2021+ Unleashed Stereo Upgrade... Have Questions? We can answer them, post up.
 

We have several of these in the shop and coming to the shop. While this is similar to the older B&O systems, it does have its uniqueness.
If you have any questions, we can help answer them. If we don't know, maybe we can test/investigate the ones we have coming.

@SoundsGoodStereo I have 2021 F-150 with the 8 Speaker "Bassless & Owful" system and my rear speakers barely have any sound output, Is that by design? I know technically the rear should only be used as fill but some times you just want to drown out the people in the back seat....
Is you behind the seat box getting closer? I'm using this in the meantime.

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.f15...b227e027a.jpeg

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.f15...5bfb8c3f4.jpeg

Couple reasons...

The first is the location of the speakers. The distance it needs to travel and obstacles that are in the way like your seats and being low in the door also reduces the amplitude (volume) at the driver's seat. This is the case with all rear door-mounted speakers wherein vehicles with rear deck-mounted speakers, there is less obstruction along with a "horn effect" with the speaker bouncing off the rear glass and aiming straight ahead.

Second, which is the most common reason and this also addresses the "center channel" and why we rarely upgrade the center channel unless it's a $20K sound quality build.

Music is recorded in two-channel... That's it.. It's literally a Left + Right.. Not front/rear, no center channel, nothing. Two channels.

So all you need to reproduce music is a left speaker + a right speaker, just like the music studio, headphones, etc. In a vehicle, all audio systems that do not have a DSP and use factory speaker locations are what we call "Audio" systems, not "Stereo" systems. Audio is anything that plays sound and a Stereo system is the combination of Left + Right to create one sound. The only reason we use a subwoofer is due to the poor enclosures (door panels) we have along with customers generally wanting more output than what a mid-bass can deliver.

With the above information, rear speakers are really only utilized in "Audio" systems and very rarely in "Stereo" systems unless it's a home audio Atmos setup, etc.

So if your front speakers are playing the entire musical range, tuned for "Stereo" and then you add the rear speakers playing the exact same information, well now you have multiple speakers playing vocals at different locations, it's the same as two identical people talking to you, but standing different distances from you, your brain cannot focus on the "location" of the sound. This deteriorates the "Stereo" performance, remember you always watch the "Concert", they never put the drummer in the back of the audience, so to reproduce this, you need all of the sound/speakers in front of you.

Now for the center channel, it's the same story except you can do it properly, but this is only for those that understand the trade-offs. So to do a center channel properly, you will need a DSP with UpMixing capabilities. This upmixer takes what plays equally in the left + right speakers and sends it to the center channel. This means it is not playing everything, just what is equal left/right. This of course comes with more $$$$ along with an experienced tuner who understands everything above and more.

Hope that helps... And if you are looking for a louder "Audio" system, then ignore everything above, install more efficient speakers in as many locations as you can, and run as much power as you can. Then you will have a loud "Audio" system, but sacrifice the accuracy of the "Stereo" system.

Sure, I've got a couple questions. My current setup is an AC DM608 into an Alpine PDX-4 running Alpine X-S69C speakers in the front. This is in a 2016 XLT with the Sync 3 w/ Nav head unit. I stream lossless quality Apple and Tidal tracks from my iPhone through a wired connection into the USB port. While I understand the potential quality of the source track, e.g., 24-bit/192 kHz, I've never understood the capabilities of the head unit and what quality signal is actually coming out of the head unit into the DM608 (or really whether I'm even getting the full lossless/master quality out of the iPhone to start).

I recently purchased a 2022 Platinum and am looking at moving this system over to my new truck. I'm curious whether the performance of this head unit is improved. I've read that there's cable carrying a digital signal from the head unit back to the Ford dsp for the Unleashed system, but I haven't been able to read anything about the quality of that signal and whether it's improved as more services move to streaming lossless music. So, what's the quality of that signal that would be going into the DM608, and can I expect the system to sound better in my new truck because the DM608 is getting a better signal? I haven't been able to see any technical specs on the DM608 and whether it fully supports these sorts of lossless and master quality sources. Could I improve the quality even more by moving to a better dsp, or is that not the limitation here?

I'd appreciate any insight. Thanks.

I have the base system, don't think I have an amp, I would like more volume, a bit richer bass, and would like to fully enjoy some pink floyd, jethro tull, and enigma with their use of soundscape, at the same time, I still sorta want to be punched in the head listening to mettalicas One.

2021 xlt supercab

I used to update my cars with an amp and eq, 6/9 3 ways front and rear, but that was in the 80's - totally clueless with all the acronyms and wattages and all as I have been reading for months in here and didn't want to sound stupid asking questions.

What would be a good start to doing my truck?

So moving to the B&O system has its benefits as you will now utilize the Nav-TV Zen A2B which is amazing in terms of sound quality potential. If you look at the manual, on page 10, you will see the output resolution.
https://navtv.com/media/products_fil...anual_rB12.pdf

Second, I would tell you the limitations of your DSP could provide you with more potential for better sound over better resolution from the factory radio setup. While it does play a part, tuning the stereo with a DSP is the most important. Moving up to another DSP like the Aerospace Mosconi ones will provide you a lot of potential, but tuning those will require a very knowledgeable person that has used them before. Not really DIY friendly but has the power to do whatever your heart desires.

So it's hard for me to recommend a better DSP as that will come with the responsibilities of finding a tuner to utilize the benefits.

Many ways to go about it. You can do it in steps or buy a complete package that includes everything, pre-tuned so you don't have to spend 6-months of trial/error picking our gear in the world of chaos from the 1,000 brands of car stereo.

The first step is to understand the acoustical treatment that is needed for good sound in these trucks. That is a combination of block-off plates, 3-layer mat, and Blackhole Tiles for the back wave. Just doing this portion will improve your factory system. From there, you will need electronics and determine how much sound quality/performance you are looking for.

Here is a text excerpt from our website that explains the main differences in the types of systems (3-way active, 2-way active, 2-way passive)

"When choosing your speaker configuration you will want to keep a few things in mind. As you go up “active” channels, the more control we have in the DSP, which delivers substantially better sound quality performance.For the 3-way active configuration, we are running two Mosconi PRO Class 5/30 five-channel amplifiers, one per side of the vehicle. This along with the Mosconi 8to12 Aerospace DSP provides us the ultimate control and fidelity to tune the stereo system. In this package, the subwoofer enclosure is a full vinyl front and also includes our custom 3-way a-pillars that we build in-house, loaded with the 3-way speakers of your choice. If you are serious about your stereo systems, this pre-tuned 3-way active package is for you.

The 2-way active is a more common setup that provides us full control over each speaker powered by the Mosconi One 90.8 DSP amplifier along with the Mosconi One 1000.1 subwoofer amplifier. This package also includes a built-in DSP so the performance and sound quality are substantially better than a traditional 2-way passive system. This package retains the factory tweeter locations and incorporates our premium carpeted custom subwoofer enclosure. This package is perfect for those that want the highest level of performance, and have a great ear for high-performance stereo systems, but do not want to spend the additional cost for the 3-way package.

In the 2-way passive system, we are utilizing a 5-channel amplifier and no signal processing. To do this, we chose the Focal FPX 5.1200 amplifier which provides 75wrms to each speaker and 720wrms to the subwoofer. This package is great for those who are wanting to upgrade their factory system but not break the bank on the higher-end packages."

Here is a link to our packages that are specifically designed, tuned and built for your truck:
https://soundsgoodstereo.com/collect...grade-packages

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Cough...

Welll, maybe we just do this in stages....

Is there still a start with a "six by nine / amp" route?

Mandatory Items: (Same as this kit)
Arc Audio Loaded Amplifier Racks for 2015-2022 Ford F-Series Trucks (B&O, Sony, Non-Amplified)
Options:
- 2-Way Passive
- Non-Amplified
- Price: $1,863.91
https://soundsgoodstereo.com/collect...42028166021332

Base Model T-Harness:
- Custom Radio Integration T-Harness for Base Model Vehicles - Compatible with 2021+ Ford Vehicles (RCA Option)
- https://soundsgoodstereo.com/collect...-ford-vehicles
- Price: $275

Signal Correction:
- Kicker KeyLOC (Need two to retain fader)
- https://soundsgoodstereo.com/product...dio-correction
- Price $129.99 Each

Power and Ground Kit
- Full-Length Power and Ground Power Cable Kit (Choose 4-gauge)
- https://soundsgoodstereo.com/collect...-2015-vehicles
- Price: $249.95

Amplifier Rack:
- 2015-2023 Ford F-Series Truck Custom Made Amplifier Rack/Plate/Board
- https://soundsgoodstereo.com/collect...ier-rack-plate
- Price: $150

From here, you need an amplifier, which we love the Audiocontrol and Arc Audio ones for the DIY community. Expect $500-1000 for a good 5-channel, the Arc Audio X2 1100.5 we use in this kit cost $969.

From here, you now need speakers, speaker adapters, tweeter adapters, block-off plates, sound treatment, subwoofers, subwoofer enclosure, and the hardest part for the DIY crowd, proper tuning of the electronics.

With speakers, nothing you read online in the specs will tell you the performance, sound quality, and potential volume of them. The only way to know is to talk to someone that has experience with many sets of speakers, not just one-two sets in their truck. Then you have to determine if they actually heard the speaker properly. For example, improper settings of the amplifier or lack of proper sound treatment will deteriorate the sound quality and volume of any speaker, regardless of price.

After you get the core of the electronics/install side, then pick out speakers. Expect to spend a minimum of $250 per pair for a decent pair with the average being around $500 for the front and $200 for the rear, so $700 in speakers.

For what you are looking for, this is the best package to get you started:
2015+ Ford F-Series - Non-Amplified - SuperCrew (SCREW) - Plug & Play Focal Stereo Upgrade Packages
Options to choose:
- 2-Way Passive
- Focal Access
- Two 10-inch Focal Flax EVO Sealed
- Price: $4,900.92
https://soundsgoodstereo.com/collect...grade-packages
Includes everything, it's pre-tuned in our truck before it ships and will yield the performance you are looking for.

Hope this helps

I appreciate the time and do value your contributions in this forum. Thank you.