Audiophile Radio Option on 2001 LS

[ED]

I have a strange request. My radio in the LS has an glove compartment 6 CD changer but does not have the Alpine Stereo radio. Their are no Alpine markings per the manual on the radio.

The price sticker for the car has the audiophile option at an additional $ 575 and the added CD changer and price. Was my radio chnaged??? Was I short changed???

Did they sell early versions of the Audophile system with a Ford Radio???

[351CJ]

Sounds like either your radio was changed or the sticker doesn't belong to your car. Did you buy the LS new or used?

There is an easy way to tell if you have the Alpine system. On the right side, in line with the cassette hole, there is a wide button. On the standard radio it says RDS. On the Alpine it says RDS - DSP. The DSP function gives you different signal processing sounds such as "Jazz Club", "concert hall", etc. If you have DSP than you have the Alpine.

Now the next question is what do you have for speakers. Standard had 4 speakers, 1 in each door. The Alpine has little speakers on the sides of the center console and a sub woofer in the package shelf that has a big box that intrudes into the trunk space below it.

Finally, to make matters even more complicated, late 2000 (& I think 2001) LS's with the sport package have a bastard system (to save weight) that gives you the Alpine system but does not have all the speakers and no sub woofer.

Are you thoroughly confused now?

[ED]

Thanks for the info. You didn't confuse me. I do have the speaker package but the radio does not have the DSP feature. I have contacted the dealer. Perhaps on early 2001's the Alpine radio was not included. The radio does have the speed change volume control and I don't think that comes with the premium sound system.

At any rate, thanks again for your reply. I'll let you know what the dealer says.

[351CJ]

Ed, The speed sensitive volume does come with the standard radio. If you don't have the DSP then you don't have the Alpine system.

[StealthyVIII]

Maybe it was a factory freak and they installed the wrong combination, hey as long as it workds be happy with it.

[sqfanatic]

What does that RDS button do and mean anyhow?