Speaker comparisons for B&O upgrade

[Jhuff]

Yep- this. If you add an amp without the interface you’ll lose controls (balance, fade, etc, etc).
I replaced all speakers in my B&O and added a sub and sub amp- much much better. Still may consider the interface and amp for the fronts at some point but it cooks for now.

I’ve seen this stated in multiple threads but I don’t think it’s necessarily true. From what I understand you can use an amp with a DSP like an Audio Control D-6.1200 and run it off of the high level speaker outputs from the factory B&O amp. Wouldn’t this allow you to maintain balance and fade controls. What am I missing?

This seems like it should work, but I am hesitant to amplify a signal that has already run through another amp; I need to do more digging as to the limitiations of that setup, as I would rather keep my factory sub than drop that kind of money on sub+amp+interface.

I pulled the trigger and added an amp off the B&O sub outputs. I can confirm it works without any problems. It works great, in fact.

I guess this is common knowledge since many LOCs and amps are designed for this situation (able to accept higher wattage inputs of modern vehicle audio packages).

I had to go the LOC route, as my amp of choice (waterproof Kenwood) accepts only very low input voltages. Some amps, like the Kicker Keys, do not need this.

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[Dads_bronze_bronco]

I've also been out of the car audio game for about 20 years, so when my brain immediately jumped to Alpine and almost immediately grabbed a few pair of S-S40s to change out the dash and pods to, I realized a lot of the game has changed over the years.

I see a bunch of threads referencing some the following for speakers on the mid-range end.

• JL C1s
• Kicker KSCs
• Alpine Type S's
• Focal ACX's

I'm not looking for anything insane, but is there a good compare/contrast between the pros and cons of these sound wise between these or other options in the $75-$125 range?

Yeah I am from the Denon Amp, MB Quart speaker, Alpine high end head unit age and the game has changed (and for the most part watered down in my view).

Will read through the thread for advice, but Crutchfield has a speaker sound comparer.

 

[Wolfeman]

Sounds good. Think I'm going to end up going with the Hertz options.

Can't wait to see what the change brings.

Are you happy with the Hertz?

Looking at those, JL, Focal, as well as others.

 

[sphaller]

Are you happy with the Hertz?

Looking at those, JL, Focal, as well as others.

At this point I only upgraded the two side dash speakers to the Hertz and that alone cleared up a lot of that muddy mids that I was hearing through the original system.

I still have a pair of 6.5” to install but don’t really want to if I don’t need to (save a few bucks).What I’d love to do is add them instead if the 4” in the podsin the rear but I don’t think anyones made that custom enclosure yet.

 

[Jfoster05]

Before going for the amp, read some of the threads regarding the B&O and amps. Last I saw, you had to buy a $700+ interface in order to retain control of the system.

I havenct kept up on the threads, but last I saw, the B&O guys thought they got the best increase by swapping the 6.5“ speakers.

I plan on installing Polk DB series all the way around. They have great reviews and specs, and are one of the few "marine" grade speakers, for whatever that's worth. Haven't seen any Bronco specific reviews on them yet, though.

I've got the Polk Audio - DB+ Series 4" 2-Way Coaxial Speakers with Polypropylene UV Tolerant Cones (Pair) - Black. Love the way they sound! For the kick panels I went with, Alpine - 6-1/2" 2-Way Car Speaker with Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic Cones - Black. Now thinking of adding a sub and amp because the low bass is an issue.

 

[Jhuff]

I've got the Polk Audio - DB+ Series 4" 2-Way Coaxial Speakers with Polypropylene UV Tolerant Cones (Pair) - Black. Love the way they sound! For the kick panels I went with, Alpine - 6-1/2" 2-Way Car Speaker with Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic Cones - Black. Now thinking of adding a sub and amp because the low bass is an issue.

In the meantime I installed Polk 6.5“s and am quite happy.

Just finished swapping out the B&O sub (Polk 8" MM) and adding an amp (Kenwood waterproof) and am very pleased. The Kenwood has very low tolerance for input voltage, so I had to add a LOC that drops the aplified sub output. I'm missing a few patches of frequency, but the Polk hammers most songs I throw at it.

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