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Upgrading McIntosh Sound System 08 Liberty STI

PostPosted: Wed Sep 17, 2014 2:33 pm
by SSSRO1
Hey Guys,

I recently bought a 2008 Liberty STI and looking at making the sound system sound a little better.

I find that at any volume below about 35 the sound is quite muffled and tweeters are not too bright (even with treble set to 6).

What would be the best value for money for me to upgrade the sound system to sound a bit clearer (SQ)? im not too fussed with loudness as I'm past the age of loud bass & windows wound down :lol:

Coming from an Audi A4 Bang & Olufsen system might be the reason why the McIntosh seems to be lacking. (The B&O was the best factory system ive ever heard hands down).

I was thinking of getting some Focal 165 ISS Speakers for an upgrade. Will this be an upgrade or downgrade from the stock Liberty Mac speakers. Also could these be run off the factory amp without any issues?

I almost feel like the speakers can be good or much better, but feel like they are not eq'd correctly. Ive tried to fiddle with the Treble, Mid, Bass setting (from -6 to +6) to find a combo that works, but they still sound fairly muffled. The bass is good I think but the treble and mids could definately be a bit clearer.

Any help on the above would be appreciated.

Regards,
Marius

Re: Upgrading McIntosh Sound System 08 Liberty STI

PostPosted: Wed Sep 17, 2014 7:02 pm
by bigBADbenny
At 35 with what source? the CD?

If so that seems a bit odd.

I'd remove the front door cards and inspect the stock speakers, perhaps the surrounds are perished, make sure the tweeters are plugged in etc.

I'm all stock apart from resomatted doors, a Belkin Aircast Auto and a Polk MM840 driven by the stock amp.

Its very adequate for my needs :) For others, it would all be binned...

Re: Upgrading McIntosh Sound System 08 Liberty STI

PostPosted: Tue Sep 23, 2014 2:39 pm
by Monkey
Also happy with SQ - same set up (MM840 yet to be installed).

I do find however that the volume isn't loud enough. regularly listen to mine at vol 39 with the windows down and it's not overly loud. Could do with another 25% vol max.
Windows up it's fine, but still vol 30+

Re: Upgrading McIntosh Sound System 08 Liberty STI

PostPosted: Fri Oct 03, 2014 10:06 pm
by Shaheenis
bigBADbenny wrote:I'm all stock apart from resomatted doors, a Belkin Aircast Auto and a Polk MM840 driven by the stock amp.


Does the Polk Audio MM840 fit behind the stock cover or does it need to be mounted elsewhere? Is it a big improvement or did you just replace because the old one was fugged?