Switch OEM speakers with JBL?

Has anyone tried this? Last night I installed a Boston Acoustics SC95 6x9 in the driver side door and the stock OEM speaker in the passenger side still sounded better. I plan on using just the Entune deck, no amps. So since this radio is pre set with frequencies for each channel, would there be any improvement if you put the 6x9 JBL's up front with the Entune deck? I'm curious to try and would buy some JBL's if someone has some laying around.

system

hyperlitewkbrdn said:

Has anyone tried this? Last night I installed a Boston Acoustics SC95 6x9 in the driver side door and the stock OEM speaker in the passenger side still sounded better. I plan on using just the Entune deck, no amps. So since this radio is pre set with frequencies for each channel, would there be any improvement if you put the 6x9 JBL's up front with the Entune deck? I'm curious to try and would buy some JBL's if someone has some laying around.

Click to expand...

You cannot make an honest assesment of the replacement speaker until:
1. You've installed both of the speakers in the pair
2. You've used the equalizer and balance/fade functionality to get the new system functioning optimally.

Remember, this is a system that you are messing with - not just an individual speaker. I'll say the best sound I've heard from the OEM setup was with Kappas in the dash and JL all around, with the factory woofer.

I dunno but I'm giddy about the setup I just purchased and need to install

A Pair of Alpine PDXF-4 (to power each speaker actively)
Rainbow W 165 Vanadiums for Front Doors
Rainbow Cal 27 Silk Teeeters for Dash
Hertz HCX 165 Coaxials for Tailgate

All I need is to decide on a DSP, kinda on the fence between a Helix PDSP or a Alpine PXAH800

This is my first time ever upgrading the sound system of a vehicle

characterzero said:

You cannot make an honest assesment of the replacement speaker until:
1. You've installed both of the speakers in the pair
2. You've used the equalizer and balance/fade functionality to get the new system functioning optimally.

Remember, this is a system that you are messing with - not just an individual speaker. I'll say the best sound I've heard from the OEM setup was with Kappas in the dash and JL all around, with the factory woofer.

Click to expand...

Yeah I agree. I just got done putting in the Kappa's and they sound great. It hides the muddiness of the stock 6x9 but still allows you to hear the bass. I'm thinking the best way to go is to keep all speakers stock except the kappa's unless you're adding an amp and a sub. Somehow they managed to get a lot of bass out of those paper cone speakers.

EDIT: Also, does anyone have a spare front left 6x9 OEM they would be willing to sell?

Helix dsp is excellent. Stay away from the Alpine. Might want to see if the Zapco is released. Your speaker selection sounds really exciting. Not as excited about the amps. Aren't those class d? Also, get a small sub.

Hawaiian4runner said:

Helix dsp is excellent. Stay away from the Alpine. Might want to see if the Zapco is released. Your speaker selection sounds really exciting. Not as excited about the amps. Aren't those class d? Also, get a small sub.

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I got a pretty decent quote for the Helix from an Authorized dealer for $500 I think.

Yah the Alpine Amps are class D, but apparently they are noise free, and for $300 new, and $190 used its hard to beat that bang for the buck. Plus they both fit under the front seats, so should either DSP, I want everything to remain stock looking with as little wires noticeable as possible.

I can't really fit a sub, I use the 3rd row sometimes and when I don't the rear is filled with a stroller and shopping bags lol (wife).

Maybe I'll go with those slim JL Boxes in the future.. Probably even fits behind 3rd row.

$500 is an excellent price. I paid $550 and that was less than any internet or mail order price I could find. I went all helix on dealers recommendation. He does alpine, pioneer, helix, massive audio and image dynamics and felt the helix dsp and amps had the best sound quality. I got a b four for $300 and b five for $400. Comparable price to the Alpines but they are class ab and quite large. The helix a series amps sound even better but run about $1600 for a 4 channel. Ended up removing sliding tray in back and building a compartment under the floor. Lots of space now and for future upgrades. No matter what you go with, most important aspect is the tuning. Have a pro do it. I'm a sound quality guy. Not SPL! Even with my inexpensive kappas, my sound quality is out of this world even while using speaker level outputs from the stock JBL amp. Good luck!

hyperlitewkbrdn said:

Yeah I agree. I just got done putting in the Kappa's and they sound great. It hides the muddiness of the stock 6x9 but still allows you to hear the bass. I'm thinking the best way to go is to keep all speakers stock except the kappa's unless you're adding an amp and a sub. Somehow they managed to get a lot of bass out of those paper cone speakers.

EDIT: Also, does anyone have a spare front left 6x9 OEM they would be willing to sell?

Click to expand...

Pm sent.

hyperlitewkbrdn said:

Has anyone tried this? Last night I installed a Boston Acoustics SC95 6x9 in the driver side door and the stock OEM speaker in the passenger side still sounded better. I plan on using just the Entune deck, no amps. So since this radio is pre set with frequencies for each channel, would there be any improvement if you put the 6x9 JBL's up front with the Entune deck? I'm curious to try and would buy some JBL's if someone has some laying around.

Click to expand...

Need to change both speakers to judge. Also, stock 6 x 9 is very efficient so it plays loud but muddy and inaccurate. stock system is tuned quite well for such crappy speakers. I would work on the dash speakers first and see how you like it then try to improve the doors. I have the nav with JBL premium sound. Dash plays highs and doors play the lows. It was hard to level match the kappas in the dash to any 6 x 9. Ended up using the mid/bass driver from a kappa 2 way component system. Big improvement over stock but still not quite there so I got a helix dsp and helix amps. Sound quality is phenomenal.

Stock head

Hey I went stock head unit and aftermarket everything else. I used the jl audio cleansweep for processor and it's awesome have everything running through JL Audio HD 900/5. Its a class d which I was skeptical but wanted small enough to hide it it fit the bill.bpricey but best amp I've ever used even class a's. Fits like glove under driver seat. Powers c5 653 up front and c2. 650x in back and hatch. Sub is an 8w7 that is unbelievable. Ported box. Which is kinda big but the sealed spec is .85 so pretty small. Amp pricey though but worth it. Buddy on here is gonna try a JBL mx8 processor and hd600/6 amp. Waiting to here his opinions? But IMHO those jl class d amps would satisfy any SQ guy.