My B&O speaker upgrade

[suffolkguy]

Long time lurker, first time poster, but wanted to thank everyone for all the great advice on upgrading the B&O 10 speaker sound system. I have zero car audio installation expertise/ experience, but recognized day 1 that the stock system could use a lot of help. I ended up upgrading all of my speakers, starting with the 3 dash speakers and the rear pods (including upgrading the pods themselves), followed by the kicker panel and rear subwoofer. I also added a small low voltage subwoofer under the seat (that is designed for electric cars) that was also recommended by others on this site.

My general principle was to try and keep the upgrades reasonably cheap, and also limit the actual modifications to the stock stereo (i.e., go plug and play as much as possible, which I nearly did with everything). I also didn't want to add a proper amp at the moment direct to the battery (but who knows, may do so in the future). I went with 4” Infiniti 2-ways with bass blockers in the front dash corners, 4” PRV midrange in the front dash center, 6.5” Kickers in the rear (upgraded) pods, 6.75” Kickers in the front kick panels, an 8” Polk subwoofer in the back, and a compact Pioneer subwoofer under the front seat.

If I can do it, anyone can, and it has made a world of difference. Plastic trim tool removal kit was also key. There are also a ton of videos out there on bronco speaker installations which were also extremely helpful. If it is useful for anyone, here are all the items I ordered and installed.

Front dash corner speakers:

Infinity Reference REF-4032CFX 4" 2-Way Car Speakers - Pair

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07B8TKWS1?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

2021-2022 Bronco 4" Speaker Speaker Swap Wiring Set - with 600Hz Bass Blockers

https://www.ebay.com/itm/334544575664

Front dash center speaker:

PRV AUDIO 4 Inch Midrange Speaker 4MR60-4, 60 Watts Program Power, 4 Ohm, 30 Watts RMS Power Pro Audio Loudspeaker (Single)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00RC3Z9H2?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

2021-2022 Ford Bronco Single Speaker Wire Connector for B&O Center Dash...

https://www.ebay.com/itm/334548926418

Rear pod speakers:

Mabett Rear Speaker Pods Compatible with Ford Bronco 2021 2022 2023, Upgrade 6.5" Pods for Bronco Accessories 2/4-Door, Interior Accessories Black

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BLYMPH1R?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

KICKER 46CSC654 CS-Series CSC65 6.5-Inch (160mm) Coaxial Speakers, 4-Ohm (Pair)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07NS7NZLX?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

Front kick panel speakers:

Kicker 46CSC674

Kicker 46CSC674 CS Series 6-3/4" 2-way car speakers at Crutchfield

Metra 72-5602 Speaker Wiring Harness

Metra 72-5602 Speaker Wiring Harness For select 2011-up Ford and Mazda vehicles at Crutchfiel

Rear subwoofer:

Polk Audio 8" DVC MM1-Series Subwoofer 900 W with Marine Certification

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073JWTS1T?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

Metra 72-6514 Speaker Harness for Select Chrysler/Dodge Vehicles

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0007WTEVM?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

Under the seat standalone subwoofer:

Pioneer TS-WX010A Compact 9-Inch x 4.625-Inch 160-Watt Powered Subwoofer

Pioneer TS-WX010A Compact 9-Inch x 4.625-Inch 160-Watt Powered Subwoofer with Built-in Amp - Walmart.com

1 Inch x 26 Feet Hook and Loop Tape Sticky Back Fastener Roll, Nylon Self Adhesive Heavy Duty Strips Fastener for Home Office School Car and Crafting Organization

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08KP577YY?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

BioFuse 12V Micro2 APT ATR 17 Piece Automotive Car Fuse Assortment and Holders Pack (2 Add-a-Circuit Fuse Tap Adapters, 14 Micro 2 Blade Fuses + Fuse Puller) 5A 7.5A 10A 15A 20A 25A 30A

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08HPKJFZ2?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

Amazon Basics 16-Gauge Speaker Wire Cable, 50 Feet

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006LW0WDQ?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

Miscellaneous:

Trim Removal Tool for Auto, 5 Pcs Car Pry Tool Kit, Clip Fastener Remover Set for Panel Door Window, Plastic Installer for Vehicle Dashboard Radio Audio, Car Interior Removal Tools (Blue)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BQR1HSR7?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

GKEEMARS 10 Pcs Lever Wire Connectors, Quick Wiring Cable Connector Push-in Conductor Terminal Block (2 in 4 Out)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08JPBJDW4?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

Swpeet 720Pcs Gold 2.8/4.8/6.3mm Male and Female Spade Quick Connectors Wire Crimp Terminal Block with Insulating Sleeve Assortment Kit Perfect for Electrical Wiring Car Audio Speaker

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08HMSHBRD?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

IRWIN VISE-GRIP Wire Stripping Tool / Wire Cutter, 6-Inch (2078316)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000JNPQZW?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

Sponsored

 

[Patriotic]

Would appreciate your tips and how tos to install Mabett speaker pods with the kicker 6.5 speakers you reference.

 

[suffolkguy]

The Mabett speaker pods were pretty straightforward. I bought the ‘plug and play’ wires (just needed to crimp on the male and female wire connectors to connect to the Kickers) which made it really easy to hook in. You use all the existing screws and brackets to connect to the roll bar. I installed with the top off which gave me a lot more space to work. Think if I had had the top on would’ve been a little more challenging. Definitely a big difference in sound quality. Happy to answer any specifics as well. The pod upgrades were the most straightforward of the bunch.

 

[Patriotic]

Thank you. Link to the “plug and play” wires? Did you use a wire stripper and crimper and links to those too, thank you.

 

[suffolkguy]

I actually bought this set of connectors from Ebay. It includes the connectors for the rear pods as well as for the left and right front dash speakers (with bass blockers). Suspect you could find just the rear pod connectors as well if you look. No need to do any additions - these were good to go out of the box.

2021-2022 Bronco 4" Speaker Speaker Swap Wiring Set - with 600Hz Bass Blockers | eBay

 

[Patriotic]

So, the harness for 4“ speakers you linked above works for the 6.5” speakers in Mabett rear pods?

 

[suffolkguy]

The Mabett speaker pods include connectors that plug into the existing roll bar connection, but depending on the speakers, you will need to crimp on the connection ends (which is easy enough). The connectors I mentioned also work.

 

[BeerRunner]

Thanks for sharing OP. I’d like to just replace my dash (B&O) speakers. Do you think it’s noticeable enough with the speakers you chose and without an amp for me to do just those?

 

[suffolkguy]

Honestly I thought replacing the dash speakers was by far the best bang for your buck and was the first thing I did. Definitely a huge improvement even without an amp. Night and day difference in the sound and I could have stopped there and been happy. I was surprised by how cheap the stock speakers seemed as I pulled them out, which was my motivation to swap out the other speakers as well.

 

[BeerRunner]

If I can do it, anyone can, and it has made a world of difference. Plastic trim tool removal kit was also key. There are also a ton of videos out there on bronco speaker installations which were also extremely helpful. If it is useful for anyone, here are all the items I ordered and installed.


2021-2022 Ford Bronco Single Speaker Wire Connector for B&O Center Dash...

https://www.ebay.com/itm/334548926418

Any trick to removing the center grill? I removed the two screws but feel like I’m going to break something, like part of it is under the dash

 

[suffolkguy]

I relied on this very helpful post:

(16) How to remove center speaker trim panel [DIY & official workshop manual instructions] | Bronco6G - 2021+ Ford Bronco & Bronco Raptor Forum, News, Blog & Owners Community

 

[BeerRunner]

Thanks, another ?, Did you remove the alignment pins in the dash or modify PRV speaker to fit the center?

 

[suffolkguy]

Getting the center dash speaker in definitely wasn't a perfect fit, but I was able to maneuver it in a way that i could get the existing screws in to secure it without removing the pins. If I recall correctly, there was a clip that sat underneath the existing speaker that you can easily pull out to make space for the new slightly deeper speaker.

 

[BeerRunner]

I ended up just taking a razor knife to cuff the two protruding plastic pins and viola. Gotta say thanks again for the links! I did the three dash speakers and it’s so much better! I have a ‘23 so the better factory amp has no issue powering them.

 

[rcbickle]

On the speaker pods, I installed the Mabbett rear speaker pods this weekend with Kicker 6.5” speakers. The pods came from Amazon and they had a coupon to ease the $199 price tag. The speakers I used are the same as yours, KICKER 46CSC654 CS-Series CSC65 6.5-Inch (160mm) Coaxial Speakers, 4-Ohm (Pair). These came from Crutchfield since Amazon only had used stock. I lined the boxes with Kilmat from Amazon (and by lining, I mean I did the entire interior surface blocking all holes as well as portions of the grill). I then put a bit of acrylic fill in the pods as suggested by others. The pods came with speaker connectors for the Bronco and the speakers came with “keyed” connectors for the speakers with spade connectors. I slipped the supplied crimps on the wires, soldered the two wire harness together (white to ground, brown to positive), and then crimped it to protect the bare wire and strengthen the connection. The speakers were supplied with screws, which I used since the ones that came with the pods were too short. I removed the existing pods using the Bronco tool kit plus a hex head driver bit from a Milwaukee screw bit set (this was much shorter than the one in the Bronco tool kit). I left the roof on since I only needed to remove the screws that were in towards the back of the Bronco and held the stock pods in place, not the screws that connect the bracket to the roll bar, since the existing mounting brackets fit the Mabbett pods. This was super fast and easy. Again, NO reason to take off the roof and NO reason to remove the stock pod bracket. You will want a shorter torx driver, available at the local big box and typically included in most screw tip kits. You will need to remove the grill covers from the old pods to disconnect the plug, but that is quick as well and I found Ford did not properly seat my grill covers so it was easy to get my trim removal tool in and pop the covers. Then it is a simple matter of reversing the process with the new pods! The sound quality was instantly noticeable! Well worth it. All in, under $300. Many say Ford should do this, but I get it. It is all about management of cost, but Ford is missing out out on a upgrade they could offer.

Sponsored