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Any significant audio hardware changes for ‘25 w 14 speaker system?

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Location
Nashville TN
Vehicle
2025 Ford Explorer ST
#1
Just picked up a ‘25 ST — was curious about whether the 14-speaker hardware is unchanged from 2024 (vehicle too new for Crutchfield details so far). I’m looking for modest to medium improvements here and want to know my options!
 

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Location
Jacksonville, FL, USA
#2
It's more involved than just swapping speakers. Honestly, if you sound deaden the vehicle and get rid of the medium to high volume rattles in doing so, it will sound much better. If you are prepared to go down the rabbit hole spend $$$$$ then it is absolutely worth it.
 

Cruising68

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Chicago, IL, USA
#3
It's more involved than just swapping speakers. Honestly, if you sound deaden the vehicle and get rid of the medium to high volume rattles in doing so, it will sound much better. If you are prepared to go down the rabbit hole spend $$$$$ then it is absolutely worth it.
Agree. The sound deadening makes a decent improvement to oem speakers. Having said that, it’s still not that great imo. I have swapped speakers in a Yukon I had with the Bose oem setup. The Bose speakers have strange resistance numbers that don’t match up with aftermarket. I found some decent speakers that were very close to oem. It was a decent improvement but again nothing to rave about.

If you are trying to keep the cost down, you should consider a sub and speakers up front. Decent improvement. Having gone that route before and not being satisfied, I replaced everything except the head unit in my ST and have been very happy with the sound. But that requires money and time. I did not go super high on components buy still spent roughly 10k. My old ears probably could not tell the difference from mine to better solutions.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 

Messages
115
Reactions
67
Points
27
Location
Jacksonville, FL, USA
#4
Agree. The sound deadening makes a decent improvement to oem speakers. Having said that, it’s still not that great imo. I have swapped speakers in a Yukon I had with the Bose oem setup. The Bose speakers have strange resistance numbers that don’t match up with aftermarket. I found some decent speakers that were very close to oem. It was a decent improvement but again nothing to rave about.

If you are trying to keep the cost down, you should consider a sub and speakers up front. Decent improvement. Having gone that route before and not being satisfied, I replaced everything except the head unit in my ST and have been very happy with the sound. But that requires money and time. I did not go super high on components buy still spent roughly 10k. My old ears probably could not tell the difference from mine to better solutions.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Yep. I did a full replacement with a front sub as well as a rear and I think I'm sitting around 13K. I did do full resonix sound deadening including the floor and ceiling ( I don't have a sunroof). Im guessing I've got about 3K in that alone, maybe more.
 

UNBROKEN

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Houston, TX, USA
#5
Yep. I did a full replacement with a front sub as well as a rear and I think I'm sitting around 13K. I did do full resonix sound deadening including the floor and ceiling ( I don't have a sunroof). Im guessing I've got about 3K in that alone, maybe more.
What was lacking that made you do a front sub? In 90% of cars, tuning is what’s needed more than adding equipment.
 

Messages
115
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Points
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Location
Jacksonville, FL, USA
#6
What was lacking that made you do a front sub? In 90% of cars, tuning is what’s needed more than adding equipment.
It was either add a second 12" or add a front sub. Didn't even know front subs were a thing since it had been a while since I had done a system. So I really just did the front over the 2nd 12" out of curiosity. I've got the front tuned from 45-90hz and the rear from 45hz down. They are married perfectly and it sounds awesome. For me to add a second sub in the back, I would have had to redo a bunch back there that I didnt really want to do. But I am thoroughly pleased with how the front sub turned out. Gobs of bass on the dash.
 



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