The sound system's? Opinion's please?

[jacobzcool1]

Is the regular sound system of the passion good if you turn it up louder when your on the interstate? or is it really worth paying another $350 for the tweeters and subwoofer (because i really like the more speakers)? I use an ipod also, so there isn't much of a point for getting the 6-disc cd changer...?

Any actual owners of either type would be appreciated to see your opinion of your sound system! pros and cons?

-Smart Radio (price included)
-Smart Premium Radio ($150 extra)
-Smart Premium Sound System ($350 extra)

[ck_az]

Post this in the audio & video forum. If you really want good sound you will not go with the factory options. Speakers are terrible. So if anything get the factory radio and upgrade the speakers. Again there are LOTS of threads on this very topic in the AV forum.

[JPaul]

Moved to audio/video.

IMHO, the smart radios are adequate for a car of that size/price/use. I went for 10 and sound system to have the "best" while remaining OEM (for resale purpose).

[John_H]

The question is whether one wants "completely adequate" or prefers something "good." An audiophile would dislike any of the Smart offerings. People who just like to listen to music while they drive would probably enjoy it in any configuration.

I'm no audiophile but I have an aftermarket HD radio, replacement speakers, and have sound/vibration dampening internally on the door skins to abate outside noise and enhance inside sound. No subwoofer needed for good sound in my setup, but then I feel wicked-loud music in a car is nonsense.

[jacobzcool1]

oh...gotcha!

[sheureka]

I don't think a true audiophile would ever drive a convertible - so the premium sound system (which is standard on the cabrio) is fine for me - sheureka

[Susie 1382]

"...I feel wicked-loud music in a car is nonsense."

Nodding.

One ear on the tunes/news; one ear on the Outside World of Traffic and Pedestrians.

The road ain't the living room.

[SunDiego]

For about $50 you can replace the speakers your self. Improves the sound a lot from the stock speakers. Adding a subwoofer will help the low end sound. I wouldn't bother with the foam in the door panels. The panels are plastic and don't create sound when the speakers vibrate them (If you even listen to music that loud), and if you have a cabrio most of the external noise will be coming from the soft-top.

[tsutaoka]

my orphan came with -Smart Premium Sound System ($350 extra) and now i'm researching a whole new system. not impressed with the Premium Sound to say the least...

[msjohnson1974]

Get the base radio and then rip it out and replace with something else... The Radio 9 is ok and is getting me by but I'm definitely getting a new head unit and component speakers.