Second guessing my 7-speaker audio upgrade...

[voxel]

Audio newb here.

I finally received all the audio components for an upgrade and was talking to an audio-installer and he recommended I don't just upgrade the tweeters but both the dash and 6.5" co-axial speakers together.

https://electronics.sony.com/audio/car-marine-audio/mobile-es-series/p/xs162es combo (and an enclosure) for the dash and the "door" speakers - which I had not planned on upgrading. There was discussion on why the co-axial speaker upgrades are not worth the extra cost. Anybody tried the above set of Sony speakers? Would I need a better amp than the Kicker 200? Eventually I was going to get FORSCAN to adjust audio setting after the install.

Here is my current component list:

Dash speakers - https://www.crutchfield.com/p_301DCX1003/Hertz-DCX-100-3.html
Bass blockers https://www.crutchfield.com/p_007BB600/Crutchfield-Bass-Blockers-600-Hz-cut-off.html (other speakers use 300 Hz)
Kicker 200W 6 speaker amp - https://www.crutchfield.com/p_20647KEY20/Kicker-47KEY200-4.html
Amp wiring - https://hoelwiring.com/products/kicker-key-200-4-plug-play-harness
Optional Kicker amp mount - https://mountains2metal.com/under-dash-mount-for-amp-radio-fits-2021-ford-bronco/
6.5” rear pod speakers https://ssvworks.com/products/2021-2023-ford-bronco-rear-speaker-pod-add-ons?variant=42022280855736

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[Brian_B]

Hmm…

First off, realize the audio-installer is in the business of selling stuff

Second - he isn’t wrong, upgrading the kick panels with the dashes will sound better than just the dashes. It’s just a matter of if it’s worth it to you to do so.

It takes about an hour to pull and replace the kick panel speakers. Versus the 5 minutes it takes for the dash. The dash speakers have a much bigger impact on what you hear though - being at roughly head level, versus projecting at your knees.

Now - the question of which speaker? That totally depends on you. If he is a good audio installer he’s going to have some demo units for you to listen to. The easy answer is pick the ones that sound best and are in your budget.

Unless this audio installer is a good friend, he’s just going to try to sell the speaker he thinks will net him the most profit.

It’s really really hard to describe sound quality without just being able to hear it for yourself, and everyone has their own opinions on what sounds good (or good enough)

And then throwing in the question about the amp. A kicker 200.4 will run about 85% of all the speakers you would consider putting in a Bronco. And the ones that it won’t are generally extremely high end and expensive

 

[1st 75th ranger]

Audio newb here.

I finally received all the audio components for an upgrade and was talking to an audio-installer and he recommended I don't just upgrade the tweeters but both the dash and 6.5" co-axial speakers together.

https://electronics.sony.com/audio/car-marine-audio/mobile-es-series/p/xs162es combo (and an enclosure) for the dash and the "door" speakers - which I had not planned on upgrading. There was discussion on why the co-axial speaker upgrades are not worth the extra cost. Anybody tried the above set of Sony speakers? Would I need a better amp than the Kicker 200? Eventually I was going to get FORSCAN to adjust audio setting after the install.

Here is my current component list:

Dash speakers - https://www.crutchfield.com/p_301DCX1003/Hertz-DCX-100-3.html
Bass blockers https://www.crutchfield.com/p_007BB600/Crutchfield-Bass-Blockers-600-Hz-cut-off.html (other speakers use 300 Hz)
Kicker 200W 6 speaker amp - https://www.crutchfield.com/p_20647KEY20/Kicker-47KEY200-4.html
Amp wiring - https://hoelwiring.com/products/kicker-key-200-4-plug-play-harness
Optional Kicker amp mount - https://mountains2metal.com/under-dash-mount-for-amp-radio-fits-2021-ford-bronco/
6.5” rear pod speakers https://ssvworks.com/products/2021-2023-ford-bronco-rear-speaker-pod-add-ons?variant=42022280855736

the factory system was garbage ..period
i run co axle alpines in deck and pods
alpines in kickers
mti tailgate sub with amp and processor it thumps with or with top and doors

 

[Sluggz]

the factory system was garbage ..period
i run co axle alpines in deck and pods
alpines in kickers
mti tailgate sub with amp and processor it thumps with or with top and doors

What sub are you running in the Mti tailgate ?

 

[1st 75th ranger]

What sub are you running in the Mti tailgate ?

kicker 10" pro comp
10 has more air space to create thump then a 12 and no porting
also grill cover a must have lol

 

[AzGrayHeritage]

I put a 12 inch Audio Control with Stinger box.... Not disappointed at all

kicker 10" pro comp
10 has more air space to create thump then a 12 and no porting
also grill cover a must have lol

 

[1st 75th ranger]

I put a 12 inch Audio Control with Stinger box.... Not disappointed at all

looks great bet subs thumping ..even when tops down ..ride on
mti has a downwards facing twin sub set up im looking at and maybe extra pods up top lol it never ends lol

 

[AzGrayHeritage]

looks great bet subs thumping ..even when tops down ..ride on
mti has a downwards facing twin sub set up im looking at and maybe extra pods up top lol it never ends lol

I did the non suggested coax solution. Audison apx 4 (2) apx 6.5 (1) Audison. 5 channel 5.600. I thought it was bright when I first listened to it too on first day. As my ears adjusted it became better and better. With both panels off it is doing the trick. Just waiting for my top lift to arrive for the final test, with everything off.

I think everyone's taste is different so a system is purely what the owner wants.

 

[1st 75th ranger]

i use alpine co axle deck and pods ..alpine in kickers also ..clean sound ..lol but to each their own as you said
good luck to you brother ...ride on

 

[sapper726]

I did the non suggested coax solution. Audison apx 4 (2) apx 6.5 (1) Audison. 5 channel 5.600. I thought it was bright when I first listened to it too on first day. As my ears adjusted it became better and better. With both panels off it is doing the trick. Just waiting for my top lift to arrive for the final test, with everything off.

I think everyone's taste is different so a system is purely what the owner wants.

I have my eye on the Stinger set up. Couple questions…

1 - any impact to the swing gate from the weight of the enclosure? I assume not but figured I’d ask.

2 - did you do the install yourself? If so, how difficult? If you paid to have it installed, what did it run you?

 

[AzGrayHeritage]

Zero impact on the gate. It uses rivot mounting. I did have it professionally installed. I can get you more pics if needed.

My cost was hardware and install upgrade, it's bulk. So out the door about 3k. You can do some shopping , Amazon has the sub 100 cheaper than retail. I used my audio guy for all hardware, Audison Apx4 (2), apx 6.5 (1) , axxess DSP interface , Audison sr5.600.

Currently I hover about 11-13 on volume and peak is 25 , after that we got clipping , so that was the tune spot. I have yet to go over 17. It's LOUD.

Top down test will happen once my Topliftpro v2 arrives in the next week or two .

Hope this helps

 

[Mike Kleen]

I have my eye on the Stinger set up. Couple questions…

1 - any impact to the swing gate from the weight of the enclosure? I assume not but figured I’d ask.

2 - did you do the install yourself? If so, how difficult? If you paid to have it installed, what did it run you?

I had the same setup installed a couple of weeks ago and am extremely satisfied. Maybe a little heavier feel to swing gate but not much.

I paid $1700 which included a Wavtech 1000.5plus amp. Plenty loud, but haven't had the top off yet. I've been super bummed about no low end for two years and am really glad to get it back. Listening some stuff I haven't bothered with lately.

I had previously replaced all speakers w Kickers, including putting 6.5" pods in the back and using ForScan to flash a full signal to the rear which also helped a lot.

I probably could have done this myself (breaking a few clips) but these guys were really cool and knew their stuff so I was happy to give them the business. Also they did it in a day and tuned the amp which I would have tweaked forever lol.

 

[sapper726]

I had the same setup installed a couple of weeks ago and am extremely satisfied. Maybe a little heavier feel to swing gate but not much.

I paid $1700 which included a Wavtech 1000.5plus amp. Plenty loud, but haven't had the top off yet. I've been super bummed about no low end for two years and am really glad to get it back. Listening some stuff I haven't bothered with lately.

I had previously replaced all speakers w Kickers, including putting 6.5" pods in the back and using ForScan to flash a full signal to the rear which also helped a lot.

I probably could have done this myself (breaking a few clips) but these guys were really cool and knew their stuff so I was happy to give them the business. Also they did it in a day and tuned the amp which I would have tweaked forever lol.

I’ve done all the speaker replacements, including the rear 6.5s and changed Forscan settings. It sure makes a difference but agree, it’s still not there.

The wife drives a 22 Explorer with the upgraded audio and it’s almost embarrassing how much better it is.

Thanks for the input, this is probably my next move.

 

[sapper726]

Zero impact on the gate. It uses rivot mounting. I did have it professionally installed. I can get you more pics if needed.

My cost was hardware and install upgrade, it's bulk. So out the door about 3k. You can do some shopping , Amazon has the sub 100 cheaper than retail. I used my audio guy for all hardware, Audison Apx4 (2), apx 6.5 (1) , axxess DSP interface , Audison sr5.600.

Currently I hover about 11-13 on volume and peak is 25 , after that we got clipping , so that was the tune spot. I have yet to go over 17. It's LOUD.

Top down test will happen once my Topliftpro v2 arrives in the next week or two .

Hope this helps

Absolutely, thanks for the feedback.

 

[Karl_in_Chicago]

I have my eye on the Stinger set up. Couple questions…

1 - any impact to the swing gate from the weight of the enclosure? I assume not but figured I’d ask.

The whole thing weighs less than 15 or so pounds. Grabbing the open gate to steady yourself while leaning over puts more weight on it than that.

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