REPLACING DOOR SPEAKERS ONLY
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Freshman User
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REPLACING DOOR SPEAKERS ONLY
I know there is a thread "or several" on replacing the door speakers only. My question is how many of you have actually done it and was there a reasonable difference in sound quality? I currently have a 2018 with the Sony sound system. I went to our local audio installer on Saturday morning and was told that replacing the speakers only would do me no good and it would cost me from 1400 -2400 for an upgrade?? I found that to be pretty insane. I just cant see how replacing the speakers alone wouldn't help as crappy as the stocks are.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Apr 2017
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From: Lost in the Ozone....
I tried several brands (Apline, Polk and Fosgate) of two-way replacement speakers. I went back to the Sony OEMs as without adding a DSP/Amp/Sub, they were flat and definitely lacking any bass.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 26,007
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From: Brentwood,CA
100% correct! I can say without a DSP it will sound worse. I use a pretty decent SA 3052a for my stereo builds and tuning. Also how I figured out how compressed the sat ratio is and how many octaves and frequencies are missing.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 1,366
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From: Frederick, CO
That's pretty common on any vehicle built in the 2000s (or maybe even earlier). The factory radio has all kinds of silly sound processing (DSP) that just destroys the fidelity of the audio signal. So, a factory head unit with aftermarket speakers will have moderate improvements, if any at all. Speakers will just amplify the crappy signal it receives -- garbage in, garbage out.
The best path forward is to swap the factory sub and amp for something better: a Kicker 8" shallow mount sub and ~300W RMS amp will fill out the vehicle. That's what I did on a 2006 Explorer and my current 2005 F-150. That's not intended to make it some kind of block-busting, mirror-shaking system. For country music, classic rock, and even all the way through R&B and rap, replacing the bass track with a suitable set-up makes a shocking improvement.
I wouldn't replace door speakers until I either replaced the factory HU or used one of those sound-stage devices that are intended to replace the frequencies/signals that the factory DSP removed.
Good luck.
The best path forward is to swap the factory sub and amp for something better: a Kicker 8" shallow mount sub and ~300W RMS amp will fill out the vehicle. That's what I did on a 2006 Explorer and my current 2005 F-150. That's not intended to make it some kind of block-busting, mirror-shaking system. For country music, classic rock, and even all the way through R&B and rap, replacing the bass track with a suitable set-up makes a shocking improvement.
I wouldn't replace door speakers until I either replaced the factory HU or used one of those sound-stage devices that are intended to replace the frequencies/signals that the factory DSP removed.
Good luck.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 102
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From: Michigan
I know markets vary but that sounds like a lot of money just for speakers, unless they are some high end components. just for a reference, I was quoted $1100-1200 for a new DSP connected to my stock unit and alpine amp installed and tuned. they said it would sound much better and if I did not like it I could always replace the speakers from there. I have the b&o system but just want something a little cleaner.
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Freshman User
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I know markets vary but that sounds like a lot of money just for speakers, unless they are some high end components. just for a reference, I was quoted $1100-1200 for a new DSP connected to my stock unit and alpine amp installed and tuned. they said it would sound much better and if I did not like it I could always replace the speakers from there. I have the b&o system but just want something a little cleaner.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2012
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From: Laramie, WY
I replaced all 4 door speakers in a B&O system that is in a SuperCab. All 4 doors got JL Audio C2 3 way speakers and the rears should have probably been downgraded to 2 way to save a little money. They are better sounding but they make the stock sub woofer sound muddy. That will be next.
Tuned
Joined: Dec 2018
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I replaced all 4 door speakers in a B&O system that is in a SuperCab. All 4 doors got JL Audio C2 3 way speakers and the rears should have probably been downgraded to 2 way to save a little money. They are better sounding but they make the stock sub woofer sound muddy. That will be next.
Tuned
Joined: Dec 2018
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I was wondering if the factory has them setup like a midbass with the high frequencys blocked
Logistics Pro
Joined: Apr 2017
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From: SoCal
The fronts are components, a woofer in the door and a tweeter in the A-pillar. The tweeters are piggybacked off the woofers with a simple capacitor on the line to limit the lower frequencies. If I remember correctly they are are high level passed at 3500 Hz. If you are going to replace speakers, I highly recommend you get a component set and not coaxials.
Tuned
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 483
Likes: 24
The fronts are components, a woofer in the door and a tweeter in the A-pillar. The tweeters are piggybacked off the woofers with a simple capacitor on the line to limit the lower frequencies. If I remember correctly they are are high level passed at 3500 Hz. If you are going to replace speakers, I highly recommend you get a component set and not coaxials.