B&O System Speaker Upgrade Options - Back to basics and keeping stock amplifiers and subwoofer

[sparky_12]

Just came across this thread after picking up my 2026 Bronco and looking at audio upgrades. I’m wondering if the info here applies to 2026 as well? The reason I ask is that when I go to the links for the Hertz front speakers on the Crutchfield site, I get the “Does not fit in dash corner of your Ford” message. Has anyone tried with a ‘26?

Thanks!

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[mdube72]

@sparky_12 The 2026 and 2025 B&O systems did get some updates. From what I’ve read, new amplifier, upgraded subwoofer and I believe updated speakers all around. General comments I’ve read on the forum is that it sounds better than the 24 and below models with B&O. What has not changed is the size of the speakers. Crutchfield has always said the Hertx DCX speakers don’t fit - but they are completely wrong. I’ve even written to them and spoken to their customer service. I can assure you there are many members of the forum that have installed the Hertz in the front corners and rear pods with no issues. Hope this helps. If you do order them, make sure they give you the Metra connectors in your order for free. May need to place your call over the phone if the online order doesn’t put them in your cart automatically.

 

[sparky_12]

@sparky_12 The 2026 and 2025 B&O systems did get some updates. From what I’ve read, new amplifier, upgraded subwoofer and I believe updated speakers all around. General comments I’ve read on the forum is that it sounds better than the 24 and below models with B&O. What has not changed is the size of the speakers. Crutchfield has always said the Hertx DCX speakers don’t fit - but they are completely wrong. I’ve even written to them and spoken to their customer service. I can assure you there are many members of the forum that have installed the Hertz in the front corners and rear pods with no issues. Hope this helps. If you do order them, make sure they give you the Metra connectors in your order for free. May need to place your call over the phone if the online order doesn’t put them in your cart automatically.

Outstanding - thank you for the quick response. I’ll give them a call tomorrow and get stage 1 going.

 

[CarGuy]

I have the Hertz DCX 100.3 in my ‘23 2-door Wildtrak with BO. The site also says will not fit. I think because of the mounting tabs - 2 need to be cut off with tin snips (easy!). Not sure if anything else changed on a ‘26.

 

[mdube72]

I have the Hertz DCX 100.3 in my ‘23 2-door Wildtrak with BO. The site also says will not fit. I think because of the mounting tabs - 2 need to be cut off with tin snips (easy!). Not sure if anything else changed on a ‘26.

Exactly @CarGuy Had to snip off two of the tabs for both the Front corners and the rear pods. Pretty common in my experience with aftermarket speakers. @sparky_12 Also noted in the thread - the Hertz have weird (non-conventional) speaker terminals. Not like most speakers with a large positive and small negative terminal. You will need to either solder the connectors to the terminals or snip off the small connector end on the Metra harness and install the larger female connector. I soldered all of mine at once prior to install.

 

[WT401]

Love this thread. I am stepping through these upgrades one at a time in my 23 Wildtrak (Lux\with B&O) but a bit out of order.

I just installed the TrailSeven rear speaker pods. Very happy so far. TS loads your chosen speakers into the pods for you with sound deadening. I went with Hertz DCX 165.3s based on the recommend to prioritize speaker sensitivity in this thread. They were easy to install and sound great.

I did push the fade a bit to the front to rebalance against a now much louder rear speaker. It definitely makes a difference up front but really helps out the back seaters. I was worried they'd sound terrible with the b&o limited signal but I am happy with em.

Next up a tailgate mounted sub!

 

[mdube72]

Love this thread. I am stepping through these upgrades one at a time in my 23 Wildtrak (Lux\with B&O) but a bit out of order.

I just installed the TrailSeven rear speaker pods. Very happy so far. TS loads your chosen speakers into the pods for you with sound deadening. I went with Hertz DCX 165.3s based on the recommend to prioritize speaker sensitivity in this thread. They were easy to install and sound great.

I did push the fade a bit to the front to rebalance against a now much louder rear speaker. It definitely makes a difference up front but really helps out the back seaters. I was worried they'd sound terrible with the b&o limited signal but I am happy with em.

Next up a tailgate mounted sub!

@WT401 - Not sure how much you shopped around for subwoofer enclosures, so figured I’d share this -
Take a look at the Gearshade hidden subwoofer enclosure. https://www.gearshade.com/bronco-subwoofer/
He’s done an amazing job on the 3D printing and engineering. He wasn’t making the 10 inch when I bought mine, so I went with the square L7T. I still can’t believe how good they sound. I didn’t do the tailgate sub because I have a 2dr and didn’t want to lose any cargo space at all. If I was starting from scratch, I’d probably go with his new round 10 inch for the Kicker Comp RT. I run a 10 inch CompRT in my other car and they are amazing. I got the 2 Ohm version and run it off 1 Ohm load from a Kicker Key 500 amp and it’s incredible. I’m also running the Kicker Key 500 in the Bronco. My Kicker L7T subwoofer is a dual voice coil 2 Ohm so it runs at 1 Ohm with the Key 500. You can’t see it but you’d think it was a 10 inch sub. At least now you have lots of options to choose from. Best of luck and let us know how you make out.

 

[Kfuller1212]

With the new 2025-2026 is it worth replacing the speakers still? My wife just wants more bass in the bronco. So I was planning to get one of the enclosure from gearshade and add a 10 inch sub and amp but keep the factory B&O amp going to the speakers. So it is worth while to replace the stock speakers with the hertz that are recommended?

 

[mdube72]

With the new 2025-2026 is it worth replacing the speakers still? My wife just wants more bass in the bronco. So I was planning to get one of the enclosure from gearshade and add a 10 inch sub and amp but keep the factory B&O amp going to the speakers. So it is worth while to replace the stock speakers with the hertz that are recommended?

@Kfuller1212 -That is exactly what you can do - and I agree, you want to keep most of the B&O.

I have not heard the new upgraded B&O system. I’ve heard others say it sounds better than the 1st Gen. That being said, I doubt that the speakers are much better quality - it’s likely improvements to the amp and DSP tuning on the B&O for the 2nd gen system. Sound systems are very subjective - so I think your situation is easy to resolve.

I would definitely go with the following : Gearshade subwoofer enclosure -whichever you choose - can’t go wrong really. Might think about getting your Kicker Key 500.1 from Plug and Play - Joe makes an awesome B&O bypass harness so all you need to do is plug in the T-Connecter to the B&O and then you have your new amp leads to go back to the amp - PlugNPlay Kit 5.
You can always call and ask Joe to double check on the right kit number. This kit is the Kicker AMP and a pre-made Kicke harness. It's important to pick up the subwoofer speaker leads BEFORE you get to the B&O amp to avoid bass drop off at high volumes. This Is exactly what Joe's kit does - no cutting, no guessing - just go.

I also went with this wiring kit made specifically for the Bronco - was a great setup and nice and neat in the engine compartment. Stinger Bronco Wiring Kit. Don't forget your Kicker Bass knob - I would not install the Key 500 without one - you are going to want to play with bass volume all the time. I mounted that bass knob right underneath the steering column - you will find a little square cut out - perfect place to mount it and you can reach it all the time.

I would try this first - more detailed of an install than replacing the B&O stock speakers for sure. Once you are done adding the sub, you could always go back and drop in the Hertz replacement speakers if you are still not satisfied. Good luck and happy to help if you have questions

 

[EOD98]

Good advice

 

[Kfuller1212]

@Kfuller1212 -That is exactly what you can do - and I agree, you want to keep most of the B&O.

I have not heard the new upgraded B&O system. I’ve heard others say it sounds better than the 1st Gen. That being said, I doubt that the speakers are much better quality - it’s likely improvements to the amp and DSP tuning on the B&O for the 2nd gen system. Sound systems are very subjective - so I think your situation is easy to resolve.

I would definitely go with the following : Gearshade subwoofer enclosure -whichever you choose - can’t go wrong really. Might think about getting your Kicker Key 500.1 from Plug and Play - Joe makes an awesome B&O bypass harness so all you need to do is plug in the T-Connecter to the B&O and then you have your new amp leads to go back to the amp - PlugNPlay Kit 5.
You can always call and ask Joe to double check on the right kit number. This kit is the Kicker AMP and a pre-made Kicke harness. It's important to pick up the subwoofer speaker leads BEFORE you get to the B&O amp to avoid bass drop off at high volumes. This Is exactly what Joe's kit does - no cutting, no guessing - just go.

I also went with this wiring kit made specifically for the Bronco - was a great setup and nice and neat in the engine compartment. Stinger Bronco Wiring Kit. Don't forget your Kicker Bass knob - I would not install the Key 500 without one - you are going to want to play with bass volume all the time. I mounted that bass knob right underneath the steering column - you will find a little square cut out - perfect place to mount it and you can reach it all the time.

I would try this first - more detailed of an install than replacing the B&O stock speakers for sure. Once you are done adding the sub, you could always go back and drop in the Hertz replacement speakers if you are still not satisfied. Good luck and happy to help if you have questions

Thanks for the reply, what you explained is exactly what I have planned to buy. Did u use the 8 inch or 10 inch sub? I was thinking the 8 inch as there is room on their box for the kicker key amp to mount . Clean and simple all in one spot. Just hope the 8 inch is enough bass for the wife.

 

[EOD98]

Mount the kicker key 500.1 behind the drivers side rear panel. Vertical just inside the roll bar and behind the tail light. Get the 10” enclosure.

 

[mdube72]

Thanks for the reply, what you explained is exactly what I have planned to buy. Did u use the 8 inch or 10 inch sub? I was thinking the 8 inch as there is room on their box for the kicker key amp to mount . Clean and simple all in one spot. Just hope the 8 inch is enough bass for the wife.

@Kfuller1212 - I have the square Kicker L7T in the box for the 2dr. The Kicker Key 500 mounts on the top and the B&O amp mounts right on the front. Almost exact area where it mounts on the factory sub box. His new 10 inch boxes also mount location for the B&O, but does not have a spot for the Kicker Key 500.

Gearshade was not making 10 inch sub boxes when I bought mine, so my options were more limited than what he provides today. My box has the L7T 2 Ohm. The bass in this is tight. You would likely get some more lows from a Comp RT 10 inch, but this thing pounds. I have zero complaints.

There are tons of places members have mounted the KEY 500 amp. It's tiny, you can find lots of places to stick it. @EOD98 also just mentioned a location you may want to consider. Stinger makes a few kits to go under the Bronco seats too - Stinger Kits Bronco. I've also pictures of amps under the rear trunk area - there is that empty tray area. I will say that having it mounted on the sub can be a pain in the ass end of the day, if its behind the side trim panels, then its not really accessible. However, once it's dialed in, you're never going to touch it. I have not touched mine since. I left my rear trim panel off for over 2 weeks while I was messing with it. If you go with the Square 8 Inch L7T, then here is a picture of my AMP settings you can adopt. (I have the bass knob unplugged in this picture)

One more point, looks like Gearshade (Adaptive Audio Now) provides a new bypass adapter for the B&O amp - much like PlugNPlay - price looks nice too but I have NOT tried this. Would not be hard at all to use this and then wire up your amp - your only doing this part for the subwoofer speaker inputs.

Good luck and let us know.

 

[Kfuller1212]

@Kfuller1212 - I have the square Kicker L7T in the box for the 2dr. The Kicker Key 500 mounts on the top and the B&O amp mounts right on the front. Almost exact area where it mounts on the factory sub box. His new 10 inch boxes also mount location for the B&O, but does not have a spot for the Kicker Key 500.

Gearshade was not making 10 inch sub boxes when I bought mine, so my options were more limited than what he provides today. My box has the L7T 2 Ohm. The bass in this is tight. You would likely get some more lows from a Comp RT 10 inch, but this thing pounds. I have zero complaints.

There are tons of places members have mounted the KEY 500 amp. It's tiny, you can find lots of places to stick it. @EOD98 also just mentioned a location you may want to consider. Stinger makes a few kits to go under the Bronco seats too - Stinger Kits Bronco. I've also pictures of amps under the rear trunk area - there is that empty tray area. I will say that having it mounted on the sub can be a pain in the ass end of the day, if its behind the side trim panels, then its not really accessible. However, once it's dialed in, you're never going to touch it. I have not touched mine since. I left my rear trim panel off for over 2 weeks while I was messing with it. If you go with the Square 8 Inch L7T, then here is a picture of my AMP settings you can adopt. (I have the bass knob unplugged in this picture)

One more point, looks like Gearshade (Adaptive Audio Now) provides a new bypass adapter for the B&O amp - much like PlugNPlay - price looks nice too but I have NOT tried this. Would not be hard at all to use this and then wire up your amp - your only doing this part for the subwoofer speaker inputs.

Good luck and let us know.

Thanks for the information. I don't think with the 10" enclosure there is room to mount it where @EOD98 suggested. It looks like in the picture that 10 inch enclosure come right to the end. Unless they are talking about up higher. Ill have to figure all that out. Was just looking for the simplest route. Thanks again.

 

[EOD98]

I’m talking about the opposite side, behind the drivers side cargo panel. Here is a picture to prevent confusion. The kicker key 500.1 is mounted vertical on the left in that space by the roll bar. Set and forget but if you need to get to it, just pop the tabs on that side. You don’t need to remove the whole panel.

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