advice needed w replacing JBL stereo

[dirt hooker]

i have an '03 4runner with the 10 speaker jbl synthesis system and looking to finally upgrade the terrible sound quality (i think the sub is blown)...i read the entire thread by Ark_Swamp_Rider and thats very close to what im planning to do...

im thinking to go the Scion T1808 route for the factory look and i like the simple layout...i plan on adding the adaptor for my iPod Touch, steering wheel controls, and the one that will allow the iPod to charge- in total is this 4 wiring harness/adaptors i need to buy?? i know the T1808 can be had cheap, but after all the extras, im wondering if i should just get an aftermarket H/U- likely the Kenwood DPX500 as it looks close to a factory look and you can adjust the color to the stock dash...anyone have any advice or experience to give me? is there much of a difference in SQ between these? i know the Scion is a Pioneer and didnt know how it compares to aftermarket units...

i noticed there are 2 different JL 8" subs- i believe ASR used the more expensive one- is this the right one?

and lastly, once i get the H/U and sub/amp installed, have any of you upgraded the door speakers?? any recommendations on which components to use??

thnx for the assistance- i read for several hours on this install and id check before i start the process of collecting everything

 

[Offroader5]

The key factor for the replacement sub is the depth. If I remember, there's only like 4" to 4.5" available depth if you just mount it up into the OEM enclosure. I was able to fit the newer Alpine Type-R by adding a 1/2" ring of MDF to the outer mount face of the enclosure and breaking out the "waffle" cross bracing on the rear wall of the enclosure to clear the magnet.

In terms of upgrading to aftermarket speakers, best bet is to find some that are 2 ohm impedence. There are some but not many manufacturers that make 2 ohm versions (ironically, I believe JBL/Infinity/Harmon are one of them). Reason I say this is because the OEM JBL speakers are (if I remember right) 2.3 or 2.6 ohm drivers. If you just go buy the typical 4 ohm driver (which will show the amp less resistance) they will sound softer or will require more volume on the knob to be an equivelent sound level because the amp will put out less power with the 4 ohm resistance vs. the 2 ohm resistance.

 

[dirt hooker]

thanks for the helpful reply-the 2ohm factor- im surprised that never came.up in any of the threads ive read on upgrading the jbl...maybe most are happy w the performance of the jbl components after the h/u amp and sub upgrade? another issue in my mind was this is a 2003 and i was wondering if the speakers are a bit worn out?

 

[Brutalguyracing]

thanks for the helpful reply-the 2ohm factor- im surprised that never came.up in any of the threads ive read on upgrading the jbl...maybe most are happy w the performance of the jbl components after the h/u amp and sub upgrade? another issue in my mind was this is a 2003 and i was wondering if the speakers are a bit worn out?

i just had a new head unit put in and it sounds worse now then before...
but i have blue tooth now......
good luck i am awaiting your results....as i need to do something as well

 

[Offroader5]

IMO, it's definitely going to give you better results if you replace the whole system. The OEM amp has built in settings for crossover frequencies and other processing that were meant for the OEM speakers and these settings are not adjustable. You could get lucky by just installing aftermarket speakers and keeping the remaining pieces of the OEM system, but if you are replacing the HU and all the speakers (not to mention, possibly installing a stand-alone amp for the new sub), you might as well go all the way and start fresh. After all, once you R&R the OEM sub, HU, and door speakers...only thing left is the amp/processor, which isn't set up to use with all the aftermarket equipment.

I put a lot more into mine because my goal is to compete in SQ comps, but you don't need to go nearly as far to get good sound. By replacing the speakers with high quality direct fit versions and buying a couple amps (or even one if you use a 5 channel), you can get leaps and bounds better sound than the OEM setup.

A DSP is great to have since it allows complete freedom of adjustment, but since most of the amps and HU's on the market have built in crossovers (some even have built in DSP's), you can tweek it very well using those adjustments. I use fairly inexpensive amps that are small and powerfull.

Believe it or not, you'd be surprised how much better your stereo would sound by simply deadening and insulating your interior. Depending on far you want to take this step, it can get fairly expensive and time consuming. Take a look at my build thread in my sig, and you'll see much of the stuff I've done to improve the sound in my Runner.

 

[dirt hooker]

well all of that makes sense to me...at this point im just gonna try a h/u swap and amp/sub....i just want a decent sounding stereo that plays my ipod and has some punch to it...if my speakers are worn out, then i may try to swap in sone 2ohm speakers if the price is right or decide to start fresh...i was trying to avoid rewiring the whole truck...

thanks for your input- it helped a lot