Stock Stereo....again (new guy)


2112

2112

Blue/white 06'
Mark II Lifetime
Feb 27, 2010
6,360
People's Republic of Washington State
I did a search and read quite a few comments about the McIntosh system. I have all McIntosh in my home and am fully aware that what our cars have is essentially a Clarion(?) with the McIntosh label. That is why the real New York Company denies all ties to our cars systems.

Having said that, and also acknowledging that when the car is moving, music is not what is foremost on my mind, I wanted to bring up the issue again.

I sat in my shop last night and listened to Crime of the Century, start to finish, with the volume full bore........I was impressed.

I do not like the obtrusiveness of the subwoofer at all. It feels like someone looking over my shoulder and blocks my vision a little.

But, though not the best sounding system I have ever heard, I thought the stock system had great clarity, decent depth of soundstage, and very little distortion at top volume. Most of all, Having the sub so high up and forward facing seemed to work. I expected echos/reverberations and the like. Not so.

Again, not the best, but much better than I expected. As a comparison, the stock system in my Z8 is a total POS.

OK, Here is my question. For those who have done the relocate, what happened to the quality of the sound?

I was surprised how much I like this set up. In my house I have JBL Gothams and I use them like a regular speaker....Facing my seat, not blocked by anything including furniture. I am nervous about dropping the sub down low and behind and loosing some of the very decent bass response I have now.

(I know some of you really do not like the Mac system, mostly wanting to hear from those who liked it enough to keep it or just relocate the sub)

Thanks :usa
 
Crime of the Century = AWESOME!

I think most who have done the relocate have commented that the system is very, very, similar to OEM. This stands to reason as the volume of the relocate enclosure was designed to be as close as possible to OEM. As such, the largest difference is the palcement of the sub but as we are discussin low frequencies - it is not as critical - but still there is a timing difference.

In reality, you need to put an exhaust on your GT and this will certainly erase any minute (good or bad) relocate nuances... with a sound that is not quite as good as Crime of the Century.... but certainly in the same league! :biggrin
 
Both of my cars have had the sub relocated. I never cared for the big honkin' sub enclosure. I'm admittedly not in your league as an audiophile but when I use the unit it still sounds great to me.
 
I am not really an audiophile but I was pleasantly pleased with the quality of sound from the stock layout.

Again, having the sub at my right shoulder is going to probably be an issue. I just don't want to muffle the great bass with the relocate.

BTW Exhaust is #1 on my to do list. :thumbsup

Crime of the Century is a great test album. :biggrin

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The very first mod on my car was to relocate the sub. Stiil sounds great and now looks great as well.
 
2112 said:
I am not really an audiophile but I was pleasantly pleased with the quality of sound from the stock layout.

Again, having the sub at my right shoulder is going to probably be an issue. I just don't want to muffle the great bass with the relocate.

BTW Exhaust is #1 on my to do list. :thumbsup

Crime of the Century is a great test album. :biggrin

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I created the relocation system with the assistance of ViperJoe several years ago and to this day 80 plus gals have the system and IMO as well as many many others it not only looks the way it should have been as delivered but also sounds as it should too; subwoofers are not by design to be located next to your ear but rather they are to fill the environment.

All that made a comment have my system; maybe ........ I am not sure about nota4re

Takes care

Shadowman
 
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Well, I know I am doing it anyway. :thumbsup

Have you ever put in a splitter and put 2 subs(& amps) in, one behind each seat?

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2112, I think this may be the last real Mac car system rather than the first Clarion. When I got my car in '05 I researched the stereo on their website. A year later, all had changed. I've been happy with mine with the iPod hookup.
 
2112 said:
Well, I know I am doing it anyway. :thumbsup

Have you ever put in a splitter and put 2 subs(& amps) in, one behind each seat?

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No and yet there is room to do so

Takes care

Shadowman
 
This is how it was explained to me.

The company was purchased by Japanese car audio maker Clarion in 1990. Since the Clarion purchase, McIntosh has expanded into car audio and home theater.

In May 2003, McIntosh was sold by Clarion to D&M Holdings, also of Japan. McIntosh continues to operate independent engineering, design, and production operations in accordance with the company's tradition.


Now I was also told that that there is some technology in the Car Audio that came from McIntosh Labs in New York, Powerguard being one of them. But I believe the New York operation has nothing to do with the car Audio line.

D&M also Owns Denon and Marantz FWIW.



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Shadowman said:
No and yet there is room to do so

Takes care

Shadowman
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Maybe I will be the first? :eek

I just need to prioritize. :biggrin

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2112 said:
Maybe I will be the first? :eek

I just need to prioritize. :biggrin

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Whether I am intimately involved or assist you from afar I remain willing and happy to assist as needed.

Your first priority was tended to; she is in your garage for which I am very happy for you; everything else is akin to a walk in the park.

All the best

Shadowman
 
I have grown accustom to the "third passenger (Mr. Big Mac)." I think it is one of the design quirks that will make the GT unique in 10 years. However, I understand why you may not want to wait that long for quirky to become unique.
 
Shadowman said:
Whether I am intimately involved or assist you from afar I remain willing and happy to assist as needed.

Your first priority was tended to; she is in your garage for which I am very happy for you; everything else is akin to a walk in the park.

All the best

Shadowman
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I tackle a lot of big projects but my skills tend to lead things to be a bit too "blingy". Works in a boat, but IMHO not as well for this particular car.

Your ability to do everything as OEM is exactly what I want you to do. I just need to decide whether to do it separate phases or to bite the bullet and do as much as possible in one visit.

BTW thanks for your help on the GTX exhaust procurement. :usa

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Fubar said:
I have grown accustom to the "third passenger (Mr. Big Mac)." I think it is one of the design quirks that will make the GT unique in 10 years. However, I understand why you may not want to wait that long for quirky to become unique.
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And it does sound good as laid out, no? :wink

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I ordered my Mac relocate kit from Shadowman before I even received my car. It was my first project and certainly one of the best. With his help from afar, even someone as clumsy as me was able to achieve the swap with excellent results. I think it sounds better in its new place too.
 
New York handles parts for our system. I got the end caps for mine. Expensive though. $40.00 each plus shipping.
 
I've got the relocation kit in one of my GTs. In a back to back listening test I cannot really tell much difference. Both sub locations sound great to me.
 
Floridaho Chris,

You got it made living in my 2 favorite places on earth. I grew up in Spokane/north Idaho and I love south Florida, Someday, If I work hard (and smart) enough, I am going to do what you are doing, living in both places. :thumbsup

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2112 said:
Floridaho Chris,

You got it made living in my 2 favorite places on earth. I grew up in Spokane/north Idaho and I love south Florida, Someday, If I work hard (and smart) enough, I am going to do what you are doing, living in both places. :thumbsup

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There are a couple of forum members living in North Idaho. If you find your way out in the Sandpoint/CDA/NW Montana area this summer let me/us know. We are always up for an excuse to exercise the GTs. :thumbsup
 
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