A modest audio upgrade - your thoughts?

[PaulGrun]

I am not an audiophile. Even though as a young man I personally installed a top end system in my first car, a 1979 Saab 99GL. It was a marvelous Bose 100w AMP paired with an excellent Pioneer front end. Very state of the art at the time.
As I’ve grown older, if not wiser, “top drawer” sound has become less important to me … a system which delivers competent sound is good enough for me.
Had I had the choice, I probably would have ordered my ‘22 XLT with a B&O upgrade, but since my truck came off the lot, that wasn’t a choice available to me. In retrospect, given what I’m hearing folks reporting about the B&O systems, it’s probably just as well.
Fast forward to today. The left rear speaker in my truck is blown … sounds like crickets singing through a broken cellophane window. So I gotta do something about that. Remember what I said earlier about “competent”?
My choices are to ask the dealer to replace the blown speaker (I completely understand that the Motorcraft speakers are, ahem, “less than ideal”), or to take this opportunity to replace both rear speakers.
If the latter, it’ll probably be a professional job since my days of pulling apart doors and fishing wires are behind me. Even though I’m an electrical engineer by vocation and avocation, re-wiring car stereo just doesnt interest me all that much these days. … and I am going to stoutly resist the temptation to install subs, amps, and a bunch of other useful upgrades. At least for now.
With all that being said, what are your thoughts on likely candidates for aftermarket speakers, and how much modification to the existing infrastructure (door panels, wiring, etc) is actually required to meet my modest needs?
You can probably guess by now that I am not the guy in the truck next to you at the light who is rattling your fillings by turning my truck into one mammoth aluminum and steel sub woofer nor do I feel that everyone within a 2 block radius should be enjoying my musical choices. Again, just something “competent”.
Let ‘er rip….your thoughts?

Sponsored

 

[Zyvin]

You didn’t mention what system you do have. Base stereo in a crew cab/supercab/single cab?

If you just replace one speaker with aftermarket, it’s probably going to be “brighter” due to a more efficient s2n ratio. Just replace all 4 door speakers and tweeters with morels and call it a day.

 

[Davidwnuc]

I have a regular cab truck.
I replaced the factory door speakers with some Focal RCX-690 6x9’s. Nothing fancy. They were like $120.
They sound fine. I added sound deadener to the doors at the same time.
BUT the biggest improvement so far has been using forscan to set the factory EQ to flat. Huge improvement to sound quality in my opinion.
Just put some name brand speakers in that fit your budget if you dont plan on going full audio system. Im telling you though…changing the EQ to flat will probably make you happy.

 

[JJSnell]

I have been a fan of JL Audios.
Have em in my boat and now my '22.
You won't ever blow them with stock system and they will help your sound over the stock paper cones.
There is also an inline plugin adapter on Amazon where there is literally NO cutting of any wires.

Plug your truck into Crutchfield to get guaranteed fitment and compatibility

 

[PaulGrun]

You didn’t mention what system you do have. Base stereo in a crew cab/supercab/single cab?

If you just replace one speaker with aftermarket, it’s probably going to be “brighter” due to a more efficient s2n ratio. Just replace all 4 door speakers and tweeters with morels and call it a day.

Oversight on my part - ‘22 XLT 302A Supercrew with the stock, base, non-B&O system.
And for sure if I go the upgrade route, which seems most attractive, it would be both rear doors, and likely all four doors while I’m at it.
Thanks for your thoughts. Helpful.

 

[PaulGrun]

I have a regular cab truck.
I replaced the factory door speakers with some Focal RCX-690 6x9’s. Nothing fancy. They were like $120.
They sound fine. I added sound deadener to the doors at the same time.
BUT the biggest improvement so far has been using forscan to set the factory EQ to flat. Huge improvement to sound quality in my opinion.
Just put some name brand speakers in that fit your budget if you dont plan on going full audio system. Im telling you though…changing the EQ to flat will probably make you happy.

Were the Focal speakers a drop in replacement.
That’s interesting about modifying the EQ via Forscan - that never occurred to me. So far I’ve resisted the temptation to buy a dongle, but what you said may well push me over the edge.
Thanks! Good thoughts.

 

[PaulGrun]

I have been a fan of JL Audios.
Have em in my boat and now my '22.
You won't ever blow them with stock system and they will help your sound over the stock paper cones.
There is also an inline plugin adapter on Amazon where there is literally NO cutting of any wires.

Plug your truck into Crutchfield to get guaranteed fitment and compatibility

Thanks! I’m not afraid of cutting wires, but I’d rather no heroics in the physical mount. Are the JL Audio speakers a drop in replacement?
Thank you for that clue … it’s helpful.

 

[Davidwnuc]

Were the Focal speakers a drop in replacement.
That’s interesting about modifying the EQ via Forscan - that never occurred to me. So far I’ve resisted the temptation to buy a dongle, but what you said may well push me over the edge.
Thanks! Good thoughts.

You need an adapter that allows the 6x9s to bolt the stock location and pigtails to allow the stock wires to plug in. Pretty basic stuff though so super easy upgrade.

 

[JJSnell]

Thanks! I’m not afraid of cutting wires, but I’d rather no heroics in the physical mount. Are the JL Audio speakers a drop in replacement?
Thank you for that clue … it’s helpful.

Boy, now your testing my memory.
They need ring\mount adapters, and they are free when ordered on Crutchfield as are the pigtail adapters.
And just to confirm, this is for the rear doors only. Fronts take a 6x9, which JL does not make for our trucks.

 

[kb2755]

I am not an audiophile. Even though as a young man I personally installed a top end system in my first car, a 1979 Saab 99GL. It was a marvelous Bose 100w AMP paired with an excellent Pioneer front end. Very state of the art at the time.
As I’ve grown older, if not wiser, “top drawer” sound has become less important to me … a system which delivers competent sound is good enough for me.
Had I had the choice, I probably would have ordered my ‘22 XLT with a B&O upgrade, but since my truck came off the lot, that wasn’t a choice available to me. In retrospect, given what I’m hearing folks reporting about the B&O systems, it’s probably just as well.
Fast forward to today. The left rear speaker in my truck is blown … sounds like crickets singing through a broken cellophane window. So I gotta do something about that. Remember what I said earlier about “competent”?
My choices are to ask the dealer to replace the blown speaker (I completely understand that the Motorcraft speakers are, ahem, “less than ideal”), or to take this opportunity to replace both rear speakers.
If the latter, it’ll probably be a professional job since my days of pulling apart doors and fishing wires are behind me. Even though I’m an electrical engineer by vocation and avocation, re-wiring car stereo just doesnt interest me all that much these days. … and I am going to stoutly resist the temptation to install subs, amps, and a bunch of other useful upgrades. At least for now.
With all that being said, what are your thoughts on likely candidates for aftermarket speakers, and how much modification to the existing infrastructure (door panels, wiring, etc) is actually required to meet my modest needs?
You can probably guess by now that I am not the guy in the truck next to you at the light who is rattling your fillings by turning my truck into one mammoth aluminum and steel sub woofer nor do I feel that everyone within a 2 block radius should be enjoying my musical choices. Again, just something “competent”.
Let ‘er rip….your thoughts?

I’m in the same situation. Blown right rear speaker. I have the base 6 speaker setup and my volume has never gone above 12 out of 30.

I started looking at speaker replacements and while the prices looked reasonable, I’m going to have Ford replace it while it’s still covered.

If/when (likely when) another one goes outside of warranty, I’ll be pulling them all out and replacing with higher quality woofers/tweeters.

 

[Zyvin]

As mentioned above. If you have a non-amplified system (no B&O 5, 6 or 7 speaker system), I would definitely flatten the EQ in Forscan, and then replace the speakers eventually. I think it will not blow you away, but would be a marked improvement.

 

[WoodBarn Mark]

I agree with going to crutchfield.com. I have had 3 f150s in the last 10 years. My 2011 xlt stereo was great. My 2014 platinum was awful. I ordered all new speakers for it the first month I had it.
My new 23 kings ranch has the b&o unleashed, and it's great so far.
My first car was a old mustang... back in the late 70s. I put a. Blaupunkt system in it while I was in high school. Ha. I'm a fan of loud music still.
Anyway, the ford system seems to be good or bad...depending on what you get. It's not a deal breaker for me anymore because of crutchfield.
I've used then for a couple f150s, a 92 wrangler, a 2007 tacoma, and some others. If you put in your truck, it will guide you through steps of exact fit, or almost fit speakers, broken down by brand, placement in truck, etc. They will build you a plug and play pigtail as well, if you order it. The same with stereo units. It's the easiest thing ever. I've never had a bad experience there. They include all parts and stuff to make what you order work for your specific vehicle.

 

[Bossharp]

This thread got me thinking what I might do when my 2024 regular cab gets here. Simple upgraded speakers? What difference did the sound proofing in the doors make? I looked at a few threads where the whole cab was done. I just don't know if it would be worth the expense but I do plan on a leather interior done at a shop.

 

[Davidwnuc]

This thread got me thinking what I might do when my 2024 regular cab gets here. Simple upgraded speakers? What difference did the sound proofing in the doors make? I looked at a few threads where the whole cab was done. I just don't know if it would be worth the expense but I do plan on a leather interior done at a shop.

Hard to say. I did the floor, doors, and back wall the same time as the front speakers. If you do the door speakers you might as well apply some form of sound deadening at the sane time since you will be right there. I left the tweeters in the pillars stock. The roof needs deadened next. Sounds like tennis balls hitting the roof when it rains. Lots of options when it comes to speakers. I plan to add an amp and a sub in the future.

 

[Bossharp]

Regular cabs have always been the 'Redheaded Stepchild' when it comes to trim level. Has Ford ever made a high trim available? I've never seen above a XLT and even then it's always been a lower version. I believe carpet was a extra cost on that too. So I plan to make mine nice. Probably a mix of factory parts and Custom work. The full Custom leather interior will come first and I'm hoping the shop that handles that can do something with the door panels and get rid of/change a little of the vast expanse of grey plastic that screems work truck.

Sponsored