Dash speakers

A

adrtoy

New member
After much reading it seems like you can get much better sound from the factory system by simply adding new dash speakers. The ones that stand out in threads are Polk, Kicker, and Kappa. Anyone wanna help me out here with some advice? Once I get a pair in hand I'll likely need some advice on the wiring and Bass blocker part.

The problem I'm having with rereading posts is they tend to get derailed without a clear answer.
 
Register to hide this ad
I bought jbl gx302 based on one forum member's recommendation & because the specs seem pretty similar to the kappas.

also got 220 uF bass blockers. google it to figure out what you need.

I haven't installed anything yet
 
I just installed the kickers in my 2016 dash last weekend. Easy install. Check the pics from shread_head and my post in the "kappa" thread for wiring guidance. Sound quality is a great improvemet over the stock fischer price speakers.
 
You didn't list Alpine in your list of possibilites, but here is a thread by the venerable [MENTION=83083]rigtec[/MENTION], who is one of the first guys around here that I look to with regard to making stereo / sound changes. He used some Alpine components. You should also look around at [MENTION=120209]tigger[/MENTION] build threads, some interesting changes there, too.

Good luck.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/210591-alpine-1-dash-component-review.html
 
Last edited:
adrtoy said:
Yep. Four year old answers.
Click to expand...

Not much has changed in 4 years. The wiring is still the same in the 14+, and the replacement options are pretty much the same as well.

Basically what it comes down to is how far do you want to go? Do you just want to swap the dash speakers and run off the factory stereo? That is a very easy install and can be cheap depending on the speakers you buy. Overall this will satisfy most people. But then you can add an amp, dsp, run component speakers, add a subwoofer etc.....

I would recommend just starting off with a replacement 3.5" speaker of your liking. The infinity's are still a good choice if you are not familiar with speaker companies.

Here are a few more threads to skim to give you some ideas. A few of these have detailed install pictures:
what-unbelievable-difference-kappa-3-5-dash-speakers
alpine-1-dash-component-review
adding-tweeters-factory-speakers
2015-dash-speaker-upgrade-simple-solution-non-jbl-nav
another-speakers-amplifier-install
 
keyser_soze said:
Do you just want to swap the dash speakers and run off the factory stereo? That is a very easy install and can be cheap depending on the speakers you buy.
Click to expand...

That's what I want to do but the Kappas are no longer available and most people who made the switch were not switching from the JBL speakers.

So (1) will it make a difference if I have the JBL system and (2) since the Kappas are no longer available, which speaker is the consensus best replacement if I don't want to add an amp?
 
Neauxla said:
That's what I want to do but the Kappas are no longer available and most people who made the switch were not switching from the JBL speakers.

So (1) will it make a difference if I have the JBL system and (2) since the Kappas are no longer available, which speaker is the consensus best replacement if I don't want to add an amp?
Click to expand...

I don't have the JBL system, and I have never listened to one in the 4Runner. I thought most people with the JBL system were happy with the sound

I have seen photos of the factory JBL speakers, they are still cheap speakers. I think you would notice an improvement, just not as much as the non-JBL guys.

Personally I would run component speakers in the dash and doors, but if I were just going to replace the dash speakers I would go with the JBL-GTO329. These are comparable to the Kappas. These may require a little bit of trimming to install.

Or the JBL-GX302 if you are looking to spend less.
 
Neauxla said:
That's what I want to do but the Kappas are no longer available and most people who made the switch were not switching from the JBL speakers.

So (1) will it make a difference if I have the JBL system and (2) since the Kappas are no longer available, which speaker is the consensus best replacement if I don't want to add an amp?
Click to expand...

I have the JBL Premium and swapped out the fronts for Kappas. Huge improvement. The Premium fronts are not much better than the standard speakers. The stockers are coaxial but very unimpressive. The issue I had with the Kappas are that they are not as efficient as the stockers so the dash got softer and the lows from the door begin to overpower them so I ended up adding amps and a DSP.

Just about any aftermarket speaker that retails for over $50 a pair should be an improvement. Look for 3 to 3 1/2 inch coaxials. There really aren't that many to choose from. Look at the sensitivity spec. Higher number, more efficient, play louder, less of an imbalance with the front door speakers. Unless you are really picky, this should be more than adequate and you can forget about the amps and dsp route.
 
Hawaiian4runner said:
I have the JBL Premium and swapped out the fronts for Kappas. Huge improvement. The Premium fronts are not much better than the standard speakers. The stockers are coaxial but very unimpressive. The issue I had with the Kappas are that they are not as efficient as the stockers so the dash got softer and the lows from the door begin to overpower them so I ended up adding amps and a DSP.

Just about any aftermarket speaker that retails for over $50 a pair should be an improvement. Look for 3 to 3 1/2 inch coaxials. There really aren't that many to choose from. Look at the sensitivity spec. Higher number, more efficient, play louder, less of an imbalance with the front door speakers. Unless you are really picky, this should be more than adequate and you can forget about the amps and dsp route.
Click to expand...


Thanks! What did you do with your sub? Did you do any upgrades there?
 
Neauxla said:
Thanks! What did you do with your sub? Did you do any upgrades there?
Click to expand...

I changed out the dinky JBL with a pretty cheap 8" Alumapro sub. Very easy. Hardest part is taking off the side panel to get to the sub. Also added a 250 watt amp with remote volume control. Nothing earth shaking but infinitely better than stock.

I did have a hard time getting a decent signal from the jbl amp using a cheapo passive LOC on the sub speaker output. I got good signal from the front doors with the same LOC.
 
I just changed my dash speakers to the JBL GX302 3.5 speakers. It made a huge difference! I'm really impressed. I haven't heard the Kappas so I can't compare the two, but I'm really happy with the improved sound from just swapping to the GX302 speakers.

I took the factory mounting brackets and cut the tabs and speaker screw holes off with my Dremel and used the tabs to mount the speakers again. Worked well.

Thanks to all who posted about swapping their speakers.
 
OK some questions...

I was driving today, listening to some Jackson Brown and I finally concluded that I need speaker upgrades...in my F150 I went with Infinity Kappas all around. They sounded great.

I read every thread here on speaker upgrades, there is a lot to digest. It was my understanding the dash speakers were tweeters only, so the dash-front door was a separable set up, tweeter dash, woofer door.

So going with a coax speaker in the dash, what does that do to the door signal?

And since I am very OCD, I will want to go with the same speaker brand all the way around when i upgrade the rest of them. The truck has eight speakers (non JBL system), so can you suggest the JBL type and size for the front doors, rear doors and rear hatch?

I do not know a lot about JBL car audio, I had JBL studio reference speakers driven by a Nikko amp in college, 1980, and that system rocked real good.

Any help will be appreciated.

Regards.

77
 
77Bronc said:
OK some questions...

I was driving today, listening to some Jackson Brown and I finally concluded that I need speaker upgrades...in my F150 I went with Infinity Kappas all around. They sounded great.

I read every thread here on speaker upgrades, there is a lot to digest. It was my understanding the dash speakers were tweeters only, so the dash-front door was a separable set up, tweeter dash, woofer door.

So going with a coax speaker in the dash, what does that do to the door signal?

And since I am very OCD, I will want to go with the same speaker brand all the way around when i upgrade the rest of them. The truck has eight speakers (non JBL system), so can you suggest the JBL type and size for the front doors, rear doors and rear hatch?

I do not know a lot about JBL car audio, I had JBL studio reference speakers driven by a Nikko amp in college, 1980, and that system rocked real good.

Any help will be appreciated.

Regards.

77
Click to expand...

First off I'm no expert just a guy with a new 4 runner who loathes the facotry sound. I knew going in that I would do an upgrade so it's no sweat.

I don't believe putting a coax in the dash will effect the signal being sent to the door speaker in any way. If you want to change the signals being sent to the speakers you will need an aftermarket head unit or a DSP. I would prefer a new head unit but having the trd pro means I would need to have the dash kit custom painted as they only offer the silver that comes on non trail 4Runner which really stinks. As such I'm considering a bunch of DSPs which is more confusing than I thought it would be. :sobbing:

I am going to run a component set in the front. 6.5s in the door in place of the 6 x 9s, tweeters in the dash locations. 5.25s coaxials in the rear doors and hatch... Unless someone can tell me 6.5s will fit with limited modifications. Crutchfield seems to think the rear doors are limited by the mounting height, as in the woofer would stick out and hit the grate so to speak.

Any audiophile can tell you the rear speakers don't serve you and actually detract from the front stage. But I am no audiophile and am happy to sacrifice perfection so that my rear seat passengers can hear the vocals clearly.

Good luck with your upgrades.
 
The front door and dash speakers are wired together in parallel. So, the speaker you put in the dash won't affect the door speakers. You will likely want small coax speakers in the dash since the bulk of the sound comes from there. I put Kappas in the dash, which made a huge improvement. Later, I put 6x9 Infinity Reference in the front doors, which provided great mid-bass. The mod that made the most improvement was adding a DSP. In my case, I put an AudioControl DQ-61 under the front seat. There's a write-up of that install here in the forum.
 
cbuchanan87 said:
I just changed my dash speakers to the JBL GX302 3.5 speakers. It made a huge difference! I'm really impressed. I haven't heard the Kappas so I can't compare the two, but I'm really happy with the improved sound from just swapping to the GX302 speakers.

I took the factory mounting brackets and cut the tabs and speaker screw holes off with my Dremel and used the tabs to mount the speakers again. Worked well.

Thanks to all who posted about swapping their speakers.
Click to expand...

I don't see how this is even remotely possible. I bought your speakers thinking I could accomplish the same task and I just don't see how it's possible to repurpose the existing OEM mounting brackets.

Did you take photos? Can you please explain or help a brother out?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Members online

Total: 403 (members: 3, guests: 400)

Forum statistics

Threads
278,305
Messages
3,554,042
Members
248,016
Latest member
Advally Service

Share this page

Trending content

Back
Top