Best ways to Improve Audio

[AVCon]

I recent went from a 2019 XLT to a 2025 STX and the audio in the STX is lacking all the way around. What are some options to improve the sound and bass. I'm not looking to pounding bass or anything just better than stock.

I've done a bit of reading and saw I need some sort of inline convert to get a signal to a amp which seems like a bit of a pain. I've also read you can get the signal from the rear speakers with the a similar device and was mentioned in a YouTube tapping in a rear harness but didn't say where the harness was located. I rather do that if it's just taking off a panel than pull things apart around the headunit.

I also watched another video where the guy just put in new speakers and saw a huge improvement over the stock speakers both in sound quality and bass without adding an amp, has anyone done the same?

I don't want to invest a ton of money and time into so I guess I am looking for the lower budget options.

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[Jmwillets]

If you have access to forscan, you can flatten your EQ. This helps make the system sound a little more robust and dynamic. You can then use your tone controls to adjust bass and treble to your liking. Secondly, you could add block off plates to all four doors and this helps clean up muddy bass response. You could always treat the doors with sound treatments of your choosing, and continue down the rabbit hole of replacing speakers, adding amps, upgrading ACM, etc. Mostly this depends on budget.

 

[ReverendQ]

I recent went from a 2019 XLT to a 2025 STX and the audio in the STX is lacking all the way around. What are some options to improve the sound and bass. I'm not looking to pounding bass or anything just better than stock.

I've done a bit of reading and saw I need some sort of inline convert to get a signal to a amp which seems like a bit of a pain. I've also read you can get the signal from the rear speakers with the a similar device and was mentioned in a YouTube tapping in a rear harness but didn't say where the harness was located. I rather do that if it's just taking off a panel than pull things apart around the headunit.

I also watched another video where the guy just put in new speakers and saw a huge improvement over the stock speakers both in sound quality and bass without adding an amp, has anyone done the same?

I don't want to invest a ton of money and time into so I guess I am looking for the lower budget options.

Consider sound dampening. It improved the bass and quality of sound while sound dampening the cab. Less than $100 but labor intensive

 

[Brent@ANParts]

I was just going to say play with the EQ and the mentioned sound dampening is an amazing upgrade if you're willing to put in the work. It can really cut out some unwanted road noise, too.

 

[AVCon]

I don't mind spending some money of this, I should make it sound like I am being extremely cheap about it. I seen Kicker speakers kits on amazon including the adapters for $400, which seemed reasonable to me. But are the speakers going to improve the sound and bass to a noticeable difference. I did also read about block off panels like mentioned which I think I would make my own if I was changing the speakers.

Initially I was going to add a small sub and amp just to improve the bass but if I can do it with speakers alone that and get a better sound quality and improve the bass I'd like to do that. I don't want to use the space under the rear seats for a sub box as I use that space frequently. I was going to have to look at one of the small under seat options.

 

[Evolvd]

As others have mentioned, sound treatment will be your best bang-for-buck by far. MTI Acoustics and Sounds Good Stereo offer some great sound treatment packages that include the block-off plates. They are a necessity as that giant hole in the doors kills low frequencies. After that you could upgrade speakers. This may or may not make any noticeable difference because you’re still pushing the same crap signal to your new speakers.
I will always recommend NOT doing a line-out converter. That’s old tech and not a great solution with what else is available. I’m not yet familiar with the amplification in the non-B&O system so I’ll have to dig deeper.

 

[JCsTruck]

This https://www.crutchfield.com/S-rEL2HRAktTG/p_20647KEY20/Kicker-47KEY200-4.html

 

[Graygoose2021]

A KEY as mentioned above, and swap out the front speakers. If you use the KEY, and Bi-amp it, keep rear door factory.

 

[AVCon]

So a simply speaker upgrade wouldn't have much of a difference? I was thinking of making my own block off panels if I changed the speakers.

Where does the KEY amp plug in? Do I have to cut wiring or tare a lot apart to install it? It's pretty pricy for me to do that with speakers at $400 Canadian and decent speakers seem to be about $200 a pair.

 

[Graygoose2021]

Speakers will make a better environment, but adding an amp, with built in DSP and time alignment will even enhance it more.

 

[24Carbon150]

I ordered this kit from plug n play, no cutting wires , everything installs easy and then all you need to do is upgrade your speakers. You get the harness , Kicker key 200 amp and a Hideaway 10” sub, for the money and simplicity it’s pretty hard to beat and a rookie can install it following youtube step by step videos

 

[AVCon]

I ordered this kit from plug n play, no cutting wires , everything installs easy and then all you need to do is upgrade your speakers. You get the harness , Kicker key 200 amp and a Hideaway 10” sub, for the money and simplicity it’s pretty hard to beat and a rookie can install it following youtube step by step videos

Looks like a great kit but more than i want to spend overall.

 

[AVCon]

I think start with the front speakers and see where that gets me as it's a pretty low investment. After that I may look into a small amp and sub if I can easily get a signal to the amp.

 

[24Carbon150]

Looks like a great kit but more than i want to spend overall.

Gotta pay to play man, any significant improvement isn’t cheap. Adding speakers to a low wattage stereo isn’t gonna make a big difference and could potentially make it worse. I would save a little and do it right or your just pissing in the wind.

 

[Rinn69]

Even though I have a RCSB, I put some Kicker DSC 6x9 3-ways, along with the SGS block-off plates and some sound mat in the door----MAJOR difference in sound quality and better at volume. The pair of speakers was $120, plus door adapters ($20) and wire adapter ($10). Very reasonable bang for the buck, IMO.

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