For optimal sound quality in any vehicle, we want to be directly connected to the source unit via either USB or USB-C. While Bluetooth streaming is convenient the dynamism simply isn’t there yet in most modern vehicles. Yes, your music will still sound amazing with our upgrade, but if you’re after peak performance you’ll want a direct physical connection to your device.

Part of the upgrade process in every audio environment is setting the tone controls (bass, treble, any sort of EQ or enhancement) to a flat level (in the middle if a visual representation is offered) and making sure that any Loudness controls are turned to OFF. Beyond that, if you’re using your phone to stream music via most of the popular platforms, you’ll want to go into the device’s main settings and turn any Equalization to OFF on both the native music player and then within the streaming platform you’re using to make sure no additional sonic manipulation is activated (bass boost, etc). This is most important as you listen at higher volume levels, as distortion is the enemy of sound quality.

The most common question we get, by far, is “Why don’t you offer a speaker upgrade for the sound bar?” Well, here’s why: The speakers in the sound bar are obviously already behind us, and given the movement of sound through the cabin and that our ears are tuned to sounds in front us (hence a "front soundstage"), we see little if any reason (which is of course debatable, but after 20 years of designing loudspeakers as well as audio systems of all types we've developed a sense for what really works for most people) in spending money on speakers that aren't effectively improving the actual presence of a soundstage in front of us (think of a band at a concert).

We spent the better part of 18 months dialing in this upgrade, and after extensive modeling and actual prototypes installed in the rear sound bar we just don't see (or hear) a valid reason to add speakers/spend money on speakers behind you. Sure, you can "hear" some additional sound coming from behind you but your ears/brain can't process it in such a way that you'll perceive any improvement in what you're actually hearing. We could’ve easily “designed” some rear speakers (hell, the midrange drivers are identical) and sold it as an upgrade but we’re tired of companies always preaching “more, more, more” when it doesn’t truly benefit the customer.

Measure twice, cut once.