Profound backing indeed surrounds instrument on display? (6)
I believe the answer is:
speedo
'display?' is the definition.
Both the definition and answer are singular nouns.
Perhaps you can see an association between them that I can't see?
I don't understand how the remainder of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for speedo that I've seen before include "Dashboard instrument (abbr)" , "Mph indicator" , "The clock (in a car)" , "It measures rate of progress" , "Trademark swimming briefs" .)