New Speakers-Choices?

[xskydivingdudex]

Well i know we talked bout this on HCTO but i think it still depends on if ur looking at jsut getting speakers and the amp or if u want component speakers... if ur looking into component, try looking at Focal. A bunch of my friends have them but they are meant to be run with subs since the speakers output less bass then factory ones.

I may be looking into getting some new speakers for my 4runner and my mom's sequoia but ill prob be looking at Focal, Kicker, Infinity, Alpine... i think ur best bet is to go to several car audio shops and listen to them in person since each person's opinion on sound quality is diff.

 

[chris360hawks]

I want components for the front as I believe the factory ones are components with the separate tweeter. I am going to run the factory head unit with a aftermarket amp using a hi-lo converter. I don't want to run subs.

 

[xskydivingdudex]

Ya i gotcha... well my friend is selling his Focal Access 1's if ur interested. He bought them and used them for about a year but is trying to change to something diff since they do not fit correctly in his door (his fault for not researching which size he needed). I think hes selling them for $150 for a pair. Let me know if ur interested. Oh ya and they are 6.5" for the fronts with the component modules.

 

[Nelsonmd]

I want components for the front as I believe the factory ones are components with the separate tweeter. I am going to run the factory head unit with a aftermarket amp using a hi-lo converter. I don't want to run subs.

I really think you should reconsider running the stock head unit. The head unit is the first thing you should replace. There is no point spending money on speakers and an amp if they are just amplifying garbage.

I did alot of research before upgrading my system, and the bang-for-your-buck order for upgrades pretty much everyone gave was:
Head Unit
Front Speakers
Front Speaker Amp
Subwoofer/Sub amp
Rear Speakers
Rear Speaker Amp

Alot of picky people with high end systems didn't even bother with rear speakers but just removed them because they didn't contribute anything to sound quality. I replaced them in my old car just for the surround sound effect, but I think they were right, and they really didn't add much if anything to the sounds quality despite being JL audio.

I think you can disagree with the order of front speaker amp and sub, but HU then front speakers is pretty much written in stone (though I am sure someone here will disagree, this is the internet after all). Especially with the quality of the stock 4runner stereos, you should do the HU first even more.

 

[chris360hawks]

I just hate the look of aftermarket headunits. They look cheap. I like the simplicity of the factory one too.

 

[chris360hawks]

Ya i gotcha... well my friend is selling his Focal Access 1's if ur interested. He bought them and used them for about a year but is trying to change to something diff since they do not fit correctly in his door (his fault for not researching which size he needed). I think hes selling them for $150 for a pair. Let me know if ur interested. Oh ya and they are 6.5" for the fronts with the component modules.

I will keep those in mind.

 

[xskydivingdudex]

EDIT: those are crossover modules not component modules... couldnt remember the official name for them.

 

[chris360hawks]

Are there aftermarket head units that look kinda factory? I'm not into all the different buttons, dials, colors, text display thing.

 

[xskydivingdudex]

Ya there are several of them in various brands but ud have to look to see wat u like...

 

[Nelsonmd]

Are there aftermarket head units that look kinda factory? I'm not into all the different buttons, dials, colors, text display thing.

Well, you aren't going to get one that looks like a factory stereo because the factory stereos aren't exactly sought after for their looks; that why so many companies started using head units made by aftermarket companies. If you saved up a little more, you could get a double din pioneer navigation system

Amazon.com: Pioneer AVIC-U310BT 4.3-Inch In-Dash Navigation Receiver with CD Player and Bluetooth: Car Electronics

Or a DVD player for just a little more than $200
DVD Players with a Monitor (Receiver Size: Double DIN) | Car Stereos and Head Units | Car Audio | Car Audio, Video & GPS at Sonic Electronix

Here are some others

Double DIN Car Stereos (Touchscreen: Yes) | Car Stereos and Head Units | Car Audio | Car Audio, Video & GPS at Sonic Electronix

The double DIN models will fill the stock space well, and I think they look nicer than the stock one, and they will have much better sound quality. I am sure you could find one that you like the look of for a good price. Just because you aren't into the fancy features, if you are getting what you want (better sound) for close to your price range (at least biggest sound quality bang for your buck), then you aren't really paying extra for those fancy features.

 

[chris360hawks]

Thanks for the info. I guess I have some more to think about...Regarding a amp should I be looking for a 4 channel amp?

 

[Nelsonmd]

Thanks for the info. I guess I have some more to think about...Regarding a amp should I be looking for a 4 channel amp?

If you are looking for budget quality, I would say put all your ~$200 into the HU, it should have a humble amp inside it already.

Otherwise, if you really just have $200 to work with, I would get a decent pair of component fronts, with a decent 2chan amp, unless you are planning on expanding you system later, but it doesn't sound like you want to do that.

Just a note, when I moved my pioneer 2-way components speakers over to my 4runner, I used the stock tweeter (until I figure out how to mount my pioneer tweeter into the stock housing) and havn't installed the crossover yet. I can notice the quality difference, especially at high volume. I suggest getting 2-way component speakers that have crossovers. You will like them better.

 

[Forumboarder12]

A lot of it depends on what type of music you listen to, and what type of sound you are wanting. All the brands previously mentioned are good. Memphis Audio and JL Audio are, IMO, for good lows are powerful bass. Sony is a quality speaker, that does lows, mids, and highs pretty well. Same goes for the Boston Acoustic, but more of a studio or concert hall sound, a lot of sound depth if that makes sense. Personally, I like Alpine component speakers the best. They have some of the best sound clarity around, which works great for my eclectic music tastes. Install is easy. So easy, even a caveman can do it. :lmao: Look at these two for front and rear: Alpine - Type-S 6-1/2" 2-Way Coaxial Car Speakers with Poly-Mica Cones (Pair) - SPS-600
Alpine - Type-S 5-1/4" 2-Way Coaxial Car Speakers with Poly-Mica Cones (Pair) - SPS-500.
Good luck with the search.

I have these same speakers in my 97. Love em. Crisp and can handle alot of power.

 

[downpour11]

wow i gotta catch up on all these posts.... but chris360hawks, you definitely want to replace the head unit, I'd do that before you buy speakers if you can't do it all at once. you can find a nice double din that is similar and nicer.

 

[chris360hawks]

For now I just want to spend a couple hundred on some decent speakers and I will purchase a amp fairly soon and a head unit down the road when I can get a nice one that I like. If I get a amp that has the speaker line inputs and the RCA inputs I should be able to use my stock head unit for a while until I put a nice one in.

 

[xskydivingdudex]

Just so u know Chris... if u buy a decent headunit, even a single din with speakers itll prob sound better then the amp with the speakers attached to a stock headunit. The external amp will help but the aftermarket radio will have better output for the speakers also. Just so that uve got ur options open.

 

[WrexHAmm]

I have to say a new HU is a good way to go. However, I have had every vehicle broken into because of the HU. Regardless if you remove the face or have a security system they will smash your windows out with the hopes that there is something of value in the car. I frequently have to leave my vehichle in places overnight and I am done with replacing the window and interior pieces because some a**hole thinks I have a millon dollars in my glovebox.

That being said, I wouldn't mind a better factory HU (I've checked the Scion mod but didn't think it worked with 3rd Gen). Other than that I am going to replace the speakers without adding a sub. I appreciate all of your input for speakers options.

 

[Nelsonmd]

I have to say a new HU is a good way to go. However, I have had every vehicle broken into because of the HU. Regardless if you remove the face or have a security system they will smash your windows out with the hopes that there is something of value in the car. I frequently have to leave my vehichle in places overnight and I am done with replacing the window and interior pieces because some a**hole thinks I have a millon dollars in my glovebox.

That being said, I wouldn't mind a better factory HU (I've checked the Scion mod but didn't think it worked with 3rd Gen). Other than that I am going to replace the speakers without adding a sub. I appreciate all of your input for speakers options.

Man, have I just gotten lucky that mine hasn't been broken into or what? I leave my faceplate on, and I have never had it broken into in the 4 years or so that I have had the stereo. I even park at hiking trailheads alot that are pretty prone to break-ins. Generally the rule there is take everything out, and leave the doors unlocked so they don't break your windows.

I have seen custom mounting jobs where they mount the stereo in the glove box, or recessed into the dash more so it isn't visible from the side windows. That could be a cool project that wouldn't be too hard.

I have to admit, the theft angle is one of the reasons I havn't installed my amp and sub into the 4runner. The sub will be very visible in the back, or I would have to cover it with the tonneau cover, which makes it look like I have valuables in there anyway.

Just so u know Chris... if u buy a decent headunit, even a single din with speakers itll prob sound better then the amp with the speakers attached to a stock headunit. The external amp will help but the aftermarket radio will have better output for the speakers also. Just so that uve got ur options open.

I don't think there is a sound quality difference between single and double DIN. As long as you get a reputable company, you will kick the crap out of any stock radio.

 

[chris360hawks]

Thanks everyone for their help especially Nelsonmd. You obviously know what you are talking about regarding car audio.

Alright I THINK I have made up my mind. Went and listened to some speakers today and read a bunch more online and talked to my buddy. I don't think you can really go wrong with any of the major brands. I liked the sound of the JL Audios amped in the store compared to Alpine, Pioneer, Kenwood, and several others. Wasn't able to listen to Infinity, Memphis, or MB Quarts. I read that JL>Infinity alot of times, but alot of people really like Memphis audio so...I think I'm gonna go with Memphis. These are the speakers I'm probably going to settle on:

Front:
15-PRS6V2 - Memphis 6.5" 2-Way Power Reference Component Speakers
Rear:
15-PR52V2 - Memphis 5.25" 2-Way Power Reference Coaxial Speakers w/ Swivel Tweeter

I'm going to get a amp that has speaker line level inputs so I can run my stock headunit for now. In the future when I find one I like and can afford I will get a nice headunit. I'm guessing I'll need a 4 channel amp that has at least 50 RMS watts per channel, based on the speakers RMS.

Anybody have any final thoughts on this?

 

[Nelsonmd]

Thanks everyone for their help especially Nelsonmd. You obviously know what you are talking about regarding car audio.

Alright I THINK I have made up my mind. Went and listened to some speakers today and read a bunch more online and talked to my buddy. I don't think you can really go wrong with any of the major brands. I liked the sound of the JL Audios amped in the store compared to Alpine, Pioneer, Kenwood, and several others. Wasn't able to listen to Infinity, Memphis, or MB Quarts. I read that JL>Infinity alot of times, but alot of people really like Memphis audio so...I think I'm gonna go with Memphis. These are the speakers I'm probably going to settle on:

Front:
15-PRS6V2 - Memphis 6.5" 2-Way Power Reference Component Speakers
Rear:
15-PR52V2 - Memphis 5.25" 2-Way Power Reference Coaxial Speakers w/ Swivel Tweeter

I'm going to get a amp that has speaker line level inputs so I can run my stock headunit for now. In the future when I find one I like and can afford I will get a nice headunit. I'm guessing I'll need a 4 channel amp that has at least 50 RMS watts per channel, based on the speakers RMS.

Anybody have any final thoughts on this?

Hehe, you have good taste, JL's are some of the best (definitely > the others you mentioned). Was it just the price holding you back from the JL's? And you are going with speakers that you havn't listened to? Not meaning to second guess you, just want to keep you honest.

Yeah, you are right on the amp. I would say at least 50WRMS per channel, my 45W/chan HU struggles to put out enough sound while I am driving on the highway. It was plenty in a smaller car that was a bit quieter, but it seems the 4runner needs a little more juice to fill the cab.