Any Car Junkies? How do I tell if my Ford has premium sound?

[Modeps]

I bought my 1998 Ford Crown Victoria used, and am planning on getting a different head unit (with a CD/MP3 player) The only problem is, I'm not sure if I have the "premium sound" package installed on it. Thanks for any help you can offer!

~Intake

 

[T2T III]

Does it say "Mach" anywhere? Such as on the covers to the tweeters on the doors?

 

[mastertech01]

Most of them have it. Some will say it on the unit itself. If it has 4 speakers, front and rear you can pretty much figure it to be Premium Sound. Most others would be an upgrade like JBL super sound.

 

[Modeps]

There's no labeling at all... and I cant actually see any of the speakers either, they're all covered by grills or placed beneath the back deck... I know there's at least 4 speakers. Unfortunately, I cant exactly go around pulling things apart right now to check (i'm at work )

EDIT: incase it matters, my head unit is just a cassette player with am/fm radio. What size is that anyways? It's bigger than normal head units... I just hope my new one wont look like crap floating in the big hole

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: mastertech01
Most of them have it. Some will say it on the unit itself. If it has 4 speakers, front and rear you can pretty much figure it to be Premium Sound. Most others would be an upgrade like JBL super sound.

4 speakers was premium in 1998? My 1996 neon had 6 stock. I would assume premium sound would have tweeters upfront.

 

[mastertech01]

Mach460 would be an upgrade JBL system and easily seen on the speaker grilles. Premium Sound generally describes a head unit which provides front speaker operation and a second amplifier unit which provides rear speaker operation. However not all premium sound systems have multiple amplifiers. Its a name Ford has used for many years with various configurations. It can mean something as minor as upgraded speakers front and rear.

 

[JOSEPHLB]

my Ford Ranger has four 6"x8" speakers.. two in the doors, and two behind the seats... I replaced all of them with Kenwood speakers.. and noticed the two factory speakers behind the seats had "premium speakers" imprinted on the backside of them....

So, if you dont know.. you could always check your speakers for yourself..

 

[JOSEPHLB]

Originally posted by: mastertech01
Mach460 would be an upgrade JBL system and easily seen on the speaker grilles. Premium Sound generally describes a head unit which provides front speaker operation and a second amplifier unit which provides rear speaker operation. However not all premium sound systems have multiple amplifiers. Its a name Ford has used for many years with various configurations. It can mean something as minor as upgraded speakers front and rear.

Exactly... It could be any combination... It could be they upgraded the speakers from cheapo Jensen's to an upgraded JBL , or Kicker's...

 

[Modeps]

Originally posted by: JOSEPHLB

Originally posted by: mastertech01
Mach460 would be an upgrade JBL system and easily seen on the speaker grilles. Premium Sound generally describes a head unit which provides front speaker operation and a second amplifier unit which provides rear speaker operation. However not all premium sound systems have multiple amplifiers. Its a name Ford has used for many years with various configurations. It can mean something as minor as upgraded speakers front and rear.

Exactly... It could be any combination... It could be they upgraded the speakers from cheapo Jensen's to an upgraded JBL , or Kicker's...

So basically, the best way for me to check is to go under the back deck, remove the covers and just look eh? Do the words "Premium Speakers" indicate ford's "Premium Sound"?

Back when I owned my first Crown Vic (85) I seem to recall seeing the words 'premium sound' printed on the actual head unit... I guess they stopped that?

I'm looking to get this HU:
JVC KD-SX990

 

[T2T III]

I guess the best way to find out would be to locate a service manual for your vehicle. Look at the service manual for the location of the amplifiers and then check if your vehicle has them in that location.

 

[Modeps]

sounds good to me, I've got the service manual in the car right now.. i'll check it out at lunchtime.

 

[rudeguy]

Originally posted by: Intake77
sounds good to me, I've got the service manual in the car right now.. i'll check it out at lunchtime.

edit: Didnt read thread right...do you have a power antenna?

 

[Modeps]

No, the antenna is in the back windshield.

 

[rudeguy]

then yeah, you have prem sound...check in the trunk, either on the shelf (between you back speakers) or behind the back seat...another easy way to tell is to pull your stock deck and look at the plugs...good news is it should be an easy bypass

 

[SuperSix]

Originally posted by: Intake77
No, the antenna is in the back windshield.

Ususally you can see amplifiers under the back deck. Might be hard to know which on is/if an amp, there may be ABS/other modules up there as well.

From what you've posted, I doubt it's any more than a standard car audio system with the amp internal to the head unit. One other way that MIGHT help is to use an ohm-meter on the speaker wires (Check one end @ head unit, other end @ speaker location), and if any appreciable amount of resistance is shown, you may have an inline amp.

I would just call Crutchfield.

 

[Modeps]

I may just order from Crutchfield then and get all the parts I need for free along with it... I remember trying to bypass the premium sound on my 85... I gave up and just bought new speakers, and rewired the car.


EDIT: HAHA! I just posted that as you were posting

 

[JOSEPHLB]

Good choice... I love how Crutchfield throws all other accessories in for free with your ordered system.

 

[SuperSix]

Originally posted by: JOSEPHLB
Good choice... I love how Crutchfield throws all other accessories in for free with your ordered system.

Yes, they cost a little more, but the service is unbelievable.

 

[Modeps]

I called up ole Crutchfield and the very VERY pleasnt sales guy talked to me and told me that all i needed to do was look for "Premium Sound" on the factory headunit... if it wasnt there, i didnt have it. So i ordered up that JVC MP3/CD and it already shipped. they're some fast guys over there.