JBL 10 speaker vs. aftermarket system

[digphisher]

Right now I have the JBL 10 speaker system, and I think it sounds okay. It definately sounds like a good factory stereo. I am impressed with how loud it will go without distortion. However, the max volume is still not that loud. The mids and highs are decent, but as we all know, it lacks that deep pounding bass. I've been toying with two ideas:

First is to just add some bass. Either a 10" bass tube, or go all out with 2 10" subs with an amp. That will definately fill the void left by the JBL system.

The other option, is to completely redo the stereo. I was looking at an Alpine headunit with Sirius hooked up to it, Alpinbe Type S components for the front and 2-ways for the rear powered by an amp, and then 2 infinity reference 10" subs (on sale at Crutchfield at 2 for1).

So, has anybody just added bass? How does that sound?

Has anybody had the JBL 10 speaker and replaced the whole system? How does it sound compared to before?

Thanks for any input.

 

[Mafster]

I just replaced the whole system for the same reasons you mentioned. I wanted a little more volume/sound and more clean bass. I'm very very happy with it, but the whole project was costly. At a minimum, I recommend getting a self-powered sub and replacing the stock speakers for 6.5s--then take it from there.

In the end I spent around $4K, but good quality sound can be had for much much less. I just like doing it right the first time with quality components all around.

 

[digphisher]

Will replacing the speakers make a noticable difference? The system I metnioned above with install was about 1500. I just don't know if I should do the whole thing, or just add the bass. Thanks for your input!

 

[Mafster]

Speakers alone will add a lot of clarity & some depth--but the biggest depth comes from a good sub. Volume max will still be limited because of the factory amp. Also a new deck will likely give you better sound equalization controls and better sounding cd playback. Another perk of a new deck, unless you have an '06, is the likelihood of a built-in input for an Ipod or other player.

I've heard good things about the Infinity Basslink II for a compact, self-powered sub. Personally I wanted more bump than that, though sacrificed space (for the sub/box/sep amp) and $$ in accomplishing that goal. $1500 seems reasonable. I'd recommend getting the front doors dynamatted too, and make sure they use good (NOT great) wiring/cables (not factory) when hooking up the new speakers. You can waste a lot of money on fancy, high end wires/cables with minimal results.

This was the 4th custom stereo I've had done in a 4Runner and I learn more and more with each one. Now I understand and can talk the installer lingo, which is nice.

 

[MDRCD]

You will get a lot more sound out of a fiberboard sub enclosure than something like the basslink. But I agree with Mafster, you gotta sacrifice cargo space for sound. I was able to get most of my system at retailer cost rather than consumer retail, but in the end with all the dynamat, cables, and the install all said and done was about $3K. Consumer retail, the system plus install would've been around $6K. What kind of setup did you go with Mafster? BTW, Dig, did you get custom upholstery done?

 

[digphisher]

I did get custom leather done. The dealer had it installed for me so that is was inlcuded in the price of the truck. I chose dark charcoal (one up from black) with red stitching. I looks pretty sweet. I am wanting to do two 10's in a box that looks like the stealth box. Otherwise, I was thinking about making a box that fits under the cargo system. Under is only 9", so I'd have to angle the 10"s upwards, but think that it could work.

 

[MDRCD]

If ure looking for sound quality, unfortunately the best bet is to angle them downwards. This way the bass gets dampened by the cargo floor, of course to not lose too much sound you will want to dynamat the cargo floor. But of course this does not look all too cool. Actually because the the cargo floor is not level, right behind the rear passenger seats (its sloping downwards) my speaker enclosure is angled quite a bit forward as I attempted to flush the enclosure with the back of the seats.

 

[sharp4runr]

You hit the head when you said the JBL system lacks bass. I've got the JBL 10 speaker system and added 2 10" subs and they sound damn fine. I'm not a huge audiophile so I didn't want to spend the extra chedder on a completely new setup.

See my short thread: You hit the head when you said the JBL system lacks bass.

During a 4Runner meet, I received some compliments on the sound. My next audio project will be to swap the front door speakers and tweeters and then do the rear doors.

 

[otterball21]

Honestly. The JBL system was designed to be decent sound quality. Which it does have. The Imaging and sound stage is nice and high and you can hear all the notes up front very well. Of course first thing I noticed like you was the missing bass.

truthfully, a simple small sub can take care of the lack of bass.

Honestly the infinity bass link does not put out the deep bass that you need.

What I recommend is going with a small 12. What you want to do is fire it against the rear hatch. The rear hatch does not rattle, except the wiper and the gas tank lid. I can dynamat the lid
. The hatch has a electronic seal. so it works excellent. You want the smallest box possible for the 12 also. A big air space needs a small box, a small air space needs a big box. JL audio installer for the world renown JL golf taught me that.


I went with one alpine V-12 amp and Type R sub. It sounds like 2 twelves in the back when I want it to. So, it's not how much subwoofeer area you have it's also the airspace that you have.

IF you do change out your speakers. You are gonna lose some midbass out of the front speakers going to type s's.
I recommend going type R's to maintain the midbass. Also you might lose the function of your center channel and you wouldn't have a digital processor that helps correct the sound stage.

If your interested in learning more about this stuff let me know and I'll be more than happy to let you know.

 

[digphisher]

Thanks for all the info. I spoke to a local installer, and he said he could make a very nice looking box similar to JL's stealthbox. He said that he would recommend a good 10" DVC. I had a couple in mind and wanted to see which you thought would do the best job:

Infinity Kappa perfect 10.1d 350w rms
MB Quart PWE 254 400w rms
Alpine Type R 200-500w rms
Kicker L5 (square) 50-450w rms

I will be running 350 x1 @2ohms rms into the speaker.


I was also thinking about leaving the stock speakers alone, but just using another amp to power them. The midbass is nice in those 6x9's. The only thing I would do is change out the tweeters to a pair of Boston's I have laying around. I am debating whether to go this route, or change out the front and rear speakers to the infinitys that I had talked about. Any input will be helpful. Thanks!

 

[Mafster]

otterball21-

I respect your recommendations and would like to think you have at some point taken out the $5- stock paper speakers that come in our 4Runners. I realize money and quality material doesn't always equate to good sound reproduction. Likewise, I understand that you've been exposed to and have worked in the industry, so obviously you know much more than the average Joe.

That is why I find it hard to imagine you (of all people) say that the stock 4Runner speakers make quality sound and that by replacing them with quality components one would lose a certain soundstage afforded by the stock system.

I realize some people don't care about actual volume, but the stock system really only starts putting out cabin-filling sound when it is about 80% to its max. Mid range is null, usually only coming through the center speaker when adjusted perfectly-most noteably heard when playing CDs.

After installing and living with 4 different levels of systems in 3 different 4Runners, I honestly can say I prefer a quality aftermarket system (entire system) over the stock.

 

[otterball21]

no, if he goes down to a 6.5 Speaker type S... going from a 6x9 normal 5 dollar new speaker, it's gonna sound worse when you amplify it. Reason why is the 6.5 speaker doesn't have the excursion that the 6x9 has. So when you try to obtain the same exact midbass level, you get horrible distortion.

Achieving sound quality.., midbass and low treble should be coming out of the center speaker at 10 percent.

Yes the JBL takes like 50 for it to sound what I like to listen to it as...

After market 90% sounds better, but I've installed systems where people try to skimp on things and it sounds horrendous.

and Yes, I've removed the speakers already.

I took the truck stock to sound competition and I got second. From stock speakers and an alpine v-12 sub.
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http://www.cardomain.com/member_pag...ges/5/web/1949000-1949999/1949761_19_full.jpg

replacing everything and doing a new setup would make sure I would get first. I believe that your whole system sounds MUCH better than stock, reason why is that you replaced the whole setup. If you just drop in new speakers or do a little this or that, with the speakers, you are not going to get what you had originally. The speakers have an RMS of 15 watts, which that small amplifier in the back takes cares of.


Now for the answer on subs, the infinity Kappa Perfect, the MB quart, and the Kicker sub are all excellent subs that would give you that full sound that you want. The Type R doesn't hit as hard as I thought it should. Make sure they design the airspace right.

 

[digphisher]

I think I'll just go ahead and replace the whole thing at one time, putting in Infinity Reference components up front and coax in the back. I am still debating between the Infinity sub at $149, or the L5 Kicker, $199 buy one get one free. At that price, I can put the other on ebay, and just about pay the first one with that cash. Thanks for all of your input. I'll let you know how it goes.

 

[digphisher]

I think I'll just go ahead and replace the whole thing at one time, putting in Infinity Reference components up front and coax in the back. I am still debating between the Infinity sub at $149, or the L5 Kicker, $199 buy one get one free. At that price, I can put the other on ebay, and just about pay the first one with that cash. Thanks for all of your input. I'll let you know how it goes.