Amplifier or Not?

[rockwall]

I have a 2003 Limited V8 with the factory upgrade JBL 12 speaker package. I replaced the stock head unit with a great quality Alpine unit with I-Pod interface.

It sounds good, but not great. I don't want to change out any speakers. Would the addition of a good aftermarket amplifier help?

Any other suggestions?

 

[eskimochaos]

No, an amplifier will not increase the quality of the music coming from the speakers. Trust me - replace the factory junk and get a cheap pair of after market speakers. They will make a huge difference!

 

[chaz]

yea, do yourself a favor, if you get an amp. for the new alpine, get new speakers.

 

[mytyeerinpie]

You will notice a HUGE change in the sound quality and loudness if you change the stock speakers, mainstrean wise I recommend Alpine Type R or Type X, if you really want to great SQ go with Rainbow,

http://www.caraudioclassifieds.org/forum/showthread.php?t=8952

these are good too,

http://www.caraudioclassifieds.org/forum/showthread.php?t=6848

and these are great anything from CDT is good stuff

http://www.caraudioclassifieds.org/forum/showthread.php?t=5602

Hope that helps, if you need an amp look on the same site as those speakers there are tons of them

 

[rockwall]

Re: Amplifier

Thanks for the advice guys. Its nice to know that even factory billed "high end" sound systems are actually crap.

 

[mytyeerinpie]

Re: Re: Amplifier

Thanks for the advice guys. Its nice to know that even factory billed "high end" sound systems are actually crap.

Yeah I advise to NEVER get the factory ones, even the High End BOSE are crap, you could spend 1/4 of what you pay from the dealership and do your own install and have 5 times the system!

 

[azmaxguy480]

I got my 4R used and it had the JBL system in it, i just dropped an amp onto them and a couple 12's with an amp. I get compliments on my sound, and it sounds great. Depends on how you do it.

 

[Thai]

Re: Re: Re: Amplifier

Yeah I advise to NEVER get the factory ones, even the High End BOSE are crap, you could spend 1/4 of what you pay from the dealership and do your own install and have 5 times the system!

Not sure if i agree with this...i can name you several systems that would rival aftermarket parts AND is cheaper.

 

[eskimochaos]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Amplifier

Not sure if i agree with this...i can name you several systems that would rival aftermarket parts AND is cheaper.

It depends on what your accustomed to. Many people dont know the difference between stock and after market. I have 2 Infinity Kappa 8.1 Floor Speakers that I'm accustomed to so when I got in the 4R, it left something to be desired.

 

[Thai]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Amplifier

It depends on what your accustomed to. Many people dont know the difference between stock and after market. I have 2 Infinity Kappa 8.1 Floor Speakers that I'm accustomed to so when I got in the 4R, it left something to be desired.

Well, obviously if you're compaing your home theater speakers to any car audio, then it isn't fair. How can i match any car audio speakers (stock or aftermarket at any price) with my Martin Logan Vantage speakers? I can't. But home theater does not equal aftermarket car speakers.

I would challenge anyone to come up with a better car audio system for under $2 grand than either Mark Levinson Reference system (in LS460 and LX570) and Lexicon system (in Hyundai Genesis). Hell, i would challenge anyone to come up with a system to beat 2009 Acura TL TECH ELS system for under $1500. Trust me, i have done car audio in the past...it is hard (impossible in some cases?) to build an aftermarket system that beats an OEM system while still matching OEM pricetag.

Now, yeah, the JBL system in the 4runner is not all that great. However, can you come up with a better system (not speakers, SYSTEM) for the price of what Toyota charges for the JBL system?? I highly doubt it.

 

[mytyeerinpie]

I mean if you Love good SQ music. I cannot even stand listening to the radio in my wife's van, because I am used to my setup. Then again, some people don't even listen to music in the car so its all about preference I guess. Its just that the stock or factory systems, they charge you 1500+ bucks for can easily be out performed by after market ones like the rainbows for a fraction of the cost

 

[mytyeerinpie]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Amplifier

Well, obviously if you're compaing your home theater speakers to any car audio, then it isn't fair. How can i match any car audio speakers (stock or aftermarket at any price) with my Martin Logan Vantage speakers? I can't. But home theater does not equal aftermarket car speakers.

I would challenge anyone to come up with a better car audio system for under $2 grand than either Mark Levinson Reference system (in LS460 and LX570) and Lexicon system (in Hyundai Genesis). Hell, i would challenge anyone to come up with a system to beat 2009 Acura TL TECH ELS system for under $1500. Trust me, i have done car audio in the past...it is hard (impossible in some cases?) to build an aftermarket system that beats an OEM system while still matching OEM pricetag.

Now, yeah, the JBL system in the 4runner is not all that great. However, can you come up with a better system (not speakers, SYSTEM) for the price of what Toyota charges for the JBL system?? I highly doubt it.

Whats the price tag on the JBL system?

 

[Thai]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Amplifier

Whats the price tag on the JBL system?

I don't know...how much for those rainbow speakers??

Remember, the price for the JBL system includes the headunit, amplifier with DSP (surround sound), speakers, and subwoofer.

 

[Thai]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Amplifier

Whats the price tag on the JBL system?

Ok, i found out. If you have a 2009 SR5 and you upgrade to a JBL Synthesis 10 speaker, 6-disc indash changer, and satellite radio, then it will cost: $865 (MSRP) or $649 (invoice).

That JBL Synthesis includes a center channel and subwoofer, DSP (5.1 surround), and 360 nominal watts of power.

Here is more info: http://www.jbltoyota.com/toyota_4runner/audio_advantages.asp

I don't know about you, but it would be impossible to make a decent aftermarket system for under $800.

 

[mytyeerinpie]

Wow I figured it was more than $800, I mean it can be done easily,but not with 10 speakers. I have no clue why anyone would want 10 speakers in their car anyway. I have 5 ( 2 6.5" and 4 tweets) including my 18" subwoofer, and I have great SQ and Place in every comp I go to for decibel level. I have no rear stage because no one sits in my back seats. If I was doing a SQ vehicle though I'd do Rainbow or CDT all the way around 6 speakers and it would be around 800 with amps and a couple 12"s or 8"s

 

[Thai]

Wow I figured it was more than $800, I mean it can be done easily,but not with 10 speakers. I have no clue why anyone would want 10 speakers in their car anyway. I have 5 ( 2 6.5" and 4 tweets) including my 18" subwoofer, and I have great SQ and Place in every comp I go to for decibel level. I have no rear stage because no one sits in my back seats. If I was doing a SQ vehicle though I'd do Rainbow or CDT all the way around 6 speakers and it would be around 800 with amps and a couple 12"s or 8"s

The 10 speakers are needed because Toyota cannot just assume that you will never have any passengers. The 10 speakers are also needed for DSP/surround sound (5.1).

Lets see...to make a comparable system, you will need at least 6 speakers, 1 subwoofer, amplifier for speakers & amplifer for subwoofer (or all-in-one amplifier that does both), and a headunit +/- CD changer. If you want 5.1 surround sound, then you gotta buy a headunit that does that and more speakers! Add in the cost of supplies (cables) and cost of labor (if you are not an installer). Even if you leave out the 5.1 surround sound and get a regular headunit, then the cost for all of this is well beyond $1000.

In other words, the JBL system is a bargain! You can do better, but you better get ready to pay extra $$$$ if you want to see any REAL improvement in sound.

 

[mytyeerinpie]

Meh, yeah I guess for 800 its pretty good, not my taste but a good deal. But if he wants to get louder and have better quality for under 300-400 those rainbows or CDT's and a little amp would do it.

 

[Thai]

Meh, yeah I guess for 800 its pretty good, not my taste but a good deal. But if he wants to get louder and have better quality for under 300-400 those rainbows or CDT's and a little amp would do it.

I agree. But remember a few things:

1. Those OEM speakers usually have weird Ohm ratings...they are usually very sensitive, which means that they don't require much power to make sound. If you put in a standard 4-Ohm speaker, then the sound will likely be crap because there is not enough power going to the aftermarket speakers...you will hear less bass/midrange...sound is "tinny."

2. If you replace the JBL amp with aftermarket amps, then you destroy the purpose of the extra JBL speakers because you now have no DSP nor surround sound capability. Without proper DSP, the soundstage and imaging may be ruined. Sound is not balanced.

3. Remember, the JBL amplifier powers all ten speakers, including the subwoofer. So, if you replace the JBL amp, then you will need at least 2 amps (1 for the speakers and 1 for the subwoofer). You can buy those all-in-one amp (power both speakers and sub), but those can get very pricey!! (I have not seen one of those all-in-one amp run below $800 new...at least the decent ones.)

My opinion on the matter...know exactly what you have before upgrading. Have a solid gameplan on what you want and know the compromises that you have to make. If you're gonna spend money on upgrading, then you need to be prepared to go all the way...half effort will likely give you a worst result than what you started with.

 

[rockwall]

Hey, azmaxguy480:

Can you give me more details on the amp you used and the 12's? It sounds like the way to go for me.