Audio System Overhaul

BrooseDaMoose · Aug 27, 2023

Hello all! I just picked up a 2020 ST and though the audio is ok, it's not what I am used to. It's been a long time since I've done any stereos and nothing was this elaborate when I was doing it. I built the system in my Ranger from the ground up and it slams! With this new vehicle I'm affraid I'll need to take it somewhere that is familiar with these systems. I have the Technology package with the B&O, I think 14 speaker, system. Normally I would start with a head unit and build the system from there. That's obviously not an option with this system. Now, are all the speakers a standard size (5 1/4", 6", 5x7", 6x9", etc) or are they odd sized? I've done a lot of reading here and see that a good system can be achieved. I listen to all kinds of music and don't care if my bass is loud enough for people on the side walk to feel. I just want a good clean sound with good bass and lots of volume! I ran my Ranger's system with one 5 channel amp and it was plenty loud enough for me. But from what I read, this system has it's own amp. Does it power all 14 speakers or just the subwoofer? I'd like to know what some of y'all are running in your systems. If it's a basic task of swapping out speakers and the amp, I may attempt it myself. Also, I'd like to know where you are putting the amp. I see some in the back storage above the spare tire but it seems that would make getting at the spare a real PITA! Any input you can give will be helpful. In the mean time I'll keep reading more posts. Thanks!

UNBROKEN · Aug 27, 2023

I have arguably the most involved audio system in an ST anywhere. Read my build log here then decide how far you’re willing to go.

Cruising68 · Aug 27, 2023

Listen to the man! He has educated quite a few of us!

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BrooseDaMoose · Aug 27, 2023

UNBROKEN said:

How can I find your build? I'm new here and I'm not sure how to find it. Sorry! Can you insert a link?

UNBROKEN · Aug 27, 2023

It’s the 5th thread down in this sub-forum.

Dale5403 · Aug 27, 2023

https://www.explorerst.org/threads/focal-mosconi-illusion-and-helix-build.2344/

This will give you some good reading.

Cruising68 · Aug 27, 2023

What a guy

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BrooseDaMoose · Aug 28, 2023

I spent the morning reading through the post and while I'm sure it's a slammin' system, it's way more than I'm looking for! I've only got about $2,500 to spend! I'd just like to upgrade the speakers to handle more volume, add a better subwoofer and an amp or two to power it all. Can someone list all the speaker sizes (or what fits where) or point me to a post that has all the info already? I searched but couldn't find anything.

UNBROKEN · Aug 28, 2023

I’m going to be very realistic here. For 2500 bucks if that’s your top budget, leave everything alone except unplug the sub, add an audio control, LC2i, a cheap mono amp and whatever subs you want. If you only spend 2500 bucks, on everything you listed, you would have a worse sounding system than what you have now and that’s just a fact.

BrooseDaMoose · Aug 28, 2023

UNBROKEN said:

That's what I was affraid of! I was looking at some audio stuff and it's gotten very expensive since I did my truck like 10 years ago. I don't have to do it right away so I'll save up. Like I said, I don't need a competition system like yours. I just want more volume and some bass. It's hard to believe $2,500 won't get me there but it is what it is as they say.

BrooseDaMoose · Aug 30, 2023

I went in to a good shop I know has been around and has a good reputation and he said that for between $4 and $5k he could get me where I want. He's never done an ST but has done a few Explorers before. He's just never built an enclosure like what I seen on here somewhere that's in the storage area above the spare tire. His concern is making it removable to get to the tire. The other Explorers he's done just had a box in the back. I don't want that. He said he would do some research into this set up and see what he can come up with. I gave him the list from Unbroken's build just to see what was used for speakers and electronics. Like I said in my original post, I just want some more volume and more bottom end. I don't need my neighbors to hear me coming from up the street. I just want it to sound nice in the vehicle. I'm wondering if just keeping the stock highs, replacing the mid-bass and running it off a JL 8-channel amp with the DSP would get me there.

UNBROKEN · Aug 30, 2023

BrooseDaMoose said:

I went in to a good shop I know has been around and has a good reputation and he said that for between $4 and $5k he could get me where I want. He's never done an ST but has done a few Explorers before. He's just never built an enclosure like what I seen on here somewhere that's in the storage area above the spare tire. His concern is making it removable to get to the tire. The other Explorers he's done just had a box in the back. I don't want that. He said he would do some research into this set up and see what he can come up with. I gave him the list from Unbroken's build just to see what was used for speakers and electronics. Like I said in my original post, I just want some more volume and more bottom end. I don't need my neighbors to hear me coming from up the street. I just want it to sound nice in the vehicle. I'm wondering if just keeping the stock highs, replacing the mid-bass and running it off a JL 8-channel amp with the DSP would get me there.

You don’t want my list. Hell most days I don’t want my list. lol

Cruising68 · Aug 30, 2023

You’d be better off just burning your cash as opposed to following his lead. Probably a lot cheaper and less time consuming

Wish I got to Texas more often to hear what a real competition system sounds and looks like in the ST. His pictures just make me lust

Imo the key is to get good signals before the amp like with the Zen-tv. From there you can feed any amps and speakers you choose.

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BrooseDaMoose · Aug 31, 2023

Well, shop just called and it looks like my budget is north of $5k now!

I guess Focal makes direct replacements for the mid-bass but not the highs. I could have sworn I saw them somewhere though. But he said I was looking at somewhere close to $4k just in electronics and speakers. He suggested to just keep the stock speakers, bypass the factory amp with the NAV and use a couple different amps. One to power the stock speakers and one for a small 10" sealed box in the back.

BrooseDaMoose · Sep 4, 2023

I ended up going to another shop and to do this right it's gonna cost over $10k. I know this is a good shop and it has a very good reputation for building good, quality systems and I don't think they are trying to screw me. A bit of a ride to get there but it was worth it. I'm just going to take your advice @UNBROKEN and just do the sub. They said they can put it in the stock location. They will use the AudioControlLC2i to get the signal, a JL Audio XDM 300/1 amplifier and a Kicker 48CWRT84 subwoofer. They are going to seal the stock enclosure and add filler to get it within specs. I guess they have done this already and used some kind of laser to measure the inside of the enclosure. I will try to get that info from them and pass it on. Everything will fit behind the panel too. The guy told me it's not going to be win any competitions but it will sound a lot better than it does now. He also told me they sell a kit specifically designed for the B&O systems in Fords for upgrading the amplifier if at some point I wanted to go that route. I did a search and found this one at Crutchfield: PAC AP4-FD31 I'm just going to do the subwoofer for now and see how much that helps the sound though. Especially where I just spent North of $5k on upgrades!

WFO-TSi · Sep 4, 2023

@BrooseDaMoose

Since you took the conversation down the Kicker/Crutchfield road...

Kicker 47KEY500.1 Compact mono subwoofer amplifier with automatic tuning DSP — 500 watts RMS at 1 ohm at Crutchfield

For a simple sub only install I was recently reading about using Kickers 47KEYLOC, and getting signal from the door midbass' (because in the doors roll-off doesn't change with volume apparently) and allowing the built in DSP to restore the curve without the use of a LC2i. The amp in the link would be the all in one alternative.

I'd greatly appreciate feedback from someone with hands on experience to confirm that the door midbass speakers get a constant garbage signal as opposed to the OE sub which gets an increasingly garbage signal.

banniar · Sep 6, 2023

WFO-TSi said:

I tried tapping my front speakers to drive the sub without a DSP. My take was that the front speakers must have had a high-pass filter and the low end bass just wasn't there. I'd expect you'd need a DSP to compensate to have any hope of making this sound right. I didn't leave it on long enough to test if the bass got throttled at high volume like it does on the sub channels. I still have the tap in place and may be able to test that this weekend.

Cruising68 · Sep 6, 2023

Tap off the sub. I’m not sure if this Bose amp throttles bass at high volumes like my other Bose systems but some report it does not.

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WFO-TSi · Sep 6, 2023

Disregard my original post. The "Plug-n-Play" harness I received didn't plug or play, and after repining the factory harness the source they want you to use for signal definitely still had roll-off that the KEYLOC couldn't fix.

BrooseDaMoose · Sep 7, 2023

So after visiting that shop I did a litle more research. I'm looking at getting the AmpPro AP4-FD31 and the JL Audio VX8008i. Then I could either upgrade the subwoofer in the stock location or go with a new enclosure like I wanted in the cargo area over the spare. That would keep my cost around $5,000.
UNBROKEN, what do you think of this set up? Like I said, I'm not looking to win any competitions just get more volume and bottom end. Will the stock speakers handle this?

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