Stereo Upgrade

[lawdog]

Any thoughts on the sound quality... and if that improvement is worth $1200?

If you're just doing speaker upgrades and not the headunit/amp, then I think you'd be better for the money just replacing the fronts with some efficient/high sensitivity component 6x9s or 6.5s and leaving the rear speakers alone. The B&O just does not send much back there at all...pure fill. Then you can do what you want to the sub, but I bet there are options in the same overall price range that are far better than the Rockford 10" setup.

 

[dhmcfadin]

If you're just doing speaker upgrades and not the headunit/amp, then I think you'd be better for the money just replacing the fronts with some efficient/high sensitivity component 6x9s or 6.5s and leaving the rear speakers alone. The B&O just does not send much back there at all...pure fill. Then you can do what you want to the sub, but I bet there are options in the same overall price range that are far better than the Rockford 10" setup.

What he is talking about includes:

Rockford t16-s components $200.00
Rockford t1650 coax $120.00
Rockford t400X4ad 4 channel amp $360.00
Rockford t1s-1x10 sub $550.00
Rockford t500 sub amp $310.00

For 1200.00

 

[lawdog]

Where are you getting those specs/models? It's a poorly worded listing. The 4 channel amp isn't even mentioned in the write-up, just the mono amp for the sub. A 4 channel amp is mentioned in the sidebar, but that's it. It also says its an "8 speaker replacement", but it's really only 7...4 for the components, 2 for the rears, and one sub...that's 7. Does not address the center at all.

I thought, from reading all of your excellent posts, that part of the issue with upgrading the the B&O is that you can't just add any 4 channel amp for the main speakers without something like the NavTV first. Is that incorrect?

 

[dhmcfadin]

I haven’t heard those speakers but I think anything over factory is a substantial upgrade. I’ll look around and see if I can build a better package in that same price range. Fun challenge lol.

Here is a comparative list of components that I have personally heard. I believe the components listed below will sound better and are higher quality.

The 5 channel amp I have listed makes more power for less money compared to standalone speakers and sub amp in the original post.
The JL TW3 is a better SQ sub and cheaper than the rockford T1.
The morel components and coax sound incredible and are cheaper than the rockford components.
If you order all this from crutchfield, you will also get the speaker adapters thrown in for free.

I firmly believe the alternative system will sound better than the rockford system hands down. But thats my opinion based on my experience and the quality of the components I listed.

 

[dhmcfadin]

Where are you getting those specs/models? It's a poorly worded listing. The 4 channel amp isn't even mentioned in the write-up, just the mono amp for the sub. A 4 channel amp is mentioned in the sidebar, but that's it. It also says its an "8 speaker replacement", but it's really only 7...4 for the components, 2 for the rears, and one sub...that's 7. Does not address the center at all.

I thought, from reading all of your excellent posts, that part of the issue with upgrading the the B&O is that you can't just add any 4 channel amp for the main speakers without something like the NavTV first. Is that incorrect?

The center in the truck is only there to compensate for the poor output of the oem midrange. Its also not a true center. Its a blended left and right center. Once you add more power and install better speakers, the center becomes completely obsolete. It is not needed in any way. Instead of having a manipulated center image, you will now have a true acoustical center image. An acoustical center image is what you want.

 

[dhmcfadin]

Where are you getting those specs/models? It's a poorly worded listing. The 4 channel amp isn't even mentioned in the write-up, just the mono amp for the sub. A 4 channel amp is mentioned in the sidebar, but that's it. It also says its an "8 speaker replacement", but it's really only 7...4 for the components, 2 for the rears, and one sub...that's 7. Does not address the center at all.

I thought, from reading all of your excellent posts, that part of the issue with upgrading the the B&O is that you can't just add any 4 channel amp for the main speakers without something like the NavTV first. Is that incorrect?

That is correct. We haven't addressed that part yet unfortunately. If OP truck is B&O, the NavTV Zen a2b is necessary in addition to the components. I am not sure where I saw the 4 channel amp listed but now I cant seem to find it so maybe american trucks removed it from their site. Good eye.

 

[lawdog]

The center in the truck is only there to compensate for the poor output of the oem midrange. Its also not a true center. Its a blended left and right center. Once you add more power and install better speakers, the center becomes completely obsolete. It is not needed in any way. Instead of having a manipulated center image, you will now have a true acoustical center image. An acoustical center image is what you want.

OK, I know that/did not suggest that/have discussed that in many posts threads with you in the past...only that it said an "8 speaker replacement" that only provides/replaces 7. The center is not addressed at all by their package, from what is posted. Maybe they say to disconnect it, like many/most do, but it still ain't 8 speakers.

Again, the important part of my post is the latter part, which you did not address: I thought, from reading all of your excellent posts, that part of the issue with upgrading the the B&O is that you can't just add any 4 channel amp for the main speakers without something like the NavTV first. Is that incorrect?

 

[dhmcfadin]

OK, I know that/did not suggest that/have discussed that in many posts threads with you in the past...only that it said an "8 speaker replacement" that only provides/replaces 7. The center is not addressed at all by their package, from what is posted. maybe they say to disconect it, like many/most do, but it still ain't 8 speakers.

Again, the important part of my post is the latter part, which you did not address: I thought, from reading all of your excellent posts, that part of the issue with upgrading the the B&O is that you can't just add any 4 channel amp for the main speakers without something like the NavTV first. Is that incorrect?

Yes Zen a2b is needed as well. We were just comparing components.

 

[lawdog]

Yes Zen a2b is needed as well. We were just comparing components.

Sorry...we were replying over/past each other.

Yes, I think the American Trucks/Rockford package Big Time Baller mentioned is kind of a mess, and I would want to be very sure it worked as intended/what was in it before I committed to it.

If Big Time Baller just wants a plug and play upgrade in that price range, I still say just do the front speakers, leave the rears alone, and add a good sub/enclosure/amp on the back end of the system, as discussed here. If he wants a full system upgrade, then, yeah, he needs the NavTV Zen, and then you can replace/re-amp all main speakers, sub, etc. But you're not doing that for anywhere near $1,200.

 

[BIG TIME BALLER]

I think this "Whats in the Box" listing is leading to the confusion. It has a 4-Channel Amp, and a Sub Amp listed. This is what really peaked my interest... hoping that they had a plug and play solution to avoid the additional components needed to amplify the doors and tweets. However when you read through the description, it doesn't mention the 4-Channel Amp. Without the 4-Channel Amp, the "package" value isn't there and the amplified mids/highs aren't there.

What's in the Box

• (2) Woofers
• (2) Tweeters
• (2) Crossovers
• (2) Two-Way Speakers (Two Tweeters and Two Woofers)
• (1) Four-Channel Amplifier
• (1) Subwoofer
• (1) Subwoofer Amplifier
• (1) Wiring Harness
• (2) Grilles
• (2) Mounting Brackets
• (4) Flush Mount Brackets
• Mounting Hardware