What's the cheapest way to ugprade the B & O system?

[locks66]

I know there is one guy in here who spent a good chunk of money basically upgrading the full thing.

I kinda want to approach this slowly and cost consciously. Should I just upgrade the front door speakers? The sub?

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[GDN]

I know there is one guy in here who spent a good chunk of money basically upgrading the full thing.

I kinda want to approach this slowly and cost consciously. Should I just upgrade the front door speakers? The sub?

Every upgrade is different for the listener - from those that want an entry level upgrade, a moderate upgrade or an all in upgrade. I went all in and don't regret any of it other than that I had to do it because Ford absolutely sucks when it comes to putting quality in something like a stereo.

Some say only a sub gives them what they want. Some are very happy with just front speakers. However, since you've noted fronts - be sure and do the tweeters too. The tweeters carry so much more than you would realize.

I'll tell you what I know, then you have to decide what you want to do. The front door speakers are powered by the amp behind the back seat. The front tweeters however are powered from the head unit in the dash. I mention this because if you were to go further down the road and reaplace the amp behind the seat and power the speakers from there, then you have to run new cables to the tweeters from the new amp. Seems that is a ways down the road for you though.

The front center speaker is garbage and way overloaded from the way they have the sound field defined. Just unplug it to see how that helps.

If you want to start with just the door speakers, consider the tweeter in the A pillar too and then unplug the center channel. Then you can start to make decisions from there.

 

[locks66]

Every upgrade is different for the listener - from those that want an entry level upgrade, a moderate upgrade or an all in upgrade. I went all in and don't regret any of it other than that I had to do it because Ford absolutely sucks when it comes to putting quality in something like a stereo.

Some say only a sub gives them what they want. Some are very happy with just front speakers. However, since you've noted fronts - be sure and do the tweeters too. The tweeters carry so much more than you would realize.

I'll tell you what I know, then you have to decide what you want to do. The front door speakers are powered by the amp behind the back seat. The front tweeters however are powered from the head unit in the dash. I mention this because if you were to go further down the road and reaplace the amp behind the seat and power the speakers from there, then you have to run new cables to the tweeters from the new amp. Seems that is a ways down the road for you though.

The front center speaker is garbage and way overloaded from the way they have the sound field defined. Just unplug it to see how that helps.

If you want to start with just the door speakers, consider the tweeter in the A pillar too and then unplug the center channel. Then you can start to make decisions from there.

How much did your upgrade cost? I'm someone who does care a lot about sound. Between my late mach e (rip) and my lightning I'm so bummed by the speaker quality.

My bolt had better and my VW golf non branded speakers still had the best

 

[GDN]

How much did your upgrade cost? I'm someone who does care a lot about sound. Between my late mach e (rip) and my lightning I'm so bummed by the speaker quality.

My bolt had better and my VW golf non branded speakers still had the best

As you note other cars still had the best - I was ruined by Tesla. Their factory systems (standard in every car) pretty much rival what I upgraded to in my Lariat.

If you really want to know - 2.5 years ago I spent almost $6K and I did all of the labor myself. I'm guessing that would have been another $3K if I'd paid for the full turn key system installed.

I love it every day I drive. I only regret it ever so slightly as I'm not sure I would have kept the truck long term if I hadn't dropped this extra money yet. I'm too cheap to take the stereo out or take that kind of loss on a sale.

 

[21st Century Truck]

Although the OEM speakers aren't the best, I recommend You start with these door rigid block-off plates as the 1st upgrade:

https://soundsgoodstereo.com/products/2021-2022-ford-f-150-custom-made-door-access-block-off-plates

Reason: a pretty easy non-technical install which will instantly and permanently improve the sound no matter what speakers / amps / subs (or lack of) Your truck currently carries or will carry in the future.

I recommend installing these plates right over the door hole's plastic vapor sealing sheet, because the vapor seal's existing back edge sealer caulk will squish and increase the contact sealing at the edges between the plates and the doors' metal.

 

[dww]

Cheapest: I think the worst speaker is the center one. I replaced that one with a used Tesla 4” (100mm from 3/Y) for $20 from e-bay. That was by far the best bang for buck, it’s louder (because it’s 3ohm) and sounds better but required modification on both the speaker and a small part of the dash for it to fit. I’ve also done the door and block off plates and door speakers/tweeters but that was over $500. That made a noticeable but not massive improvement. I, like GDN have been ruined by the Telsa 3/Y premium system (which I still drive so I notice it all the time). The Tesla system sounds better the louder it gets, which you only get when you have power. It’s amps next but that is $1000+ just to start as you need an A2B device that is $400+ just to get the audio signal. It would be interesting to know what the system would sound like if you were to start with just the A2B, amps and DSP ($1200ish) but everyone goes speakers first.

 

[MountainAlive]

Cheapest: I think the worst speaker is the center one. I replaced that one with a used Tesla 4” (100mm from 3/Y) for $20 from e-bay. That was by far the best bang for buck, it’s louder (because it’s 3ohm) and sounds better but required modification on both the speaker and a small part of the dash for it to fit. I’ve also done the door and block off plates and door speakers/tweeters but that was over $500. That made a noticeable but not massive improvement. I, like GDN have been ruined by the Telsa 3/Y premium system (which I still drive so I notice it all the time). The Tesla system sounds better the louder it gets, which you only get when you have power. It’s amps next but that is $1000+ just to start as you need an A2B device that is $400+ just to get the audio signal. It would be interesting to know what the system would sound like if you were to start with just the A2B, amps and DSP ($1200ish) but everyone goes speakers first.

I agree it’s the center speaker on the front dash that is throwing the whole soundscape off. I just wish there was a simpler plug n play replacement or some way to dampen just that single speaker.

 

[GDN]

I agree it’s the center speaker on the front dash that is throwing the whole soundscape off. I just wish there was a simpler plug n play replacement or some way to dampen just that single speaker.

The absolute best way to handle the front middle speaker is to likely unplug it. Give it a shot.

 

[locks66]

As you note other cars still had the best - I was ruined by Tesla. Their factory systems (standard in every car) pretty much rival what I upgraded to in my Lariat.

If you really want to know - 2.5 years ago I spent almost $6K and I did all of the labor myself. I'm guessing that would have been another $3K if I'd paid for the full turn key system installed.

I love it every day I drive. I only regret it ever so slightly as I'm not sure I would have kept the truck long term if I hadn't dropped this extra money yet. I'm too cheap to take the stereo out or take that kind of loss on a sale.

The speaker system in the Teslas is truly amazing. I could not believe how good a base model 3 sounds.

 

[Calson]

Adding a self powered sub will be the most cost effective approach. The stock system will be able to direct its power to the mid and high range speakers. I would visit a local auto stereo shop and talk to them about options and costs as they have the most experience.

 

[2wheeltraveler]

I got everything from Soundsgoodstereo on Black Friday. Full sound deadening and block off plates, open box door speakers from Focal (designed for ford drop-in replacements) and their custom behind the seat sub box, amp and bass control.

The sound deadening was at least half of the install time, claimed most of my knuckle skin, and made me question my life choices (mostly joking) but it made a HUGE difference.

The speaker swap was noticeable, but not as significant as the sound deadening. I agree with GDN, there isn't a swap for the center and I give it the side eye daily... the Tesla speaker swap mentioned above intrigues me.

The sub upgrade was a MASSIVE impact. The punch, the lows... it's just so much more enjoyable to jam out to music now and I've found myself listening a lot more as a result. Mission accomplished!

I sill find the other speakers lacking amplification and clarity / depth and I could put an amp to them directly, but as mentioned, I'd need the interface module which is $$ and ideally a DSP because the truck is a difficult acoustic environment. I have most of the work done so it's not a big effort to move to that, however, not knowing exactly how long I'll keep it (is it worth it for another 2 years) keeps me from pulling the trigger.

Long story short, sound deaden and block off plates if you can budget for it, find the baseline speakers and amp items that would give you the most enjoyment and do that first. And if you do have to run cables, etc, spend just a little bit extra to future proof (I ran larger power/ground, etc) just in case.

 

[dww]

I got everything from Soundsgoodstereo on Black Friday. Full sound deadening and block off plates, open box door speakers from Focal (designed for ford drop-in replacements) and their custom behind the seat sub box, amp and bass control.

The sound deadening was at least half of the install time, claimed most of my knuckle skin, and made me question my life choices (mostly joking) but it made a HUGE difference.

The speaker swap was noticeable, but not as significant as the sound deadening. I agree with GDN, there isn't a swap for the center and I give it the side eye daily... the Tesla speaker swap mentioned above intrigues me.

The sub upgrade was a MASSIVE impact. The punch, the lows... it's just so much more enjoyable to jam out to music now and I've found myself listening a lot more as a result. Mission accomplished!

I sill find the other speakers lacking amplification and clarity / depth and I could put an amp to them directly, but as mentioned, I'd need the interface module which is $$ and ideally a DSP because the truck is a difficult acoustic environment. I have most of the work done so it's not a big effort to move to that, however, not knowing exactly how long I'll keep it (is it worth it for another 2 years) keeps me from pulling the trigger.

Long story short, sound deaden and block off plates if you can budget for it, find the baseline speakers and amp items that would give you the most enjoyment and do that first. And if you do have to run cables, etc, spend just a little bit extra to future proof (I ran larger power/ground, etc) just in case.

I’m in San Antonio if you want hear it. I’d be interrested in what difference adding a sub would make too.

 

[2wheeltraveler]

I’m in San Antonio if you want hear it. I’d be interrested in what difference adding a sub would make too.

Are you saying you'd like to hear the sub? I'd be happy to meet up so you can give it a listen if you're ever near the Austin area.

 

[F150ROD]

I got everything from Soundsgoodstereo on Black Friday. Full sound deadening and block off plates, open box door speakers from Focal (designed for ford drop-in replacements) and their custom behind the seat sub box, amp and bass control.

The sound deadening was at least half of the install time, claimed most of my knuckle skin, and made me question my life choices (mostly joking) but it made a HUGE difference.

The speaker swap was noticeable, but not as significant as the sound deadening. I agree with GDN, there isn't a swap for the center and I give it the side eye daily... the Tesla speaker swap mentioned above intrigues me.

The sub upgrade was a MASSIVE impact. The punch, the lows... it's just so much more enjoyable to jam out to music now and I've found myself listening a lot more as a result. Mission accomplished!

I sill find the other speakers lacking amplification and clarity / depth and I could put an amp to them directly, but as mentioned, I'd need the interface module which is $$ and ideally a DSP because the truck is a difficult acoustic environment. I have most of the work done so it's not a big effort to move to that, however, not knowing exactly how long I'll keep it (is it worth it for another 2 years) keeps me from pulling the trigger.

Long story short, sound deaden and block off plates if you can budget for it, find the baseline speakers and amp items that would give you the most enjoyment and do that first. And if you do have to run cables, etc, spend just a little bit extra to future proof (I ran larger power/ground, etc) just in case.

I second this. Just the sub alone made me forget I had the weakest OEM stereo on the planet.

I recommend @SoundsGoodStereo, it's pricey but well worth it. Unless you are an audiophile you won't need to upgrade anything else.

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