Suggest Scout offer a solid audio system as standard as "great sound" is subjective! Then, also offer a premium option as an upgrade since most folks who really want a premium sound experience would be willing to pay for it. I also like the "make it easy to switch out" option for aftermarket folks, but I would prefer a premium factory option.
CLOSED! Audio System Brand Poll
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Agree! I would pay extra for a legit premium sound option from a few of those brands, but others on the list are just "slightly above average". My opinion only of course
There’s been a lot of debate on this so I’ll ask this question
What is it that makes the audio great? Is it the control unit, the speakers, the range, quantity, placement, etc….
If SM is to provide a great sound system I think those concerned should take the time to explain what that is.
Personally I think to some degree sound is very subjective. I also think an EV with no engine noise creates a whole new opportunity in sound tuning.
I only ask because I’d bet money if a good sound designer/engineer is used and the vehicle is fully tuned, any system above will get great.
The trick with sound is getting the space it’s contained in “controlled” to handle both sound absorption and sound movement within the cabin. Someone like myself -I like heavier base-lends itself to my preferred music selections. Someone listening to orchestral music may prefer more treble. Getting all that to balance and trying to land the sweet spot at the drivers seat based on a passenger height of ‘X’ requires a lot of spatial consideration which goes well beyond whose brand is on the speakers.
Telling SM what your end goal is for enjoying music is more beneficial than 30 people debating which speakers they prefer or what controller is best.
It’s like asking us our favorite sports team or color.
Is the goal great sound while commuting on the highway 5 days a week at 70mph or is it around town with the widows open doing 30-ish? Or is it rear hatch open at a tailgate or campsite. These things are ultimately more important than the name of the supplier so providing SM with intent of use is likely the best option of ending up with a good sound system.
One of the most disappointing factory audio systems I've had in the modern car audio era was the Bose system in my 2nd Miata. I've been very happy with the sound quality and longevity of the 500 watt 9 speaker Alpine system in my Grand Cherokee. Probably the best overall factory sound quality in any car I have owned is the Burmester system in my wife's MB although while more powerful than my Grand Cherokee's Alpine system and with twice as many subwoofers, the Burmester system does not have enough bass for my taste.
The '07 Mustang I drove for 10 years had Ford's Shaker 500 system in it. It was a pretty good factory system and Ford branded.
That said, Scout is historically an American brand, and IMHO even though it has major investment from a German automaker, Scout should have an American brand name behind the audio system. My recommendations would be Klipsch, Mark Levinson, Mcintosh or...
hear me out (haha)....
Rockford Fosgate. Jim Fosgate invented the car audio amplifier during the Scout's original era, and has been making rugged mobile audio components ever since, although while their products are "designed and engineered" in Tempe AZ, I do not believe they are made in the US any longer.
Putting an RF system in the Scout would be a great marriage in my opinion.
The '07 Mustang I drove for 10 years had Ford's Shaker 500 system in it. It was a pretty good factory system and Ford branded.
That said, Scout is historically an American brand, and IMHO even though it has major investment from a German automaker, Scout should have an American brand name behind the audio system. My recommendations would be Klipsch, Mark Levinson, Mcintosh or...
hear me out (haha)....
Rockford Fosgate. Jim Fosgate invented the car audio amplifier during the Scout's original era, and has been making rugged mobile audio components ever since, although while their products are "designed and engineered" in Tempe AZ, I do not believe they are made in the US any longer.
Putting an RF system in the Scout would be a great marriage in my opinion.
Agree.
For me, most important is clarity at all frequencies, with an equalizer to adjust those frequencies for preference (e.g., you like bass) and speakers that do not distort clarity at high volumes so we can crank our favorite tunes. Then of course the standard ability that many cars have to adjust L/R, F/B for balance. With those in place, I'd add a few smart options that you added like the ability to maximize the sound experience with the hatch open at the tailgate. I personally don't care about the brand. I've heard sound in cars or headphones from 8 of those brands above and the best sounding headphones I have are not on the list.
So in a simple summary I guess for me it would be high quality speakers, with enough of them placed in the right areas of the vehicle, and the ability to adjust/configure them for frequency and balance to maximize the most likely configurations; driver only, driver + passenger, driver + 2 or more, and of course, the tailgate.
can't wait to see what they come up with!
Yep, I’m glad the poll was put up just to let Scout know what potential customers think instead of just putting whatever brand in the vehicle. It seems that many people want Scout branded or unbranded but quality. I’m liking the no label vibe I’m getting.
I really liked the OEM Motorola AM that was in our 64 Scout 80. It even had the Civil Defense frequencies marked on the dial!
Your comment about driver/passenger made me think-hhhmmm!
Most new cars allow all the balancing, etc… then it seems locked in. Would be awesome to offer 2 to 3 presets in line with your comment. One setting for when it’s just me and I’m jamming and singing Taylor Swift (kidding) but then offer ability to flip to me +passenger-already set up. Then maybe rear seats only if you have kids in the back but want an adult conversation in the front seat and as you/I eluded -maybe a tailgate mode where you tune it to primarily rear of car.
My car is set with 60% volume coming from rear but occasionally we are nice and my wife sits in back and daughter in the front. Then I have to turn the music down super low so she doesn’t go deaf. A quick toggle to bounce between preset tuned environments would be unique and handy
I think the easy answer to you question is Great Sound gets as close to the sound the artist intended. That being said I agree with you 100% that sound is subjective. I tend to also like more bass and when I setup my home setups I tend to bump the bass level a few DB. Other people may feel it is too "boomy". You also hit the nail on the head when you talked about the space itself and tuning the system for that space. They could go the route of using DSP to help tune the sound to the cabin. Better components do make a big difference. Efficiency also makes a difference. With this being a EV it is better to use more efficient speakers so they don't need as powerful amps. Lots that goes into it for sure.
We spend a lot of time in our vehicles and we love music, so we want them to be nice places to be, and that means having high quality audio. We subscribe to Amazon Music HD, and want to hear the quality that service offers in songs recorded in 360 Audio and Dolby Atmos.
We will generally choose an upgraded audio option, but not necessarily the top end - the Volvo Harmon/Kardon sound was good enough, we didn't need the $1800+ B&W sound which only offered an incrementally better experience. We just replaced that Volvo with a Genesis GV60 with Bang & Olufsen audio and it's superb. We didn't choose the top-of-the-line $1800/ 1500W Meridian sound system in our Land Rover - the $850 850W Meridian option was good enough, and it still (after 7 years) still the reference by which our other audio is measured.
We will generally choose an upgraded audio option, but not necessarily the top end - the Volvo Harmon/Kardon sound was good enough, we didn't need the $1800+ B&W sound which only offered an incrementally better experience. We just replaced that Volvo with a Genesis GV60 with Bang & Olufsen audio and it's superb. We didn't choose the top-of-the-line $1800/ 1500W Meridian sound system in our Land Rover - the $850 850W Meridian option was good enough, and it still (after 7 years) still the reference by which our other audio is measured.
My family shares this line of thinking. We usually do not select the top audio option. Hopefully Scout has one, really good system.
All upgraded audio systems from the manufacturer are over priced for what you get. I would also rather they include a great system with the car and skip offering a upgraded sound system. Will also cut their manufacturing costs not having to get parts/assemble multiple sound options.
Probably because we don’t want Scout being called a Rivian in sheep’s clothing. And making Meridian as a speaker manufacture would just continue to make people want to call it a Rivian more.
Can You do a part 2 vote to narrow it down? Remove all the low numbered ones. Example would be everything under 10 votes.
Well, Rivian ditched Meridian shortly after launch. I thought they were known more for their other work though. Anyway, at the end of the day, and based on what Scout wants to do with configurability and modularity, it probably doesn't matter as much (also with the desire to keep price points in check). Best 3rd party upgrade we used to have for as an option for our trucks was probably an Alpine (back in the day). I always wanted one but best I did was a JBL or something.
I feel like scout is gonna make the speaker grills come off easy for upgrading the system.
Yes. I feel like that is really the question here - 100%.
It is likely going to be very difficult to get upgrades going to the head unit and infotainment system, but speakers could be upgradable, or maybe a plug in for a sub through the firewall to the frunk if you want to blow doors off. LOL.
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