B&O 10" sub replacement?

[Fruitstang]

[...] What makes the stock stereo somewhat unique is that it is calibrated as a surround sound system. The center dash speaker is specifically designed to be a center voice speaker in surround mode [...]

Do you happen to have a source for that statement?
The center speaker in a a car audio system is supposed to help put the so called stereo stage between it and the respective side speakers.
Reason being is that otherwise this stage can only be created good for either the driver or for the passenger due to time delay and different volume levels caused by different distances between left and right speakers to the drivers or the passengers ears.
It is just a compromise and not intended to shift voices to the center.
It often does not play the full frequency spectrum as the side speakers do, so while in a home cinema rig the center speaker plays a major role, in car audio it doesn't and shouldn't, it just slightly supports.

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[Starship Enterprise]

Maybe I’m just assuming based on the pure definition of Surround Sound. Also the center speaker is the only 8 ohm speaker. But maybe the Surround Sound mode is just another catch phrase Ford uses. Or does it go to pure vocal mode in surround and then does what you’re describing when selecting stereo? I need to really listen close and see if only voice comes out the center speaker in Surround Mode.

I grew up with cars having a pair of 6x9’s in the front and a pair of 6x9’s in the back…lol. So this is all kind of new to me.

Also I put in my Pioneer subwoofer today. it was no louder than the stock speaker when faded all the way to rear. But for some reason the entire 12 speaker system sounded better overall and I felt more bass but coming from the front/side woofers….or wherever they are. I don’t know changing the subwoofer made the other speakers sound better, but damn….they do.

Or maybe I just can’t rely on my ears to base a solid opinion….lol.

 

[Gregs24]

Maybe I’m just assuming based on the pure definition of Surround Sound. Also the center speaker is the only 8 ohm speaker. But maybe the Surround Sound mode is just another catch phrase Ford uses. Or does it go to pure vocal mode in surround and then does what you’re describing when selecting stereo? I need to really listen close and see if only voice comes out the center speaker in Surround Mode.

I grew up with cars having a pair of 6x9’s in the front and a pair of 6x9’s in the back…lol. So this is all kind of new to me.

Also I put in my Pioneer subwoofer today. it was no louder than the stock speaker when faded all the way to rear. But for some reason the entire 12 speaker system sounded better overall and I felt more bass but coming from the front/side woofers….or wherever they are. I don’t know changing the subwoofer made the other speakers sound better, but damn….they do.

Or maybe I just can’t rely on my ears to base a solid opinion….lol.

The Pioneer sub improves the sound because it doesn't boom and resonate like the OEM one. You can then hear the upper bass from the other speakers more clearly.

 

[Starship Enterprise]

The Pioneer sub improves the sound because it doesn't boom and resonate like the OEM one. You can then hear the upper bass from the other speakers more clearly.

That is probably the most perfect explanation possible. Thanks for making it all make sense!

 

[AZ_Ryan]

The Pioneer sub improves the sound because it doesn't boom and resonate like the OEM one. You can then hear the upper bass from the other speakers more clearly.

That is an excellent explanation. Having just done the swap, I 100% agree.

 

[steveo1960]

The Pioneer sub improves the sound because it doesn't boom and resonate like the OEM one. You can then hear the upper bass from the other speakers more clearly.

Great explanation. To my ears, the stock sub is all upper mid bass "thump" with little to no actual, typical, subwoofer frequencies. It's kind of like the smiley curve people use on their EQ, low end only of course. Example, i was listening to a 320k Mp3 of "A Taste Of Honey" Boogie, Oogie, Oogie, a late 70's tune with a nice bass line. While the B&O did replicate the string snap rather well, the low end was mud with a huge say 200hz bump so it covered up the true low end of the bass guitar. I also listen to a lot of jazz and big band music both ancient 40's recordings up until the 70's Direct To Disc recordings and the acoustic bass turns to mud with the stock sub... Not sure how the "boom boom" crowd feels but I suspect they will have similar complaints... Thoughts?

 

[Starship Enterprise]

After I put the Pioneer in, and playing with the fader, I put on Xm Radio and Beastie Boys came on, and the bass was thumping like it never had before! But it was coming from the other woofers which somehow woke up after putting the Pioneer sub in.

I think Gregs nailed it….

I do have a new 8 ohm center speaker coming Monday. Figure why not? Of course it’s like $6 cheaper than when I ordered it a few days ago. Frikkin Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00Q3M9852?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

 

[Cobrakit]

I do have a new 8 ohm center speaker coming Monday.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00Q3M9852?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

Same here, but through ebay. Hard to find an 8ohm 3 1/2in speaker. Hope it's an easy install like the 4ohm Infinity.

 

[Starship Enterprise]

Yeah, 8 ohm centers are not as plentiful as 4 ohms. But with my limited knowledge of what I can and can’t get away with, I am sticking with the same impedance. I’m afraid of stressing any components by putting something wrong in.

 

[AZ_Ryan]

What center speaker is everyone getting?

 

[Starship Enterprise]

The one I ordered is on post #112. I’m staying with 8 ohm as OEM.

 

[TonyP66]

Getting ready to prep the Pioneer sub for an install. I was just planning to Dremel out the new sub as shown somewhere on these threads so I don't have to drill new holes. I just need to find the right Dremel wheel. Thanks for all the great info here. I am going to try to use my headlamp to pop the cover clips at their point of contact with hopes they do not break.

I do get those that want to go all in on a complete rebuild of the audio but that is not me and this will at the very least give me the peace of mind I have upgraded something that is easy to do.

 

[Cobrakit]

I am going to try to use my headlamp to pop the cover clips at their point of contact with hopes they do not break.

If your not going to use the orginal grill, it doesn't matter. You can attach the trim ring using double sided tape and the 4 bar grill will hold it in place. However, if you are going to use the orginal grill, this is the pin (1 of 6) that you need to release. A small flat screw driver and push on the side of this pin, then pull on trim ring.

 

[Starship Enterprise]

I just rotated the Pioneer ever so slightly and drilled new holes in the sub box, rotating the speaker put the new holes nowhere near the stock holes. Then I put on the new trim ring and 4 bar grill. Looks cool, and made the job 1/2 hour instead of 2 hours. You can’t notice the Pioneer logo is slightly uphill.

If you go that route, just be sure to drill the holes real small, so the new screws have more bite.

Be prepared…the new sub won’t be any louder, but all the rest of your speakers will now sound louder, clearer and have more bass. It’s a weird trickle down effect Supposedly because of less bad resonance that the OEM sub produced.

Looking forward to your report!

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