I was following another thread about the OEM Plus kits designed for 4runners. I contacted them through their website and asked about a package for my 2015 Limited w JBL, Nav, and 3rd row seating. Unfortunately their 4runner packages weren't compatible with JBL systems. Sandy explained the details and asked if I'd be interested in working with them to design an upgrade package for the JBL systems. I provided the truck and they went to town dissecting the JBL to fully understand it's strength's and shortcomings. From there Sandy designed around it's strength's. The process included baseline measurements then tweak and repeat over and over and over. I got the 4Runner back and Sandy asked me to listen and resist looking under the grills. Right off the bat, the music sounded better, a lot better. I was wondering if he changed the front door speakers or the dash speakers, then I thought he must have done something to the factory sub. I couldn't put my finger on it. Bass was cleaner and the mid's and highs were just right. I found myself turning up the volume further than I ever did from the factory. Sandy was on the right track, big time. Toyota was sending too much bass signal to the front doors and that just added to an already overly congested mess. The front doors were shaking and rattling. Now they are making music with no fatigue. Turn it up and the goodness just gets better.
The next time I took it in Sandy revealed what he had done. He disconnect some super tweeters I had experimented with and changed the phase on one of the factory dash speakers. Then, this is where he nailed it, he used some filters and possibly resisters on the front doors. The door speakers and the dash speakers started working together. They were presenting coherent images instead of noisy sound pressure.
The next time in the shop the sub got the much needed love. This is what should pressurise the cabin. Sandy tried utilizing the plastic factory enclosure but instead went with one of his custom fiberglass enclosures. It's beautiful and gave him room inside the panel to relocate the JBL amp and to add their sub amp which is capable of driving two subs and a remote gain control.
I picked it up today and I'm thrilled with the sound. The presentation is so much more relaxed but with power on reserve for when the music demands it. Also, watching Sandy do his thing has been fun. He's a hard core car guy and even harder core audio guy. How many of us can say we make a living doing what we love. I think Sandy's that guy.
The next time I took it in Sandy revealed what he had done. He disconnect some super tweeters I had experimented with and changed the phase on one of the factory dash speakers. Then, this is where he nailed it, he used some filters and possibly resisters on the front doors. The door speakers and the dash speakers started working together. They were presenting coherent images instead of noisy sound pressure.
The next time in the shop the sub got the much needed love. This is what should pressurise the cabin. Sandy tried utilizing the plastic factory enclosure but instead went with one of his custom fiberglass enclosures. It's beautiful and gave him room inside the panel to relocate the JBL amp and to add their sub amp which is capable of driving two subs and a remote gain control.
I picked it up today and I'm thrilled with the sound. The presentation is so much more relaxed but with power on reserve for when the music demands it. Also, watching Sandy do his thing has been fun. He's a hard core car guy and even harder core audio guy. How many of us can say we make a living doing what we love. I think Sandy's that guy.
