JRW

Thanks for your input........ I use as many HD or lossless files as possible. My 2004 Acura TL-S sounded awesome with (hard to find) HD material. So now I use local HD FM. Sirius so bad I don't use it at all. Never use streamng or iphone as source. Personally using +3 mid, -2 high, -2 bass. That said-- I remain disappointed with the Ultima system in a $60K car!

Well, after reaching 60K miles on my 2017 reserve 3.0TT Revel Ultima system. (I had posted the section in quotes along with others on this topic a couple of years ago). Unfortunately, nothing (IMHO) overcomes the type, and placements, of the speakers excellently described by TAKESHI, above. I've had 2 supposed dealer-only system software upgrades, and have tried about every combination of tone control allowed---to no avail. I wish now I had returned the vehicle when I bought it. I like everything ELSE about this car---but the sound is SO bad they should have decided not to SELL the MKZ/Ultima combination.

I decided to get a "performance battery" online............. I know--no warranty coverage-- but I don't want to buy a battery every 3 years! It may not be any better--but can't be worse: Exide Marathon Max AGM.......... we shall see!

It is the Ultima.............. I followed your suggestions (although they were very close to what I had selected already), and do notice a subtle difference in vocals--they are a tad less harsh. Thanks for that advice. However that said: with a 20 speaker HK-designed system---we shouldn't need to "tweak settings" to be able to turn it on! When I first discussed this situation with the dealer, a tech told me this is a fault Lincoln/HK are aware of, and that they have released 2 software updates to the XM decompression algorithm. They supposedly applied these to my stack-- with no noticeable difference. The dealer is also able, supposedly, to "calibrate" the system--- again, something which didn't seem to alter my sound. Of course, there's also the chance they have been trying to mollify me!

Hi, About 15 miles SE of Philadephia. If you're within 200 miles---I'd be able to bring them to you--or we could meet partway. John

I am one of those with "golden ears", according to the dealer............. the sound in my 2017 MKZ Reserve 3.0 AWD is the WORST vocal response of pretty much any vehicle I have owned in my roughly 48 years of driving! I'm trying the recommendation above, and will post if I notice an improvement. Regards! JRW

Hi all, New to forums--and have a 2017 black reserve AWD 3.0 with all packages except moonroof--which I didn't want. I looked long and hard for it--found it with 8,000 miles, and had been driven by a female Lincoln exec based in Detroit. Got an AWESOME deal..... (sticker was just under $60K). Anyway, I'm wondering if others have experienced short battery life with their vehicles? I recognoze that there's a lot of drain inherent in this car, butit's only 3 years old, at 38k miles..... Dealer says since it can still hold a charge, he can't replace it under warranty. Which I think is ridiculous! Another question: I have the Revel Ultima sound dydtem. I've been in and out of serious music during my 65 years of life, and to me----the sound stinks on XM/Sirius. It's "ok" on HD radio, etc. Anyone else notice a lousy tinny sound with XM?? Thanks for reading this! JRW

I just changed out my 2017 Reserve 3.0 AWD wheels, so they are available. Photos attached. Never shipped wheels before, but happy to work things out. They are in perfect condition except for one 6" road rash spot, which I include a closeup of. In any case--I love this car---hope you do as well!