New Speakers with Sony Audio

[Towmod]

I had installed new speakers in my 13 Titanium.  They are Polk DB6501 components installed in the front doors.  The difference in sound is great and cant wait to install the rears (they are on order).  I had the tweeters set at level but think when i go back to have the rears installed i'm going to make all 4 tweeters set at -3db.  I've included a few photos am I willing to sell to anyone the original speakers.  For anyone interested please PM me.

 

Door without any speakers

 

Inside of door panel.  A lot of plastic.

 

Door panel with the original tweeter still installed.

 

New mid-woofer installed.  Used Dynamat and it eliminated 90% of all buzzing in the door panels. Also placed it in key rattle spots to help out.

 

All buttoned up.  Everything fit like a glove.  The only mod was for the new tweeter and that was just some plastic cutting for the new 'larger' tweeter and some hot glue.

Edited February 24, 2014 at 04:07 AM by Towmod

[terrytam]

Hi. Searching all over internet for post like your's.  I have a 2014 Fusion Titanium with Sony "12 speaker" system.  Amp appears powerful enough, but sound just doesn't sound right. Best description is there does not appear to be much separation and maybe even a little weak in the mids.  I've read several posts saying if we mess with factory speakers it would trip up the noise cancellation system designed to mask engine noise (which cannot be turned off).

 

A few questions for you:

 

1)  Do you have the Sony 12 spkr system?

2)  When you say changing rear are you talking about rear doors or rear deck?

3)  Do you think if I just change rear deck speakers to 6x9? to Polk AUdio DB691 3-way speakers would it improve sound quality?

4)  Do you know is rear deck speaker just regular speaker (not dedicated sub-woofer) and if it is 6x9?

5)  If so should I be able to just plug in new 6x9 3 ways and mount?

 

I'm by no means an audiophille but do love my car and have long drives each morning and the sound just doesn't sound anything like my 2005 acura TL sound system :(

 

Thanks!!

[Towmod]

To answer your questions....

 

1)  Do you have the Sony 12 spkr system? Yes I do.

 

2)  When you say changing rear are you talking about rear doors or rear deck? The rear doors.  I have also installed the Db6501s in the rears doors and it has made a big difference in the clarity of the overall system.

 

3)  Do you think if I just change rear deck speakers to 6x9? to Polk AUdio DB691 3-way speakers would it improve sound quality?  I wouldn't as there would be way to much mid and high frequency.  This isn't a 70's sound system where most of the sound comes from the rear.  Modern sound systems are setup where only the bass (which is not directional) comes from the rear.  Also the 'surround' mode would not work correctly with full range sounds coming from the rear shelf.

 

4)  Do you know is rear deck speaker just regular speaker (not dedicated sub-woofer) and if it is 6x9? The rear deck has dual 6x9 subs in it and one 3.5 inch center channel to match the front center channel setup for the rear passengers.

 

5)  If so should I be able to just plug in new 6x9 3 ways and mount?  There aren't a lot of 6x9 subs i would just stick to the stock units.  Ford also uses a unique mounting bracket for the rear shelf that would require some work,

 

Overall the sound has been greatly improved with the Polks installed.  I know what you mean about the stock speakers not sounding just right.  They didn't.  I have found that with the Polks crossovers set at -3db I am able to run the EQ controls at  0db for the bass, 0db for the mids. and plus +1 for the treble.  This to me gives the best clarity to the system without the hollowing and heavy midbass that the stock speakers have.  The reason I turned down the tweeters to -3 is that at 0 they are too hot and i need to turn down the treble two clicks and while that gives the same results it also turns down the front and rear center channel speakers and then the highs disappear from the center speakers.  One also important setting i have found is that i also set the fade to decrease the front speakers 3 clicks.  This balances the system for more natural sound without the front speakers sounding to loud and over powering the rest of the system.  For the radio settings this fade does not decrease the overall power of the system but for my iPhone it does a bit when playing MP3s.  To compensate for this I set the entire iTunes library to +6 to boost the input level to the Sony system.  Give the speakers 30 days to burn in and what a great sound you will have.

 

About the only other change I would make to the system is to change the center channel speakers to Polk db351s but It appears to get to the the front center channel speaker would cost far more than what would be gained by a speaker swap.  Let me know if you have any other questions.

Edited May 5, 2014 at 04:01 AM by Towmod

[Robert Savering Jr.]

I have been scouring the web looking for the power and ohm ratings of the stock Sony speakers.  Could you please provide this information if it is readily available.  I assume that it might have been stamped on the stock speakers. 

 

r/

rws

[Towmod]

I have been scouring the web looking for the power and ohm ratings of the stock Sony speakers.  Could you please provide this information if it is readily available.  I assume that it might have been stamped on the stock speakers. 

 

r/

rws

 

They are but to be honest all you need to do is have higher efficiency speakers (around 91db) for loud and a clear enough system.  The output of the Sony is about 20 watts RMS per channel (all 6 of them).  Plus I believe there is a small sub amp somewhere in the trunk.  The speaker range fro 2 to 4 ohms and have a capacity up to 25 watts/

Edited August 26, 2014 at 05:12 AM by Towmod

[uniquelyd]

I really hope this post isn't dead.  Like you all, I have been searching the net for the best way to upgrade my sound and I would normally have all the factory speakers replaced in my car and through in a 10" kicker or two but everything I have been reading is saying that a sub and an amp is not a good idea for this car.  

 

So I have been chatting with a few crutchfield reps and I'm being told that an amp would is suggested in order to get the best out of the Polks.  

 

Towmod, did you use an amp in your setup and dose your new setup reduce your EV range?  Do you think it would be a good idea to consider or would having the additional kick put a strain on my battery and reduce my driving range in EV mode? 

 

I really need to sit down and read more about audio installations and increase my knowledge but I am by no means good at the technical jargon but I'm pretty decent with my hands installations.  

 

thanks 

[Towmod]

I really hope this post isn't dead.  Like you all, I have been searching the net for the best way to upgrade my sound and I would normally have all the factory speakers replaced in my car and through in a 10" kicker or two but everything I have been reading is saying that a sub and an amp is not a good idea for this car.  

 

So I have been chatting with a few crutchfield reps and I'm being told that an amp would is suggested in order to get the best out of the Polks.  

 

Towmod, did you use an amp in your setup and dose your new setup reduce your EV range?  Do you think it would be a good idea to consider or would having the additional kick put a strain on my battery and reduce my driving range in EV mode? 

 

I really need to sit down and read more about audio installations and increase my knowledge but I am by no means good at the technical jargon but I'm pretty decent with my hands installations.  

 

thanks 

I used all the stock amps and the Polks sound much better than the stock Sony speakers.  To be honest I don't believe that amps will help out that much.  Living with the system now for nearly 2 years i really think that the head unit is the main problem.  Features like adjustable input level for MP3 or Bluetooth is a must, and only a 3 band EQ are really issues that prevent proper volume and tuning of the system.  The stock speakers really boom in the lover mids and the Polks do a lot to fix that but really and EQ is needed to properly get rid of this.  Its really a cheap head unit that for a car this expensive should have in it,  BTW should you get the Polks set the tweeters in the crossovers to -3 otherwise the highs will be too hot.

[uniquelyd]

I used all the stock amps and the Polks sound much better than the stock Sony speakers.  To be honest I don't believe that amps will help out that much.  Living with the system now for nearly 2 years i really think that the head unit is the main problem.  Features like adjustable input level for MP3 or Bluetooth is a must, and only a 3 band EQ are really issues that prevent proper volume and tuning of the system.  The stock speakers really boom in the lover mids and the Polks do a lot to fix that but really and EQ is needed to properly get rid of this.  Its really a cheap head unit that for a car this expensive should have in it,  BTW should you get the Polks set the tweeters in the crossovers to -3 otherwise the highs will be too hot.

 

 

I know this isn't the best but look what I found.

 

Edited April 21, 2015 at 08:04 PM by uniquelyd

[sircbarkley]

Question for the group.  Did any of you add an aftermarket subwoofer to your fusion energi?  If so, have you been able to find a way to stop the sub from turning off when the gas engine turns off?  My sub only works when the gas engine is on or when the car is 100% in full EV mode with a full charge.  When the car is operating as a hybrid the sub doesn't work when the car is on electric mode and only comes on when the gas engine comes on.  Have you encountered a similar situation? If so, have you found a work around?

 

I've had three shops try to trouble shoot this issue so far.  I've had a separate dedicated battery installed, tried different amps, and even had a switch installed but nothing seems to work.  I'd like to know if anyone was able to resolve this issue.

 

Thank you!

[Tammap]

Here you go sircbarkley.

 

http://fordfusionhybridforum.com/topic/9826-sony-amp-wiring-diagram/page-4

[bryweb]

TowMod,

 

My daughter also purchased Polk DB6501 for her Fusion Titanium after we read your post,  it was an easy decision since we had the same speakers in her Jeep Cherokee and loved them.

 

On her jeep I just ran all new wiring for the tweeters and mids from the included crossover,   but in her Fusion I am not sure how to wire up the crossover that is included with the Polk speakers and rather not run new wiring if I don't have to.  Did you run new wires?  if so what did you use to drive the crossover since the Sony already separates the highs and lows.  If you did not mention setting the crossover to -3 I probably would not be considering using the included POLK crossover. Any information on wiring the speakers would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks,

 

Bryan

[Towmod]

In the stock system head unit output is run only to the woofer.  The woofer contains the crossover soldered to the terminal connectors and from there a line was run to the tweeters.  When I had the Polk's installed they simply ran the the headamp wire to the crossover input and then ran the two crossover outputs to the correct speaker component.

 

I ended up setting the tweeters to -3 because the center channel speakers (front and rear deck) were going to remain SONY and I wanted to add more highs to them by turning up the treble on the head unit,

Edited April 24, 2017 at 08:05 PM by Towmod

[mgraven]

I read most of the above posts, anyone know what is the best simplest replacement for the rear oval woofers? I tore one and wanting to replace it without messing with the entire system, I can replace one with a replacement OEM  but was wondering if there were better options than the oem replacement for the same approximate price range, i bought some 6x9 3 stage Kenwood's from best buys but they did not fit so i am warry of trying multiple aftermarket options that may or may not fit hence why im asking for feedback, i am too running a 2014 fusion enrgi titanium with the sony surround sound, thanks.

[murphy]

If you don't use the original speaker you may have to disable the active noise cancellation because it will no longer match the ANC tuning.

 

[Matt]

On 12/14/2020 at 1:28 PM, mgraven said:

I read most of the above posts, anyone know what is the best simplest replacement for the rear oval woofers? I tore one and wanting to replace it without messing with the entire system, I can replace one with a replacement OEM  but was wondering if there were better options than the oem replacement for the same approximate price range, i bought some 6x9 3 stage Kenwood's from best buys but they did not fit so i am warry of trying multiple aftermarket options that may or may not fit hence why im asking for feedback, i am too running a 2014 fusion enrgi titanium with the sony surround sound, thanks.

From what I've read in other forums, alot of other people weren't able to get the fit right with alot of the after market 6x9 options. One solution I've heard about involves cutting the orginal speaker out of its mounting bracket and mounting your new one to it which sounds pretty messy. I purchased a pair of CL69SUB/CF.2 (REFURBISHED), from CDT Audio. Great speakers by the way, and couldn't get it to fit with generic spacers from my local car audio shop. I ended up using a thick layer of foam around the back of the speaker and it sits barely flush but forms a decent seal. My job wasnt that pretty but its covered anyway.