Upgrading speakers… Not that simple

[Lej512]

I have a basic understanding of audio systems. I set out to simply upgrade the speakers in my 2026 Outer Banks 60th Anniversary Bronco. No amps, just speakers. Anything has to be an improvement over the factory speakers. I always had good luck with Crutchfield. Following suggestions from other forums, I picked out the speakers that I want. 4”, two in the dash, two in the rear pods. My order shows up yesterday. I’m short one adapter harness, and the 4” speakers won’t fit in the factory pods. Why, why, why would Ford change the rear pod specs from one model year to another? I changed the pods in my old Bronco to accommodate a 6.25” speaker so I still have my old factory pods. The new 4” speakers fit fine in the old pod. Is it possible Ford goes through that much research to make sure the end user CAN’T do their own upgrades? I considered going full in and having the local car audio shop upgrade everything until they quoted me $3,800.

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[Bigtopher]

I was going to say to visit the trailseven website for their plug and play bundles, but I noticed you already ordered your kit. They have some decent options to choose from, and they're very responsive to questions via email, as I have a 12" Kicker L7S ported box and amp I want to use in conjunction with their full vehicle upgrade kits.

I would just automatically assume any changes the OEMs make is purely for cost savings and finding cheaper alternatives to peddle to us as 'upgraded" systems like the B&O, which was terrible in both my 2020 Explorer ST and current 2025 Badlands. My last two upgrades on the table are the audio system and a set of nice wheels for 35s.

 

[RagnarKon]

What are the new pods?? 3.5" speakers or is the depth different or something??

 

[23OBX2.7]

Audison has everything you need in the AP line and Voce 3.5 but if AV too rich then Hertz has great ML 3.5. They are all tuned to all work together seamlessly so you won't run into any weird frequency conflicts.

I did only speakers incl above or similar grade to B&O and it was OK, but when added 1000w 2ohm sub amp with integrated LOC and Hertz MPBX300S2 on tailgate the system leaped into next level.

 

[HalfmuleFarmer]

I I would just automatically assume any changes the OEMs make is purely for cost savings and finding cheaper alternatives to peddle to us as 'upgraded" systems like the B&O, which was terrible in both my 2020 Explorer ST and current 2025 Badlands. My last two upgrades on the table are the audio system and a set of nice wheels for 35s.

Question (just curious): The B&O systems are different in the 20 vs 25 years. I too have a MY25 BL, and as a former music industry guy, I found the 12-speaker B&O system fine. Not great, but fine — and I wasn’t expecting great from a factory system. Do you run top off and windows down? Are people hoping for great sound in that situation? Is that the complaint? Sincerely wondering.

(PS: I have a 2DR and usually have the rear seats folded down, which I find does effect the sound space. I haven’t experienced the 12-speaker B&O system in a 4DR, but maybe that’s part of the issue )

 

[Lej512]

What are the new pods?? 3.5" speakers or is the depth different or something??

Still technically 4" I guess. The pods "look" identical but an Alpine S2-S40 4" speaker will not sit flush in the opening of the new Bronco pods. If I had to guess I would say shaving maybe a 1/16" all the way around the opening would let it drop in. However, in the old Bronco (2023) pods, the Alpine drops in perfectly. It is possible it is the design of the speaker and not the pod.

 

[Lej512]

I was going to say to visit the trailseven website for their plug and play bundles, but I noticed you already ordered your kit. They have some decent options to choose from, and they're very responsive to questions via email, as I have a 12" Kicker L7S ported box and amp I want to use in conjunction with their full vehicle upgrade kits.

I would just automatically assume any changes the OEMs make is purely for cost savings and finding cheaper alternatives to peddle to us as 'upgraded" systems like the B&O, which was terrible in both my 2020 Explorer ST and current 2025 Badlands. My last two upgrades on the table are the audio system and a set of nice wheels for 35s.

I looked at their kit and almost pulled the trigger but I wasn't planning on replacing the kick panel speakers.

Question (just curious): The B&O systems are different in the 20 vs 25 years. I too have a MY25 BL, and as a former music industry guy, I found the 12-speaker B&O system fine. Not great, but fine — and I wasn’t expecting great from a factory system. Do you run top off and windows down? Are people hoping for great sound in that situation? Is that the complaint? Sincerely wondering.

(PS: I have a 2DR and usually have the rear seats folded down, which I find does effect the sound space. I haven’t experienced the 12-speaker B&O system in a 4DR, but maybe that’s part of the issue )

Exactly. I had a 2018 F-150 Raptor with a B & O system and I loved it. Never upgraded anything and was never disappointed in the sound.

 

[Lej512]

Top/doors never come off. Windows usually closed so I'm not trying to overcome outside noise.

 

[HalfmuleFarmer]

Top/doors never come off. Windows usually closed so I'm not trying to overcome outside noise.

So what’s your complaint with the system? Just curious.

 

[Lej512]

But you’re finding it necessary to swap out speakers in your MY26 Bronco?

Absolutely. Without spending a fortune or adding amps, I'm hoping upgrading the speakers from the Ford factory ones will give me better sound.

 

[Lej512]

So what’s your complaint with the system? Just curious.

To me it just sounds like a tinny, cheap factory system.

 

[HalfmuleFarmer]

To me it just sounds like a tinny, cheap factory system.

Interesting. I had expected the worst when I bought my MY25, after reading about lots of dissatisfaction here, but I was pleasantly surprised. We all have our own ears though.

I wrote a bit of a lengthy review here:

https://www.bronco6g.com/2025-bronc...ailed-review-by-a-retired-music-industry-guy/

 

[Lej512]

Interesting. I had expected the worst when I bought my MY25, after reading about lots of dissatisfaction here, but I was pleasantly surprised. We all have our own ears though.

I wrote a bit of a lengthy review here:

https://www.bronco6g.com/2025-bronc...ailed-review-by-a-retired-music-industry-guy/

Great review. My expertise is pale in comparison to yours. My music choices are probably a little different too. I play the trumpet and enjoy big band, dixieland and jazz. I am also a bagpiper. So my hearing is no doubt damaged. I like hard rock, pop, bluegrass and instrumental music. I like sharp highs and strong bass. My "go to" when testing a sound system believe it or not, is a professionally created, commercially purchased CD of fife and drum corps music like the US Army Old Guard. The fifes and snare drums should be crisp and clear and the bass drum should be powerful. When the volume is cranked for testing purposes, I like to see the vibration in the rearview mirror. The F-150 Raptor could do it and I was expecting the Bronco to do it as well. (Please don't judge my musical choices)

 

[HalfmuleFarmer]

Ha! No worries! I might say rattling the rearview might be verging on hearing-damage loud. ;-)

What volume do you typically enjoy the system set at when you’re just driving around town, alone, rocking out?

 

[Lej512]

Ha! No worries! I might say rattling the rearview might be verging on hearing-damage loud. ;-)

What volume do you typically enjoy the system set at when you’re just driving around town, alone, rocking out?

10-12

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