Question concerning the quality of the radio/speaker output.

[Jeff C.]

Hello all.I have received the 90 day notification for our smart and now the impending feeling is setteling in that soon the dream will be a reality.I have read some posts here that give the impression that the sound quality delivered by the radio 10 (in the cabriolet) may be somewhat less than what a person might expect.Is the stock equipment for the radio a reasonable approximation of acceptability? Or should I begin thinking of replacing speakers?I do appreciate your imput.

[jwight]

Very subjective question (and answers.) Some people hate the stock radios, others (myself included) are happy with them. Hard for you to make an informed decision without sitting in a smart and listening to the radio. My guess is the Radio 10 (and factory speakers) will be fine, but if you don't like it there are many threads on swapping it out for something else.

[Duckhunter]

Mine (radio 9) works fine for me. Did replace cheap paper speakers, helped a lot. Only issue I have is with the XM on the aux in volume is too weak. My hearing is already screwed from working on radars, but I do not intend to make it worse by killing it with loud thumping music.

[forestacademy]

Without some extra soundproofing it doesn't realy matter much. This isnt a car for Audiophiles. But it does works great for Talk Radio.

[gbryers]

Having worked around jet engines for years, I am hardly the guy to comment on quality, except to say that if I don't have "good contrast" between ambient noise and the radion/tv/person I am trying to listen to, then it is all just noise. Given that, I am fine with the Radio 9 I have in mine (not a Cabrio). However, remembering my younger, less deaf years, I can also see where dropping some spare beer money into an upgraded set of speakers might be warranted by those who are more audio-acute...

But, as stated before, you have to be the judge - take one for a test spin on the highway, in rush hour, during a rain storm (max the externals), just to be sure...

[NCC1701]

As jwight said, it is subjective ... and you might be satisfied with the stock system. However, I'm no spring chicken and my ears ain't what they used to be, but I am VERY happy to have upgraded the speakers (Polk DB 651). I paid a pro to do the install, total price < $200. The difference in fidelity is obvious, even without upgrading the electronics. I plan to upgrade the head unit soon. The CD changer in my Radio 10 is showing signs of impending failure, and I want in dash GPS (maybe with rear view camera).

[mvaldes]

I thought the sound quality in my Passion Coupe was fine. Upgrading to the Polk speakers made it even better.

[picciano]

The radio 10 isnt that bad, it's actually pretty decent. Howver, it does tend to crackle on some deep bass sounds. It's a basic radio, not too many bells and whistles.

[mdfortwoguy]

It's one of the better non-premium branded (Bose/HK/Logic7...etc) upgrades out there.

IMO, the base radio 9/2 speakers is abysmal for anything over talk radio or AM/FM. The Radio 10 with audio package gets the job done decently well - I listen to a great variety of music, and it is relatively clear on the highs and bassy on the lows. It has some nice features like CD text, and it remembers the volume for each source that it was last set on - so you don't blow yourself out of the car if you have it cranked up on aux and then switch to CD. The quality of the screen is quite nice on the radio 10 as well.

FM reception/quality seems to not be the best, and the CD changer will decide to catalog its discs on occasion, which takes a couple of minutes and relegates you to AM/FM/Aux only, which can be annoying.

I had concerns about the sound level from the aux input - alas my SkyFi2 is quite loud and clear when piped through the aux input, as long as the FM modulator on it is turned on as well (even though it is not being used - it nearly doubles the volume out).

[smark]

Its one of the worst radio's, I've ever had in some 40 cars. The funny thing is, I'm use to listening to the damn thing now. Or many too cheap to sink a grand into a new radio, speakers, and subwoofer.