Speaker upgrade worth it?

[charlespsu]

Does upgrading just speakers without replacing factory amps make any difference?

Have the B@O and after 2 years cant stand it anymore. I just don't want a major upgrade

 

[Scottorama]

2018 xlt .. replaced factory speakers with an alpine setup, no amp. Huge difference for the better

 

[rd618]

Does upgrading just speakers without replacing factory amps make any difference?

Have the B@O and after 2 years cant stand it anymore. I just don't want a major upgrade

I’ve done the same in a Jeep and a Buick. You’d be amazed how new quality speakers make a world of difference.
At some point the speaker quality will out perform the factory amp capability. But in my experience, I typically upgraded speakers first then amp/receiver, if I’m still unhappy.
I’d start with speakers.

 

[dlcorbett]

An, I need to hear what systems yall are comparing the b&o to. I thought it was genuinely great, even after coming from a limcoln thx system (which was considered one of the best in late 00s).

 

[2020FordRaptor]

Does upgrading just speakers without replacing factory amps make any difference?

Have the B@O and after 2 years cant stand it anymore. I just don't want a major upgrade

I'm not a speaker snob nor a huge music lover, so the stock B and Os were fine for me. I think a speaker upgrade is good if you really want it.

 

[GixxerJasen]

I was replacing my drivers door window this weekend looking at the speaker as I pulled it out and was wondering this exact thing.

 

[keny01998]

2018 xlt .. replaced factory speakers with an alpine setup, no amp. Huge difference for the better

I'm thinking about replacing my 2019 xlt speakers. Which Alpine speakers did you get?

 

[charlespsu]

Wife has 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee without the upgrade and its WAY better than mine. Better bass, way louder, etc

 

[dlcorbett]

Wow...I guess test driving and owning makes a difference. Tested a gc l and wagoneer with the Macintosh, agreed more bass but louder or more clarity...not rele. Same with the 14 spkr bose in the yukon denali. Wife said the same. My pops has a 22 escalade with the 20 spkr akg, that system is nice and i wonder what the 36 spkr sounds like.

 

[techdude99]

Before upgrading the speakers or anything on the B&O system next year I'm getting a RTA from a local mobile audio shop. I'll know right away from the results what needs to be addressed. Who knows, it may just need a better equalizer... That's my two cents.

 

[purevw]

It may not be true of the newer vehicles, but from past experience, Ford factory speakers have plastic frames and less than spectacular magnet assemblies. My 2011 Expy King Ranch El is an example. Two very important factors of speakers are frame rigidity and strength of the magnet for controlling unwanted cone oscillations. Even with "name brand" head units, Ford seems to put cost ahead of quality when it comes to speakers. Pretty much any reasonable quality aftermarket speaker is far superior in sound reproduction, range, and accuracy.

 

[Scottorama]

I'm thinking about replacing my 2019 xlt speakers. Which Alpine speakers did you get?

Here is my build sheet..... also be ready with glue gun, and take your time.... there are a ton of youtube videos to walk you through the process.... i think the scariest installation was cutting the back doors to install the tweeters.... there is no going back once that first cut is made.....

 

[techdude99]

Here is my build sheet..... also be ready with glue gun, and take your time.... there are a ton of youtube videos to walk you through the process.... i think the scariest installation was cutting the back doors to install the tweeters.... there is no going back once that first cut is made.....

Crutchfield? Just curious...

 

[Scottorama]

Crutchfield? Just curious...

Yes

 

[Hokieskins]

Following post

 

[Grizguy]

2018 expy max.. When new, there was not a replacement head unit. I put in a processor, I put in all new speakers 1000 watt amp plus a 500 watt sub amp with 10 inch sub mounted in the rear floor. Sound is crystal clear .. can be VERY loud. Still lacks the base you get in other brand cars stock. The acoustics can bring tears to your eyes. I had a huge screen Phoenix head unit ordered.. after waiting almost 2 years, I requested a refund. Speakers will help. Crutchfield will try to push kickers. I did put them in my transit. along with a bunch of other stuff..

 

[Defyant]

I did this in my 04 Marauder. Huge difference. Ive read the OEM system is detuned to reduce power so speakers wont break. B&O isnt all that. Perhaps a speaker upgrade and Forscan to unleash the power is in order....

 

[Overtow]

I took the Expy on a road trip two weeks ago and the weak base Sync 3 audio setup finally pushed me over the edge. Without doing much research, I bought new 6x9's for the front doors and a new front center channel Infinity Reference for both. When I got the center channel speakers, the box says "True 4 Ohm" and I had a flashback to high school and all the time I spent doing useless speaker impedance calculations. Long story short, I googled the impedance of the center channel speaker - 8 ohms. I broke out the multimeter and checked the impedance on the new 3.5" center speaker - 2.5(!) Ohms. (Impedance on the factory center channel speaker was in fact 7.5 Ohms.)

My gut tells me I'm going to fry the center channel output on my factory radio IF I run this speaker.


Does anyone have a technical specification doc for the base Sync 3 system that explains the outputs and maybe the impedance for the various speakers? I've done a bunch of googling and can't find anything definitive that I trust.

#TIA!

 

[Scottorama]

I took the Expy on a road trip two weeks ago and the weak base Sync 3 audio setup finally pushed me over the edge. Without doing much research, I bought new 6x9's for the front doors and a new front center channel Infinity Reference for both. When I got the center channel speakers, the box says "True 4 Ohm" and I had a flashback to high school and all the time I spent doing useless speaker impedance calculations. Long story short, I googled the impedance of the center channel speaker - 8 ohms. I broke out the multimeter and checked the impedance on the new 3.5" center speaker - 2.5(!) Ohms. (Impedance on the factory center channel speaker was in fact 7.5 Ohms.)

My gut tells me I'm going to fry the center channel output on my factory radio IF I run this speaker.


Does anyone have a technical specification doc for the base Sync 3 system that explains the outputs and maybe the impedance for the various speakers? I've done a bunch of googling and can't find anything definitive that I trust.

#TIA!

I replaced all factory speakers with 4 ohm Alipne speakers and the sound balances between them all. You should be ok as long as your replace all the old speakers with new speakers the same ohm rating. (All new speakers rated at 4 ohms or all new speakers rated at 8ohms...)

 

[Mr Big]

I've had many vehicles with many types of custom audio systems. I have to say I'm very pleased with my B&O 12 speaker system. The balance is incredible, clarity is very good, and bass response is perfect. I prefer the surround setting, but it does lose a little bass. I find, keeping surround on, if I bump the bass up almost all the way in the EQ, with mid setting at a little above center and treble around 75%, I have the perfect listening experience at pretty much any level. Add to that the noise cancelling and speed adjustment features, I feel it sounds more balanced than my last vehicle's custom 12 speaker with sub. The only thing that was better was the 2 12" subs in the rear doors of my Excursion.