Mach 460 sound system.. Is it worth it?
Anthony Martino
everyday, but am far from knowing enough about it. But my question is
how much more do you pay for this Mach 460 Sound System? From what I
hear in this group, it doesn't sound like it's worth it. The bad
sound from this system may just be the speakers if they're still
putting paper coned speakers in new cars. Chances are that it's
probably a better deal to get the basic cheap stereo w/ a new mustang
(or none at all if possible) and yank the factory one out to put in an
aftermarket one. One thing... if you like bass in your car, you'll
have to do some customizing if you own an Fox body LX due to the lack
of space in the trunk. Anything over an 8" speaker back there will
require a custom box.
Matt Tiemeyer
> I'm a stereo buff and I'm learning more and more about my mustang
> everyday, but am far from knowing enough about it. But my question is
> how much more do you pay for this Mach 460 Sound System? From what I
> hear in this group, it doesn't sound like it's worth it.
Keep in mind that generally satisfied people usually don't post.
I'm quite happy with my Mach 460; I think the clarity and power are
pretty good for a stock unit.
But I'm not a "stereo buff".
Matt
Dave Kagels
the Mach 460 sound system that's going to come with it. I was not
impressed. The 140 watt system I installed in the trunk of my 1991
LX 5.0 (which I am selling - see my ad posted on this group) sounds
much better. The Mach 460 system had much more distortion at similar
volume levels (not even all that loud). I don't believe that the system
actually has 460 watts, certainly not of continuous power. The speakers
(and maybe the amplifiers) didn't sound like they had very good sound
quality. In my LX I installed a 3/4 inch thick board under the entire
rear deck, and sealed it completely (no open space going between the
trunk and interior). I cut holes for the speakers, and made sure they
were properly sealed to the board. I put in a pair of JBL triaxial 6x9
speakers and a 10" Infinity infinite baffle (free air) subwoofer.
I'm using a trunk mounted amp with speaker level inputs from the rear
speaker lines. The amp puts 30 watts each into the 6x9's and 80 watts
into the subwoofer (continuous power (RMS)). That may not sound like
much, but the sound quality is excellent, and it gets plenty loud
enough to feel the bass in the car. The frequency response is very good.
It's not so loud that people will feel it inside their houses when I
drive by, but it's plenty loud enough inside the car, even when cruising
down the highway at 90 with the window down! I think it sounds much
better that the Mach 460 system. When I get the Cobra, I'll probably
add another amp and a good subwoofer on the rear deck, and replace
some of the stock speakers with better quality ones. I may have to
cut the sheetmetal on the rear deck to port it through to the interior
however, since I didn't see any holes near the center of the rear deck
like my LX has.
Does anyone have any better ideas for beefing up the Mach 460 system?
Montgomery D. Bonner
says...
>
>I'm buying a 1996 Mustang Cobra soon (it's on order), and I checked out
>the Mach 460 sound system that's going to come with it. I was not
>volume levels (not even all that loud). I don't believe that the system
>actually has 460 watts, certainly not of continuous power. The speakers
>(and maybe the amplifiers) didn't sound like they had very good sound
>quality.
Well I have a 95 GT with the 460 sound system. I hear pretty good, and I can
turn up the system on CD or radio loud enough that people in other cars look
around at like I am some kink of a nut. Also since the car has road noise that
will interfier with the delevered sound out of the system, it probably is good
enough. If you want truly good sound you must build a sound room, with good
insulation and accoustics (SP). A car was not designed for top quality sound,
and our attention should be on driving the vehicle anyway. Hope the Government
shut down has not effected you to bad. My agency is self supporting so I work.
Dont mean to offend just my opinion. As you can gather I like the 460 sound
system, my beef is with the lousy radio reception in the FM band.
Paul Hurley
I have the Mach 460 in my 94 GT and, although the system is good, I am
somewhat disappointed. It has power, but the bass is muddy and there
is a general lack of detail overall. I am not too crazy about the
ergnomics of the system either. Things like button placement, the
fact that the power must be on to eject the CD, this odd "compress"
button on the CD player that does little more than make the sound
worse when on. I made the mistake of buying the Mach 460 without
giving it a listen. OTOH, my last car (90 Celica GTS) had a
surprisingly good high-end system, so I guess I was expecting more of
the same.
Bottom line - listen first, and if you like it order it. Otherwise
shop around at your local car audio shops. Don't forget to find out
about any aftermarket warranties!
Paul