Highly recommend Hertz 165 speakers for a cheap, easy upgrade

[timhNorCal]

Okay, we all know the stock XLT speakers are absolutely atrocious. I tried the PowerBass drop ins and, in addition to not sounding much better, they didn't actually fit for me (despite trimming off all the foam).

Fast forward a couple weeks and a ton of research, and I just dropped in these Hertz 165 coaxial speakers from Crutchfield, $80 with all the adapters and brackets. They sound SO much better, much clearer bass and mid (and probably highs, too). Of course they will never rock the cab without an amp, but they are a big time improvement for the cost.

Install was pretty straightforward, just had to pop off some tabs on the mounting bracket and also drill a hole in said bracket to sneak the wires through (or I suppose you could just smush them between the bracket and the door).

I read on the forum that some people disconnected the factory tweeters after this type of swap; I may try that, but to be honest need a little break after going through this whole thing twice. Anyway, just wanted to share my experience and recommendation!

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[Equator Guy]

Thanks, good to know. I will soon pull the trigger on upgraded speakers soon. Leaning toward the Hertz K165 (component). Considered the PB component speakers but it looks like the Hertz is a better bet without an amplifier, due to its better sensitivity (louder with less watts). I may go with an amp at some point but want to try w/o first.

 

[timhNorCal]

Thanks, good to know. I will soon pull the trigger on upgraded speakers soon. Leaning toward the Hertz K165 (component). Considered the PB component speakers but it looks like the Hertz is a better bet without an amplifier, due to its better sensitivity (louder with less watts). I may go with an amp at some point but want to try w/o first.

Let me know how the Hertz tweeters work out. I was hesitant on those because 1) not sure if they're an easy fit due to the custom Ford bracket and 2) the factory tweeters are 8 ohm, so didn't want to swap them out with a 4 ohm tweeter.

 

[Toddman45]

I installed the Hertz k170 components and the sound upgrade was well worth it. I'm only powering them with the stock power, I imagine it would sound even better with a aftermarket amp.

 

[Equator Guy]

I installed the Hertz k170 components and the sound upgrade was well worth it. I'm only powering them with the stock power, I imagine it would sound even better with a aftermarket amp.

Looks good! How were the tweeters to install? Is that velcro you used (wrapped around the tweeter) to make it fit snugly into the mounting bracket?

 

[Toddman45]

Looks good! How were the tweeters to install? Is that velcro you used (wrapped around the tweeter) to make it fit snugly into the mounting bracket?

Very easy, it's just Tessa tape or cloth tape wrapped around the housing of the tweeters. Metra makes plug n play wiring adapters for the tweeters so no cutting or splicing required for them as well.

 

[mwbaumannmo]

Okay, we all know the stock XLT speakers are absolutely atrocious. I tried the PowerBass drop ins and, in addition to not sounding much better, they didn't actually fit for me (despite trimming off all the foam).

Fast forward a couple weeks and a ton of research, and I just dropped in these Hertz 165 coaxial speakers from Crutchfield, $80 with all the adapters and brackets. They sound SO much better, much clearer bass and mid (and probably highs, too). Of course they will never rock the cab without an amp, but they are a big time improvement for the cost.

Install was pretty straightforward, just had to pop off some tabs on the mounting bracket and also drill a hole in said bracket to sneak the wires through (or I suppose you could just smush them between the bracket and the door).

I read on the forum that some people disconnected the factory tweeters after this type of swap; I may try that, but to be honest need a little break after going through this whole thing twice. Anyway, just wanted to share my experience and recommendation!

A few questions on the speakers please:
1. What is the size of the stock speaker vs the size of the new K165/170?
2. Do they drop in without and door panel cutting?
3. Where do the tweeters get installed, up under the dash replacing the stock tweeters?
4. Looks like the K165s are 4 Ohms, are the stock speakers also 4 ohms?

 

[Toddman45]

A few questions on the speakers please:
1. What is the size of the stock speaker vs the size of the new K165/170?
2. Do they drop in without and door panel cutting?
3. Where do the tweeters get installed, up under the dash replacing the stock tweeters?
4. Looks like the K165s are 4 Ohms, are the stock speakers also 4 ohms?

1. Stock speaker is 6&1/2 attached to a built in plastic base. K165 is 6 & 1/2 while k170 are 6 & 3/4.

2.both sizes will fit using a metra speaker adaper without any vehicle modifications.

3. The tweeters replace the stock tweeters in the dash corners near the windshield.

4. The door speakers are 4 ohms while the dash tweeters are 8 ohms and the rear pillar speakers are 4 ohms.

 

[Antigen]

Thanks, good to know. I will soon pull the trigger on upgraded speakers soon. Leaning toward the Hertz K165 (component). Considered the PB component speakers but it looks like the Hertz is a better bet without an amplifier, due to its better sensitivity (louder with less watts). I may go with an amp at some point but want to try w/o first.

I just had the Hertz K170 component speakers installed in my 23 XLT hybrid and found the upgrade to be well worth it.

 

[timhNorCal]

1. Stock speaker is 6&1/2 attached to a built in plastic base. K165 is 6 & 1/2 while k170 are 6 & 3/4.

2.both sizes will fit using a metra speaker adaper without any vehicle modifications.

3. The tweeters replace the stock tweeters in the dash corners near the windshield.

4. The door speakers are 4 ohms while the dash tweeters are 8 ohms and the rear pillar speakers are 4 ohms.

One thing I would add is that the front door speaker receives the full frequency range, there is no crossover. That’s why I went a coaxial, but obviously component systems work great also.

 

[mitch8080]

Will this have any issues with warranty? Will ford play games and screw me if I install these myself?

 

[Pappamoto]

Anyone install these hertz speakers to the B&O system? If so, is the improvement noticeable? I'm thinking the B&O system probably just use the base speakers as well, but just add improvements to the electronics while adding the center and sub.

Edit: I saw on an older thread that the B&O speakers are a small upgrade to the base ones, so would probably be a smaller improvement with the lower end Hertz models. Not sure how much money it would take to notice a big improvement. Also read that the mid speaker needed a resistor soldered in series so that they wouldn't drown out the other front speakers.

Edit 2: I answered my own question by installing the Hertz tweeters. It's a pretty big difference to me as it seems to take out the shrill/screeching treble audio. I went ahead and installed them because it was easy. Only took me about 30min to do both!

 

[greerd]

Edit 2: I answered my own question by installing the Hertz tweeters. It's a pretty big difference to me as it seems to take out the shrill/screeching treble audio. I went ahead and installed them because it was easy. Only took me about 30min to do both!

Did you end up using in-line resistors?

 

[Pappamoto]

Did you end up using in-line resistors?

No resistors on the tweeters. They are actually less noticeable with the Hertz than the originals were. Might be because the audio from them are much cleaner and don't hurt my ears.

 

[timhNorCal]

I’ve been meaning to try disconnecting my factory tweeters and see how that sounds since the door speakers I put in are coaxial. Don’t really need the highs blasting off the windshield into my face, is the thought.

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