I've decided that I need to address the stock 12 speaker Sony system in my 2010 Fusion Sport. I can't believe that in a top of the line package you are only allotted options to change "treble & bass". I honestly got better sound in my 99 Ranger with a $50 component set and a pair of 6" mids, with a 5 year old Pioneer HU's eq.
That being said, I DO use and have decided to retain Sync & Steering wheel controls. The only alterations I have in mind (for now) are signal processing. The amp is plenty for everything above midbass range and the sound can be decent from the speakers. I am adding a small subwoofer / amp combo and associated accessories otherwise.
This leaves me two paths:
Buy a decent aftermarket HU ($300-1200) with Bluetooth integration and an aux input, and add on a Ford retention module for Sync et al ($200) and hope the ($50) Schoshe dash kit isn't horrible. I stil have to delve into retaining the factory amp (I/O options). Finally, possibly, pick up an Audiocontrol unit ($100-200) to retask my factory subs (which aren't horrible) to mid-bass duty specifically.
-or-
Buy a JBL MS-8 ($600) or very similar and retain the stock HU & factory features, as well as the stock dash which I'd prefer. It appears that the MS8 is simply an advanced inline signal processor which will allow me to tweak the audio stage & bands (moreso then most aftermarket HUs) as well as expand upon the system as a whole.
It seems I can spend an "extra" $250 or so on going aftermarket HU and may still lose some functionality, or I can spend $600 total and get what I'm looking for in total. So I ask, has anyone had any actual experience with the JBL unit?
Nick
