SUPER HIGH-END SYSTEMS!

[Scleary1212]

LOL.

No build thread, but for me, the most impressive part of my system is the extensive sound deadening. About a year ago, I looked at all the receipts, and I have roughly $2,300 in Resonix CLD, Fibermat, Guardian, etc. I literally have 60lbs of Mega CLD throughout the cabin. Every plastic panel is treated and decoupled. With or without music, it makes the Bronco more enjoyable to drive.

Crazy thing is, at 75% volume, there's a tiny rattle somewhere in the cargo area that I can't find, which drives me nuts. Aside from that, the cabin is like a vault, but at some point, I'm going to pull the front fenders and liners, plus the rear quarter panels, and treat those parts to to see if it mitigates some road buzz.

The second most impressive is the tuning. Over the span of two years, I've had my Bronco tuned a total of three times. The first two tunes were done by Jeffrey Hald (remotely), and the last and final tune was done (in person) recently by one of the best tuners in the Country. Can anyone guess who?

Anyone who's apprehensive about tuning, it's the best investment you can make in ANY audio system, and if anyone in SoCal is interested in a demo, I'm on the West end of the SFV.

LOL.

No build thread, but for me, the most impressive part of my system is the extensive sound deadening. About a year ago, I looked at all the receipts, and I have roughly $2,300 in Resonix CLD, Fibermat, Guardian, etc. I literally have 60lbs of Mega CLD throughout the cabin. Every plastic panel is treated and decoupled. With or without music, it makes the Bronco more enjoyable to drive.

Crazy thing is, at 75% volume, there's a tiny rattle somewhere in the cargo area that I can't find, which drives me nuts. Aside from that, the cabin is like a vault, but at some point, I'm going to pull the front fenders and liners, plus the rear quarter panels, and treat those parts to to see if it mitigates some road buzz.

The second most impressive is the tuning. Over the span of two years, I've had my Bronco tuned a total of three times. The first two tunes were done by Jeffrey Hald (remotely), and the last and final tune was done (in person) recently by one of the best tuners in the Country. Can anyone guess who?

Anyone who's apprehensive about tuning, it's the best investment you can make in ANY audio system, and if anyone in SoCal is interested in a demo, I'm on the West end of the SFV.

I'd be willing to bet the rattle you're searching for is the tailgate handle mechanism if you haven't already addressed that. I chased that thing for a while before I found it. It wasn't the easiest to get apart, apply deadener and get it back in place but it solved my problem. Good luck, hope you get it!

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[Area51BS]

LOL.

No build thread, but for me, the most impressive part of my system is the extensive sound deadening. About a year ago, I looked at all the receipts, and I have roughly $2,300 in Resonix CLD, Fibermat, Guardian, etc. I literally have 60lbs of Mega CLD throughout the cabin. Every plastic panel is treated and decoupled. With or without music, it makes the Bronco more enjoyable to drive.

Crazy thing is, at 75% volume, there's a tiny rattle somewhere in the cargo area that I can't find, which drives me nuts. Aside from that, the cabin is like a vault, but at some point, I'm going to pull the front fenders and liners, plus the rear quarter panels, and treat those parts to to see if it mitigates some road buzz.

The second most impressive is the tuning. Over the span of two years, I've had my Bronco tuned a total of three times. The first two tunes were done by Jeffrey Hald (remotely), and the last and final tune was done (in person) recently by one of the best tuners in the Country. Can anyone guess who?

Anyone who's apprehensive about tuning, it's the best investment you can make in ANY audio system, and if anyone in SoCal is interested in a demo, I'm on the West end of the SFV.

I find myself tuning every free chance. It’s an illness. But it gets better every time I make a mod. Have to agree on sound deadening. It really helps the sound.

 

[5GENIDN]

Best to pay experienced remote tuner the $600 or whatever, AFTER the new deivers jave about 100 hours on ones personal tune and fully broken in somto speak.

I am sorry but I am just not following. I am sure it makes sense to someone, just not to me....

I purchased a complete packaged system from Morel. They used the M0bridge DSP and amp and provided a tune that their engineers created specifically for this system in a Bronco.... Now that the drivers have burned in.... I am really impressed. Now I am comparing it to my Home system where I moved from a Rotel amp to an Onkyo amp because the roll off at about 18K and up matched my combination of Martin Logan and Magna pan electrostatics... Now it is not as good as the home system but the sound environment is not nearly as favorable and well... I did spend about 25% of what I did on the electrostatics. Still though, very impressed with it.

 

[604Bronco]

do you have any more pics of the sub box install?

Unfortunately not, sorry. A local car audio shop did the installation and custom made this to fit the sub. They did a great job!

 

[FreddieLee]

I find myself tuning every free chance. It’s an illness. But it gets better every time I make a mod. Have to agree on sound deadening. It really helps the sound.

Before I switched to Utopia, I had a Focal Flax 3-way system (highly recommend), and those were extremely forgiving of DIY tuning. Countless hours spent learning and tuning, and they sounded phenomenal. As I upgraded to more complex speakers, I quickly learned that they are far less forgiving of basic DIY tuning. Needless to say, but professional intervention was needed.

I actually miss the DIY tuning aspect, and yes, it's definitely an illness. A sick, sick illness. Not exaggerating when I say that I literally spent more time tuning than driving. Good times...

When folks ask about DSP amps for DIY tuning, I always suggest downloading their software (Helix DSP Tool, Jl Audio TuN, Audison Bit Drive, etc) to figure out which one makes the most sense.

I purchased a complete packaged system from Morel. They used the M0bridge DSP and amp and provided a tune that their engineers created specifically for this system in a Bronco.... Now that the drivers have burned in.... I am really impressed. Now I am comparing it to my Home system where I moved from a Rotel amp to an Onkyo amp because the roll off at about 18K and up matched my combination of Martin Logan and Magna pan electrostatics... Now it is not as good as the home system but the sound environment is not nearly as favorable and well... I did spend about 25% of what I did on the electrostatics. Still though, very impressed with it.

Impressive home system, which brings up another topic. I think one of the biggest challenges that new DIY tuners have is not having a "reference" system. It's difficult to understand what SQ sounds like until you do, and it's equally difficult to understand that as you turn the volume knob, a good system gets more dynamic as opposed to loud and piercing.

It's the difference between a system that sounds good and a system that sounds good enough.

Where did you have your kick panel grills made? That is the next thing I need.

I got them from AudioLux in early 2024. The grills are fabricated from MDF, and fit to the OEM trim panels. Caveat, unless something changed, they will NOT ship the grills. They absolutely insist that you send your trim panels in for fitment.

AudioLux is about three hours from me in the San Diego area, so rather than driving, I shipped the trim panels in to be fitted with the grills. If memory serves, turn-around time was about a week or so.

They look great, but I purchased them because the plastic grills were flimsy, fit loosely and rattle, but more importantly, the mesh pattern on the plastic panels is so fine that it reduces output (measured with an RTA).

I also layered the trim panels with CLD, so they have some very nice heft to them, and the MDF / metal grills make the trim panel a lot more rigid.

If I'm not mistaken, the cost was $350. Spendy, but for my application, definitely worth it.

 

[Slick85]

Here is mine which I had installed in 2023... I wouldn't say it's SUPER high end, but it's pretty damn good! I actually just ordered the Helix USB Interface which allows you to connect directly from your device to the DSP / amplifier and bypass the OEM head unit. I'll probably get it installed within the next couple of weeks. I won't be able to adjust the volume or tracks with the head unit or steering wheel controls anymore, but the signal output will be the best quality you can get. I thought about getting the Helix Bluetooth Interface, but the USB one can get the best possible signal.


https://www.audiotec-fischer.de/en/helix/accessories/hec-hd-audio-usb-interface

https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/threads/complete-stereo-overhaul-upgrade-from-base-stereo.63967/

 

[Aknobronco]

Just about every other thread in this forum is about replacing the factory speakers with Kicker speakers, but where are all the super high-end systems owners? I have seen a small handful of guys talking amongst themselves about Blam, Focal, Gladen and other high-end components but never spill the beans on their full system.

Post your builds! Especially the ones that look stealth / factory!

Noisy vehicle like bronco with high end stereo is like peeing against the wind!

 

[5GENIDN]

Noisy vehicle like bronco with high end stereo is like peeing against the wind!

I am sorry you are unable to enjoy the difference. I can.

 

[Valhalla]

These all look amazing! how are they when the pressure washer hits them to clean out the interior... so far, the stock has not fallen apart...

 

[5GENIDN]

These all look amazing! how are they when the pressure washer hits them to clean out the interior... so far, the stock has not fallen apart...

I have to admit, my interior is not quite a "hose out" interior. I do not take my top off when out on the trails and spend lots of hours with a vacuum....

 

[Slick85]

Noisy vehicle like bronco with high end stereo is like peeing against the wind!

I can hear a HUGE difference since upgrading. I also switched from YouTube Music to Amazon the other day, and the improvement in sound quality is very noticeable. I just ordered the Helix USB interface, which lets you connect your phone directly to the DSP / amplifier and completely bypass the OEM unit. It's basically the only thing I can do now to improve the audio quality, aside from getting different speakers. But right now, the audio signal is converted back and forth between Analog and Digital multiple times, which degrades the signal quality. After I get it set up, I will reply in this thread and let everyone know if there is a dramatic difference.

 

[heathw101]

I’m assuming all of you are running hardtops. I upgraded mine with a bestop etop and with the wind noise it’s pretty much a fighting battle. Sounds good up to about 45 and then wind noise takes over.

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