Cargo area speakers install?!

The Yin

Member
SHORT READ:
5.25 inch on the sides in cargo area? Over wheel well, or in wheel well storage?
Tweaters in pillars? At mirror location or on side facing front?

LONG READ:
I’ve had this idea for some time, but now I’m looking for some input on it.

I’d like to add some speakers to the cargo area of my ‘05 Sport. It didn’t come with the JBL system, so there is currently no Sub/Amp and no tweeters in the Rear pillars (I have the mirrors there).

Here is the idea I’m working with:
I’d like to install a component set in the back. With 5.25 inch woofers on both sides. Either over the wheel well storage or in the wheel well storage. And install the tweeters in the pillars. Either in the mirror location, or beside the mirrors, facing the front of the car.

I’ve seen lots of pictures of what these areas look like with the panels removed, and I’m not 100% sure how well speakers will fit or be mounted in these areas.

Looking for any suggests on how to pull this off, or reasoning on way NOT to.
Has anyone done a speaker install similar to this in the 4th gen?

Thanks,
- The Yin

P.S. I would also install an Amp to run this setup, but those details are mostly figured out.

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I've installed a Kenwood HU & amp and Kenwood speakers in the 4 doors and it sounds great. Not sure how much the rear door speakers contribute to better sound as it is, so I question whether this is worth the trouble. Just trying to imagine 2 more speakers so far back and whether they would improve the sound. I'm by no means an expert but that's my 2 cents.
 
SHORT READ:
5.25 inch on the sides in cargo area? Over wheel well, or in wheel well storage?
Tweaters in pillars? At mirror location or on side facing front?

LONG READ:
I’ve had this idea for some time, but now I’m looking for some input on it.

I’d like to add some speakers to the cargo area of my ‘05 Sport. It didn’t come with the JBL system, so there is currently no Sub/Amp and no tweeters in the Rear pillars (I have the mirrors there).

Here is the idea I’m working with:
I’d like to install a component set in the back. With 5.25 inch woofers on both sides. Either over the wheel well storage or in the wheel well storage. And install the tweeters in the pillars. Either in the mirror location, or beside the mirrors, facing the front of the car.

I’ve seen lots of pictures of what these areas look like with the panels removed, and I’m not 100% sure how well speakers will fit or be mounted in these areas.

Looking for any suggests on how to pull this off, or reasoning on way NOT to.
Has anyone done a speaker install similar to this in the 4th gen?

Thanks,
- The Yin

P.S. I would also install an Amp to run this setup, but those details are mostly figured out.

40677309731_611d9d2929_c.jpg


25806427297_13c85fe8a9_c.jpg


25806426937_87943b7e43_c.jpg
What are you hoping to gain by running speakers back there? Generally speaking, rear sound tends to detract from the front by pulling the stage towards the rear unless properly implemented (i.e. rear fill). I would spend your money/time on the front, where it matters more, if you're serious about upgrading unless you're wanting to have some in the back for a party mode or something.
 
Last edited:
don't waste your time or money for the back,
invest in some good speakers for the fronts and make sure to do proper sound deadening on the doors.
also have a nice amp to power the speakers, run active with a processor. have a multi channel amp or a couple of 2 channel amps to run each speaker and tweeter. you can also go 3 way with the mid fiberglass on the a pillar if you want to go beyond the 2 way setups.
 
What he ^^^ said. Unless you want to entertain a tailgate party, invest in good front speakers and an amp. Save the trunk for a quality sub.
Nobody is sitting in your trunk; why put speakers back there?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
I have invested a lot of money on my audio gear, switched from brand to brand.

I went with Focal and now to Hertz.
I do run the higher end of those brand.
Focal 165K2p
is now in my lady's camry. I make sure it will sound as good in her car as it did in my truck, only difference is the power that its on, I had well over 230w running them passive, but it sounds good with 130-140 active.
onto the Hertz, I was running the mille mlk 1650.3 legend passive, it sounded different from the focal, and it was nice, then I decide to run it active with all the power I have with the 2 amps, man the sound was more different and it sounded right for me. talk about loud and clear.

only your ears will tell you how the speaker sound, don't buy speakers that you saw on youtube, sound will be different from video vs live in your face hearing.
 
To further echo my original post and Rice's, spend the time and money on enhancing acoustics up front. Running fully active along with proper tuning (although not always easy) is time/money better spent than simply throwing more speakers in your truck. Also, if youre already willing to add extra amps/channels, you could even look into a 3way.

====RANT AHEAD=====

Myself, I went from running standard 6.5" comp (passive and later active) set up to a full blown 3 way (down the rabbit hole I go). Got Dynaudio 8s @ 450w ea, FR88EX 3" mids @ 150 ea and Random tweeter @100 to cover the brights. All controlled by 3sixty.3 DSP. I am curretly subless and can vibrate my mirrors with the midbass impact. Currently working on sub solution for 100hz down but its pretty darn good as is. This whole setup (amps, wires amd all) well below $1000 by finding deals so not that expensive considering the amazing output/SQ...

Also, there are other ways to run a 2 way than just the standard mid and tweet combo that has *potential* to sound even better. Check out a 2 or 3" widebander along with a larger 7 or 8" midwoofer. This could remain a stealth install as several full ranges fit inside the factory tweeter location. Some can be had for cheap and play all the way up to 15khz+ if mounted somewhat on-axis.

===END RANT====

Long story short, things can get complex and expensive very quickly and I'm by no means saying you should run a 3way, just wanting to emphasize where the best bang for your buck is by concentrating your efforts around the driver while laying out some possible paths.
 
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Rear speakers

I did my 4 doors and rear cargo area. Just the doors alone sound great. I did the rear because I fish out of my rear hatch sometimes and I play the music out of the cargo speakers with the hatch up high. Doing it like that I don't have to turn the system up too loud to hear and enjoy it.
If you don't have a specialize need for the rear speakers, don't waste your time or money. It wont improve your sound.
W
 
Wow, great feed back!

Thanks a million for all the great feed back, this is exactly what I needed to hear. I'm not the most in tune :) with the audio world, so my though was that adding some speakers in the back would increase sound quality for my passengers. I currently only have speakers on the rear doors (Alpine SPR-60 6.5" Coaxial 2-Way Type-R) But, I don't have any real plans for cargo area audio, no block parties, driven movies, camping, that would call for speakers back there. I'm glad I decided to ask here before getting started on this project!


So, new question. If I wanted to increase audio quality for my passengers would installing a component speaker set in the rear doors be a better option?
Maybe something like these (Alpine SPR-60C 6.5" Component), along with an Amp to power the components in the front and back?

I currently have these in the front (Polk Audio DB6501 6.5-Inch 2-Way Component System) and these in the rear doors (Alpine SPR-60 6-1/2" Coaxial 2-Way Type-R Speaker Set) running with no amp off of this (JVC KW-R900BT).


Thanks again for the help so far, your suggest have saved me toooooons of time and a good chunk of cash!
 
Adding an amp will improve the sound and volume. I suggest something with at least 75 minimum per channel. Anything in the 100+ to 150 is better, you can also do some sound deadening to the doors, a layer of that on the inner and outer can drastically change the sound, you will hear the mid bass, even if you don't have a sub in, the mids can give you that kick. Where in california are you at. If your in the nothern part, I'm in Oakland.
 
I have the JBL system so have the stock 8" sub in the rear. I want to replace that along with the door speakers. Any suggestions on what door speakers to go with to replace the JBL?
 
Adding an amp will improve the sound and volume. I suggest something with at least 75 minimum per channel. Anything in the 100+ to 150 is better, you can also do some sound deadening to the doors, a layer of that on the inner and outer can drastically change the sound, you will hear the mid bass, even if you don't have a sub in, the mids can give you that kick. Where in california are you at. If your in the nothern part, I'm in Oakland.

I'm down in the San Diego area.
I've got some sound dampening stuff a few years ago, but haven't installed it. Replacing the radio and speakers was one of the first things I did with the Runner, and that was almost 5 years ago.
This is on the list of 'maybe/someday' projects, but at least I know now what I will do with it.
 
Adding an amp will improve the sound and volume. I suggest something with at least 75 minimum per channel. Anything in the 100+ to 150 is better, you can also do some sound deadening to the doors, a layer of that on the inner and outer can drastically change the sound, you will hear the mid bass, even if you don't have a sub in, the mids can give you that kick. Where in california are you at. If your in the nothern part, I'm in Oakland.

You own a shop or something in Oakland? I'm looking to upgrade my stereo setup and I'm not looking for hookups, just more of supporting a fellow 4runner..er....yeah.
 

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