Results: 2-Door 6-Speaker Swap - No Amp

[fishcatchr]

Before I got into reading all the info on this forum regarding speaker upgrades, I purchased and installed some SSV Pods w/ SSV Speakers (ran forscan to change the rears from tweeters to speakers). While it did sound louder, I was unimpressed with the bass.

After reading through many threads about a Kicker Key or similar, I knew I wanted to had to replace the front dash and kick panel speakers if I wanted the best results from the Amp. Before purchasing the amp, I went ahead and purchased new speakers "just to see how it would sound". Based on historical experience in my F150 and on my boat with Skar Audio "TX Series" (may get some flack here!), I decided to save some money and try the Skar instead of Kicker, Infinity or others.

Swapped out the speakers this week, and I was blow away about how much better the system sounded. It's night and day. I am sure it's not as good as it can be with an Amp, but the bass and clarity are noticeably better than the stock speaker setup. Here in the upcoming months, I will likely add an Amp to get it setup for the long run.

In summary, if you are not happy with the 6-Speaker system, but don't want to shell out a ton of cash, it it totally worth at least swapping out the front four speakers to see if that suits you. It's not concert nor professional sound quality by any means, but is drastically better sounding than stock. For the four Skar TX Speakers, wiring harness adapters, and 6.5" speaker mounts for the kicks it cost me about $165. Not bad for those who are looking for a less expensive option.

FYI, you need both four-pin and two-pin wiring harness adapters for the front. The dash takes a two pin and the kicks take a four pin. I didn't realize that and purchased 4 two-pin adapters to only find the kicks needed four pin.

https://a.co/d/eu37Fbj
https://a.co/d/fqeIpo3
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https://a.co/d/3UUdR4p
https://a.co/d/c1pUpMm

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[GA2Dr]

I second that. Did the six speaker upgrade with 6.5 rear pods (Alpine speakers - kit from trail seven) and combined with the Forscan tweaks it's a huge difference. I had originally planned on doing an amp but honestly I probably never will. More than enough for me.

 

[fishcatchr]

I second that. Did the six speaker upgrade with 6.5 rear pods (Alpine speakers - kit from trail seven) and combined with the Forscan tweaks it's a huge difference. I had originally planned on doing an amp but honestly I probably never will. More than enough for me.

After a few days, I also may not end up doing the amp. Would be nice to use that $500 for other accessories.

 

[nc-hiker]

Before I got into reading all the info on this forum regarding speaker upgrades, I purchased and installed some SSV Pods w/ SSV Speakers (ran forscan to change the rears from tweeters to speakers). While it did sound louder, I was unimpressed with the bass.

After reading through many threads about a Kicker Key or similar, I knew I wanted to had to replace the front dash and kick panel speakers if I wanted the best results from the Amp. Before purchasing the amp, I went ahead and purchased new speakers "just to see how it would sound". Based on historical experience in my F150 and on my boat with Skar Audio "TX Series" (may get some flack here!), I decided to save some money and try the Skar instead of Kicker, Infinity or others.

Swapped out the speakers this week, and I was blow away about how much better the system sounded. It's night and day. I am sure it's not as good as it can be with an Amp, but the bass and clarity are noticeably better than the stock speaker setup. Here in the upcoming months, I will likely add an Amp to get it setup for the long run.

In summary, if you are not happy with the 6-Speaker system, but don't want to shell out a ton of cash, it it totally worth at least swapping out the front four speakers to see if that suits you. It's not concert nor professional sound quality by any means, but is drastically better sounding than stock. For the four Skar TX Speakers, wiring harness adapters, and 6.5" speaker mounts for the kicks it cost me about $165. Not bad for those who are looking for a less expensive option.

FYI, you need both four-pin and two-pin wiring harness adapters for the front. The dash takes a two pin and the kicks take a four pin. I didn't realize that and purchased 4 two-pin adapters to only find the kicks needed four pin.

https://a.co/d/eu37Fbj
https://a.co/d/fqeIpo3
https://a.co/d/fw9i5cK
https://a.co/d/3UUdR4p
https://a.co/d/c1pUpMm

Shame on Ford for the trash they installed at the factory. I had a 22 Black Diamond and the speakers were complete trash.

 

[userdude]

See, this is my kinda sound update. I'm partially deaf anyhow, so just upgrading the speakers seems like a total win if it helps.

 

[geargeek]

I second that. Did the six speaker upgrade with 6.5 rear pods (Alpine speakers - kit from trail seven) and combined with the Forscan tweaks it's a huge difference. I had originally planned on doing an amp but honestly I probably never will. More than enough for me.

Which model of Alpine speakers did you go with?

 

[Greyfox]

Cheaper still, if you have one, first try playing Pandora via Apple car play on your Iphone.
Sounds way better than any radio station.
I’m hard of hearing, but the quality of source material matters too.

 

[GA2Dr]

Which model of Alpine speakers did you go with?

Alpine S-Series - here's the link the Trail Seven page that has more info:

https://trailseven.com/products/alp...4RlHXB37_T0PoJ1vOf23ijPKehRB2DQ4aAtFjEALw_wcB

I also play music exclusively through my phone and use an equalizer app that can boost the volume and change the EQ (I honestly have no idea how it works but it does). If you go more than about 10-15% on the volume "boost" it starts to distort but at low percentages and with a good EQ it definitely improves the sound. That's another cheap (free) way to improve volume and quality very slightly.

 

[James118]

My son did the trail Seven upgrade and increased the size of the rear pods as well. Was unimpressed with the out come till we had a shop put base blockers in at the speakers and two 12in kicker subs in a ported box with 1600 watt amp running them. Sounds nice in a two door.

 

[GA2Dr]

My son did the trail Seven upgrade and increased the size of the rear pods as well. Was unimpressed with the out come till we had a shop put base blockers in at the speakers and two 12in kicker subs in a ported box with 1600 watt amp running them. Sounds nice in a two door.

It's pretty subjective. Did you make the changes in Forscan? Many folks have said that with the factory EQ setup just changing the speakers alone is nearly worthless. I'm not sure if true, but I wonder if that was part of the disappointment.

 

[James118]

It's pretty subjective. Did you make the changes in Forscan? Many folks have said that with the factory EQ setup just changing the speakers alone is nearly worthless. I'm not sure if true, but I wonder if that was part of the disappointment.

We did nothing with software. The stereo shop tuned it and they did not have any ford software. Called me toward the end of the install and said we need the base blockers. Think we are all in for the $2200. $600 for the Trail Seven kicker speakers (red model) with the larger pods and $1600 for the ported box, kicker 12's (red model), 1600 watt amp installed.

The shop made comments that it sounded very nice. As an old school audio guy who enjoys some bass it's nice and night and day away form what Ford sent.

 

[fishcatchr]

Cheaper still, if you have one, first try playing Pandora via Apple car play on your Iphone.
Sounds way better than any radio station.
I’m hard of hearing, but the quality of source material matters too.

Agreed. I pretty much only use my Iphone as the music source. The basic speaker upgrade was still significantly noticeable. It also matters how your Iphone EQ is setup. You can change that in the phone settings and it will apply to all music apps coming from the phone.

 

[Langwilliams]

FYI, you need both four-pin and two-pin wiring harness adapters for the front. The dash takes a two pin and the kicks take a four pin. I didn't realize that and purchased 4 two-pin adapters to only find the kicks needed four pin.

https://a.co/d/eu37Fbj

Is there a specific 2 pin connector or is it a generic adaptor.

 

[Jawaburger]

Shame on Ford for the trash they installed at the factory. I had a 22 Black Diamond and the speakers were complete trash.

The stereo in my '97 Ranger had better audio than my '22 Black Diamond!

 

[fishcatchr]

Is there a specific 2 pin connector or is it a generic adaptor.

Yes it's Ford Specific. This link is the correct one for the Dash Speakers.
https://a.co/d/c1pUpMm

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