JScaro Posted March 7, 2018 Report Share Posted March 7, 2018 (edited) Here's a list of the parts that I'll be installing in my 2017 Ford Edge Sport with Sony 12 Speaker / Sub system. Started off with the Sub & amp and of course not happy with the sound, just upgrading the sub & amp in the factory locations wasn't enough. I'll be upgrading the amps, wiring, and sound deadning to have control over the sound / DSP. I should start this weekend with Stage 2 and I'll take pictures detialing out as much as I can. I wanted to utilize all the fatory speaker location, I know it's over kill and not necessary but I did it anyway. Stage 1 Kicker 43CXA300.1 - Sub amp Kicker CompRT 43CWRT81 - Lazy and didn't use polyfil or sound deadner the area. Stage 2 iDatalink Maestro AR iDatalink HRN-AR-FO2 Kenwood Excelon XR600-6DSP - Main Amp Kenwood KAC-5207 - Front Center & Rear Pillar Amp, over kill I know Kicker 44KSC3504 - Front Center Speaker, other will be for sale. Stinger RKX36B Roadkill Expert Series Sound Damping Material Bulk Pack T-Spec V12 0ga install kit & Misc items - Future proof Polyfil Sub Box Stage 3 Rainbow CS 265 Profi Kick - Front Door Here are some links and stuff from the research I did. Hope to help others looking to do the same. YouTube videos on installs. How To: Ford Escape Speaker upgrade (all current fords) - Good refrence video speaker replacement, route I will go https://youtu.be/qw2RjuBKbiU Another one from Jason https://youtu.be/aWDZJB5G2M4 2017 iDatalink Maestro AR & KENWOOD eXcelon XR600-6DSP Detailed Explanation https://youtu.be/AktQWd2Y35c Kenwood XR600-6DSP & Maestro AR - Ford Edge Gen1 Installation https://youtu.be/x8qjcgoS8Pc 2017 KENWOOD eXcelon XR600-6DSP & iDatalink Maestro AR On-Site Installation Ford Edge Gen2 https://youtu.be/LCGTVdejGoE 2017 KENWOOD DSP Control APP Complete Setup for eXcelon XR600-6DSP OEM Integration Amplifier https://youtu.be/Aq1lAuj5geg 2018 KENWOOD eXcelon XR600-6DSP New Universal iDataLink Maestro AR Solution! https://youtu.be/WJ3LJTAe-pE idatalink Maestro Page http://maestro.idatalink.com/search/search?project=ar&vehicle_make_id=12&vehicle_year_id=2017&vehicle_model_id=609&vehicle_audio_id=12796 Ford Edge Forum usefull links Started here - Thanks to vipervenom550 got me hooked http://www.fordedgeforum.com/topic/22810-adding-aftermarket-amps-to-factory-system-with-new-ar-module-in-second-gen/ Another one full of info - Thanks HappyHourSport http://www.fordedgeforum.com/topic/19493-completed-custom-subwooferampspeaker-install-with-pics-and-diagrams-for-2015-sport-lots-of-pics/ http://www.fordedgeforum.com/topic/19317-new-build-2015-sport-stealth-jl-12-components-and-some-s/?hl=speaker&do=findComment&comment=142959 Great right up for changing rear door speakers - Thanks Lifeisabeach http://www.fordedgeforum.com/topic/21958-rear-door-speakers-replacement-2017-ford-edge/?hl=%2Bspeaker+%2Binstall&do=findComment&comment=164914 Front dash speaker replacement - Thanks Lifeisabeach http://www.fordedgeforum.com/topic/21874-2017-edge-dash-speaker-replacement-done/ 2017 Edge - replacing rear (cargo area) speakers in 12-speaker system - Thanks Lifeisabeach http://www.fordedgeforum.com/topic/21904-2017-edge-replacing-rear-cargo-area-speakers-in-12-speaker-system/?hl=speaker Improve The Quality Of Your OEM Sub For $5 - Thanks to gjb89 http://www.fordedgeforum.com/topic/21702-improve-the-quality-of-your-oem-sub-for-5/ Door Speaker Size and Replacements - Thanks bill valley http://www.fordedgeforum.com/topic/20243-door-speaker-size-and-replacements/?hl=speaker http://www.fordedgeforum.com/topic/20164-anyone-replace-their-sony-speakers/?hl=speaker To be continued..... Edited March 8, 2018 by JScaro Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tacyon Posted March 8, 2018 Report Share Posted March 8, 2018 (edited) OMG .. finally someone has done it! This is exactly what I've been waiting/looking for. I've never liked the output matching DSPs. It always felt like a kludgy, "sort of", solution. AND, a separate subwoofer .. that was my real desire. The XR600-6DSP is just the icing on the cake. Edited March 8, 2018 by Tacyon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JScaro Posted March 12, 2018 Author Report Share Posted March 12, 2018 (edited) Well, what a long weekend. Did the sound deadening, stuffed the sub box, and wired the amps. Ran out of time to get everything set up but got it close and here's my first impressions. Sound quality is better, even with the stock speakers. Need more time to tune. Issues to work out. Beep is gone on touch screen Navigation voice prompts gone? Need to figure out. **Edit 3/13/2018** All prompts must be adjusted individually. The sound/tone/prompt must be active and you adjust with the volume knob. Hopefully that makes sense. Here's a few pics, my Edge is dirty -sorry Sound deadening Ran the power cable through the fire wall - grommet located next to steering column under dash. Coat hanger will be you friend to fish the wire. To get the kick panel off, use a socket to release tabs. 0ga power wire barely fits More to come Edited March 13, 2018 by JScaro 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JScaro Posted March 12, 2018 Author Report Share Posted March 12, 2018 Snapped some pics of the sub box and measurements. This is for reference only. Measured to that raised section. Messured to the back of the box - if you removed the raised portion. Pics of the little rear pillar speakers Amps mounted - temporary, didn't like how it came out and going to make a better mounting platform. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gregertech Posted March 13, 2018 Report Share Posted March 13, 2018 Nice progress! Did you consider going with the PAC Amp Pro to get clean signal from the HU. https://www.crutchfield.com/p_541AP4FD21/PAC-AmpPRO-AP4-FD21-Amplifier-Replacement-Interface.html?tp=6348&awkw=311736183073&awat=pla&awnw=g&awcr=194929759579&awdv=c&awug=9019611 Keep the pics and details coming! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JScaro Posted March 13, 2018 Author Report Share Posted March 13, 2018 Nice progress! Did you consider going with the PAC Amp Pro to get clean signal from the HU. https://www.crutchfield.com/p_541AP4FD21/PAC-AmpPRO-AP4-FD21-Amplifier-Replacement-Interface.html?tp=6348&awkw=311736183073&awat=pla&awnw=g&awcr=194929759579&awdv=c&awug=9019611 Keep the pics and details coming! No, I wanted to try and keep it simple but this project has snowballed!! I liked the features of the iDatalink Maestro AR with the Kenwood Excelon XR600-6DSP 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evilkid500 Posted March 14, 2018 Report Share Posted March 14, 2018 Holy smokes. Excellent write up! Thank you for the detailed pictures and explanations. Well done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SidneyAks Posted June 23, 2021 Report Share Posted June 23, 2021 I know this is a super old thread, but quick question. @JScaro, how did you tap into the signal? It looks like going to the Sony DSP there are four distinct signals, LF, RF, LR, and RR, but after the DSP it's split out into a whole bunch of other signals for independent speakers. Did you tap the wires upstream of the DSP, or down stream of the DSP? And then, the DSP is downstream of the amp, right? So reguardless of where you tap the wires, they are all speaker level inputs, right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JScaro Posted June 23, 2021 Author Report Share Posted June 23, 2021 @SidneyAks I used the iDatalink / Kenwood DSP amp for the connections which made it plug and play. I really didn't care for how it turned out and put all the factory stuff back. Only changes I currently have is, replaced the center speaker, sub and sub amp. I personal think this is the best setup for the majority out there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SidneyAks Posted June 23, 2021 Report Share Posted June 23, 2021 @JScaro Ok, so when you replaced the sub and sub amp, did you tap those wires, or just use the existing wiring? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JScaro Posted June 24, 2021 Author Report Share Posted June 24, 2021 @SidneyAks I used the sub wires and connected it to an AudioControl lc2i (converts line level to RCA) than to the Kicker amp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SidneyAks Posted June 24, 2021 Report Share Posted June 24, 2021 @JScaro Awesome, Also, thank you again for taking the time to reply to a three year old thread! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CM '17 Edge Sport Posted July 25, 2021 Report Share Posted July 25, 2021 On 3/7/2018 at 4:25 PM, JScaro said: Here's a list of the parts that I'll be installing in my 2017 Ford Edge Sport with Sony 12 Speaker / Sub system. Started off with the Sub & amp and of course not happy with the sound, just upgrading the sub & amp in the factory locations wasn't enough. I'll be upgrading the amps, wiring, and sound deadning to have control over the sound / DSP. I should start this weekend with Stage 2 and I'll take pictures detialing out as much as I can. I wanted to utilize all the fatory speaker location, I know it's over kill and not necessary but I did it anyway. Stage 1 Kicker 43CXA300.1 - Sub amp Kicker CompRT 43CWRT81 - Lazy and didn't use polyfil or sound deadner the area. Stage 2 iDatalink Maestro AR iDatalink HRN-AR-FO2 Kenwood Excelon XR600-6DSP - Main Amp Kenwood KAC-5207 - Front Center & Rear Pillar Amp, over kill I know Kicker 44KSC3504 - Front Center Speaker, other will be for sale. Stinger RKX36B Roadkill Expert Series Sound Damping Material Bulk Pack T-Spec V12 0ga install kit & Misc items - Future proof Polyfil Sub Box Stage 3 Rainbow CS 265 Profi Kick - Front Door Here are some links and stuff from the research I did. Hope to help others looking to do the same. YouTube videos on installs. How To: Ford Escape Speaker upgrade (all current fords) - Good refrence video speaker replacement, route I will go https://youtu.be/qw2RjuBKbiU Another one from Jason https://youtu.be/aWDZJB5G2M4 2017 iDatalink Maestro AR & KENWOOD eXcelon XR600-6DSP Detailed Explanation https://youtu.be/AktQWd2Y35c Kenwood XR600-6DSP & Maestro AR - Ford Edge Gen1 Installation https://youtu.be/x8qjcgoS8Pc 2017 KENWOOD eXcelon XR600-6DSP & iDatalink Maestro AR On-Site Installation Ford Edge Gen2 https://youtu.be/LCGTVdejGoE 2017 KENWOOD DSP Control APP Complete Setup for eXcelon XR600-6DSP OEM Integration Amplifier https://youtu.be/Aq1lAuj5geg 2018 KENWOOD eXcelon XR600-6DSP New Universal iDataLink Maestro AR Solution! https://youtu.be/WJ3LJTAe-pE idatalink Maestro Page http://maestro.idatalink.com/search/search?project=ar&vehicle_make_id=12&vehicle_year_id=2017&vehicle_model_id=609&vehicle_audio_id=12796 Ford Edge Forum usefull links Started here - Thanks to vipervenom550 got me hooked http://www.fordedgeforum.com/topic/22810-adding-aftermarket-amps-to-factory-system-with-new-ar-module-in-second-gen/ Another one full of info - Thanks HappyHourSport http://www.fordedgeforum.com/topic/19493-completed-custom-subwooferampspeaker-install-with-pics-and-diagrams-for-2015-sport-lots-of-pics/ http://www.fordedgeforum.com/topic/19317-new-build-2015-sport-stealth-jl-12-components-and-some-s/?hl=speaker&do=findComment&comment=142959 Great right up for changing rear door speakers - Thanks Lifeisabeach http://www.fordedgeforum.com/topic/21958-rear-door-speakers-replacement-2017-ford-edge/?hl=%2Bspeaker+%2Binstall&do=findComment&comment=164914 Front dash speaker replacement - Thanks Lifeisabeach http://www.fordedgeforum.com/topic/21874-2017-edge-dash-speaker-replacement-done/ 2017 Edge - replacing rear (cargo area) speakers in 12-speaker system - Thanks Lifeisabeach http://www.fordedgeforum.com/topic/21904-2017-edge-replacing-rear-cargo-area-speakers-in-12-speaker-system/?hl=speaker Improve The Quality Of Your OEM Sub For $5 - Thanks to gjb89 http://www.fordedgeforum.com/topic/21702-improve-the-quality-of-your-oem-sub-for-5/ Door Speaker Size and Replacements - Thanks bill valley http://www.fordedgeforum.com/topic/20243-door-speaker-size-and-replacements/?hl=speaker http://www.fordedgeforum.com/topic/20164-anyone-replace-their-sony-speakers/?hl=speaker To be continued..... Would simply replacing stock speakers improve audio or do I need to replace amp as well?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted July 26, 2021 Report Share Posted July 26, 2021 On 7/25/2021 at 2:21 AM, CM '17 Edge Sport said: Would simply replacing stock speakers improve audio or do I need to replace amp as well?? It can help a lot. Always best to start there. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j4vier129 Posted September 8, 2021 Report Share Posted September 8, 2021 Did the kicker sub and amp make any difference in the factory box? Or should I invest in the JL stealthbox? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JScaro Posted September 10, 2021 Author Report Share Posted September 10, 2021 @j4vier129 The Sub and amp with some polyfill probably the best thing for most people. If you have money to burn, I'd go the JL stealth box. They didn't have it available at the time of my install or I would have went with JL. The sound deadening also made a big difference, a little overkill for the average person but my original intent was to do a full out audio install. Changing the front center speaker helped some too. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j4vier129 Posted September 10, 2021 Report Share Posted September 10, 2021 On 9/8/2021 at 7:31 PM, j4vier129 said: Did the kicker sub and amp make any difference in the factory box? Or should I invest in the JL stealthbox? I plan to eventually do a full out sound system upgrade but the first stage would be sub and amp swap, I'm keeping an eye on that JL box but I may go the less expensive route. Thank you for your input Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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