- First Name
- Matt
- Joined
- Feb 28, 2021
- Threads
- 5
- Messages
- 692
- Reaction score
- 1,290
- Location
- Placentia, CA
- Vehicle(s)
- Mach-E GT
- Your Bronco Model
- Badlands
I think you nailed this . . . B&O was handcuffed with the Bronco's interior. Speakers way up front using the dash and kick panels , then nothing until all the way back. Not only are the doors off limits to help balance the soundstage, but doors that are insulated correctly can make marvelous baffles for speakers which is a big help (much better than those kick panels, IMO). I agree that they did the best they could under the circumstances.That's a good question. Auto manufacturers have been getting into bed with different speaker manufactures for a while now. Whether it's Cadillac with BOSE or Fender with Nissan or Levinson with Lexus. I think the auto engineers realized they could learn something from the audio engineer guys. The marketing guys really like to smack that name on their sales brochures. However as an audiophile, there's usually something that could've been done a little bit better if only had spent more money on a specific component or several different components. I'm sure these auto makers are saying build me the best system you can at this budget. That being said, most of these systems sound pretty decent. Can they sound better, yes. Each piece, amplification, speaker etc can be upgraded. Speaker size, Lower thermal harmonic distortion or simply more decibel output. The difficult thing with the bronco is that the inside sound level with a soft top is around 68- 70 DB at highway speed. That's a lot to overcome. When you couple that with limited speaker placement options, how much better can it really get. If I had a mid or high package I would definitely upgrade the speakers. It's not a ton of money and I could do it myself and It will make a noticeable difference. I have not heard the B&O system in the Bronco yet. 4" drivers that are in the rear pods and in the dash cannot produce the lower mid range sounds. I just don't see how the system is not going to sound hollow. It's really not B&O fault or Fords. The vehicle was built around off-road capabilities and a sound system is basically an afterthought. On a typical car/truck the door it's self is used as a resonator cabinet. Bose has always tried to use porting to create these mid range sounds with a smaller driver. The Bronco is limited in these ways. There will be aftermarket solutions that will make it better. However, the bronco is never going to be a great sound platform. They gave that up when they chose to make it an open aired vehicle.
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