kevojack
Member
- Joined
- Jun 12, 2024
- Threads
- 4
- Messages
- 20
- Reaction score
- 28
- Location
- Carlsbad, CA
- Vehicles
- 2023 Ford Lightning
- Thread starter
- #1
Like many here I was very underwhelmed by the B&O 8-speaker system. Today I had all speakers replaced except for the tweeters. Blown away by the improvement. Components below. Some interesting notes too. Under $2k installed.
-Kicker Hideaway 10” powered sub (replaced factory “sub”); control knob installed on lower left of steering wheel. Extremely convenient and inconspicuous. Feels meant to be there and makes instant bass leveling at the tip of your fingers while steering. $299.
-Alpine R-series 6x9” (x2) and 6.5” coaxials (x2) (front and rears). $299 / $215
-JL Audio C2-350x 3.5” (dash console). $149.
-Originally planned to install LC2 pro ($139) to address volume control and bass roll off. My shop figured out during install they could address it directly through the B&O console and so we didn’t need to install the LC2 after all. Good to know. I can’t tell you why but I’m sure they would have liked to take my money on the LC2 so I trust them. Can confirm bass roll off is cured.
Total spent: $1,266 parts (incl all speaker components, adapters, and wire), $600 install labor (money VERY well spent; 4 hours x $150/hour (San Diego) for a total of $1,866. This can definitely be DIY with some modest technical knowhow and time (shoutout to this thread which inspired my setup, and confirmed that I have neither the patience, time, or know how to make saving $600 worth an entire weekend+ of frustration:
https://www.f150lightningforum.com/forum/threads/low-medium-cost-audio-upgrade.17802/
Review:
Overall a massive improvement. Sound and volume are outstanding. Excellent range. Bass is not perfect but I did not expect it to be and overall a 8.5/10. I think a limiting factor will always be using a compact 10” sub if you want to avoid loss of storage under rear seats, like I did.
Rock/metal is a 10/10 which must be attributed somewhat to the DSP tuning being optimal for this type of music. Bass is heavy deep and clean. Snares are crisp. Entire range of guitar tones captured beautifully. Really truly blown away. Can’t rave enough.
Rap is a 8/1010. Somewhat song dependent in terms of low end thump and consistency. Again the limiting factor is likely the compact sub, and probably keeping factory amp. Will satisfy 97% of listeners.
Electronic: 8.5/10. Somewhere between rap and rock, I’m again convinced the tuning and EQ on the factory console is optimized to music with more range of tone.
I will likely install sound dampening myself in the near future, but the cabin is already so quiet I think it’s more for the improvement to the audio and reverb than to make the cabin quieter.
Overall I’m extremely happy and feel like this was well worth the expense for a huge increase in enjoyment of this truck. It’s a shame this isn’t standard with B&O “upgraded” system. Can confirm the speakers that came out are paper trash. It’s frankly insulting given the MSRP and the standard consumers tend to associate with B&O.
-Kicker Hideaway 10” powered sub (replaced factory “sub”); control knob installed on lower left of steering wheel. Extremely convenient and inconspicuous. Feels meant to be there and makes instant bass leveling at the tip of your fingers while steering. $299.
-Alpine R-series 6x9” (x2) and 6.5” coaxials (x2) (front and rears). $299 / $215
-JL Audio C2-350x 3.5” (dash console). $149.
-Originally planned to install LC2 pro ($139) to address volume control and bass roll off. My shop figured out during install they could address it directly through the B&O console and so we didn’t need to install the LC2 after all. Good to know. I can’t tell you why but I’m sure they would have liked to take my money on the LC2 so I trust them. Can confirm bass roll off is cured.
Total spent: $1,266 parts (incl all speaker components, adapters, and wire), $600 install labor (money VERY well spent; 4 hours x $150/hour (San Diego) for a total of $1,866. This can definitely be DIY with some modest technical knowhow and time (shoutout to this thread which inspired my setup, and confirmed that I have neither the patience, time, or know how to make saving $600 worth an entire weekend+ of frustration:
https://www.f150lightningforum.com/forum/threads/low-medium-cost-audio-upgrade.17802/
Review:
Overall a massive improvement. Sound and volume are outstanding. Excellent range. Bass is not perfect but I did not expect it to be and overall a 8.5/10. I think a limiting factor will always be using a compact 10” sub if you want to avoid loss of storage under rear seats, like I did.
Rock/metal is a 10/10 which must be attributed somewhat to the DSP tuning being optimal for this type of music. Bass is heavy deep and clean. Snares are crisp. Entire range of guitar tones captured beautifully. Really truly blown away. Can’t rave enough.
Rap is a 8/1010. Somewhat song dependent in terms of low end thump and consistency. Again the limiting factor is likely the compact sub, and probably keeping factory amp. Will satisfy 97% of listeners.
Electronic: 8.5/10. Somewhere between rap and rock, I’m again convinced the tuning and EQ on the factory console is optimized to music with more range of tone.
I will likely install sound dampening myself in the near future, but the cabin is already so quiet I think it’s more for the improvement to the audio and reverb than to make the cabin quieter.
Overall I’m extremely happy and feel like this was well worth the expense for a huge increase in enjoyment of this truck. It’s a shame this isn’t standard with B&O “upgraded” system. Can confirm the speakers that came out are paper trash. It’s frankly insulting given the MSRP and the standard consumers tend to associate with B&O.
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