B&O Rear Speakers Alternative

[sbi]

I don't consider myself an audio pro, never ever installed super duper expensive audio systems in my vehicles, subs, tweets, etc. Play 10 different audio system/speakers for me, I'll probably like 8 out of the 10.

That being said:
My 502A comes with the "standard" B&O. As I mentioned - it sounds very good to me , no complaints.
However, I noticed that I hear mostly the front speakers. I checked the balance and it's right on center, so I shifted all the audio to the rear and I could barely hear it, they seem to be significantly weaker than those in the front.
Now, as I said I am not an "Audio crazy" person but I am hoping to be able to hear music from "all directions", including the rear speakers (I remember my daughter telling me one day "yes, I hear it but it's not loud").

So I am asking you, the audio professionals - is the problem with the speakers or with the signal that is being sent to them? Are there speakers that will provide "equal" level if I replace only the rear ones?
Not interested in a complete sound system overhaul, not going to install subs or anything like that.

Thanks in advance.

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[bgalakazam]

Same here. I love the 8 speaker system. My children did also say rear speakers are quieter. I tried messing with the balance as well, but that only made the front quieter and I have to turn up the volume more. I also run in Stereo mode. Source is either lossless alac / flac, or high bitrate mp3 / aac.

It is a 6 channel amp, but probably the front tweeters are part of the midwoofer? Would be a waste of channels and leave the rears alone. Open to suggestions / explanation if the rears are like this by design. I use the F-150 as a family vehicle (until our Explorer comes in). @SoundGoodStereo usually has good input.

 

[bgalakazam]

Looking into some forum searches, it's a common "issue"/occurence. They are designed as rear surround or fill. Normally not an issue, but rear passengers will not get the best experience.

 

[rugedraw]

I recently swapped out some of the factory door speakers for some aftermarket ones and it made a huge difference in sound quality and also in the volume of the rear speakers. The link below shows lots of different brands of speakers that fit the rear doors of our trucks. You want to go with something low wattage so that the factory amp can push them adequately.

https://www.crutchfield.com/g_473750/6-6-1-2-6-3-4-Speakers.html?tp=78072&fa=1#&avf=Y&l=D

 

[sbi]

I recently swapped out some of the factory door speakers for some aftermarket ones and it made a huge difference in sound quality and also in the volume of the rear speakers. The link below shows lots of different brands of speakers that fit the rear doors of our trucks. You want to go with something low wattage so that the factory amp can push them adequately.

https://www.crutchfield.com/g_473750/6-6-1-2-6-3-4-Speakers.html?tp=78072&fa=1#&avf=Y&l=D

Not sure why Crutchfield shows a red remark on all the speakers that fit the F-150 that "you'll need to cut the back of the factory speaker grill" even though they provide the Metra 82-5605 bracket and I clearly saw on YouTube that nothing needs to be done with the speaker grill.

 

[rugedraw]

Not sure why Crutchfield shows a red remark on all the speakers that fit the F-150 that "you'll need to cut the back of the factory speaker grill" even though they provide the Metra 82-5605 bracket and I clearly saw on YouTube that nothing needs to be done with the speaker grill.

I'm not sure, tbh. The shop that did mine told me that no modifications were required to install the rear door speaker. The tweeter is a different story.

 

[sbi]

You want to go with something low wattage so that the factory amp can push them adequately.

What would be considered wattage range that the factory amp can handle? Not even sure where to find the amp's specs.

 

[rugedraw]

What would be considered wattage range that the factory amp can handle? Not even sure where to find the amp's specs.

The B&O system is rated at 1080 watts, but who knows how that is distributed throughout the "18" speakers. I read somewhere that the door speakers are rated at 26 watts, and the ones I put in are 125 watts, and like you saw in my other posts, it does sound a little louder a lot clearer. I would be curious to see if I went with a lower wattage speaker than what I went with, if it would sound louder. However, I am happy enough with the system as it is where I don't care to experiment with that.

 

[sbi]

I recently swapped out some of the factory door speakers for some aftermarket ones and it made a huge difference in sound quality and also in the volume of the rear speakers. The link below shows lots of different brands of speakers that fit the rear doors of our trucks. You want to go with something low wattage so that the factory amp can push them adequately.

https://www.crutchfield.com/g_473750/6-6-1-2-6-3-4-Speakers.html?tp=78072&fa=1#&avf=Y&l=D

So I got these yesterday from Crutchfield along with the (free) Metra adapter.
The speakers came with screws but I can't use them on the adapter, they are two small and it doesn't even look like the adapter's screw holes are threaded.
Also, as I mentioned above and Crutchfield chat rep didn't have an answer - in all of their "fit your F-150" rear door speakers it says that it will be necessary to cut the back cover of the OEM B&O grill. The back of the grill has a round plastic "cone" that protrude from the grill. Since I could not mount the speaker to the adapter, I could not tell how far will it be from the door and if it reaches that plastic cone and if it requires to cut it, as the web side says. I am not sure I am even willing to cut it.

Also, to the "credit" of the flimsy paper OEM "B&O" speaker - which you become aware of only if you take the door cover off - at least it has a foam insulation on its outer edge where it meets said plastic cone, to absorb any vibrations. I don't see such a thing in any of the aftermarket speakers.
I'll call Crutchfiled today for some advise. At least they offer 60 days returns.

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