Best audio upgrades for better quality phone calls?

Like many around here, I spend less time with my Bronco's top off in the Grand Canyon and more time taking conference calls on the highway. Believe me, I wish it were the other way around. The Bronco is not the quietest ride out there to take calls on the road, but I am not complaining at all because that's what you get when you sign up for a Bronco. For those of us who spend a lot of time on the phone, please chime in if you have a better setup than the one I'm putting together:

1. Sound-deadening headliner - I'll probably use Dynamax based on what I've read on this forum. But the differences amongst headliners seem minor, or at least small enough to not warrant a more expensive option. (One user noted taht he has an aftermarket hard top, which reduced the noise).

2. Sound-deadening insulation on the doors, floorboards/underseats, and engine compartment walls - I'm probably going to opt to NOT get this because it really seems like the noise comes from the roof and windows and not through the doors. Seems quite pricey for very little, if any, benefit. Anyone disagree?

3. Sound-deadening hood (specifically, IAG's I-Line Hood Pad Isolator, $70 on Amazon) - I bought this and will install. Wasn't too expensive, should be easy to install, and it will reduce noise in the cabin at least a little bit.

4. Speaker upgrade? - I know a lot of you like to blast your techno music and whatever with larger and larger amps and woofies, and that's all fine and dandy, but I'm way too old for that. What I'd really like to know is if anyone has installed (or knows of) a good set-up or options that specifically are great for handling phone calls. I've noticed that when you have a deep-bass woofer, human voice gets all muddled. And turning up the treble to hear voices often results in an uncomfortable piercing high-pitch sound without catching when people speak softly. Of course, I like a great speaker to listen to all sorts of music, but I'd like to prioritize being able to make calls. Anyone know of audio/speaker upgrade options that are specifically good for phone calls? (One user in the tech forum wrote the following: "Just swapping out speakers without the amp wouldn't do a whole lot of good. Many people like the Kicker 200.4, as it can be optioned with a plug-and-play harness and fits up under the passenger side dash, and then use a separate amp for the sub if they want one. I used a Kenwood X802-5, which fits in the glove box and supplies all 4 channels and the subwoofer.")

5. My backup plan is to have headphones linked to my iPhone. But it's not ideal because (1) it's not safe to drive with headphones on that block traffic noise out, (2) you'd have to constantly replace batteries, (3) you'd be fumbling around for headphones every time someone calls, and (4) the delay in connecting the phone and headphones bluetooth interface would make the first 30-seconds or so of connection really awkward. If anyone has a headphones setup that integrates with the Bronco, I'm all ears.

6. Anyone upgraded their microphone?

7. Anything I've forgot?

Photo of my two-door, 2022 Badsquatch manual transmission is attached...

This is an interesting post, because I find myself in much the same situation.

I had the non-B&O radio, I did upgrade that all the way around. Once I did that, I could hear calls crystal clear, even with the top off at speed. But they just couldn't hear me - too much background noise on the microphone. So most of the noise issue on my end is just making sure that it's low enough that the OEM microphone doesn't pick up too much of it. So if you are wondering if a radio upgrade will help the sound - it 100% will on the listening end, but does nothing for the microphone.

I have an aftermarket hard top, and once I put that on, a lot of the outside noise stopped. It isn't perfectly silent, but it's no longer the largest contributor. It has a headliner, but it doesn't have any sound deadening material - it's just the automotive felt that gets spray glued on. Maybe that's enough? I don't know, no idea what the MIC OEM hard top looks like inside.

My tires (35" MT Baja Legend XPs -- I didn't chose them, they came installed, but I'm not unhappy with them) are probably my biggest source of road noise right now at highway speeds.

I have a whistle from the passenger side window - sometimes that little rubber triangle up front doesn't sit exactly right.

Then there's wind noise just from the body itself - nothing you can do about the fact that the Bronco is shaped like a brick really. Can't noise deaden the windshield.

I did use a ton of Kilamat in the back, I haven't done the floorboards under the seats or the doors though - that may have helped some. I'm hoping to yank the carpet and do a washout liner once the aftermarket ones get available - - that will have a backwards effect I know, but I can Kilamat it out while I have the carpet out then.

If I can go under 60, it's not terrible at all. Over 60 it starts to get loud again though - those 35's just put off some noise. I'd say it's about on par with my F150 that has a headache rack. Still better than the soft top, where I'd just have to stop and pull over someplace if it was more than a 60 second phone call.

If I cared more about it I could go to a quieter tire, and that would probably get it down considerably. When these get wore out I'll probably do some research and noise will be part of the decision process.

Yeah I considered a bluetooth headset with ANC and stuff before I got the hard top as well, but for the same reasons you said, decided against it. I still have one in my truck, but I only use it if I'm out in the field or at a site - it's too awkward to try to get on and use while I'm driving though.

Brian_B said:

This is an interesting post, because I find myself in much the same situation.

I had the non-B&O radio, I did upgrade that all the way around. Once I did that, I could hear calls crystal clear, even with the top off at speed. But they just couldn't hear me - too much background noise on the microphone. So most of the noise issue on my end is just making sure that it's low enough that the OEM microphone doesn't pick up too much of it. So if you are wondering if a radio upgrade will help the sound - it 100% will on the listening end, but does nothing for the microphone.

I have an aftermarket hard top, and once I put that on, a lot of the outside noise stopped. It isn't perfectly silent, but it's no longer the largest contributor. It has a headliner, but it doesn't have any sound deadening material - it's just the automotive felt that gets spray glued on. Maybe that's enough? I don't know, no idea what the MIC OEM hard top looks like inside.

My tires (35" MT Baja Legend XPs -- I didn't chose them, they came installed, but I'm not unhappy with them) are probably my biggest source of road noise right now at highway speeds.

I have a whistle from the passenger side window - sometimes that little rubber triangle up front doesn't sit exactly right.

Then there's wind noise just from the body itself - nothing you can do about the fact that the Bronco is shaped like a brick really. Can't noise deaden the windshield.

I did use a ton of Kilamat in the back, I haven't done the floorboards under the seats or the doors though - that may have helped some. I'm hoping to yank the carpet and do a washout liner once the aftermarket ones get available - - that will have a backwards effect I know, but I can Kilamat it out while I have the carpet out then.

If I can go under 60, it's not terrible at all. Over 60 it starts to get loud again though - those 35's just put off some noise. I'd say it's about on par with my F150 that has a headache rack. Still better than the soft top, where I'd just have to stop and pull over someplace if it was more than a 60 second phone call.

If I cared more about it I could go to a quieter tire, and that would probably get it down considerably. When these get wore out I'll probably do some research and noise will be part of the decision process.

Yeah I considered a bluetooth headset with ANC and stuff before I got the hard top as well, but for the same reasons you said, decided against it. I still have one in my truck, but I only use it if I'm out in the field or at a site - it's too awkward to try to get on and use while I'm driving though.

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Thanks Brian. Questions: (1) Did you choose speakers based specifically on the best for phone calls, or just a general speaker quality upgrade? (2) I hadn't thought about possible upgrading the microphone, but I hunch that it is not possible without a huge expense. Did you upgrade your mic?

where_are_the_AC_seats said:

Thanks Brian. Questions: (1) Did you choose speakers based specifically on the best for phone calls, or just a general speaker quality upgrade? (2) I hadn't thought about possible upgrading the microphone, but I hunch that it is not possible without a huge expense. Did you upgrade your mic?

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I chose an upgraded amp and generally good speakers (I am a bit older and don't listen to heavy bass or crazy loud volumes) - Infinity Reference. There may be better choices, but those were reasonably priced and I had past good experiences with them. The amp has the biggest impact by far - allowing the speakers to get enough power to cut through the road noise without necessarily just getting loud.

Just swapping out speakers without the amp wouldn't do a whole lot of good. Many people like the Kicker 200.4, as it can be optioned with a plug-and-play harness and fits up under the passenger side dash, and then use a separate amp for the sub if they want one. I used a Kenwood X802-5, which fits in the glove box and supplies all 4 channels and the subwoofer.

At the time I hadn't even thought about upgrading the mic. I haven't even looked to see if aftermarket options exist. It's in the overhead though, and that isn't terribly hard to get apart, so if they do exist it probably wouldn't be horrible to swap.

I haven't had anyone say they can't hear me on the phone, but every time I answer I always get the "I can hear you are on the road" comment.

I'm interested to hear how the IAG Hood Liner works out though - I had eyeballed one of those.

I know you didn’t want to use ear buds but I use just one for calls on the freeways so I can hear traffic and get the advantage of noise cancellation and a better mic that’s in a better position. It’s just a noisy vehicle and there’s only so much money and effort I’m willing to spend. I did add an amp and driver for the sub and switched out speakers (B&O). This was a large improvement but it’s still a noisy truck

I hear Mercedes are quiet.

I go top down on my Jeep and always use my Airpod Pro 2. Even with top on honestly. It has a transparency mode you can use where you'll hear things around you if you don't want noise canceling which, if there is a horn, or emergency vehicle, you're going to hear it. There is a process the airpods use to determine if you're using the right tips for a seal when setting them up but this is what I use. Easiest solution and they're high quality so those on the other end of the call will thank you and I never have complaints on my Jeep (unless tops off\down and I am on the highway talking).

I have only the stock audio setup in my 22 Big Bend and I just pair my Iphone with the touch screen and incoming phone calls just overide the other sound sources and uses the built-in speakers. Very easy pleasy; unless I am missing something.

Roadbronc said:

I have only the stock audio setup in my 22 Big Bend and I just pair my Iphone with the touch screen and incoming phone calls just overide the other sound sources and uses the built-in speakers. Very easy pleasy; unless I am missing something.

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That is what the OP (and myself, honestly, watching this thread) is doing, but looking for better quality to overcome all the road noise.

Stock, it works... but it's not great if you are on the phone all day long. I think we all understand it isn't ever going to be a Lexus-level quiet in the cabin, but just things that can make it better.

Pipe insulation in the gaps in the two front roof panels as well as sliding a piece vertically adjacent to the door openings does help quite a bit.

What trim level is your Badlands? I believe the Lux has extra sound deadening. Don't discount the door sound deadening.

I wonder where the Bronco mic is located? I've only used my phone a few times in my base hardtop Bronco, while driving on the highway 65h or so. My wife complained she could not hear me clearly. Said there was too much background noise.

I could hear her fine though. So maybe a better mic or location would help the situation. Or some software to better reduce background noise. Otherwise I have no issue with Bronco noise while driving.

indio22 said:

I wonder where the Bronco mic is located? I've only used my phone a few times in my base hardtop Bronco, while driving on the highway 65h or so. My wife complained she could not hear me clearly. Said there was too much background noise.

I could hear her fine though. So maybe a better mic or location would help the situation. Or some software to better reduce background noise. Otherwise I have no issue with Bronco noise while driving.

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Up in the center overhead roof console, beside the lights.

Android Auto, no issues except for some people who still insist on talking to me on the phone.

swooshdave said:

What trim level is your Badlands? I believe the Lux has extra sound deadening. Don't discount the door sound deadening.

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Thanks! It sounds like sound-deadening of the doors may be helpful. I will look into that.