DIY stereo upgrade for under $500.00

wreedsvt said:

Has anyone changed out the factory B&O sub with something else and left it connected to the factory DSP/Amp? Worth the trouble? How does it sound? What did you use?

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I just did that while I wait for my new amp to arrive...If there is a difference it's very hard to tell...not worth the effort in my opinion which is why I am adding an amp

BIG TIME BALLER said:

I have read multiple threads on audio upgrades... but im not sure I have seen just a pure speaker swap recommendation. I don't want to add amps and the like, just upgrade the factory speakers. I hear Focal, Infinity, JBL, Pioneer etc., but I want to hear from someone who just swapped the factory speakers for low impedance, higher quality speakers.

What did you chose, how did the installation go, and was there an improvement?

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I'm interested in recommendations along this line as well. Would like an improvement while keeping things simple.

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titanjc said:

I'm interested in recommendations along this line as well. Would like an improvement while keeping things simple.

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Just did this. Swapped out doors only with pioneer. Used the updated 6990f speakers with a larger magnet for deeper bass. Amazing difference. Totally different sound and am completely satisfied. I have the Sony btw. Or had.

titanjc said:

I'm interested in recommendations along this line as well. Would like an improvement while keeping things simple.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

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A good set of components to replace the midbass in the door and tweeter in the a-pillar. Don’t put coax, two way, three way, etc in the door. Replacing the stock speakers with good components will make a drastic difference. Output won’t change a whole lot but sound quality will.

dhmcfadin said:

A good set of components to replace the midbass in the door and tweeter in the a-pillar. Don’t put coax, two way, three way, etc in the door. Replacing the stock speakers with good components will make a drastic difference. Output won’t change a whole lot but sound quality will.

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Dhmcfadin - would there be any real result from a speaker only swap for a ‘19 non-BO? Just thinking that I may do the upgrade in phases. Speaker first then 4 channel amp then sub/amp.

I put coaxials and am enjoying the boost in volume and clarity. I know some people thinks it messes up the “sound stage” but let’s be real. This is a rumbling truck made of plastic bits and aluminum that came with a shit Sony. This isn’t a finely tuned brumiester in a Porsche turbo here

Nibbl3s said:

I put coaxials and am enjoying the boost in volume and clarity. I know some people thinks it messes up the “sound stage” but let’s be real. This is a rumbling truck made of plastic bits and aluminum that came with a shit Sony. This isn’t a finely tuned brumiester in a Porsche turbo here

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Let’s be real, a Porsche is also comprised of plastic and aluminum pieces. Compared to a true SQL built system, the bermiester falls short. Coax in the doors absolutely skew the sound stage. If your expectations are to just “improve” with coax, then your reference point of what sounds good is skewed in itself. It’s simply a lack of exposure. You could easily build a system that rivals the bermiester. Not hard to do. Just takes time, attention to detail, and proper tuning. You don’t have to spend a fortune to do this.

Jon D said:

Dhmcfadin - would there be any real result from a speaker only swap for a ‘19 non-BO? Just thinking that I may do the upgrade in phases. Speaker first then 4 channel amp then sub/amp.

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Yes, absolutely. Replacing the front speakers with a good set of components will make a drastic difference. Not sure of your budget but a great middle of the road/higher end choice would be the Morel Tempo Ultra’s. Phenomenal speakers.

Nibbl3s said:

I put coaxials and am enjoying the boost in volume and clarity. I know some people thinks it messes up the “sound stage” but let’s be real. This is a rumbling truck made of plastic bits and aluminum that came with a shit Sony. This isn’t a finely tuned brumiester in a Porsche turbo here

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As I have said many times before, if I had it to do over, I would have put components in instead of tweeters and 3way 6x9s in the door. At the time I did it, folks weren't sure on the B&O if a full range signal was going to the doors, so I figured I'd get a bass upgrade and maybe some more low-mids from the better driver material. I got a great deal on the JBLs I used, and they are good for what they are. But, there is a pretty full range signal going to the doors, so there's no question it messes with the soundstage. To ameliorate this, I listen to the system on its surround setting, which has a more diffuse soundstage anyway. My system is much louder and clearer than stock, and I'm OK with it for the reasons you describe. I also replaced the rear 6.5s with JBLs, and I wouldn't do that again, knowing now how little output the B&O sends to the rears. Live and learn...

dhmcfadin said:

A good set of components to replace the midbass in the door and tweeter in the a-pillar. Don’t put coax, two way, three way, etc in the door. Replacing the stock speakers with good components will make a drastic difference. Output won’t change a whole lot but sound quality will.

Click to expand...

I was originally thinking it would make sense to replace both the front and rear door speakers, but do you think it would make more sense to keep the rear speakers stock and spend a little more on better quality components for the front door speakers / tweeters only?