2021 STX Base Audio System Questions

[BigHead]

Hey everyone,

Just brought home a 2021 STX SuperCab. It has the Sync 4 Option base audio system. Doing my initial planning for an aftermarket audio upgrade and have some questions.

I see some people referencing a center speaker above the head unit, which my truck does not have. So how many speakers are in my stock audio system? 6? Two front doors, two rear doors, and two tweeters in the pillars?

Secondly, does anyone have the audio wiring diagram for my trucks sound system? I don't think I've seen it posted. I saw in other threads the diagram for the b&o and base systems with the front center speaker on XLTs but not the system that appears to be in my truck.

Also, what is the factory head unit output wattage per channel (RMS) out of curiosity? 15w?

My initial plans so far are to upgrade the 6x9s in the front with either the focal integrations, JL Audio C1-690s, or Kicker KS component sets. Any opinions on these three options?

If I go focal in the front, I'd likely go cheaper 6.5" 2-way coaxials in the rear doors for fill to offset the premium cost as I plan to run the rears off of the head unit, and bi-amp the front speakers and tweeters on an aftermarket amp. Currently looking at the kicker key 200.4 unless someone recommends a better option?

I want it to be as seamless as possible. No cutting or splicing of wires other than running power. The only option I see for that so far is the plug-n-play kit harness.

I like punchy, tight bass. So I'm thinking an 8inch sub as I don't like when the bass is overpowering. Either going to run a MTI single sub enclosure behind the rear seat, or build a custom box myself. MTI already said they can build one for an 8 inch sub for me.

Open to any comments or suggestions, but answers on the factory audio system and wiring would be amazing.

Thanks in advance for any help!

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[jamill]

If you get on Crutchfield and order speakers they include mounting brackets and the harness to plug directly in to to the Ford speaker harness on each door. If you get the speakers somewhere else, you might be able to get those harnesses off there anyway. I've always gone with them because they include stuff like that for free. Worked flawlessly when I installed all my Infinity speakers in my 2018 STX!

I've always had Infinity speakers and subs in my vehicles (2000 Silverado, 2006 GTO, 2016 Wrangler, and 2018 F150) and they have always sounded good. I worked at Best Buy in college, and would help out in the car audio section a lot, and while some people joke about Kicker I think they're actually pretty good.

I have some Kenwood Excelon speakers picked out for what I'm going to do with my current '21 Lariat. Have been wanting to try JL too just to change it up from having Infinity. I had those JL C1's picked out myself, but I think it's hard to really go wrong with any of the "big name" brand companies out there.

 

[BigHead]

@jamill

Thanks for your input. The thing with crutchfield is that they dont seem to have the fitment stuff figured out for the 2021 trucks yet. For instance they state the front doors take 6.5" speakers when in fact they are 6x9s just like the previous gen.

And for what its worth, Ive always been a fan of kicker stuff. The value is awesome for anything besides their very entry level stuff.

 

[jamill]

@jamill

Thanks for your input. The thing with crutchfield is that they dont seem to have the fitment stuff figured out for the 2021 trucks yet. For instance they state the front doors take 6.5" speakers when in fact they are 6x9s just like the previous gen.

And for what its worth, Ive always been a fan of kicker stuff. The value is awesome for anything besides their very entry level stuff.

Yeah I saw that when I first started looking which was annoying. Lol. I read somewhere that someone got confirmation that the speakers are the same in this generation as they were the last, so I put in 2020 to find my options and am going to go back and put in 21 to make sure I get the proper accessories.

Do you have any local stores that have displays set up where you can go in and listen? I haven't been to a Best Buy in years so I don't know if they still do that. We had a mom and pop shop that had some systems setup in the back of the store that I always looked at and JBL, JL, and Kicker always sounded the best to me in there.

It's hard to get a good opinion on speakers without listening to them yourself, which is the frustrating part about shopping for speakers.

 

[BigHead]

Anyone have insight on the base head unit questions? Wiring diagrams or wattage output?

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