Sound Deadening Questions

[LodeRunner]

I'm considering a budget-friendly upgrade in my '97 to replace the stock HU with a Pioneer AVH-P2300DVD receiver, and the stock speakers with decent components up front and 2- or 3-ways in the rear.

My question is this: given that I'm not going for audiophile sound, etc., is it worth it to install Dynamat or similar product in my doors? Will both the inner and outer door need to be done to hear a real difference?

I've read other threads regarding this topic, but still was left wondering... Any other comments related to the equipment or otherwise are appreciated!

Thanks....:cheers:

 

[Clemsonfan15]

If it were me I would just install the speakers and see how the sound is. If you feel like you need the insulation then put it in after that. I personally wouldn't spend $100+ on something that I may not need.

 

[broke e7]

I did a similar update and ended up using Hushmat (similar to Dynamat). It is a decent result with minimal cost. If installed right, I think it's worth it. In all honesty, the HU will make the biggest difference.

 

[subst4nce]

Personally, I would wait and see if you are content with the sound when you do the new HU and speakers.

If you're not happy, then you can install some sound deadening.

Or, you could amp your speakers to get the most out of them. This will probably be more expensive then sound deadening though.


Oh, and I would also only upgrade the front speakers. I would spend your money on a pair of components in the front and fade most of the sound to the front, instead of spending additional money on the rears.

 

[LodeRunner]

I did a similar update and ended up using Hushmat (similar to Dynamat). It is a decent result with minimal cost. If installed right, I think it's worth it. In all honesty, the HU will make the biggest difference.

Aside from the sound quality of the stereo, did you find that using Hushmat significantly reduced the road noise in the cabin? This would be the only other compelling reason for me... Not that it's bad, but I wouldn't mind a quieter ride.

Thanks for everyone's input so far!

 

[broke e7]

It really didn't make a significant difference with the road noise. I have read about people installing this type of product all over the vehicle and getting a substantial reduction in road noise, but that wasn't necessarily my goal. If anything it may have cut down on some minor rattles you may get with the music turned up loud.

I will be interested if you have any success with reducing cabin noise, definitely never a bad thing!

 

[Clemsonfan15]

If you want to reduce road noise you need to do your floor.

 

[Sherwood4Runner]

I had a Toyota Celica before my 4runner and I used sound deadening material when I did my audio overhaul and it made all the difference!!! If you want better low and mid response use it to seal your door around the speaker. It is best to do the outer and inner of the door but if you have to choose between the two do the inner (closest surface to the door panel). This creates a 'sealed enclosure' per-say and makes all the difference in the world. I remember holding the 6'' speaker in my hand and holding it in the door and then pulling it out while playing music and laughing in marvel at how much of a difference it made. Also a nice feature of putting the sound deadening material in your doors is it makes the door sound more solid when you close it. It doesn't sound hollow or flimsy, it sounds more like when you close a Audi or Bmw door.

I also put sound deadening on the wheel wells and floor and it had a dramatic effect on reducing road noise.

After much research I used this companies product.

It is called Raamaudio and here is the website:

RAAMaudio

I read a huge comparison between all the major companies out at the time of purchase and this one was better than dynomat in almost all areas. Unfortunately I can not find that comparison on the web

 

[LodeRunner]

After much research I used this companies product.

It is called Raamaudio and here is the website:

RAAMaudio

I read a huge comparison between all the major companies out at the time of purchase and this one was better than dynomat in almost all areas. Unfortunately I can not find that comparison on the web

I noticed they have a couple of products that look like they're used as a system. Did you use the RaamMat and the Ensolite together, or just the RaamMat?

 

[CajunRunner]

Dynamat worked for me

I used 3 boxes of Dynamat to cover everything from floor to roof. It was a pain to install but I'm very happy with it and would do it again. I suppose it makes the stereo sound better. It definitely cut down on road noise, especially on the highway.

 

[Sherwood4Runner]

I noticed they have a couple of products that look like they're used as a system. Did you use the RaamMat and the Ensolite together, or just the RaamMat?

Yes this is correct. The layer you apply to the actual sheetmetal of the car is the RaamMat product. This is what absorbs the resonance/abstract frequencies (Aka undesirable noise) that is produced by the metal. The second product, Ensolite, is an acoustic foam that is layered over the RaamMat. This acts more as a sound insulator. I used both together because the Ensolite is inexpensive and easier to install than the the sound deadening material, however I don't think there would a noticeable difference if you skipped out on the Ensolite.

I had an almost competition level sounds system in my Celica, so there it mattered, but for your application in your 4runner I'd say save the cash and skip out on the Ensolite.