2020 Explorer XLT stereo wattage

[Mike VanBuskirk]

Does anyone know what the wattage per channel the stock Explorer XLT stereo is putting out?
Looking at aftermarket speakers and need to know what I'm dealing with.

Thanks

 

[I bleed Ford Blue]

Less than 20w RMS per channel on the base system.

 

[Mike VanBuskirk]

Less than 20w RMS per channel on the base system.

Wow that's weak. Guess I'll just put in a set of good speakers and tweeters with the stock deck.

 

[EXFAN]

You should be OK but confirm if the 20w per channel will "push" the new speakers you plan to install. If not,, they could sound worse. Adding an amp may be necessary and will broaden your choice of speakers.

 

[peterk9]

Wow that's weak. Guess I'll just put in a set of good speakers and tweeters with the stock deck.

Welcome to the Forum Mike.

Peter

 

[Mike VanBuskirk]

Welcome to the Forum Mike.

Peter

Thank you Peter

 

[Mike VanBuskirk]

You should be OK but confirm if the 20w per channel will "push" the new speakers you plan to install. If not,, they could sound worse. Adding an amp may be necessary and will broaden your choice of speakers.

I have been using Crutchfield and their great service for years and this is the first vehicle I have owned that putting in a great sound system is such a pain. My 2007 Honda Accord has Polk MM separates in the doors, Polk 6.5 two ways in the rear window deck and two 12" Infiniti Kappa dual voice coil subs in the trunk along with two amplifiers. The stereo in this Explorer leaves a lot to be desired after listening to the one in the Honda for so long. Oh well, can't work on these vehicles any longer and its gotten to where you can't upgrade the sound system all that easy as well.

 

[Spacey]

IMO the "premium" Bose system in my ST with Tech Package isn't any better. I can't really tell if the sub woofer is functioning from the low frequency response it provides. Someone here posted a thread on a really nice install they did, that I'm sure is great. But in 2021, for the money paid, the factory system should at least be decent and in my opinion it isn't.

 

[Mike VanBuskirk]

IMO the "premium" Bose system in my ST with Tech Package isn't any better. I can't really tell if the sub woofer is functioning from the low frequency response it provides. Someone here posted a thread on a really nice install they did, that I'm sure is great. But in 2021, for the money paid, the factory system should at least be decent and in my opinion it isn't.

I agree 100% on the factory putting in something better. I have never heard a factory stereo from any manufacturer that sounded good to me. They need to use quality, name brand speakers and amplifiers in their systems not these cheap, paper cone speakers.

 

[Mike VanBuskirk]

According to what I saw on Crutchfield's website the lower door speakers only produce bass so no matter if you put a two way speaker in that spot or anything else it only produces bass. That means there is an inline crossover in the wiring.
Can anyone confirm this?

Thanks

 

[Terry Long Sr.]

I replaced the factory speakers in my 96 explorer with Cerwin Vega 3-way 6x8's in all 4 doors still using the factory amp with a Planet Audio Bluetooth head unit. No idea what the factory amp puts out but everything works as it should so far and I've had no issues as of yet with the setup! Now I do realize that yours is a 20 so it may not be as simple as mine was but I had read so many things on here about special wiring harness having to be used so the factory amp would still power the door speakers. I only had to use the Antenna Power wire on the factory amp wire to make it all work like a factory system!

 

[J_C]

According to what I saw on Crutchfield's website the lower door speakers only produce bass so no matter if you put a two way speaker in that spot or anything else it only produces bass. That means there is an inline crossover in the wiring.
Can anyone confirm this?

Thanks

Can you link to where you see this? On Crutchfield's site I'm seeing two ways available for lower door, depending on which sound system?

 

[Mike VanBuskirk]

Can you link to where you see this? On Crutchfield's site I'm seeing two ways available for lower door, depending on which sound system?

I just talked to a Crutchfield advisor for a while in text. He said it looks like it's full range going to the woofer in the Explorer.
I just ordered the JL C1-650 components to replace the stock speakers. I listen to classic rock and blues almost exclusively so he recommended them for me using only the stock system without an amp.

 

[Mike VanBuskirk]

I replaced the factory speakers in my 96 explorer with Cerwin Vega 3-way 6x8's in all 4 doors still using the factory amp with a Planet Audio Bluetooth head unit. No idea what the factory amp puts out but everything works as it should so far and I've had no issues as of yet with the setup! Now I do realize that yours is a 20 so it may not be as simple as mine was but I had read so many things on here about special wiring harness having to be used so the factory amp would still power the door speakers. I only had to use the Antenna Power wire on the factory amp wire to make it all work like a factory system!

All that's needed is wiring harnesses that plug into the factory Ford plugs. Crutchfield supplies those for free when you purchase speakers.

 

[MrBlonde]

I just talked to a Crutchfield advisor for a while in text. He said it looks like it's full range going to the woofer in the Explorer.
I just ordered the JL C1-650 components to replace the stock speakers. I listen to classic rock and blues almost exclusively so he recommended them for me using only the stock system without an amp.

Please keep us posted on your results and the install process. Interested in doing some upgrades to the factory stereo as well.
Did Crutchfield have any comments or recommendations on adding an amp to the factory stereo?

I purchased their stereo install instructions for our Explorers but the stereo interface section is a little light on details, especially for our XLT system.

 

[Mike VanBuskirk]

Please keep us posted on your results and the install process. Interested in doing some upgrades to the factory stereo as well.
Did Crutchfield have any comments or recommendations on adding an amp to the factory stereo?

I purchased their stereo install instructions for our Explorers but the stereo interface section is a little light on details, especially for our XLT system.

No I didn't ask about amplifier installation as I am not going to mess with an amp this time.

 

[Mike VanBuskirk]

Please keep us posted on your results and the install process. Interested in doing some upgrades to the factory stereo as well.
Did Crutchfield have any comments or recommendations on adding an amp to the factory stereo?

I purchased their stereo install instructions for our Explorers but the stereo interface section is a little light on details, especially for our XLT system.

Ok, I installed the JL speakers today and they sound much better than the stock ones. Installation was fairly easy using the speaker mounting bracket and wiring harness from Crutchfield. The JL tweeters fit fairly tight into the door opening but I also put some clear silicone around the edges to help secure them. I did have to drill a 11/32" hole in the side of the plastic speaker molding in the door to run the speaker wires through so that the speaker could fit flush against the bracket. I sealed that hole with silicone as well after running the wires through and hooking it all up. I have attached a photo of the cheap stock speaker versus the new JL speaker to see the difference in quality.

 

[MrBlonde]

Ok, I installed the JL speakers today and they sound much better than the stock ones. Installation was fairly easy using the speaker mounting bracket and wiring harness from Crutchfield. The JL tweeters fit fairly tight into the door opening but I also put some clear silicone around the edges to help secure them. I did have to drill a 11/32" hole in the side of the plastic speaker molding in the door to run the speaker wires through so that the speaker could fit flush against the bracket. I sealed that hole with silicone as well after running the wires through and hooking it all up. I have attached a photo of the cheap stock speaker versus the new JL speaker to see the difference in quality.

View attachment 342655

Great - thanks for the follow up!

 

[CanuckMG]

Ok, I installed the JL speakers today and they sound much better than the stock ones. Installation was fairly easy using the speaker mounting bracket and wiring harness from Crutchfield. The JL tweeters fit fairly tight into the door opening but I also put some clear silicone around the edges to help secure them. I did have to drill a 11/32" hole in the side of the plastic speaker molding in the door to run the speaker wires through so that the speaker could fit flush against the bracket. I sealed that hole with silicone as well after running the wires through and hooking it all up. I have attached a photo of the cheap stock speaker versus the new JL speaker to see the difference in quality.

View attachment 342655

hi - thanks for posting this Mike. I have a '21 XLT base model and am considering an audio upgrade. It's a fleet vehicle so I really don't want to go beyond speakers. Can you help me with how much better you find the sound with the upgrade? I see yours is a 2020. I find most of the sound pretty weak on most sources (eg SXM, FM, etc) and lower volumes, although today as I'm writing this as a passenger, on SXM bpm, I'm noticing that the bass is actually a bit better which has me confused now as to whether the speakers need to be replaced or not. I'm at volume 11 at highway speed, fade slightly towards rear. Anyone else notice the base system sounds okay sometimes and other times not or am I losing my mind. Thanks for your insight before I order up a set and tear open the doors.

 

[peterk9]

Granted I have a different vehicle, but volume 11? I think I have mine set at level 4 or 5.

Peter