Made A Huge Improvement In Sound System

[JimKW]

I swear there was an Audio Forum here at one time, but no longer see it listed.

I have the JBL system and have never liked the sound. Way too much coming out of the Center/Dash speaker. About a year ago I replaced just the Head Unit with a Kenwood DNX5190. Probably a discontinued model, but the newer ones are probably better. The cost was about $600 installed.

Sound was a little better but not really good either. Yesterday I had the factory amp replaced with a rockfordfosgate R600X5 and bypassed the center speaker. The cost was $775 installed.

Now I am hearing the original speakers in the doors and the factory sub. I had to turn the sub back to -2. At first it was set at +6 and it was BAD. At -2 you still get a little baas but not so much that it rattles the speaker like it did at +6. Tried setting it to Off, but found that -2 is fine.

I am actually surprised at how good the door speakers sound. They are not the best, but it sure helped to put some good power to them. I think the factory JBL amp really sucks.

Next year I will start looking at replacing the speakers, at least the sub for sure.

I really like the vehicle and I almost traded it in because the sound system just was not good enough. So putting $1375 into it is way cheaper than a newer vehicle.

No doubt I could have saved at least $300 installing it myself, but I'm just not into doing that any longer. I still get under it and change the oil myself and I greased the differential myself when I brought it home yesterday, but just don't feel like messing with the electronics. Plus if I don't like something about it and go tell them, they are very helpful. Went to Columbus Car Audio here in Columbus, OH and they really know their stuff.

 

[xxaarraa]

While it might be hard for folks to appreciate spending $1375 on stereo upgrade, I for one, totally hear ya. The car must do what is important to you, totally get it. I almost traded my other car because it didn't have bluteooth integration and that's a big deal to me.

Good job, enjoy! :bluejump:

 

[JimKW]

$1375 is a lot of money, but doing half last year and half this year makes it seem like less. We have all our cars paid off so we don't have car payments. Things you want and good quality costs money. It's a fact of life.

If/when I put in some high end speakers, it's going sound fantastic. By the way all the stuff I'm buying will be transportable to another vehicle if I ever decide to sell the 4Runner.

Wife just took off in the 4Runner because she like the sound of the stereo. First I ever heard that about that car.

 

[swapmeet]

Did the shop utilize the factory wiring? did you have to use a converter?

Very curious. My wife has a 05 with the JBL upgrade and wants a better system.

 

[Guitarplaya39]

I was actually surprised how much the stock system in my 4runner SUCKED. Not sure if something was wrong, but all the speakers worked. Like, no matter how loud I cranked it, something was still missing. My first mod was to remove every trace of the factory stereo, and replace it, down to the speaker wires. I probably have about $600 tied up in it now. Front components, 4ch amp, 10" sub and Kenwood deck. Ohh man, what a difference. Im hearing stuff in familiar music I've never heard before! Oh yeah, and added some sound dampening to the doors. Believe me, just applying effective dampening to the doors makes a huge difference.

 

[riceandpho]

i never like stock or jbl system, thats why i always opt out on those since i can put a real system in. im happy the way i have it now, i just might upgrade my sub amps later with just a single one with more power, my jl audio amp is fine but i would like to use a rockford fosgate t1000 later.

 

[JimKW]

I think replacing the amp was way more of an improvement than the head unit or the speakers. I think the factory amp is the really weak link in the jbl system. I bought new wiring harnesses for the new components, all the other wiring is probably still factory.

 

[noshortcuts]

The first thing I did was disconnect the center speaker. Not only does it destroy "stereo" sound but it's a weak little speaker anyway. But the system was still underpowered and the bass was muddy. Replacing the head unit didn't help alot because that's not the weak link (but it got me bluetooth and better ipod integration). I wasn't sure about replacing the amp like you did. I replaced the sub and with separate amp. Wow... that really did it. The bass is clean, musical, and as loud as desired. What really surprised me was how much more the JBL speakers came to life.... cleaner and louder. I gueess the stock amp is way under powered and taking sub duty away adds needed power to the speakers. For anyone that ever goes this route or the OPs route, make sure to turn off the HU Amp for better sound.

 

[ddnww]

I was actually surprised how much the stock system in my 4runner SUCKED. Not sure if something was wrong, but all the speakers worked. Like, no matter how loud I cranked it, something was still missing. My first mod was to remove every trace of the factory stereo, and replace it, down to the speaker wires. I probably have about $600 tied up in it now. Front components, 4ch amp, 10" sub and Kenwood deck. Ohh man, what a difference. Im hearing stuff in familiar music I've never heard before! Oh yeah, and added some sound dampening to the doors. Believe me, just applying effective dampening to the doors makes a huge difference.

sounds like you did things the proper way.. alot of people feel its ok to use existing wires etc.. i couldnt disagree more..

i have a feeling your audio sounds :guitar2:

 

[ddnww]

OP that amp is $250-$300 , amp install is usually around $75... what else
did you purchase with that.. that seems a lil steep for that amp and installation.

 

[scw1991]

I've got the JBL Synthesis system and am very disappointed. Way too much reverb and mid bass. Very muddy sounding. But, the head unit seams ok and at least there are plenty of stock speaker locations for future upgrades.

Waiting for some warmer weather so I can install a JL Audio 10W3 sub in custom enclosure with a few old school Rockford Fosgate Punch150HD amps I've used the for the past 20+ years.

 

[JimKW]

OP that amp is $250-$300 , amp install is usually around $75... what else
did you purchase with that.. that seems a lil steep for that amp and installation.

Oh well I paid more than I could have bought the stuff for on the Internet. I think the install was $125 and the wiring harness was $150 or maybe the other way around. I know they started at $850 and I got them down to $775 and they wouldn't go lower.

The bottom line is my car was done the same day I am happy with the results. Not really worried about paying a little more for it than I had to. I know the place knows what they are doing, are very profesional and they stand behind their work. They spent about an hour with me and my wife going over the various settings and how to adjust things to meet our preferences and answering questions we had.

 

[97BlackAckCL]

I've got the JBL Synthesis system and am very disappointed. Way too much reverb and mid bass. Very muddy sounding. But, the head unit seams ok and at least there are plenty of stock speaker locations for future upgrades.

Waiting for some warmer weather so I can install a JL Audio 10W3 sub in custom enclosure with a few old school Rockford Fosgate Punch150HD amps I've used the for the past 20+ years.

I used the stock radio and amp and just replaced all the speakers, and it was quite an improvement.

 

[Dylan]

I am happy with the results.

It doesn't matter if you paid $1 million for the setup, this is all that matters. It comes down to preference. While I am a musician, my $150 Pioneer HU works great for the short drives I make in my car, I don't care if the cowbell on 'Dont Fear The Reaper' isn't as crisp as it could be. But at home when I'm plugged in, making music...that's my preference for the high dollar setup. Do what makes you happy.

 

[97BlackAckCL]

It doesn't matter if you paid $1 million for the setup, this is all that matters. It comes down to preference. While I am a musician, my $150 Pioneer HU works great for the short drives I make in my car, I don't care if the cowbell on 'Dont Fear The Reaper' isn't as crisp as it could be. But at home when I'm plugged in, making music...that's my preference for the high dollar setup. Do what makes you happy.

 

[gshadow325]

sounds like you did things the proper way.. alot of people feel its ok to use existing wires etc.. i couldnt disagree more..

i have a feeling your audio sounds :guitar2:

Can you please tell me why would I need to replace all of the factory speaker wires? i would like to see where your rational comes from.

 

[ddnww]

Can you please tell me why would I need to replace all of the factory speaker wires? i would like to see where your rational comes from.

His amp is rated at 50rms per channel, the stock system is probably around 20rms. Which means the cheap speaker wire they used is rated to handle that power and not much more. I like to have the full potential from my audio systems so i upgrade it to the proper size per power requirements.

Also, it being "x" year old wire and very thin cheap wire, means theres a chance of shorting or cutting out while im trying to enjoy my music.

IMO if your upgrading your speakers and amp, you should upgrade your wiring as well.

 

[gshadow325]

His amp is rated at 50rms per channel, the stock system is probably around 20rms. Which means the cheap speaker wire they used is rated to handle that power and not much more. I like to have the full potential from my audio systems so i upgrade it to the proper size per power requirements.

Also, it being "x" year old wire and very thin cheap wire, means theres a chance of shorting or cutting out while im trying to enjoy my music.

IMO if your upgrading your speakers and amp, you should upgrade your wiring as well.

Your concerns are valid, but it actually doesnt make much sense to me. If the wires are "x" year old wire and very thin cheap wire, wouldnt the whole vehicle be made of this? The whole wiring system in the vehicle should be degraded and be failing soon by your calculations. i should be upgrading all the wires in my car then.

i think you are confusing power cable requirements with speaker load and distance requirements. Lower Impeadance would justify the need for larger guage wire. since OP didnt increase the load on the wire, but actually lightened the load to 4ohm from OEM JBL speakers being 2OHM.

Using a larger guage wire could actually increase load and decrease performance.

this could be a good reference guide for you. it may help you save unnecessary work of running speaker wires everywhere.
Recommended Power and Ground Cable Sizes & Speaker Wire Size and Length

here is something for you to think about.
-running a retail store you make money on labor.
-if i tell you your factory wires are no good and speak a whole bunch of jargon. you think i am god
-wires in most modern cars are made from copper, not tin/aluminum that will oxidize(aluminum's version of rust). brings me back to the early 80's jaguars with aluminum connectors thruout the car, now thats a car that fits your description of wires degrading over time.
-i dont sell people on new speaker wires. sound deadnening, yes. and other things while i have the door apart.
-running speaker wires thru a door jamb/door harness boot on a modern car is a MAJOR PITA. tons of time and effort with none to minimal gains.
-i do car stereo 6 days a week, 9 hours per day and also do mobile fleet service and I dont claim to know everything. in fact i know nothing and a little bit of something.

 

[ddnww]

Your concerns are valid, but it actually doesnt make much sense to me. If the wires are "x" year old wire and very thin cheap wire, wouldnt the whole vehicle be made of this? The whole wiring system in the vehicle should be degraded and be failing soon by your calculations. i should be upgrading all the wires in my car then.

i think you are confusing power cable requirements with speaker load and distance requirements. Lower Impeadance would justify the need for larger guage wire. since OP didnt increase the load on the wire, but actually lightened the load to 4ohm from OEM JBL speakers being 2OHM.

Using a larger guage wire could actually increase load and decrease performance.

this could be a good reference guide for you. it may help you save unnecessary work of running speaker wires everywhere.
Recommended Power and Ground Cable Sizes & Speaker Wire Size and Length

here is something for you to think about.
-running a retail store you make money on labor.
-if i tell you your factory wires are no good and speak a whole bunch of jargon. you think i am god
-wires in most modern cars are made from copper, not tin/aluminum that will oxidize(aluminum's version of rust). brings me back to the early 80's jaguars with aluminum connectors thruout the car, now thats a car that fits your description of wires degrading over time.
-i dont sell people on new speaker wires. sound deadnening, yes. and other things while i have the door apart.
-running speaker wires thru a door jamb/door harness boot on a modern car is a MAJOR PITA. tons of time and effort with none to minimal gains.
-i do car stereo 6 days a week, 9 hours per day and also do mobile fleet service and I dont claim to know everything. in fact i know nothing and a little bit of something.

so by your theory, i can power my 1000rms sub with 22 gauge wire.
in regards to the factory wiring, have you ever seen a new vehicle with a brake light that dont work, i know people who have had to replace their whole electrical system. I upgrade whenever possible to eliminate the future problem. I have a degree in audio technology, i started my first job at a stereo shop when i was 12, i have 25 yrs experience. That said , im no expert either. You own a shop, thats great, but doesnt hold much merit to me( no offense). The times i didnt do my own install, i had to take the car back and show the installer where they didnt do things proper( insufficient gauge wire, improper amp grounding, etc), 9 out of 10 "professional installs" that ive seen are crap, using prefabbed enclosures, crap gear etc. Ive never met a person who was serious about their audio that used the factory speaker wire. Ask steve mead if he does. But in the end, this is just my personal experience and opinion. And we all know what thats worth. Good talk.:hug:

 

[Guitarplaya39]

I like the peace of mind of having new speaker wire, plus better quality to minimize any potential interference. Besides, when wiring up an amp, ya gotta run the wires from the new amp location anyway. The factory speaker wires are pretty small and frail... At least on my stock basic system it was.