Stereo upgrades

[B5G4B]

Been a while since anybody posted any stereo builds/upgrades. Would love to hear about/see what y’all might have done.

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[coopny]

I haven't done anything yet, but I'm disappointed in the default B&O sound. I'm likely to (read: haven't fully committed yet) do what people showed with the Powerbass speakers (fit in OEM hole/designed around OEM EQ/take OEM wiring connector so no cutting wires) and adding Siless foam to improve sound/reduce door rattling from speakers.
Speaker upgrade with B&O stereo system

As far as actual stereo upgrades, with how embedded telematics these days are I wouldn't bother. Sync 2 (MyFord Touch) to Sync 3 was a massive upgrade in my 2015 Fusion being way more responsive and supporting Apple Carplay/Android Auto... Sync 4 just adds wireless carplay as far as useful features to me (and third party USB modules do that automatically on Sync 3). I wouldn't want to potentially break FordPass connected features either on changing the stereo itself. (Also, the labor to swap an APIM in the BS is wayyyyy higher with substantial dash disassembly vs. my old Fusion. Videos exist showing this from 4D Tech on swapping to an Sync 3 PIM with factory nav in the BS...)...

Actually, crutchfield doesn't even identify any stereos compatible. (They do correctly list the rear powerbass factory fit speakers, but not the fronts.) They do have an amp interface to add an aftermarket amp to B&O equipped models, but I can't say I'm unhappy with the performance of the factory amp at this point (I need to change the door speakers before I make a judgment call on the rest).

 

[Meanderthal]

Swapping the speakers to the PowerBass units is an easy upgrade that makes a huge difference. Adding the DynaMatt or Siless mastic to the panels takes some time but eliminates the rattles from the wiring harness holders. Whoever is in charge of this at Ford should be shot. The connectors are clearly huge sources of rattles in the stereo system.

 

[Dude]

Been a while since anybody posted any stereo builds/upgrades. Would love to hear about/see what y’all might have done.

Besides what others posted there is some amount of FORScan info to improve the audio (flat EQ) on the 6 speaker (not B&O) system and maybe other audio improvements as well but results seem mixed. Check starting at or around Post #191 (Mar 19, 2023)
https://www.broncosportforum.com/forum/threads/bronco-forscan-thread.844/page-13

 

[MAGPLM]

Yes, replaced mine last weekend with power bass speakers. Huge improvement over stock speakers for little money.

 

[crazycarl]

I replaced the stock (non-B&O) speakers with Infinity Reference REF-6532IX, Metra 72-5602 harness adapters, and Metra 82-5605 adapter brackets. Crutchfield doesn't think these speakers fit, but they do. Cautionary note: I had an issue with the supplied screws. I had to find slightly larger diameter screws, but I cannot remember if it was for the speaker or the adapter. These speakers are substantially better than the measly "Made in Mexico" paper speakers that come in the lower-end Bronco Sport trims. An issue you may find is if you tend to rest your leg into the door panel, then you may cause contact with the door panel trim ring that protrudes towards the speaker.

 

[Meanderthal]

These speakers are substantially better than the measly "Made in Mexico" paper speakers that come in the lower-end Bronco Sport trims.

From what I have seen, the speakers in a BS with the B&O system are no different than those without the B&O. Here is a comparison photo I took of the stock speakers (bottom left & right) versus the PowerBass.

You can see the difference in magnet sizing. Just look at how small the magnet in the back speaker is (bottom left). The front is only marginally better. What you can't see is how much better the cone is and the surround. I think just about any aftermarket solution would be a major upgrade from the garbage Ford supplies.

 

[crl]

Besides what others posted there is some amount of FORScan info to improve the audio (flat EQ) on the 6 speaker (not B&O) system and maybe other audio improvements as well but results seem mixed. Check starting at or around Post #191 (Mar 19, 2023)
https://www.broncosportforum.com/forum/threads/bronco-forscan-thread.844/page-13

I followed those forscan steps and the improvement in sound quality and levels, to my ears at least, was exponential in my opinion. I plan to also replace the stock speakers with the powerbass units soon.

I also run one of those android pucks that connects via android auto, that is loaded with mp3's and played through the AMP app that has an adjustable EQ which makes a massive difference as well. I started with that path first, before the FOrscan changes, and while it did sound better, the system would cut off fairly early... the forscan changes took care of that completely.

 

[Dude]

I followed those forscan steps and the improvement in sound quality and levels, to my ears at least, was exponential in my opinion. I plan to also replace the stock speakers with the powerbass units soon.

I also run one of those android pucks that connects via android auto, that is loaded with mp3's and played through the AMP app that has an adjustable EQ which makes a massive difference as well. I started with that path first, before the FOrscan changes, and while it did sound better, the system would cut off fairly early... the forscan changes took care of that completely.

That info is good to know. Do you know if there is a FORScan EQ mod that works for the 10 speaker B&O System?

 

[pocket_geek]

I have the B&O setup. When I first got my Bronco it was just 'ok'. I don't really want to spend the time and money to rip and replace everything like I've done in previous vehicles.
So instead I started with sound deadening. That made a huge difference, I was surprised.
I also noticed of the stock 6.5" speakers the ones in the front doors are better/higher quality than the ones in the rear doors. So I moved the better ones to the rear doors and installed the woofer of a JL Audio C1 6.5" component set in the front. The JL's must be more efficient because they were louder than the other speakers. Fixed it with an inline 4ohm resister.
I'm pretty happy with this setup right now. Happy enough at least I don't wan't to rip and replace....

For those of us with B&O that do want to rip and replace I have done some research.
Keep the stock head unit and replace the amp with this: AmpPRO for 2018+ Ford B&O. This will give you clean 4 channel and sub outputs for aftermarket amplifiers. The only caveat with this is the front tweeters and center channel are powered by the module in the dash, not the amp. So you'll need to run new wires for the tweeters. And if you want to keep the center you'll need run wire for it and use a DSP of some kind to make that channel. Otherwise you'll want to disconnect it and you might need to add a load resister, not sure on that one. You may also need to add load resisters to the stock front tweeter outputs too, not sure on that one either.

 

[mdwheaton]

Are the PowerBass swaps just plug and go ?
Is there a post with the details ?

 

[SgtT11B]

That info is good to know. Do you know if there is a FORScan EQ mod that works for the 10 speaker B&O System?

It can but you wouldn't want to. The only reason you would want to do this with the B&O is if you want to switch out amps and subs, then you would need to change out the equalization.

 

[SgtT11B]

For those with the B&O, reduce the bass down to about 25%, it is way to boomy and I saw a spectrum analyst done on the B&O and it was way to bass heavy. Turning it down to 25% brought it too near flat and cleaned up the bass alot. Not to mention to help with the buzzes from the door panel connectors.

 

[Meanderthal]

Are the PowerBass swaps just plug and go ?
Is there a post with the details ?

Here is my post about the speakers.

 

[SgtT11B]

Here is my post about the speakers.

Did you have the B&O setup, it looks like the standard stereo speakers?

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