Base stereo simple upgrade-for now

Nminus1

May 10, 2022

Expecting my Basequatch hopefully in the next week or 2, its in transit via rail and I can't track it.
Anyway, I have been reading a lot of stereo threads here and the "other forum" and there is a lot and back and forth between experts, real and imagined, and a lot of brand wars over speakers especially. I'm not really interested in that.
I have a 3000 mile trip planned at the end of next month and would just at least like to to a speaker upgrade for now, I have the money and desire for more but with limited time, I wanted to ask a few questions from those who know without starting a Forscan or audiofile argument:

I know the stock system is weak especially the speakers.
The front kick speakers and dash speakers are wired in parallel, with a bass blocker to the smaller 4" dash speakers.
Is this bass blocker on the 4" dash speakers or at the wiring union at the 6.5" kick speaker?
Do I need to install and separate bass blocker inline to the 4" dash speaker or at the union and would it even matter?
The rears are also 4". Do they have bass blockers? Do I need to install them when I upgrade JUST the speakers for now?
I want a to find a stereo shop to do the work, but the 2 I have contacted have very limited (or none) experience here in So Cal., and don't seem to even know as much as I know.
Can anyone help the couple questions above and even better is there a shop with Bronco experience around here to help me with this and hopefully more mods down the road?
Any help is appreciated.

2022 Bronco 2dr Basesquatch 2.7
Carbonized Grey Mod Bumper Rock rails Brush guard Hitch Pod lights Black bead locks KMA-367

Last edited by a moderator: May 10, 2022

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Jun 18, 2022

#20

ctandc
You can always upgrade in stages. I can tell you that I first installed 4" Kicker CS series speakers in the dash. I used bass blockers. The difference in JUST this stage was VERY Noticeable - and I'm no audiophile. I then upgraded the kick panel speakers. While the OEM speakers aren't bad at all - for what they are, where they are located and what they are designed to do - if you ever plan on adding an amp, me personally I'd replace them.

I installed a Kicker Key 200.4 amp with a plug n play harness. The difference in sound is absolutely ridiculous. We've got a 2dr BB that I installed a Bestop soft top on. (best mod hands down for the 2dr in my opinion). Before, I rarely turned the factory stereo up beyond 15 or so (interstate speeds / top down) because it started to sound SO BAD at any volume beyond that.

After the amp and speakers - the sound is so good, I find myself turning it up loud. Not as loud as 15 (no need with an amp / speakers). My wife and I just came back from a long weekend trip. 750+ miles round trip. Top down, 68-78mph interstate speeds, volume at 10-14 (depending on song / source) was PLENTY loud.

In a way I wished I'd never done it. It sounds so good now, just ordered a Kicker 8" Hideaway powered sub.

Let us know where you end of finding a place for it please

2022 Bronco 2dr Basesquatch 2.7
Carbonized Grey Mod Bumper Rock rails Brush guard Hitch Pod lights Black bead locks KMA-367

Jun 20, 2022

#21

This is what Crutchfield suggested for me....

Keep the stock speakers and add this under the rear seat.

Kicker 46HS10
Hideaway Series 10" compact powered subwoofer with 180-watt amp
Kicker 46HS10 Front

Thoughts?

Ditchrunner

Jun 20, 2022

#22

country roads
This is what Crutchfield suggested for me....

Keep the stock speakers and add this under the rear seat.

Kicker 46HS10
Hideaway Series 10" compact powered subwoofer with 180-watt amp
Kicker 46HS10 Front

Thoughts?

It will help and the bass should be great. Without an amp on the front speakers, it will still be a bit low on volume, particularly with the top off or windows down. You may want to add bass blockers to the front 4" (assuming those kicker part number are replacement 4"?).

Jun 21, 2022

#23

I would replace the fronts and rears the stuff in there is junk. See mattwings or my thread for what to get. Mattwings helped me.

2022 Bronco 2dr Basesquatch 2.7
Carbonized Grey Mod Bumper Rock rails Brush guard Hitch Pod lights Black bead locks KMA-367

country roads

Jun 21, 2022

#24

I think I will. The plug and play amp Kicker 200.4 is currently out of stock. Thanks Joe B.

I jystvwatched the video on their website and it looks super straightforward.

Did you mount yours where they did in the video?

Nminus1

Jun 21, 2022

#25

country roads
I think I will. The plug and play amp Kicker 200.4 is currently out of stock. Thanks Joe B.

I jystvwatched the video on their website and it looks super straightforward.

Did you mount yours where they did in the video?

Plug n play? How? Got a link?
Thanks

2022 Bronco 2dr Basesquatch 2.7
Carbonized Grey Mod Bumper Rock rails Brush guard Hitch Pod lights Black bead locks KMA-367

Jun 21, 2022

#26

https://plugnplaykits.com/
Great guy - great product, but his website is a bit hard to navigate. He still has most of the harnesses in stock - just the amp itself (which Crutchfield had in stock when I ordered a few weeks ago). It's a true plug n play harness. No need to cut wires.

There is also:

https://hoelwiring.com/collections/bronco
The Kicker is a small enough (power draw) amp that using the plugnplay harness it actually powers the amp off the factory head unit (ACM) wiring. No need to cut or run wires.

I plan on installing the 8" Kicker Hideaway under the driver's seat, but keep in mind - we have a 2 dr and I actually plan to remove the rear seats and build a platform for secure storage in the back, so I'm not really stressed about it being totally hidden. As it is now, with the rear seats folded all the time, you'd never see the sub even if it wasn't all the way under the seat.

The BIGGEST difference is just replacing the 4" speaker in the dash. I added bass blockers and replaced the factory 4" with mid range Kicker speakers and the difference in clarity and volume was pretty ridiculous.

Nminus1

Jun 21, 2022

#27

Have you actually tried to fit anything under the seat? That was my plan for the sun until I actually tried to fit something. Ended up building my own enclosure on a quick release in the roll bar triangle.

Jun 21, 2022

#28

Mattwings
Have you actually tried to fit anything under the seat? That was my plan for the sun until I actually tried to fit something. Ended up building my own enclosure on a quick release in the roll bar triangle.

Yeah, I mocked up a cardboard box using the measurements of the 3-4 difference size subs I was considering. I have non power / heated seats. I keep them at the lowest setting when I drive, my wife raises it a bit. Anything over 13" wide isn't gonna do unless you turn it. Also I have a 2 door - so I don't have to worry about heat / ac vents under the seats like 4 doors.

Mattwings

Jun 21, 2022

#29

ctandc
Yeah, I mocked up a cardboard box using the measurements of the 3-4 difference size subs I was considering. I have non power / heated seats. I keep them at the lowest setting when I drive, my wife raises it a bit. Anything over 13" wide isn't gonna do unless you turn it. Also I have a 2 door - so I don't have to worry about heat / ac vents under the seats like 4 doors.

The heat vents were definitely the biggest issue. I am sure everyone will enjoy seeing the completed project! I did fit my amp and crossover under the seat. The amp probably would have fit in the dash, but the LOC was going to be tight.

Jun 21, 2022

#30

Mattwings
The heat vents were definitely the biggest issue. I am sure everyone will enjoy seeing the completed project! I did fit my amp and crossover under the seat. The amp probably would have fit in the dash, but the crossover was going to be tight.

I'm going to yank the driver's seat out when I install the sub. What's funny is I think the carpet has the "cut" in it for the heat /ac vents it looks like. It's molded "up" if that makes sense, but there is NOTHING there. The only wiring is the heated seat / airbag connections. The Kicker Key amp fit great mounted to the metal panel under the swing down fuse panel cover / trim on the driver's side. Allows me to get to it fairly easy until I get the settings dialed in. The harness I bought has enough slack that I could run it to the other side and install it inside the dash over the glove box - haven't decided if I'll trial fit that when I pull it apart to splice the new harness in for the sub.

Jun 21, 2022

#31

ctandc
I'm going to yank the driver's seat out when I install the sub. What's funny is I think the carpet has the "cut" in it for the heat /ac vents it looks like. It's molded "up" if that makes sense, but there is NOTHING there. The only wiring is the heated seat / airbag connections. The Kicker Key amp fit great mounted to the metal panel under the swing down fuse panel cover / trim on the driver's side. Allows me to get to it fairly easy until I get the settings dialed in. The harness I bought has enough slack that I could run it to the other side and install it inside the dash over the glove box - haven't decided if I'll trial fit that when I pull it apart to splice the new harness in for the sub.

I would have gone with the kicker amp if it had a cross over and low pass output. Seems weird to me it didn’t have it. I like having an active crossover for the full range and being able to adjust the crossover point. It’s a pretty weird space for sound. I definitely have a standing wave somewhere below 100hz. The bass gets a bit deeper and louder with the top off and windows down.

Jun 21, 2022

#32

Mattwings
I would have gone with the kicker amp if it had a cross over and low pass output. Seems weird to me it didn’t have it. I like having an active crossover for the full range and being able to adjust the crossover point. It’s a pretty weird space for sound. I definitely have a standing wave somewhere below 100hz. The bass gets a bit deeper and louder with the top off and windows down.

I didn't want to get that involved. I thought my car audio days were mainly over LOL. The sound difference with the top down (I installed a Bestop softop on our 2 dr - doubt we'll ever install the hard top again - the Bronco is garaged) is TOTALLY different versus top up. It's a weird sound stage for sure. Hindsight being 20/20 - I would have installed a straight up woofer in the kick panels since highs / vocals tend to get lost down there. I had to order an amp install kit so I went ahead and ordered another pair of 4" Kickers for the rear sound bar. We'll see if it matters at all once installed.

Sdakotabronco, Mattwings

Jun 21, 2022

#33

ctandc
I didn't want to get that involved. I thought my car audio days were mainly over LOL. The sound difference with the top down (I installed a Bestop softop on our 2 dr - doubt we'll ever install the hard top again - the Bronco is garaged) is TOTALLY different versus top up. It's a weird sound stage for sure. Hindsight being 20/20 - I would have installed a straight up woofer in the kick panels since highs / vocals tend to get lost down there. I had to order an amp install kit so I went ahead and ordered another pair of 4" Kickers for the rear sound bar. We'll see if it matters at all once installed.

I have rear speakers sitting unused in my office right now. Maybe I will install them this week? I did high end car audio for a long time, the last shop I worked for even did a number of manufacturer show cars (I was never as talented as our really good installers). I didn't want to get to crazy, so I went step by step (4" replacement speakers and bass blockers, then added and amp, then....). At the end of the day, I wouldn't replace the kick panel speakers like I did, but the rest of the changes got me to where even my kids are asking to upgrade their car systems now. It was even fun for the most part!

Ditchrunner

Jun 21, 2022

#34

ctandc
You can always upgrade in stages. I can tell you that I first installed 4" Kicker CS series speakers in the dash. I used bass blockers. The difference in JUST this stage was VERY Noticeable - and I'm no audiophile. I then upgraded the kick panel speakers. While the OEM speakers aren't bad at all - for what they are, where they are located and what they are designed to do - if you ever plan on adding an amp, me personally I'd replace them.

I installed a Kicker Key 200.4 amp with a plug n play harness. The difference in sound is absolutely ridiculous. We've got a 2dr BB that I installed a Bestop soft top on. (best mod hands down for the 2dr in my opinion). Before, I rarely turned the factory stereo up beyond 15 or so (interstate speeds / top down) because it started to sound SO BAD at any volume beyond that.

After the amp and speakers - the sound is so good, I find myself turning it up loud. Not as loud as 15 (no need with an amp / speakers). My wife and I just came back from a long weekend trip. 750+ miles round trip. Top down, 68-78mph interstate speeds, volume at 10-14 (depending on song / source) was PLENTY loud.

In a way I wished I'd never done it. It sounds so good now, just ordered a Kicker 8" Hideaway powered sub.

Thanks for the detail. May I ask what Bass Blockers you used for the dash speakers?

2022 Outer Banks: Eruption Green, HD Modular Bumper, Roast Leather Seats, Mid Package, Soft Top, Accessory Switch Kit

Jun 21, 2022

#35

BWepps
Thanks for the detail. May I ask what Bass Blockers you used for the dash speakers?

300hz from Crutchfield, I may have actually preferred 400hz, but before I switched the 6 3/4” I thought a little more low
end was better.

BWepps, country roads

Jun 22, 2022

#36

Any chance you guys can post some pics of the sub placement. Crutchfield suggested under back seat, but I think that would prevent me from folding the seat down. I have a black diamond, so rubberized floors. I think the front driver seat may be the spot.

Ditchrunner

Jun 22, 2022

#37

Sorry, Matt, one more question....did you find a wire harness that adapts for the 4 inch speakers or do I have to splice wires?

Jun 22, 2022

#38

country roads
Sorry, Matt, one more question....did you find a wire harness that adapts for the 4 inch speakers or do I have to splice wires?

See my post here for what you need to change out the front and rear speakers:

https://thebronconation.com/forums/threads/finally-a-ship-date.11124/page-6

2022 Bronco 2dr Basesquatch 2.7
Carbonized Grey Mod Bumper Rock rails Brush guard Hitch Pod lights Black bead locks KMA-367

country roads, Deano Bronc

Jun 22, 2022

#39

Pasting the Amazon link for convenience to others

Deano Bronc

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