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ericwmedic

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Good evening,
This is less of a write-up on the install and more of a review. I'm on my third iteration of trying to improve the audio system on my '22 Big Bend 4 door, and @plugnplaykits came in clutch with a recommendation for a setup.

My first attempt was using Joe at Plugnplaykits' pre-terminated wiring harness to add a Kicker 46CXA6605T 5 channel to my stock setup. That amp was rated at 65w x 4, 150w x1 (4 ohm RMS). It improved the volume, but really sounded like garbage beyond 3/4 volume. I added the Kicker CS 4" speakers to the dash and rear pods, with Kicker CS 6.5" to the kick panels. For the sub, I went with a Kicker Comp 8" in a stock sub "box" that I found on ebay. It was better than stock, but still not what I was expecting.

In an attempt to give more "tune-ability", I switched the amp to the Alpine PXE-C80-88. That lowered the wattage to my regular speakers to 50, but allowed me to run all 6 speakers separately, instead of having the dash and kick speakers wired in parallel. That setup did allow me to tune a lot more in-depth and adjust to my particular taste. But in the long run, the drop in power was too much for me and I always had to run at full volume on the expressway.

That brings me to my latest iteration. I called Joe at @plugnplaykits and asked him what he would recommend. I told him that I was planning on running the Kicker CS in the dash still, but I was going to switch the kick panels to a mid-bass Morel 6.5" (that was a part of a component set), and a set of 6.75" Morel 2-ways in aftermarket pods in the rear. I told him I wanted to get the Stinger tailgate box and mount the amps where the stock subwoofer box was. He suggested the following:

For the dash 4" speakers (rated for 65w RMS), the Musway P2. For the 6.5/6.75" speakers in the kick panels and pods respectively, the Musway M4+ DSP amp (to keep the ability to tune, but also double my RMS power. Lastly, to run the Stinger/ Audiocontrol sub, the Musway One.600 mono amp. I was a little hesitant, because I hadn't really had any experience with the brand before. However, a little look around their website and reading a few reviews online had me sold. Joe set me up with a package that included a loop-back harness to run the M4+ off the factory speaker outputs, then feed the amplified signal back to the speakers using the stock wiring.

The P2 is driven by the DSP in the M4+, since there are 2 sets of DSP outputs for expansion. The other set of RCA outputs is going to the One.600 for a subwoofer channel. For power, I ran 1/0 cable from under the hood, down the driver's side and under the door trim. It's a huge wire, but it fits under the trim without issue. I ran it to the flip-cover behind the rear seats, across to the passenger side, and terminated it in the rear quarter trim. The ground side is handled by the factory ground location. The 1/0 wire is connected to a 3 way distribution block that feeds 8ga to both the M4+ and the One.600, and 12ga to the P2. This is mirrored on the ground side with the same sized wiring in black.
Ford Bronco Plugnplaykits Musway install on 2022 Big Bend 4door PXL_20240929_181222403

Ford Bronco Plugnplaykits Musway install on 2022 Big Bend 4door PXL_20240929_181229396

Ford Bronco Plugnplaykits Musway install on 2022 Big Bend 4door PXL_20240929_185055413


Joe's t-harness was connected to the ACM behind the HVAC controls and run down the passenger side door trim. I also ran the adjustable bass knob wiring and the separate speaker wire for the dash speakers down the same path.

The amps and power distribution are mounted to an MTI Accoustics amp rack that fits where the stock subwoofer would go. It's a fairly heavy and sturdy piece of plastic, so it's literally a blank slate for adding your own setup. There's plenty of room behind the trim panel for the 3 amps, and room behind the amp rack for all of the associated wiring.

Ford Bronco Plugnplaykits Musway install on 2022 Big Bend 4door PXL_20240929_185052158

Ford Bronco Plugnplaykits Musway install on 2022 Big Bend 4door PXL_20240929_185058749

Ford Bronco Plugnplaykits Musway install on 2022 Big Bend 4door PXL_20240929_181240172.MP


So, my install isn't as physically clean as someone who spent $10k having it professionally done. But then again, I certainly didn't pay that much.

Verdict:
So was it worth the change? Was it worth the time to rip out all the other stuff and mount this?
Short answer; hell yes.
I can be as obnoxious as I want now, with a decently sized and powered subwoofer. I can also cruise between Detroit and Louisville with all the windows down and still have my music as clear as listening through headphones. The Musway DSP software was incredibly easy to use, and the hardware is top-notch quality. I'm far from disappointed, bordering on elated. I'm one of those crazy folk that listen to every genre of music, and it all sounds amazing now.

That being said, if you're ever in need of a change, whether it's a package deal for a complete overhaul or just piecing together a new sound, give Joe at @plugnplaykits a call. He'll get you set up with a beautiful sounding system, and as long as you have basic knowledge on installing it, you can run a great setup like this!
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Valhalla

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Nice write up, what was your speaker and Amp costs?
 

ejaffe

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Do you have the plastic interior panel that has the subwoofer speaker grill or the molded pocket? I ask because I want to know if all of that fits behind a standard panel with the pocket.
 

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ejaffe

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I was asking if it fit behind the cargo plastic panel once installed if the panel has the pocket in it.
 
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ericwmedic

ericwmedic

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Nice write up, what was your speaker and Amp costs?
Oof... don't make me look at that number again. :cwl:

Amps, wiring harness, and the Stinger box from Plugnplay was just over $2000 with shipping.

Power cables, fuse holder, speaker wire, ferrules, terminal rings, etc from Crutchfield was $315 shipped.

Speakers from Crutchfield were about $600 combined.

So, let's call it $3k for everything.
 
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ericwmedic

ericwmedic

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Do you have the plastic interior panel that has the subwoofer speaker grill or the molded pocket? I ask because I want to know if all of that fits behind a standard panel with the pocket.
I had previously taken out the pocket thing by grinding off the plastic "rivets". I had the factory box back there for the first few tries at making this thing sound decent, so I had replaced the pocket with a 3D printed grille from Etsy.

It would not fit, as I have it, with the plastic pocket in place. However, you could easily fit these amps under the driver and passenger seats using the brackets from Stinger.
 
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ericwmedic

ericwmedic

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Do you have the non-B&O audio system?
Yeah, I just had the base non-B&O system. From what I've seen, the non-B&O is easier to do something like this, since you don't have to worry about A2B integration or dealing with the factory DSP.
 

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eduard4us

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Yeah, I just had the base non-B&O system. From what I've seen, the non-B&O is easier to do something like this, since you don't have to worry about A2B integration or dealing with the factory DSP.
That is true. I have the B&O system and opted for mObridge solution. I couldn’t be more happier with the results. With a good selection of speakers and a good tuning the results are just great.

Great job with the installation. Glad to see that plugandplaykits put something like this together. mObridge team is working on a plug and play solution for the nonB&O systems but not sure when it will be available.
 

FreddieLee

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So, my install isn't as physically clean as someone who spent $10k having it professionally done. But then again, I certainly didn't pay that much.
Clean installation.

Not much room to get creative in a Bronco. More or less, most of us are mounting our audio hardware in the same place.
 

ejaffe

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I had previously taken out the pocket thing by grinding off the plastic "rivets". I had the factory box back there for the first few tries at making this thing sound decent, so I had replaced the pocket with a 3D printed grille from Etsy.

It would not fit, as I have it, with the plastic pocket in place. However, you could easily fit these amps under the driver and passenger seats using the brackets from Stinger.
Unfortunately the amps don't fit under the seats unless I take out the heat vents. I will look for a 3d grill and replace the box
 

plugnplaykits

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Unfortunately the amps don't fit under the seats unless I take out the heat vents. I will look for a 3d grill and replace the box
That is not true the amps do fit under the seat all Miusway amps from the two channel all the way up to the eight channel fit under the driver or passenger seat using the stinger amp rack I sell

Ford Bronco Plugnplaykits Musway install on 2022 Big Bend 4door IMG_6370


Ford Bronco Plugnplaykits Musway install on 2022 Big Bend 4door IMG_0409
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