5th Gen 2011 TE Audio Question

[niadh0]

Hi all,

I am sorry if this has been answered before but I didn't find any specific answers after digging many posts/pictures.

I have a 2010 LE Canadian version for the wife and 2011 TE version Canadian for myself. I am satisfied wit the JBL sound system in the 2010 but not happy at all with the 2011.

Here is what I would like to do....

- keep the stock look (with two round knobs) and therefore I assume that I have to keep the ugly orange lit stereo
- change all speakers to something really good
- do NOT want to put any subwoofer
- put in-line amp (smallest possible of course to fit inside the dash) to amp all speakers (not just 4 in the front doors)
- not pull extra power cables fro the battery
- do it myself if relatively simple job
- keep the party mode function if possible (the 2010 LE almost has no affect of this function but the 2011 TE has a big affect of this function)
- do not care about NAVI, happy with the backup cam in the mirror

Please advise.

- your comments/concerns/questions
- please sketch a simple wiring diagram if you can and upload it
- list of parts that I will need to do the job including wire harness etc that I need
- i want to go Alpine SPR-60C speakers all around if I can, if you recommend any that would be great
- target audio performance like the 2010 LE or better will make me happy
- budget less than $1500

Thanks in advance.

 

[tigger]

Not going to sketch a diagram as that would take a while, but all of the info you need is right here. Crutchfield: Car Stereo, Speakers, Home Theater, Pro Audio, 4k TV

But I can tell you right now, you will not get the sound of the LE without adding a sub. Disconnect the sub and that is what the new system will sound like. Coaxials and components can only effectively reproduce certain frequencies and sub bass is not among them.

There are few amps that will do what you want without pulling additional power through the firewall. It's a relatively easy job in the 4runner compared to something like the Rav4.

You will probably end up with something like this for an amp
Alpine KTP-445A Power Pack Compact upgrade amplifier for your Alpine receiver ? 45 watts RMS x 4 at Crutchfield.com
or Clarion XC1410 Compact 4-channel amplifier — 50 watts RMS x 4 at Crutchfield.com
although there are a couple of others in this arena.

For speakers, you are going to want something extremely efficient (92dB or higher). I would look at the Polk, Infinity or JBL lines.

The Alpines you chose, while nice speakers, are not very efficient and are power hungry. They will need some decent power to get the full sound from them.

There are some very simple to install subs that are self powered that fit under the seat that will improve the sound greatly. I encourage you to consider it. Pioneer TS-WH500A Compact powered 8-1/4" subwoofer at Crutchfield.com

I would also recommend a controller to clean up the sound. It will make a huge difference.
Something like this AudioControl LC7i (Gray) 6-channel line output converter with bass restoration — add amps to your factory system at Crutchfield.com

 

[niadh0]

Thanks tigger,

you completely brought a new point of view to what I was thinking, and what I was told by a couple of install shops locally here in Toronto. I'll take all the points in considerations and work on the setup. Now that you mentioned a controller, i started looking into other brands also and came across CleanSweep from JL. Any thoughts? Also I can the 8inch sub under the seat and that won't be a problem (had never thought that this could be possible). Thanks

 

[tigger]

Thanks tigger,

you completely brought a new point of view to what I was thinking, and what I was told by a couple of install shops locally here in Toronto. I'll take all the points in considerations and work on the setup. Now that you mentioned a controller, i started looking into other brands also and came across CleanSweep from JL. Any thoughts? Also I can the 8inch sub under the seat and that won't be a problem (had never thought that this could be possible). Thanks

I have heard good things about the cleansweep. I believe several members on here have used it.

As far as the sub, check out Antman's Install Thread

 

[niadh0]

Great. I saw Antman's thread before but never actually went through step by step to see how its done - thinking that he is installing the sub only - which is true in his case.

Following his how-to instructions I think I can do the following with one exception - which is I want to keep the factory wires intact.

- open the dash and take out the stereo
- run speakers wires from the dash, and power cable from the battery, to the under the driver seat area ( just how the antman explained)
- DO NOT tap into the factory speaker wires. instead of that put a new harness and connect the new speaker wires to it to connect to the back of the stereo unit. This will carry high level signal to the amp under the seat
- now run another set of speaker wires from under the seat back into the dash and connect the male part of the new harness to connect it to the factory female harness. This set of speaker wires will carry amplified sound back to the speakers
- I am guessing that such harnesses are available (one male and one female).
- Now my hub becomes the underneath of the driver seat
- I have a few options here. I can put the cleansweep and then the small sub recommended by you and put the inline alpine sub into the dash (open for your suggestions in this configuration)
- will for sure change the speakers with high sensetivity

Thoughts?

Also I am assuming that the stereo only outputs four speakers and the party mode wiring is somehow making the 4 extra speakers power up. Any insight in this are would be nice.

 

[tigger]

Great. I saw Antman's thread before but never actually went through step by step to see how its done - thinking that he is installing the sub only - which is true in his case.

Following his how-to instructions I think I can do the following with one exception - which is I want to keep the factory wires intact.

- open the dash and take out the stereo
- run speakers wires from the dash, and power cable from the battery, to the under the driver seat area ( just how the antman explained)
- DO NOT tap into the factory speaker wires. instead of that put a new harness and connect the new speaker wires to it to connect to the back of the stereo unit. This will carry high level signal to the amp under the seat
- now run another set of speaker wires from under the seat back into the dash and connect the male part of the new harness to connect it to the factory female harness. This set of speaker wires will carry amplified sound back to the speakers
- I am guessing that such harnesses are available (one male and one female).
- Now my hub becomes the underneath of the driver seat
- I have a few options here. I can put the cleansweep and then the small sub recommended by you and put the inline alpine sub into the dash (open for your suggestions in this configuration)
- will for sure change the speakers with high sensetivity

Thoughts?

Also I am assuming that the stereo only outputs four speakers and the party mode wiring is somehow making the 4 extra speakers power up. Any insight in this are would be nice.

I don't know if such a harness exists, but I imagine they do. To simplify the installation, JL has an amp that has the cleansweep built in (I believe, that or something similar)

As far as the output, yes, it is a 4 channel system from the head unit. The fronts are considered 1 set (mids/tweets) and the rears one set controlled by relays switched by the party mode switch. When the switch is deactivated, the head unit is in normal equalization and the back door and hatch speakers are in series creating an 8 ohm load and thus the lower volume. When the party mode button is activated (pushed in) the head unit is in eq'ed mode and the rear door speakers are disabled. This places a 4 ohm load on the head unit and thus the louder volume.

There are several ways to bypass this feature depending on what you want it to do, or you can leave it alone. If you wire the amp back to the harness output speaker wires, the party mode will remain intact.