I need speaker upgrade for Super Dummies help

[cwbolyard]

Ive always had premium audio options (Bose, Rockford, HK) in my vehicles but did not opt for it in the Bronco. As we all know the stock system is lacking. I am an electronics super dummy. After a little research it seems reasonable to upgrade the speakers to Kicker CS speakers. Possibly adding larger pods for 6in speakers. The question: without getting technical, what am I looking at when I start this project? I would assume I'll need an amplifier. I think I can swap the individual speakers myself and have a local pro shop add the sub and do some tuning. Worth it just to have the shop do it all? Idea of price with and without adding an amp? Am I looking at $500 for amp install and tune? $1000? $1000 for speaker amp and tune? I have zero reference for any of this. Thanks for any input

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[WheresMyBronco]

The speaker replacements are very easy as long as you take your time and use the right trim removal tools. If you order speakers from crutchfield they'll also send you whatever speaker harnesses and stuff you need for free which is nice. I'd use their speaker test comparison feature to see what speakers fit what you're looking for before buying anything.

6" rear pods might require forscan adjustments from what I've seen, but maybe that's different with an amp and stuff. Can't speak much on that unfortunately though.

 

[Cptsteam]

Huge quantities of information on the site here as well as YouTube. First you need to determine if you have the B&O system of not as that effects upgrade paths. I seems the non B&O is the easier to upgrade. That’s what I have and I am starting with swapping the front 2 dash speakers with aftermarket infinity 4 inch speakers. I have ordered harnesses without a bass blocker and with a 300htz bass blocker. A lot of folks recommend using a bass blocker to protect the small front speakers.
Your rear speakers are also 4 inch and some people swap those for other 4 inch speakers. A lot of people get after market larger encloses and put 6.5 inch speakers in there.

Honestly those upgrades are fairly straight forward and there are tons of videos and guides to help.

If you have a 23 or newer you should also have a sub (or sub delete.). That can also be upgraded with a new amp and new sub.

Beyond that people have also installed an amp to power the factory speakers to get better quality sound and more volume. Kickers seem a go to brand.

I think that’s a a really rough generalization of some of the more common upgrade paths.

Your lower kick panel has a factory 6.5 on each side but the reports are it’s fairly good quality and paired with the work to replace it I don’t think a lot of people mess with it.

Hope this was helpful.

 

[Johnny Mo]

Yeah - like the others have said - many before us have paved the way just find the thread that matches your system needs best B&O vs Base and then check the comments - lots of pics and helpful videos linked in the threads. I certainly couldn't have done mine as easily without all of the help from this forum.

 

[OverlandingPastor]

I haven't seen anything posted on speaker upgrade needs for 24's. Anyone know if changes were made in the 24's (forscan or hardware) that make it better straight from factory?

 

[Brian_B]

I haven't seen anything posted on speaker upgrade needs for 24's. Anyone know if changes were made in the 24's (forscan or hardware) that make it better straight from factory?

So far the only change I've seen in the '24's is that the non-B&O system now gets pumped in fake engine noise. I haven't heard of any hardware changes in the speakers or wiring or anything.

 

[maus92]

So far the only change I've seen in the '24's is that the non-B&O system now gets pumped in fake engine noise. I haven't heard of any hardware changes in the speakers or wiring or anything.

I have a '24 Big Bend. I don't find the non-B&O system to be too terrible, but it's definitely not on par with my Tesla MY. I've just received 2 pairs of Hertz 100.3 to swap in an incremental attempt to tweak the sound stage. After reading through these forums and against the recommendation of the Crutchfield counselor, I am not replacing the kick panel drivers, at least at first, nor the factory sub. I imagine that I will use the Kicker Key 4 channel amp at some point, but I'm hoping that the efficient Hertz will delay that project. Watching this thread.

Adding, is there a way to disable the fake engine sounds piped in through the audio system?

 

[1st 75th ranger]

Ive always had premium audio options (Bose, Rockford, HK) in my vehicles but did not opt for it in the Bronco. As we all know the stock system is lacking. I am an electronics super dummy. After a little research it seems reasonable to upgrade the speakers to Kicker CS speakers. Possibly adding larger pods for 6in speakers. The question: without getting technical, what am I looking at when I start this project? I would assume I'll need an amplifier. I think I can swap the individual speakers myself and have a local pro shop add the sub and do some tuning. Worth it just to have the shop do it all? Idea of price with and without adding an amp? Am I looking at $500 for amp install and tune? $1000? $1000 for speaker amp and tune? I have zero reference for any of this. Thanks for any input

i went with alpine co axles deck and pod alpine mini subs in kickers
also mti sub and enclosure on tailgate with amp and processor clear and thumps even when naked

 

[Brian_B]

Adding, is there a way to disable the fake engine sounds piped in through the audio system?

Yes, with Forscan. There are a lot of tutorials around here and on Forscan forums that show exactly how to do it and what ODB2 reader you need for it.

 

[Crabber50]

Ive always had premium audio options (Bose, Rockford, HK) in my vehicles but did not opt for it in the Bronco. As we all know the stock system is lacking. I am an electronics super dummy. After a little research it seems reasonable to upgrade the speakers to Kicker CS speakers. Possibly adding larger pods for 6in speakers. The question: without getting technical, what am I looking at when I start this project? I would assume I'll need an amplifier. I think I can swap the individual speakers myself and have a local pro shop add the sub and do some tuning. Worth it just to have the shop do it all? Idea of price with and without adding an amp? Am I looking at $500 for amp install and tune? $1000? $1000 for speaker amp and tune? I have zero reference for any of this. Thanks for any input

I recommend you put in 4 of the 4" Hertz just like @maus92 did. Then go from there, that is what I did and I am not sure I will go further. But I might.

 

[CUPRA]

This is what we did in ours so far, switched out to bigger rear pods and added Kicker 6.75” KSC6704s (they fit perfectly in the Mabett 6.5” speaker pods). Made a nice difference by just doing that!



https://amzn.to/3uRoJio

https://amzn.to/4bIP5UB

 

[OIB Bronco]

This is what we did in ours so far, switched out to bigger rear pods and added Kicker 6.75” KSC6704s (they fit perfectly in the Mabett 6.5” speaker pods). Made a nice difference by just doing that!



https://amzn.to/3uRoJio

https://amzn.to/4bIP5UB

I did this upgrade too, just the rear speakers. I have the B&O and just this upgrade made a big difference. I am not a huge audio person but those little rear speakers were a sad excuse for speakers.

 

[Pressurized]

We did a fair amount of messing around with the 4" dash speakers and then going to 6.75 in Mabett rear pods. Along with Forscan tweaks.... Remember, audio is personal, not everyone likes the same tone/sound.

The Kickers were the worst sounding by far.

The Hertz were good, probably second best, but the JBL's were close.

The best for us were the Infinity's. They were very efficient (played louder at lower volume) had the best midrange with solid high freq performance and best overall tone.

For the dash I used the REF-4032cfx with a 300hz bass blocker.

In the rear I went with the REF-6532ex in the Mabett rear pods. I also used some sound deadening material inside the pods.

Removed the EQ with Forscan... Quite listenable now.

 

[maus92]

We did a fair amount of messing around with the 4" dash speakers and then going to 6.75 in Mabett rear pods. Along with Forscan tweaks.... Remember, audio is personal, not everyone likes the same tone/sound.

The Kickers were the worst sounding by far.

The Hertz were good, probably second best, but the JBL's were close.

The best for us were the Infinity's. They were very efficient (played louder at lower volume) had the best midrange with solid high freq performance and best overall tone.

For the dash I used the REF-4032cfx with a 300hz bass blocker.

In the rear I went with the REF-6532ex in the Mabett rear pods. I also used some sound deadening material inside the pods.

Removed the EQ with Forscan... Quite listenable now.

Are you using the stock amp or a Kicker Key?

 

[Pressurized]

Are you using the stock amp or a Kicker Key?

I'm on the stock amp. Non - B&O high package...

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