Audio Help!

[chrismcurran]

Hoping someone in the group can help me, well more notably my car stereo shop, with my audio upgrade. My car stereo shop called me today to say that they cannot figure out what to do and told me to go ask in the forums (which I’m just thrilled about). They have everything pulled together for my Non-BO system - 4” JL Audio Speakers in the dash, 6.5” JL Audio Subwoofers in the kick panel, 6.5” JL Audio M3s in SSV Pods, and an SRQ Subwoofer enclosure with a Kicker L7 subwoofer. This will all be powered by a JL Audio VX800/8i amp.

They said since installing it all they can get is half volume and nothing but distortion. They are sure it’s at the headunit (12” screen). They proceeded to tell me how challenging these units are and think they are about to give up on it.

I was relying on them to be the source to get it together, but obviously not.

Are there any experts out there who could help walk them through what the issue is? I don’t know how to guide them on it and haven’t had the time to research. The Bronco goes out to a renter early afternoon tomorrow, so am panicked. I am willing to pay someone for their expert advise to them. I just want it back and to be right. There are no other audio shops in the area.

My worst fear came true! Any and all help much appreciated.

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[HPNQ420]

Hoping someone in the group can help me, well more notably my car stereo shop, with my audio upgrade. My car stereo shop called me today to say that they cannot figure out what to do and told me to go ask in the forums (which I’m just thrilled about). They have everything pulled together for my Non-BO system - 4” JL Audio Speakers in the dash, 6.5” JL Audio Subwoofers in the kick panel, 6.5” JL Audio M3s in SSV Pods, and an SRQ Subwoofer enclosure with a Kicker L7 subwoofer. This will all be powered by a JL Audio VX800/8i amp.

They said since installing it all they can get is half volume and nothing but distortion. They are sure it’s at the headunit (12” screen). They proceeded to tell me how challenging these units are and think they are about to give up on it.

I was relying on them to be the source to get it together, but obviously not.

Are there any experts out there who could help walk them through what the issue is? I don’t know how to guide them on it and haven’t had the time to research. The Bronco goes out to a renter early afternoon tomorrow, so am panicked. I am willing to pay someone for their expert advise to them. I just want it back and to be right. There are no other audio shops in the area.

My worst fear came true! Any and all help much appreciated.

Some thoughts from a non-audio guy worth what I am getting paid:
1. The stock dash speakers are wired in parallel. Are they keeping it that way? With 8 channels I think you would want separate wires run to the dash and kick panel speakers. The other alternative would be bass blockers to the dash speakers. (Also, if they were cutting wires to the kick panel speakers ample opportunity exists for messing that up. The wiring is not intuitive. Google "2021 Bronco Speaker Wiring Diagram" and the first link that should pop up is a good forum thread. Make sure your install guys read that thread.
2. Forscan changes are necessary. At a minimum the equalization for the rear speakers needs to be turned off and the rear speakers need to be changed from "tweeter" to "woofer plus tweeter".
3. The JL amp is going to be need to be set up properly for a four channel input and and a five or seven channel output (dash and kick panel speakers wired together or separately, respectively, either with channels of the amp bridged for the rear subwoofer.

If none of the audio experts chimes in before morning at least you have some things to check.

 

[Alassise]

You mentioned speakers and amps, but did not covered the interface of stock radio to amp. What line output converter and harness are they using?

 

[Genjuro]

My guy that did a similar setup to the base audio with a 1000 series jl amp told me that the head unit doesn't have a digital output if you don't order with the B&O option. Sounded like something was missing from the head unit.

Anyone think that there is a part from Ford that needs to be ordered to get digital output going?

This would solve the OPs problem without having to perform whatever black magic my installer used to get around the exact same problem OP mentions.

 

[Genjuro]

Fwiw, here is the writeup my shop did on my bronco.

https://www.extremeaudio.org/premium-stereo-upgrade-for-2022-ford-bronco/

 

[DJ1]

With the base system, this is one of the simplest installs possible. You might want to find a different place. Or do it yourself. You don't need harnesses, Forscan changes, or anything out of the ordinary to overhaul the base system.

Here is what I did myself over a weekend:
https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/thre...-dsp-speakers-and-sub-lots-of-pictures.43856/

Good Luck!

 

[HPNQ420]

You mentioned speakers and amps, but did not covered the interface of stock radio to amp. What line output converter and harness are they using?

The amp he measured has line level inputs as well.

 

[HPNQ420]

With the base system, this is one of the simplest installs possible. You might want to find a different place. Or do it yourself. You don't need harnesses, Forscan changes, or anything out of the ordinary to overhaul the base system.

Here is what I did myself over a weekend:
https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/thre...-dsp-speakers-and-sub-lots-of-pictures.43856/

Good Luck!

If you don't turn off the equalizer in Forscan the rear line level outputs get the lower frequencies cut out when they go to the amp.

 

[DJ1]

If you don't turn off the equalizer in Forscan the rear line level outputs get the lower frequencies cut out when they go to the amp.

Yes, the rears don't get a full range signal as you said. However, with a DSP, like the one in the JL amp he has, you can route the full range signal to the rears without messing with Forscan.

 

[jayson]

Excluding the sub for a moment. If you just swapping out the speakers that shouldn't be an issue. I did it on my 2023 no-bo and went fine.

The factory headunit is under-powered and without any forscan adjustments you wont get sound to the back pods, so I bought the wiring harness + kicker key amp from here: https://evilletruck.com/plugnplay
Also I didn't want to mess with the already insanely tight wiring in the head unit (Note if these guys are this could be an issue).

Once the amp was installed and dsp run all sounded great. Maybe go through a process of elimination with them. too bad you have to this when you already paid them but maybe room for negotiation with them.

If its helps you can read my thread as well: https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/threads/audio-system-upgrade-journey.69806/

Oh, don't forget to add bass blockers on your 4" because you will get clipping.

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