Sound System Buying Advice

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Andrew Larson

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I am looking to upgrade the sound in my 98 4runner. I already did some searching on bestbuy and am thinking about getting some alpine speakers, not sure on the deck yet. I am not looking to get an amp. I am looking to spend around $300 on head unit and speakers. I have a general idea of what I want but am looking for any suggestions of stuff that is really good. I want a head unit that has auxilary and usb ports that works well with ipods
 
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I know a lot of guys on here run the Kappas, search on here and there should be 3 threads on it.

This head unit is really nice for the price. Some people like JVC some don't it's owned by Kenwood, and this is an Arsenal model. Which is JVCs higher end. This has the 6 pre outs with 4.8v. CEA compliant. HD Radio. USB, and AUX ports. The only thing it doesn't have is bluetooth, but can be added. Crutchfield has free shipping and no tax in CA. So for $109 shipped it's hard to beat. Also they have a 30 day money back guarantee even if you install it. And that will leave you with $200 to spend on speakers, amp, and wiring.

JVC Arsenal KD-AHD65 CD receiver at Crutchfield.com
 
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I personally have always ran JL mids and highs in my cars. I lucked out in the fact that my current 4Runner came with JL's already installed. My suggestion would be to look for some high quality speakers, ex: JL, Hertz, Kappas. Its a good investment and will improve your sound quality by a stretch. Now not that I disagree with [MENTION=68093]zooroadbaja[/MENTION] , but i would personally not go the JVC route. Look for a good quality alpine or kenwood deck. Those are the head units with the best SQ in my opinion. Those speakers and deck combined will produce amazing results with a big upgrade over stock. Just my two cents.

-DirtDawg
 
That's why I said people have a thing towards JVC. Are you planning on running an amp and components, or just upgrading to coaxials? Are you planning on only doing the front speakers? Does your T4R have factory tweeters?
 
DirtDawg said:
I personally have always ran JL mids and highs in my cars. I lucked out in the fact that my current 4Runner came with JL's already installed. My suggestion would be to look for some high quality speakers, ex: JL, Hertz, Kappas. Its a good investment and will improve your sound quality by a stretch. Now not that I disagree with [MENTION=68093]zooroadbaja[/MENTION] , but i would personally not go the JVC route. Look for a good quality alpine or kenwood deck. Those are the head units with the best SQ in my opinion. Those speakers and deck combined will produce amazing results with a big upgrade over stock. Just my two cents.

-DirtDawg
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I like your taste, but it's a waste of money if the OP doesn't want to run amps... If anything you can get the TR model components from JL fairly cheap online
 
Andrew, I agree with the head unit choice, that will produce the best SQ for the money you are willing to throw down. However, I would not advise using Alpine speakers. Although they produce great HU's and amplifiers, I have not had a great experience with their speakers or subs. I would however suggest these components, they are around the same price range your looking for:
JBL 6 3/4" Component Speakers
JBL 5 1/4" Component Speakers

Toyota uses JBL for their "Luxury" sound systems and personally I have experienced great customer satisfaction from installing these components. For the front, since the high (tweeter) is incorporated into the mid (speaker or woofer), you will not need to "retrofit" the tweeter into the existing housing. You can leave the old tweeter in the door or just remove it all together.

These 2-way components paired with the head unit you chose will be an amazing sounding set up for you in your budget range. Another thing I would like to bring to attention is when you install the head unit and the speakers, run new speaker wire! It will help contribute to the quality tremendously and its not difficult to do.

This is just my advice, but choose what you you feel will give you the best set up.

-DirtDawg
 
Brian757 said:
JL is like the BOSE of car audio.
Waste...Of...Money
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I have to disagree. I feel that when it comes to car audio (just like any other audio system) you get what you pay for. Bose is in my opinion is one of the best audio companies out there. They build components that last a lifetime and sound absolutely amazing. Yes they are quite pricy, but like I said you get what you pay for. I will always run Bose in my home for my surround sound systems. And the same thing applies to JL. I personally believe they are one of the elite companies in car audio. Their products are reliable and are made with great quality, producing great quality sounding systems. Once again this is just my opinion based on experience, other people have different opinions.

On the positive note Brian, I just want to compliment you on your Runner. I have always liked the look of it. :cheers:

-DirtDawg
 
DirtDawg said:
I have to disagree. I feel that when it comes to car audio (just like any other audio system) you get what you pay for. Bose is in my opinion is one of the best audio companies out there. They build components that last a lifetime and sound absolutely amazing. Yes they are quite pricy, but like I said you get what you pay for. I will always run Bose in my home for my surround sound systems. And the same thing applies to JL. I personally believe they are one of the elite companies in car audio. Their products are reliable and are made with great quality, producing great quality sounding systems. Once again this is just my opinion based on experience, other people have different opinions.

On the positive note Brian, I just want to compliment you on your Runner. I have always liked the look of it. :cheers:

-DirtDawg
Click to expand...

Oh, I run a 6 channel Bose system in my room. I like bose, but they are quite pricey for their design. JL, to me is just way too pricey. There are many smaller sound system companies like Memphis that produce a clean sound like JL, with half the tag. I saw a JL amp I really liked, mono, and it was $1,000 for 1,000 watts. That to me is crazy. But if JL suits you, then rock on, more power to you. I like the design of JL components.

And thank you for the compliment. I like your truck as well!
 
Brian757 said:
JL is like the BOSE of car audio.
Waste...Of...Money
Click to expand...

Wasn't he talking about JBL not JL-audio?

They are different right...

BTW I have had Bose 301s connected to a Harman Cardon amplifier for over 5 years now and they still sound great. I think they are some of the best stereo speakers you can buy on the Best Buy / Crutchfield consumer market.

I can't vouch for the cube speakers. What Bose are you referring to?
 
Brian757 said:
JL is like the BOSE of car audio.
Waste...Of...Money
Click to expand...

im with him on this one, true you get what you pay for but there are alot of other company's that offer same quality car audio products for half, maybe third of the price, also the quality of the install has so much more to do with it than the quality of components. a properly tuned, deadened active 2way setup with some modest 250$ components will blow away some 700$ jl audio components , i also would skip upgrading the rear speakers, they just arent useful and you (the driver) will never even know they arent back there and they will just mess up the sound stage,



if it were me building a budget system, I personally would buy this kenwood deck Kenwood KDC-X696 In-Dash CD/MP3 Car Stereo w/ Bluetooth & Pandora (offer them 155$)
and these componets Alpine SPS-610C (SPS610C) 6.5" 2-Way Type-S Component Speakers and you will need a harness that bypasses your stock amplifier and your on your way
 
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OP,

Get a $200 deck, Infinity reference 6.5s for the front and get the Alpine 45x4 power pack.

There was a recent post on this topic by another member and the thread has lots of info.

Use the link in my signature to find it.

Paste this into Google:
Code: 
site:toyota-4Runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/ stereo
 
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With today's DSPs like the Audison BIT10 you can use swap meet equipment and make it sound amazing... Making many more companies other than JL Audio "overpriced"
 
Skidmarcx said:
With today's DSPs like the Audison BIT10 you can use swap meet equipment and make it sound amazing... Making many more companies other than JL Audio "overpriced"
Click to expand...

Sure but the general population doesn't know enough about stereos to do that. Infinity / Bose ect are great for people who aren't experts.
 
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