Has anyone upgraded audio?

[Akbrian]

Had a 2019 ford with B&O that was way better. I am deaf in one ear and mostly deaf in the other so usually run mine at about 25 just so can hear. There is definitely less feel to the music. I bet they reduced power. Every watt counts. Will be following to see what others add.

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[dannynoone]

I find my Pro audio adequate but it’s one of the few things I’d be willing to throw a grand or two at to have a fantastic sound experience because of the level of quiet within the cabin.

 

[F150ROD]

Someone was upgrading to the optional Kicker, waiting to hear results on that one to at least get some bass

 

[broncoaz]

After some more driving experience I can say I could live with the stock Pro audio system as it is. I might try swapping speakers or adding a powered sub at some point, but it’s not garbage from the factory. It’s light years ahead of the POS Ford installed in my Bronco.

 

[GDN]

Do you also find it inadequate?

Very much so it is inadequate for a truck that costs this much and has a big name brand stereo plastered all over it. I had really wanted to upgrade to the Unleashed, but they didn't make it available in the Lariat and I'm so glad I didn't throw more money into this factory crap.

I had two concerns buying this truck. I wanted back into a pickup so I took them both. One was the charging and it is turning out to be the disaster I figured it would be and the other is the stereo and it is very disappointing too. I've never spent a penny on an aftermarket stereo since buying my first S-15 2 door standard shift, no AC pickup in 1985 for $7K.

So what do I have to compare to that makes me think this system is so bad? My $60K Model 3. That no name factory stereo blows most everything else away. They've just done it right. It is part of every car made except the short range and it doesn't come with an add on price. It is all done in house and it is tuned well. I miss that every day.

So I jumped in hoping that I could do some sort of moderate upgrade for $1500 that might make the system sound better. My gut tells me you can likely do a few things to do this, but you are only able to address one part of the problem for that money. You might be able to do that, but my research has led me down likely a higher end system - so over the next 30 days I'm probably going all in, but to the tune of a bit over $4K and that is with me doing the work/labor.

Go check out soundsgoodstereo.com and https://www.caraudiofabrication.com. They both do a lot of Ford pickups.

One of the first things they do to improve the sound is add sound deadening material to all of the doors Maybe only $400 in materials, but time intensive. It's simple labor - looks like anyone can do it, just takes time. They all say it needs to be done.

From there to get any better sound - they all cut out the factory amplifier using the Navtv Zen device. Once you do that and get a clean signal, then it's a rabbit hole. You need new amps and then if you've got good power, you need new speakers.

So the base gear, Zen, Amps (AudioControl is at the top of the list there) and speakers - (they all like Focal and a few other brands) and well you are in deep.

So this is where you might be able to save money, but I don't know how it will sound. There are many cheaper alternatives like Pioneer, etc, but I don't know what they'll sound like. I don't want to spend $2K and my labor to get a half ass job if I can spend $4K and the same labor and get a kick ass system.

I've not taken the plunge yet, but watching many videos, convincing myself I'm really going to put this much more into the truck and that I'm willing to tackle it myself.

 

[GDN]

Someone was upgrading to the optional Kicker, waiting to hear results on that one to at least get some bass

There are threads over on the sister forum f150gen14.com and some guys over there swear sub upgrades alone will improve the system.

My biggest problem is that I seem to really only get 95% of the sound right from that center channel - it comes from a single place and it isn't super clear. To get rid of the sound from that center channel, you have to adjust the fader almost all the way into the back seat and then you lose the front almost completely.

 

[F150ROD]

Very much so it is inadequate for a truck that costs this much and has a big name brand stereo plastered all over it. I had really wanted to upgrade to the Unleashed, but they didn't make it available in the Lariat and I'm so glad I didn't throw more money into this factory crap.

I had two concerns buying this truck. I wanted back into a pickup so I took them both. One was the charging and it is turning out to be the disaster I figured it would be and the other is the stereo and it is very disappointing too. I've never spent a penny on an aftermarket stereo since buying my first S-15 2 door standard shift, no AC pickup in 1985 for $7K.

So what do I have to compare to that makes me think this system is so bad? My $60K Model 3. That no name factory stereo blows most everything else away. They've just done it right. It is part of every car made except the short range and it doesn't come with an add on price. It is all done in house and it is tuned well. I miss that every day.

So I jumped in hoping that I could do some sort of moderate upgrade for $1500 that might make the system sound better. My gut tells me you can likely do a few things to do this, but you are only able to address one part of the problem for that money. You might be able to do that, but my research has led me down likely a higher end system - so over the next 30 days I'm probably going all in, but to the tune of a bit over $4K and that is with me doing the work/labor.

Go check out soundsgoodstereo.com and https://www.caraudiofabrication.com. They both do a lot of Ford pickups.

One of the first things they do to improve the sound is add sound deadening material to all of the doors Maybe only $400 in materials, but time intensive. It's simple labor - looks like anyone can do it, just takes time. They all say it needs to be done.

From there to get any better sound - they all cut out the factory amplifier using the Navtv Zen device. Once you do that and get a clean signal, then it's a rabbit hole. You need new amps and then if you've got good power, you need new speakers.

So the base gear, Zen, Amps (AudioControl is at the top of the list there) and speakers - (they all like Focal and a few other brands) and well you are in deep.

So this is where you might be able to save money, but I don't know how it will sound. There are many cheaper alternatives like Pioneer, etc, but I don't know what they'll sound like. I don't want to spend $2K and my labor to get a half ass job if I can spend $4K and the same labor and get a kick ass system.

I've not taken the plunge yet, but watching many videos, convincing myself I'm really going to put this much more into the truck and that I'm willing to tackle it myself.

The Model 3 system is one of the best or best I have every owned, Acura ELS might be better. But yeah, I expected more from this B&O. I wonder if they just paid to have their Emblem on the speaker grills while Ford put in trash speakers

 

[broncoaz]

Very much so it is inadequate for a truck that costs this much and has a big name brand stereo plastered all over it. I had really wanted to upgrade to the Unleashed, but they didn't make it available in the Lariat and I'm so glad I didn't throw more money into this factory crap.

I had two concerns buying this truck. I wanted back into a pickup so I took them both. One was the charging and it is turning out to be the disaster I figured it would be and the other is the stereo and it is very disappointing too. I've never spent a penny on an aftermarket stereo since buying my first S-15 2 door standard shift, no AC pickup in 1985 for $7K.

So what do I have to compare to that makes me think this system is so bad? My $60K Model 3. That no name factory stereo blows most everything else away. They've just done it right. It is part of every car made except the short range and it doesn't come with an add on price. It is all done in house and it is tuned well. I miss that every day.

So I jumped in hoping that I could do some sort of moderate upgrade for $1500 that might make the system sound better. My gut tells me you can likely do a few things to do this, but you are only able to address one part of the problem for that money. You might be able to do that, but my research has led me down likely a higher end system - so over the next 30 days I'm probably going all in, but to the tune of a bit over $4K and that is with me doing the work/labor.

Go check out soundsgoodstereo.com and https://www.caraudiofabrication.com. They both do a lot of Ford pickups.

One of the first things they do to improve the sound is add sound deadening material to all of the doors Maybe only $400 in materials, but time intensive. It's simple labor - looks like anyone can do it, just takes time. They all say it needs to be done.

From there to get any better sound - they all cut out the factory amplifier using the Navtv Zen device. Once you do that and get a clean signal, then it's a rabbit hole. You need new amps and then if you've got good power, you need new speakers.

So the base gear, Zen, Amps (AudioControl is at the top of the list there) and speakers - (they all like Focal and a few other brands) and well you are in deep.

So this is where you might be able to save money, but I don't know how it will sound. There are many cheaper alternatives like Pioneer, etc, but I don't know what they'll sound like. I don't want to spend $2K and my labor to get a half ass job if I can spend $4K and the same labor and get a kick ass system.

I've not taken the plunge yet, but watching many videos, convincing myself I'm really going to put this much more into the truck and that I'm willing to tackle it myself.

Check out https://plugnplaykits.com/, they seem to make some nice factory integrated products. I have one of their Kicker key add on kits for my Bronco, but I haven’t had time to install yet. I might try the kit on my Lightning and go bigger for my Bronco.

 

[joesrepsol]

Pic of it - the honeycomb cover on the front of it.

saddest. subwoofer. ever.

 

[RavenYZF-R6]

Maybe I’m crazy, but after a few longer rides, I don’t find it to be all that bad. I expected a lot worse after all the negative comments

I agree. I just want some more volume.
I might replace all the door speakers and add an amp. Some mid range focal speakers and an AudioControl ACM amp that fixes the factory retarding (or so I’ve read).

 

[RainorshinePNW]

There are threads over on the sister forum f150gen14.com and some guys over there swear sub upgrades alone will improve the system.

My biggest problem is that I seem to really only get 95% of the sound right from that center channel - it comes from a single place and it isn't super clear. To get rid of the sound from that center channel, you have to adjust the fader almost all the way into the back seat and then you lose the front almost completely.

I'm glad I'm not crazy in thinking EVERYTHING comes out of the center dash speaker- I too have tried fading further and further back seeking some kind of total cabin balance, and still can't get there- not to mention that I don't want to blow out my back seat passenger's ear drums just trying to get decent balance in the front.

 

[MichaelCA]

The Model 3 system is one of the best or best I have every owned, Acura ELS might be better. But yeah, I expected more from this B&O. I wonder if they just paid to have their Emblem on the speaker grills while Ford put in trash speakers

Model 3 system is amazing

 

[RainorshinePNW]

I've been playing with it a little more, and (for me) with the balance faded about 70% to the rear, and the Bass tone setting ALL THE WAY up, I get the closest to my expectations so far. I'm not looking to shake the ground or anything (generally listening to new rock/alternative bands like COIN, St Motel, Twenty One Pilots, etc), but when the beat calls for a solid thump I do expect to feel it.

 

[skyak]

In my F250 I disconnected the center dash speaker.

To fix the sub I installed one of these behind the rear seat (jl audio 2x8 powered microsub), I wonder if that is possible on the lightning lariat? (remove factory sub and amp)

 

[GDN]

In my F250 I disconnected the center dash speaker.

To fix the sub I installed one of these behind the rear seat (jl audio 2x8 powered microsub), I wonder if that is possible on the lightning lariat? (remove factory sub and amp)

Is that this product? It is listed as 5 1/8 deep. The fit was OK with no adjustment to the seat?

https://www.crutchfield.com/S-rcoK4...wug=&msclkid=d1e710cb11a91f6258027387a0b0d61c