3rd Gen Speakers

[gamefreakgc]

Not to resurect an old thread, but I'm looking at this exact setup. I have bought a Pioneer DEH-X8700BH which has 22 RMS per channel. I would like to avoid having an amp but if it is absolutely necessary then I will buy one. Here's what I currently have in my shopping cart:

Infinity Reference Components - $90

14AWG wire - 50ft - $10


If I need to get an amp I would get the Alpine KTP-445U. I have two questions if I get an amp; can I mount it behind the head unit in the dash? and will I need to buy an amp wiring kit: Amp wiring kit - $32


When I have to take the door panels off I'm going to install sound deadening material from home depot. How does all this sound and should I skip the amp?

If I could add an opinion, I documented my audio install here: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/203866-thinking-about-upgrading-your-sound-system-do.html. I took some of the suggestions also in this thread and others based on my experiences.

Go for the Infinity Reference 6500 CX series https://www.amazon.com/Infinity-Ref...13300&sr=1-1&keywords=infinity+reference+6500, not the 6030 CS. I've heard both and in my opinion (everyone likes something different) the CS have too much treble and little to no bass, despite being a 6.5 in speaker. The Reference is much more well-rounded with decent mid bass. Plus you can bump up the tweeters +3 db with the adjustable crossover if you still like the high treble. However, both of these speakers will not be at their best without an amp. 22 watts rms is ok, but still underpowered. They are made to handle up to 90 watts. I'm sitting at 45 with the power pack and they sound pretty good. My head unit however was at 18 and they sounded just like the stock speakers I replaced.

Here's a short synopsis I wrote before that might be helpful:

After doing the front end of the vehicle, it is a HUGE improvement in sound, at least to me. I still get a lot of road noise from the rear of the vehicle but the speakers sound awesome. I tested it along the way to hear improvements to see what was most effective:

1. Adding the amp brought it to life. These Infinitys really shine with an amp, but I knew that already. Clear highs and good bass, almost feels like I have a small sub tucked away somewhere!
2. The sound deadening quieted down the cabin and increased bass response but more importantly, took away all the rattles I had in the door panels.
3. Just swapping the speakers did very little to improve sound, even though Infinitys are good quality. Would have been a waste of the speakers if I stopped there.

Now that I'm really going at it, an amp and sound deadening or some sort of insulating foam is a must. Those showed way more improvement than just swapping speakers.

 

[ir0nma1den]

If I could add an opinion, I documented my audio install here: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/203866-thinking-about-upgrading-your-sound-system-do.html. I took some of the suggestions also in this thread and others based on my experiences.

Go for the Infinity Reference 6500 CX series https://www.amazon.com/Infinity-Ref...13300&sr=1-1&keywords=infinity+reference+6500, not the 6030 CS. I've heard both and in my opinion (everyone likes something different) the CS have too much treble and little to no bass, despite being a 6.5 in speaker. The Reference is much more well-rounded with decent mid bass. Plus you can bump up the tweeters +3 db with the adjustable crossover if you still like the high treble. However, both of these speakers will not be at their best without an amp. 22 watts rms is ok, but still underpowered. They are made to handle up to 90 watts. I'm sitting at 45 with the power pack and they sound pretty good. My head unit however was at 18 and they sounded just like the stock speakers I replaced.

Here's a short synopsis I wrote before that might be helpful:

After doing the front end of the vehicle, it is a HUGE improvement in sound, at least to me. I still get a lot of road noise from the rear of the vehicle but the speakers sound awesome. I tested it along the way to hear improvements to see what was most effective:

1. Adding the amp brought it to life. These Infinitys really shine with an amp, but I knew that already. Clear highs and good bass, almost feels like I have a small sub tucked away somewhere!
2. The sound deadening quieted down the cabin and increased bass response but more importantly, took away all the rattles I had in the door panels.
3. Just swapping the speakers did very little to improve sound, even though Infinitys are good quality. Would have been a waste of the speakers if I stopped there.

Now that I'm really going at it, an amp and sound deadening or some sort of insulating foam is a must. Those showed way more improvement than just swapping speakers.

Awesome, thanks for that. For an extra ~$10 I'll go with the 6500's. I'll go ahead and get the amp as well as a picking up some sound deadening material from the hardware store.

If I go with the Alpine amp, will I need one of those amp wiring kits I linked?

 

[gamefreakgc]

Awesome, thanks for that. For an extra ~$10 I'll go with the 6500's. I'll go ahead and get the amp as well as a picking up some sound deadening material from the hardware store.

If I go with the Alpine amp, will I need one of those amp wiring kits I linked?

No, the U or "Universal" model of the power pack should have all that you need. The pre-amps go into your head unit (I think it takes 2 pairs of preamps btw) or you can wire it at the speaker level. It will pull power from your existing wiring to the stereo. It's not very many wires though so not too bad. That's the beauty of these amps, small and efficient and easy to wire. The "A" model is plug and play with Alpine head units, mine took all of 15 seconds to wire up

If you are doing deadening with roofing material, consider doing the floor of rear cargo area. This is where the most sound comes from, second being the door panels which you are already planning on doing. A layer of sound deadening just over the floor and the wheel wells along with a little bit of foam/insulator goes a long way on making the interior quiet. I don't know if your budget will allow it though so it's up to you.

 

[XJeepguy]

I put 2 sets of these in back in 2009 db6501 - Polk Audio, I have 120 W RMS going to each component set ( Alpine amp ) . These things have taken so much abuse from me over the years and still sound awesome today . Then I have a Sony 12" sub powered by its own Orion amp :music:


I'd be interested in hearing those Infinity's though.

 

[bay_area4runner]

Anyone ever use infinity primus?

 

[tx4wl]

Does anyone know the size(s) of Tweeters known to fit the stock location of the 3rd gen's ?......

 

[TorqueOfTheDevil]

I'll give a -1 for Infinity Kappa or Reference speakers..

Every raved about them online when I did my last audio system ('88 Supra factory Twin turbo) and I thought they sounded horrible, harsh and fatiguing.

For the truck I opted for Morel speakers as they are know for having a warmer tone. They sound much nicer to my ears, especially with an iPod as a source (which will pretty much always sound terrible lol)

They are backed up with an enclosed JL 8" sub.

More details on page 1 of my build thread, with stereo pics nearer the bottom.

 

[BrianSD_42]

Does anyone know the size(s) of Tweeters known to fit the stock location of the 3rd gen's ?......

Infinity Reference and Kappas both fit for me in the past.

I've enjoyed my Kappas. They are definitely bright in the same way as Bose. You won't need to turn the trebel up. In fact you may even put it as -1, or -2.

For my setup I feel that flat is the best eq. I used to modify the EQ all these different ways but that was before I got a decent amp (Alpine 75x4 RMS) and the Kappas. I think my system sounds great and I keep the EQ flat.

 

[BrianSD_42]

Anyone ever use infinity primus?

Not in my 4Runner but my 2nd home theater setup in my office has two Primus 160 speakers connected to a Harman Kardon.

 

[SurrenderToThePhlo]

Very helpful thread, thanks!