Audio System Overhaul

[BrooseDaMoose]

Just got a call from my installer and he's telling me the Alpines won't fit in the doors! The magnets are way too big he said. So he said he is going to go with the Focal Flax series, which is what was suggested earlier in this thread. They are more money but are a better speaker.

 

[MrBigglesworrth]

Just got a call from my installer and he's telling me the Alpines won't fit in the doors! The magnets are way too big he said. So he said he is going to go with the Focal Flax series, which is what was suggested earlier in this thread. They are more money but are a better speaker.

I’m guessing he didn’t cut the the plastic piece out. It would most likely fit if he did. I installed a full Audiofrog system and there is no way the mid bass would have fit without removing the plastic piece in the oem spot. Took two seconds.

 

[BrooseDaMoose]

I’m not sure. He said the tweeter was too big also. He’s supposed to send me some pictures. I mean, anything can be made to fit. It’s just a matter of how far you’re willing to go!


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[MrBigglesworrth]

Honestly, you should get them pod mounted on dash or built into A pillars. You most likely, like me, will not be too happy with the sound of them being in the doors.

 

[BrooseDaMoose]

Yeah, I wanted them built into the A-pillars but it’s just not in the budget. I’ve had some unexpected expenses recently and had to shave some funds off a few projects and this was one of them. That and the additional cost of using the Focals.


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[MrBigglesworrth]

You can get pods off eBay for the focals. Super easy to install. Doesn’t necessarily look as clean, but the sound is there.

 

[UNBROKEN]

You can get pods off eBay for the focals. Super easy to install. Doesn’t necessarily look as clean, but the sound is there.

You have to be careful with those pods for a midrange. Many are too small and choke the driver. The tweeter pods are generally ok.

 

[BrooseDaMoose]

While I'm sure the sound would be better I just don't like the look of the tweeter sticking out of the pillar. Maybe sometime down the road I will move them but it will be a custom mount that's clean and looks like it came that way.

 

[BrooseDaMoose]

I got to hear the Focal speakers set up in an F150. He had it in the shop for something and let me listen to them. Very nice set up. Started with the same B&O system as we have in our Explorers. Kid spent almost $25k on the install! I can only hope my system sounds half as good as his!


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[Sparks81]

I’m guessing he didn’t cut the the plastic piece out. It would most likely fit if he did. I installed a full Audiofrog system and there is no way the mid bass would have fit without removing the plastic piece in the oem spot. Took two seconds.

Mr. Bigglesworrth, did you run all new speaker wire? If so, how difficult was it to run the wire? Did you change out the sub? If so, did you go with a larger sub? I would like to stick with an 8" but with a better sounding sub in the factory location. Looking for an 8" sub to go into the factory location is turning out to be a fool's errand. I just don't want to give up real estate in the back cargo area. Oh well! How do you like the sound of the Audiofrog? Oh, by the way, did you have to make some sort of f plastic replacement piece to house the mid-range speaker? Hope u are enjoying the system.

 

[MrBigglesworrth]

Mr. Bigglesworrth, did you run all new speaker wire? If so, how difficult was it to run the wire? Did you change out the sub? If so, did you go with a larger sub? I would like to stick with an 8" but with a better sounding sub in the factory location. Looking for an 8" sub to go into the factory location is turning out to be a fool's errand. I just don't want to give up real estate in the back cargo area. Oh well! How do you like the sound of the Audiofrog? Oh, by the way, did you have to make some sort of f plastic replacement piece to house the mid-range speaker? Hope u are enjoying the system.

I ran all new speaker wire except to the mid bass. I didn’t want to deal with going through the door at the time. I have the wire run to tackle it at some point but haven’t yet. I’ve got probably 45-50hrs in. I sound deadened the entire vehicle including the roof. I don’t have a sunroof so felt that was necessary. The sound deadening alone took me probably 25-30hrs. My mid range and tweeter are attached to the a pillars. Yes. I changed out everything. Took the spare tire out and installed the sub in the wheel well and then cut a custom piece to replace the flimsy plastic piece hiding the tire. So I still have all of my back area. Love the audiofrog setup. I got the custom brackets from MTI acoustics for the mid bass. 6x9-> 6”. I did cut a piece of abs that I mounted in between MTI’s cutout and the stock piece to push the mid bass closer to the door. I used a 1” piece of abs. If I did it again I would probably use a .75”.

 

[Sparks81]

I ran all new speaker wire except to the mid bass. I didn’t want to deal with going through the door at the time. I have the wire run to tackle it at some point but haven’t yet. I’ve got probably 45-50hrs in. I sound deadened the entire vehicle including the roof. I don’t have a sunroof so felt that was necessary. The sound deadening alone took me probably 25-30hrs. My mid range and tweeter are attached to the a pillars. Yes. I changed out everything. Took the spare tire out and installed the sub in the wheel well and then cut a custom piece to replace the flimsy plastic piece hiding the tire. So I still have all of my back area. Love the audiofrog setup. I got the custom brackets from MTI acoustics for the mid bass. 6x9-> 6”. I did cut a piece of abs that I mounted in between MTI’s cutout and the stock piece to push the mid bass closer to the door. I used a 1” piece of abs. If I did it again I would probably use a .75”.

Sounds like you have this under control. Glad to hear that you're liking the Audiofrog. I may be looking at one of their 10-inch subs to put in box in the rear area. How difficult was it to remove doo panels and apply sound deadenin?

 

[BrooseDaMoose]

Door panels pop right off. Just be carful and take your time. Applying sound deadening material in the doors is always a PITA!


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[MrBigglesworrth]

Sounds like you have this under control. Glad to hear that you're liking the Audiofrog. I may be looking at one of their 10-inch subs to put in box in the rear area. How difficult was it to remove doo panels and apply sound deadenin?

Its not too bad. Just takes time. Getting the inner skin off and detached from the window takes a little finagling but it’s not too bad. It will definitely take longer than you think. Dont cheap out and use shitty sound deadening if you are going to do it. Dont use kilmat or some other off brand from Amazon. Not worth the effort.

 

[BrooseDaMoose]

Finally got everything installed! When he went to test it the radio would not power up. Checked battery and got 11.8v so it’s not that. Thought maybe it was a bad ZEN so he swapped it out but still nothing. Put the factory amp back in, still nothing! Vehicle starts right up but the radio will not power on! Anyone have any idea what might be wrong?


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[23 Explorer ST]

Check the fuse


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[BrooseDaMoose]

Check the fuse


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Sorry, forgot to mention that was the first thing he checked.


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[MrBigglesworrth]

Finally got everything installed! When he went to test it the radio would not power up. Checked battery and got 11.8v so it’s not that. Thought maybe it was a bad ZEN so he swapped it out but still nothing. Put the factory amp back in, still nothing! Vehicle starts right up but the radio will not power on! Anyone have any idea what might be wrong?


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When you say the radio won’t power up do you mean the actual screen is blank? Or the zen/amps aren’t powering up? And you are positive he checked the right fuse? Did you check the fuse? Or just him? If you didn’t, you should….

 

[BrooseDaMoose]

When you say the radio won’t power up do you mean the actual screen is blank? Or the zen/amps aren’t powering up? And you are positive he checked the right fuse? Did you check the fuse? Or just him? If you didn’t, you should….

Yes, the actual screen won’t power up nor is the ZEN receiving a signal. I don’t have the vehicle here so I can’t double check the fuse but I trust him. He is very skilled at this. He just did a new Bronco and an F150 Raptor with the same system and had no issues. He talked to the people at ZEN and they told him to drive the vehicle around for a little bit because it may be in “Battery Saver Mode”? I think just starting the vehicle would bring it out if that was the case but I don’t know. I’m sure he will figure it out.


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[MrBigglesworrth]

Yeah, that’s not it. Hope he didn’t fry something. But that does not sound good to me if it’s not the fuse. There are two fuse boxes. If I were you I would be hoping he checked the wrong fuse.