Speakers-best bang for the buck

[SoundsGoodStereo]

Thanks to this thread I’ve now got a MUCH better sound system. Installed the Kicker CSC674 in back, and DSC 69304 6x9 in front. I also have kicker cst204 tweeters to install but don’t expect much difference from them.

The biggest change by far is the rear door speakers. I tested the system after installing those first, and the sound quality and low end was already amazing.

My biggest takeaway from doing this has nothing to do with the speakers, but Fords great engineering of the door panel. It now takes me about 3 minutes to remove the entire door panel. I’ve worked on a lot of vehicles and never seen something this clean and user-friendly.

Lastly, why does Crutchfield still not list 6x9 as a front option? Because they didn’t, I was expecting to see 6.5” speakers in the front doors, and was surprised when they were 6x9. And the adapters fit perfectly. They seem to have everything else dialed in so well (their instruction manual was crucial) but can’t seem to add replacement 6x9’s to their listings?

They play it safe across the board and also they have to work around their "free" adapters which are a universal style.

We develop speaker adapters using solid HDPE that are designed for 6x9-inch, 8-inch, and of course 6.5-inch for these trucks.

Sponsored

 

[mtbbodhi]

For the a-pillar tweeters, what difference will it make going from stock 4ohm tweeters to 8ohm?

I bought the Kicker CST20 tweeters but didn’t do my research and seeing that they’re 8ohm.

 

[Warden95]

For the a-pillar tweeters, what difference will it make going from stock 4ohm tweeters to 8ohm?

I bought the Kicker CST20 tweeters but didn’t do my research and seeing that they’re 8ohm.

I don't think that will matter with tweeters. If they are crossed in the 3000-4000 range you will probably be lucky to use more than 5-10 watts.

 

[mtbbodhi]

I don't think that will matter with tweeters. If they are crossed in the 3000-4000 range you will probably be lucky to use more than 5-10 watts.

Sorry I actually had that backwards. Stock is 8ohm, new ones are 4ohm. Still okay?

Crutchfield specifically warns about this here…

 

[Warden95]

Sorry I actually had that backwards. Stock is 8ohm, new ones are 4ohm. Still okay?

Crutchfield specifically warns about this here…

The 4ohm will use more power but still tweeters don't draw that much. Check out this article from Andy at Audio Frog:
https://www.audiofrog.com/pink-noise-white-noise-and-why-your-tweeters-never-get-150-watts/

 

[Graygoose2021]

Yes they are 4 ohm, they will be brighter than the stock ones. You may not really be able to hear the difference as much as one would think

 

[mtbbodhi]

Tweeter wiring - red stripe & purple strip factory wires; which is pos & neg? Or does it matter. I assume I need to use the Kicker supplied crossovers?

 

[Graygoose2021]

Yes use the crossover.

 

[Je1279]

Tweeter wiring - red stripe & purple strip factory wires; which is pos & neg? Or does it matter. I assume I need to use the Kicker supplied crossovers?

I'm a bit concerned that your sound may be too bright with both the 3-way coaxial speakers in the front and the 4 ohm tweeters, but I defer to those more knowledgeable. How does it sound with the factory tweeters and the coaxials in the doors?

 

[mtbbodhi]

I'm a bit concerned that your sound may be too bright with both the coaxial front speakers and the 4 ohm tweeters. How does it sound with the factory tweeters and the coaxials in the doors?

It sounds really good. I have the same concern.

I’m not an audiophile so not sure what to listen for, but I do think it is missing some mids. Bass is much improved with new speakers, and highs sound great. I feel like I’m not hearing the mids for a “full” sound. Hopefully that makes sense.

 

[Je1279]

It sounds really good. I have the same concern.

I’m not an audiophile so not sure what to listen for, but I do think it is missing some mids. Bass is much improved with new speakers, and highs sound great. I feel like I’m not hearing the mids for a “full” sound. Hopefully that makes sense.

Before adding the new tweeters, try lowering the highs and raising the mids a bit in the EQ and see if you can find the balance you are looking for.

 

[Stocks001]

I just finished the rear doors. So far I have done the following to my 7 speaker system:
- Dynamat treatment on front and rear outside door skins and door panels
- SoundsGoodStereo Block off plates in front doors only
- Kicker DS 6x9 front and 6.5 rear speakers
- Dayton 3.5" 8 ohm center speaker with 14 mf Bass Blocker
- Forscan settings change for flat signal and to change center speaker to "tweeter only" (I additionally had to change the chime settings to "dash" to make all the beeps a reasonable volume see my earlier post)

Results:
- My ride is now SUPER quiet
- I get AWESOME detail across the whole frequency range at all speeds
- Compared back to back with the 8 speaker b&o and the unleashed... I have better or similar detail but less low end punch due to no amp nor sub
- Total spent $380 - $220 all speakers $125 block off plates, $35 butyl sound deadener/dynamat


Happy for now but I may add a kicker hs8 or hs10 sub in the future.

dmac,

I started with the Dayton Center speaker and are going to upgrade the rest very soon as the stock 7 sucks...My question is with the center speaker, what is this 14mf Bass Blocker??

Thanks a bunch!

 

[dmac]

dmac,

I started with the Dayton Center speaker and are going to upgrade the rest very soon as the stock 7 sucks...My question is with the center speaker, what is this 14mf Bass Blocker??

Thanks a bunch!

Imo you dont really need the bass blocker since the center doesnt add that much but here is a link
https://www.crutchfield.com/S-CaD4q...MIpsLWxvTxigMV-9bCBB0UuxJwEAQYAyABEgLKKfD_BwE

The most important chamges for me were forscan, front door speakers and front door insulation+ block off plates. Then the kicker hs10 made it completely killer.

Good luck!

 

[SumGuy]

I agree with others, it’s a long process and kind of maddening at times. But holy hell it makes a huge difference in sound quality and volume. I just did my front and back doors about a month ago. Both the outside door skin and interior panel. I used sound skins pre cut on the interior panel and it was definitely easier than my last truck. Wear gloves! I’ve got the B&O 8 speaker system and I really like it now.

Their site lists the kit isn’t out yet? What was the price and what’s included in the kit?

 

[Graygoose2021]

Their site lists the kit isn’t out yet? What was the price and what’s included in the kit?

https://soundskinsglobal.com/produc...template-kit-2021?rq=yr_2021~mk_ford~md_f-150

 

[SumGuy]

https://soundskinsglobal.com/produc...template-kit-2021?rq=yr_2021~mk_ford~md_f-150

Thanks! The link I found on their website had an install video and a link that stated “coming in March. Preorder now!”

Sponsored