Bronco audio upgrade suggestions

[UKBronco]

Hey all! Looks like I'm new to the club. I finally got my hands on a 4D Big Bend Velocity Blue Bronco a few weeks ago on a good deal near MSRP. Loving the Bronco so far, but like many others, I'm not exactly blown away with the audio system. With the Big Bend model, I have the base 6-speaker audio system, which is pretty lackluster to be honest.

I'm open to any suggestions as to specific speakers/subs/amp/etc. to improve this quality (I'm far from tech savvy, so likely looking to purchase these and then have them installed somewhere). I was leaning toward installing a 10" subwoofer, but starting to think the speakers might need to be replaced as well Let me know some of what you guys have done to improve the listening experience and what you purchased to do so! Happy to be a part of the Bronco family.

Sponsored

 

[Kygolfer]

Don’t replace the rear speakers. It will not help they get a horrible signal so a speaker upgrade will not improve the sound.

 

[buzpro]

do a search .... some great solutions have been posted already

 

[UKBronco]

do a search .... some great solutions have been posted already

Thanks for the suggestion... I have searched, I'm hoping to draw additional feedback.

 

[RagnarKon]

Generally speaking it's a trade-off between cost and your willingness to rip apart the inside of your Bronco. Speakers are relatively easy to replace, and not too pricey—but you won't get very far. Amplifiers and subwoofer will have the biggest improvement, but requires the most amount of ripping apart the inside of your Bronco.

BUT... here is my list, ranked from most impactful to least impactful, while also taking into account cost:

1. Amplifier
2. Replace dash 4" speakers
3. Add subwoofer
4. Replace rear 4" pod speakers
5. Replace 6.5" kick panels
6. Replace rear 4" speakers with a sound bar or 6.5" pods (requires Forscan/FDRS mods)

You could reorganize that list in every which way... just depends on your personal priorities / comfort level.

 

[UKBronco]

Generally speaking it's a trade-off between cost and your willingness to rip apart the inside of your Bronco. Speakers are relatively easy to replace, and not too pricey—but you won't get very far. Amplifiers and subwoofer will have the biggest improvement, but requires the most amount of ripping apart the inside of your Bronco.

BUT... here is my list, ranked from most impactful to least impactful, while also taking into account cost:

1. Amplifier
2. Replace dash 4" speakers
3. Add subwoofer
4. Replace rear 4" pod speakers
5. Replace 6.5" kick panels
6. Replace rear 4" speakers with a sound bar or 6.5" pods (requires Forscan/FDRS mods)

You could reorganize that list in every which way... just depends on your personal priorities / comfort level.

Thanks for the feedback! Based on my experience thus far, I personally agree on those first three as the biggest areas for improvement of the audio system seemingly.

 

[Wannabe Techie]

https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/threads/broncy-mcbroncface-build.49379/

https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/threads/tip-upgrade-stereo-for-free-at-best-buy.55920/

Lots of info out there but I got 2 words for you... KICKER KEY. one of the best amps for the $ out there and will make any new speaker more powerful.

 

[UKBronco]

https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/threads/broncy-mcbroncface-build.49379/

https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/threads/tip-upgrade-stereo-for-free-at-best-buy.55920/

Lots of info out there but I got 2 words for you... KICKER KEY. one of the best amps for the $ out there and will make any new speaker more powerful.

This is great feedback, particularly with the Amp suggestion! Thank you!

 

[Wannabe Techie]

This is great feedback, particularly with the Amp suggestion! Thank you!

Do a search here and you will see the fandom this thing has. My installer told me about it. It is small and fits behind glove compartment or in the cubby in the trunk. If you plan on riding with the top off, Kicker Key is crucial. The head unit isn't powerful enough for the OEM speakers so they won't be for the new either. Good luck!

 

[mattsmeesh]

1. Replace rear 4" speakers with a sound bar or 6.5" pods (requires Forscan/FDRS mods)

I didn't realize the rear pod swap required Forscan mods.

I'm familiar with Forscan mods conceptually, but what do you need to do forscan-wise to get 6.5 pods working right?

 

[RagnarKon]

I didn't realize the rear pod swap required Forscan mods.

I'm familiar with Forscan mods conceptually, but what do you need to do forscan-wise to get 6.5 pods working right?

The rear pod speakers have a high-pass filter on them from the audio control module (ACM) since they're only 4" speakers from the factory. Helps ensure they sound halfway decent by preventing those tiny 4" speakers from playing low frequencies.

If you are just swapping them out with other 4" speakers it is fine. But if you are installing larger speakers presumably you would want them to play those lower frequencies to get more bass overall. So the Forscan/FDRS mod is just to change the ACM configuration to send the full frequency range to your new rear speakers.

 

[Bronkers]

Generally speaking it's a trade-off between cost and your willingness to rip apart the inside of your Bronco. Speakers are relatively easy to replace, and not too pricey—but you won't get very far. Amplifiers and subwoofer will have the biggest improvement, but requires the most amount of ripping apart the inside of your Bronco.

BUT... here is my list, ranked from most impactful to least impactful, while also taking into account cost:

1. Amplifier
2. Replace dash 4" speakers
3. Add subwoofer
4. Replace rear 4" pod speakers
5. Replace 6.5" kick panels
6. Replace rear 4" speakers with a sound bar or 6.5" pods (requires Forscan/FDRS mods)

You could reorganize that list in every which way... just depends on your personal priorities / comfort level.

I'm in process on this list almost exactly, except without separate sub.

6.5" properly fed has enough low end for my tastes on the road.

 

[2100]

Easy step by step guide:

1. Build a time machine
2. Go back to your early 20s and spend as much time as possible in college dive bars with live music, the closer to the speakers the better
3. Repeat for half decade at minimum
4. Adult til Bronco release
5. Buy Bronco and have no issues with stock sound system due to previous bad choices

 

[mattsmeesh]

The rear pod speakers have a high-pass filter on them from the audio control module (ACM) since they're only 4" speakers from the factory. Helps ensure they sound halfway decent by preventing those tiny 4" speakers from playing low frequencies.

If you are just swapping them out with other 4" speakers it is fine. But if you are installing larger speakers presumably you would want them to play those lower frequencies to get more bass overall. So the Forscan/FDRS mod is just to change the ACM configuration to send the full frequency range to your new rear speakers.

Makes sense. Thanks!

 

[Gnomad]

I replaced my dash speakers with some NOS Kickers and that change by itself made all the difference I was looking for. Quick and easy.

Sponsored