kimmie300mks Posted March 12, 2018 Report Share Posted March 12, 2018 (edited) We just purchased a 2017 Black Label MKX with the Revel Ultima sound system. Overall, we are very pleased with the vehicle. However, despite having made NUMEROUS adjustments to the sound system, it is not remotely close to the quality of the Sony THX system that was in my 2010 MKS. The Revel Ultima system sounds almost tinny and does not have the deep, rich bass undertones that my THX system had. Has anyone else had a similar issue and found a solution? We are looking for advice on how to fix the problem because the vehicle has a lot of other features that we really like. (I noticed an older, somewhat similar post but it didn't really offer a solution and it kind of went off topic...) Thank you in advance for your replies. Edited March 12, 2018 by kimmie300mks cbala 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted March 12, 2018 Report Share Posted March 12, 2018 First, go try another one at the dealership and make sure yours isn’t just defective. One difference is the MKS had the subwoofers on the rear package try backed up by a huge trunk. You don’t have that on the MKX. You might need to upgrade the stock sub or add another one to get the same sound. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kimmie300mks Posted March 12, 2018 Author Report Share Posted March 12, 2018 Those are both good suggestions. We actually have to take it back to the dealership for another issue, so we can listen to another Revel Ultima for comparison at that time. I like the idea of upgrading the sub woofer....any recommendations on how to go about that? We would want to make sure it was done right... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted March 12, 2018 Report Share Posted March 12, 2018 Lots of folks have done upgrades over at fordedgeforum.com. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thisguy159 Posted March 12, 2018 Report Share Posted March 12, 2018 not sure there is anything you can do. You are in a minority here. I find thx system not worthy of Lincoln and average among main stream manufactured. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kimmie300mks Posted March 12, 2018 Author Report Share Posted March 12, 2018 not sure there is anything you can do. You are in a minority here. I find thx system not worthy of Lincoln and average among main stream manufactured. Sorry, I should have clarified; my MKS had the THX-II with 5.1 surround sound. Even the 2017 Cadillac we test drove was lacking in comparison. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fastfwd75 Posted March 12, 2018 Report Share Posted March 12, 2018 I bought my reserve used and it came with the upgraded revel. It is a good sound system and both midrange and highs are very clear. Bass is lacking at low volume but shows up at higher volume up to a point where you just hear the sheetmetal shaking instead of the actual music. It's really not bad but to me definitely not worth the price premium vs just any good stereo in an average car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted March 12, 2018 Report Share Posted March 12, 2018 not sure there is anything you can do. You are in a minority here. I find thx system not worthy of Lincoln and average among main stream manufactured. Which one - the older THX system, the newer Revel standard or the Revel Ultima? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thisguy159 Posted March 12, 2018 Report Share Posted March 12, 2018 Which one - the older THX system, the newer Revel standard or the Revel Ultima? I think the Revel systems are fantastic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MKXMark Posted March 12, 2018 Report Share Posted March 12, 2018 I think the Revel systems are fantastic. Agreed! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted March 12, 2018 Report Share Posted March 12, 2018 I just wasn't sure if you really meant "thx" or if that was a typo for "the"........ The only criticism I heard on the THX in some vehicles was a lack of big bass but that was more a tuning decision (tigher cleaner bass vs booming) than anything else. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RRivera Posted March 16, 2018 Report Share Posted March 16, 2018 Completely agree with you kimmie300mks. Am not impressed with the Revel Ultima (is that the 22 speaker setup?) in my '17 MKX BL. Sound lacks that clarity & sharpness that higher end systems SHOULD have. Is the sound out of your navigation unit/sync audio even worse? Mine sounds quite muffled/boomy, so much so that the first time I have to take the car in for service, I'm going to have them fix that. Too much money spent to not be satisfied with the audio. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted March 16, 2018 Report Share Posted March 16, 2018 With all due respect, it’s not whether you’re satisfied with it, the question is whether it’s operating properly. No sound system is going to please everybody and if you have specific requirements or expectations in that area then you really should test it before you buy it so you’re not surprised. Seems that most buyers are happy with it. I’m happy with the smaller Revel system but then again I’m not audiophile. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walkabout Posted April 3, 2018 Report Share Posted April 3, 2018 It sounds to me like you have one of the modes set that changes tone. Go into the settings menu and make sure it is unchecked because the two special modes produce the exact pattern you are describing. I have the same system as the op and love it. I think both revel systems are fantastic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
astroboy82 Posted April 7, 2018 Report Share Posted April 7, 2018 We have the 13 speaker Revel speaker system in our 2017 MKX. Sound quality is very good. Very good bass if turned up a bit (i.e 10-15). Came from 14 speaker Lexicon system in a Genesis and while really enjoyed the Lexicon system have found the Revel system even better. No complaints on our end. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimF Posted April 9, 2019 Report Share Posted April 9, 2019 kimmie300mks have you found any resolution to your concerns? I have a 2019 Nautilus with Revel Ultima. Same symptoms, tinny sound, almost raspy at the higher frequencies. No settings/adjustments help. Doubt that dealer has an audio expert. The same artists sound better on a table radio. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kimmie300mks Posted April 9, 2019 Author Report Share Posted April 9, 2019 JimF, unfortunately I have not found a resolution. I have just come to accept the inferior sound system. If I hadn't had the Sony THX-II in my last vehicle, maybe I woukdn't be so critical. I just expect more out of a $64,000 vehicle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McConaughey Posted April 14, 2019 Report Share Posted April 14, 2019 On 3/16/2018 at 11:54 AM, RRivera said: Completely agree with you kimmie300mks. Am not impressed with the Revel Ultima (is that the 22 speaker setup?) in my '17 MKX BL. Sound lacks that clarity & sharpness that higher end systems SHOULD have. Is the sound out of your navigation unit/sync audio even worse? Mine sounds quite muffled/boomy, so much so that the first time I have to take the car in for service, I'm going to have them fix that. Too much money spent to not be satisfied with the audio. I'm with you guys on this too. The Revel Ultima is disappointing. The EQ and different stage/audience choice results are minimal. Another issue is the NAV voice is muffled over the background audio. The background audio does not drop in volume nor does the speed compensating volume control work. There's a service bulletin on the speed compensating volume issue. I brought it to the attention of my service dealer. It was reprogrammed according to the bulletin. It did not change a thing. If you have driven a 2019 Nautilus, like I have, the audio background drops significantly to hear DISTINCTLY the nav voice. I have given up on my 2017 Reserve MKX, it is now in negotiations with a lemon law attorney and Lincoln. I loved this car, but unfortunately Lincoln has disappointed in reliability, function and longevity, and customer service. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Kelvinator Posted August 18, 2019 Report Share Posted August 18, 2019 I also agree with kimmie300mks. I too love the Sony THX system in my 2011 Lincoln MKX. I now have 2016 MKX Black Label. The sound it tinny and my favorite jazz songs the have moving baselines cannot be heard on the Revel Ultima sound system. I love the car; the sound system does not live up to catering to the audiophile which Lincoln claims. Big disappointment! For the amount of money I paid for this car, I should not have to resort to aftermarket updates. The next time I take my car in for service, I will ask about the sound quality. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RRivera Posted September 8, 2019 Report Share Posted September 8, 2019 I've had TWO separate Lincoln dealers look into this for me, as it's my biggest gripe with the car. Both dealers said it was operating normally. Sound is NOT up to the standard one would expect for a vehicle in this price range. My wife's GMC Acadia baseline audio system sounds better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MKXMark Posted September 10, 2019 Report Share Posted September 10, 2019 On 9/8/2019 at 5:16 PM, RRivera said: I've had TWO separate Lincoln dealers look into this for me, as it's my biggest gripe with the car. Both dealers said it was operating normally. Sound is NOT up to the standard one would expect for a vehicle in this price range. My wife's GMC Acadia baseline audio system sounds better. Where are you located? Maybe there's another Revel owner nearby and you can compare notes (no pun intended!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Kelvinator Posted September 10, 2019 Report Share Posted September 10, 2019 (edited) To MKXMark 3 hours ago, MKXMark said: Where are you located? Maybe there's another Revel owner nearby and you can compare notes (no pun intended!) Why would you ask that question? How would this help? I am unsure why Lincoln and dealers keep insisting that the Revel Ultima sound system is better than the THX. The Revel Ultima is a step-down. I am not saying Revel does not make a more superior product but the product that they have provided Lincoln is one one of their low-end products. It's a big disappointment to the audiophiles which Lincoln claims to cater to. Edited September 10, 2019 by The Kelvinator Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted September 10, 2019 Report Share Posted September 10, 2019 1 hour ago, The Kelvinator said: To MKXMark Why would you ask that question? How would this help? I am unsure why Lincoln and dealers keep insisting that the Revel Ultima sound system is better than the THX. The Revel Ultima is a step-down. I am not saying Revel does not make a more superior product but the product that they have provided Lincoln is one one of their low-end products. It's a big disappointment to the audiophiles which Lincoln claims to cater to. So you can listen to another system and see if yours is the same or if it might be defective regardless of what the dealer says. Have you listened to other vehicles for comparison? MKXMark 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MKXMark Posted September 10, 2019 Report Share Posted September 10, 2019 2 hours ago, The Kelvinator said: To MKXMark Why would you ask that question? How would this help? I am unsure why Lincoln and dealers keep insisting that the Revel Ultima sound system is better than the THX. The Revel Ultima is a step-down. I am not saying Revel does not make a more superior product but the product that they have provided Lincoln is one one of their low-end products. It's a big disappointment to the audiophiles which Lincoln claims to cater to. This is starting to sound like trolling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RRivera Posted September 12, 2019 Report Share Posted September 12, 2019 (edited) What I would like to do is to do a frequency analysis or something of the sort to see what could explain the lack of clarity. Have wondered if the polarity of one of the speakers was reversed. Have listened on other Lincoln loaner vehicles, and TBH I wasn't impressed with them either. None were better than my wife's stock radio in her GMC Acadia. Edited September 12, 2019 by RRivera Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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