more I think about it, and the more I continue to drive my Acura with the 5.1 DTS and DVD-audio surround (which will be to difficult to replicate in the Mustang, that I think I won't be happy unless I gut the whole thing behind the head unit and go with one of those sound processors with amped speakers and sub to get a proper stereo image, and one that kicks ass! When I got my RL, I learned what stereo imaging and time alignment meant. It's awesome. Not sure a front speaker swap and sub is going to satisfy me. The biggest problem is I don't have my car stereo guy from Orlando that I trust with my cars. He was awesome. I don't want just anybody tearing apart my car, and the best here I just can't afford. But I think my car will need a processor with EQ that I can tweak, some decent separates up front, and a good but not boomy sub. Sounds simple, but you guys have not heard the stock system in my RL. I'm really going to miss the surround sound. Why did this format die? It was so awesome. It should be cheap and everywhere now. It was in my 2005 car, of course that was a top of the line model back then. Even new Acuras don't do surround anymore.

 

[mustang5o]

The more I think about it, and the more I continue to drive my Acura with the 5.1 DTS and DVD-audio surround (which will be to difficult to replicate in the Mustang, that I think I won't be happy unless I gut the whole thing behind the head unit and go with one of those sound processors with amped speakers and sub to get a proper stereo image, and one that kicks ass! When I got my RL, I learned what stereo imaging and time alignment meant. It's awesome. Not sure a front speaker swap and sub is going to satisfy me. The biggest problem is I don't have my car stereo guy from Orlando that I trust with my cars. He was awesome. I don't want just anybody tearing apart my car, and the best here I just can't afford. But I think my car will need a processor with EQ that I can tweak, some decent separates up front, and a good but not boomy sub. Sounds simple, but you guys have not heard the stock system in my RL. I'm really going to miss the surround sound. Why did this format die? It was so awesome. It should be cheap and everywhere now. It was in my 2005 car, of course that was a top of the line model back then. Even new Acuras don't do surround anymore.

Just look at the state of audio and surround sound in general. Most people are fine with TV speakers or sound bars in their homes. Only a minority of enthusiasts will build true 5.1, 7.1 or now Dolby Atmos surround systems in their homes let alone a car.

 

[Gmacguyver]

The more I think about it, and the more I continue to drive my Acura with the 5.1 DTS and DVD-audio surround (which will be to difficult to replicate in the Mustang, that I think I won't be happy unless I gut the whole thing behind the head unit and go with one of those sound processors with amped speakers and sub to get a proper stereo image, and one that kicks ass! When I got my RL, I learned what stereo imaging and time alignment meant. It's awesome. Not sure a front speaker swap and sub is going to satisfy me. The biggest problem is I don't have my car stereo guy from Orlando that I trust with my cars. He was awesome. I don't want just anybody tearing apart my car, and the best here I just can't afford. But I think my car will need a processor with EQ that I can tweak, some decent separates up front, and a good but not boomy sub. Sounds simple, but you guys have not heard the stock system in my RL. I'm really going to miss the surround sound. Why did this format die? It was so awesome. It should be cheap and everywhere now. It was in my 2005 car, of course that was a top of the line model back then. Even new Acuras don't do surround anymore.

It can get a lil costly to mass produce an audio system (that not every person wants) to combat a vehicles environment or design a car with sound dampening, active noise cancellation, and proper sound staging. The RL is a luxury car and the Mustang is a sports car, the tech inside them is focused to what type of cars they are.

But I understand where your coming from. I'm gonna start from scratch with the audio system. But I'm installing it all myself to save money lol

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[shahram72]

Funny, thing is... I'm willing to be that the majority of new RL buyers would less appreciate the stereo than new Mustang buyer's. They're too busy listening to AM radio or the oldies station! It's one of those cars that is never fully appreciated by the original owner. It takes the second owner to really appreciate it. If only the Mustang had 4 doors... Did I just say that out loud?

 

[essque]

Agreed. That fact that it doesn't use sync is actually a blessing imho. Does it have bluetooth connectivity and if so, does it work well?

Not too shabby for 300 bucks TBH

 

[Mulestang]

After reading through this thread, I'm a bit confounded. On the one hand, there seems to be variations in the products between vendors (language, minor features, etc.) At the same time, it looks as if it's the same product, sold on eBay under different seller names, sourced from the same manufacturer. What's the ground truth? My wife has '15 V6er that she loves, but she really misses her NAV and big backup cam screen from her previous ride ('10 Expedition). She currently uses her Sync for music and telephone...that's about it. She's hesitant to spend $600 plus for the MFT conversion. Do you think this product is worth a try?

 

[dfrost]

After reading through this thread, I'm a bit confounded. On the one hand, there seems to be variations in the products between vendors (language, minor features, etc.) At the same time, it looks as if it's the same product, sold on eBay under different seller names, sourced from the same manufacturer. What's the ground truth? My wife has '15 V6er that she loves, but she really misses her NAV and big backup cam screen from her previous ride ('10 Expedition). She currently uses her Sync for music and telephone...that's about it. She's hesitant to spend $600 plus for the MFT conversion. Do you think this product is worth a try?

My option from having the two Chinese systems...

Spend the $ for the conversion.

 

[Lein]

I'm inclined to agree that spending the time, cash, and effort for the actual MFT conversion is going to be the best route. I'm still content with the purchase--it's not like it takes functionality away from the car--but I've yet to get a response back from the supposed manufacturer through any of their channels regarding the possibility of system updates (despite the fact that it appears to support them.) Shame, given that the few actual functional problems with it could probably easily be solved in software.

 

[dfrost]

I'm inclined to agree that spending the time, cash, and effort for the actual MFT conversion is going to be the best route. I'm still content with the purchase--it's not like it takes functionality away from the car--but I've yet to get a response back from the supposed manufacturer through any of their channels regarding the possibility of system updates (despite the fact that it appears to support them.) Shame, given that the few actual functional problems with it could probably easily be solved in software.

I've had mine for a few months. I did get a responce from Icar, that said to update was available.

I also watched your video and it's funny that my AC controls through the screen work 100%. However the actual buttons do not, and track control doesn't. When I went back to stock, everything works again.

 

[Mulestang]

I'm inclined to agree that spending the time, cash, and effort for the actual MFT conversion is going to be the best route. I'm still content with the purchase--it's not like it takes functionality away from the car--but I've yet to get a response back from the supposed manufacturer through any of their channels regarding the possibility of system updates (despite the fact that it appears to support them.) Shame, given that the few actual functional problems with it could probably easily be solved in software.

I hope that a company like Raxiom could work a deal to take this product and perform those minor improvements to make it a truly competitive option. I fired off an email to Raxiom and American Muscle last week, but got no reply as to future availability of a system similar to the one Raxiom has for the 10-14s. To me, it's a no-brainer.

 

[SSLByron]

I'm inclined to agree that spending the time, cash, and effort for the actual MFT conversion is going to be the best route. I'm still content with the purchase--it's not like it takes functionality away from the car--but I've yet to get a response back from the supposed manufacturer through any of their channels regarding the possibility of system updates (despite the fact that it appears to support them.) Shame, given that the few actual functional problems with it could probably easily be solved in software.

That's a rampant issue with those manufacturers. I had a ca-fi unit in my Speed3, and while I loved the OEM-like fit and the almost-seamless integration, it was a hodgepodge of software packages all thrown together and there was zero after-purchase support.

 

[Moddiction]

Scosche said they may have info on their in dash kit by SEMA in November. No exact ETA yet though. Can't wait for a nice double din kit to run an aftermarket nav/stereo.

 

[Lein]

That would work, too. A large-screened unit with Carplay support would be fun, even if it meant having it sit in the bottom-half of the setup instead of the top like the OEM-like systems.

My guess is that they're probably held up on creating their own circuitry to make the transition more plug-and-play friendly, versus the China kits which require transferring the circuit board and controls from your factory display setup (leaving unused buttons and whatnot floating behind the screen.)

 

[likeaboss]

Scosche said they may have info on their in dash kit by SEMA in November. No exact ETA yet though. Can't wait for a nice double din kit to run an aftermarket nav/stereo.

I'm fingers are crossed for a quality unit. It would make my decision to go Track Pack on the GT350 a lot easier.

I'd really like to see someone do a well documented base stereo to Sync 3 and MyFord Touch to Sync 3 conversion.

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