Time to replace speakers - suggestions?

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

I'm looking for some suggestions on some decent speakers to replace the blown JBL speakers in my front doors/dash. I have a little experience with subs, but never messed with speakers. Is there anything I can swap out and get decent sound out of with the factory amp? I know the amp is a major limitation with the subs, but was hoping it'd be sufficient for aftermarket speakers. I'm mainly just wanting to swap speakers for budget reasons, but I haven't ruled out adding an aftermarket amp to power the door speakers. I've done some looking and if I went this route, I'd probably get a 5 channel so I can run my 8" JL sub off it as well as the speakers (and sell my JL amp to re-coup some funds). Any thoughts/suggestions?

 

[wnelax04sr5]

I replaced all 4 speakers about a month ago with JBL GTO series. 6x9 in front and 6.5 in back, both three ways. Couldn't be happier with them, good at every range, i ran them without a sub for a week and then added an 8", and they were impressive without the sub and with it. [MENTION=87687]LTDSC[/MENTION] has them as well, he suggested them to me.

 

[Rocket61]

I replaced all 4 speakers about a month ago with JBL GTO series. 6x9 in front and 6.5 in back, both three ways. Couldn't be happier with them, good at every range, i ran them without a sub for a week and then added an 8", and they were impressive without the sub and with it. [MENTION=87687]LTDSC[/MENTION] has them as well, he suggested them to me.

Do you have these running off the stock JBL amp? We're they easy to hook up with the factory wires?

 

[wnelax04sr5]

Do you have these running off the stock JBL amp? We're they easy to hook up with the factory wires?

i had non jbl so they are only powered by my HU, a Kenwood Excelon KDC-X597. The system works perfectly for my needs, i don't even come close to needing more power, and i believe they can be wired with the stock amp in a JBL system

 

[Cygan1008]

I'm looking for some suggestions on some decent speakers to replace the blown JBL speakers in my front doors/dash. I have a little experience with subs, but never messed with speakers. Is there anything I can swap out and get decent sound out of with the factory amp? I know the amp is a major limitation with the subs, but was hoping it'd be sufficient for aftermarket speakers. I'm mainly just wanting to swap speakers for budget reasons, but I haven't ruled out adding an aftermarket amp to power the door speakers. I've done some looking and if I went this route, I'd probably get a 5 channel so I can run my 8" JL sub off it as well as the speakers (and sell my JL amp to re-coup some funds). Any thoughts/suggestions?

I went with Infinity reference 9632cf in front ($71.14 on amazon) and 6032cf in the rear ($53 on amazon). I chose these because they are 2-ohm which is what my research showed the stock amp is using . They sound really good, I'm very happy and they can easily be cranked as loud as you want with the stock amp but don't need to be turned up very loud for normal listening.

I also used metro 72-8104 speaker adapters for the doors because I just didn't feel like splicing anything.

I was going to try replacing the small speakers and center with Infinity as well but haven't gotten around to it yet.

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

I will also add that I'm still running the stock head unit, no plans of changing that. It's really looking like those Infinity speakers Cygan1008 listed may be the best option considering they're 2 ohm and price isn't bad at all. Is there any benefit to doing 6x9's front and 6.5's rear over doing 6.5's all around?

 

[LTDSC]

Do you have these running off the stock JBL amp? We're they easy to hook up with the factory wires?

I have the JBL and I bought the direct connect ones to Toyota JBL system so I could keep it without worrying around it. Cost maybe $10/each and saved me from hacking up my wiring.

 

[LTDSC]

I will also add that I'm still running the stock head unit, no plans of changing that. It's really looking like those Infinity speakers Cygan1008 listed may be the best option considering they're 2 ohm and price isn't bad at all. Is there any benefit to doing 6x9's front and 6.5's rear over doing 6.5's all around?

Those JBL speakers posted are 2ohm as well that's why I bought them.

6x9 is direct replacement without an adapter for the mounting for the fronts.

 

[Cygan1008]

Those JBL speakers posted are 2ohm as well that's why I bought them.



6x9 is direct replacement without an adapter for the mounting for the fronts.

I am also running the stock head unit. I remember looking at those jbl's as well. I can't remember why I went with the infinities over those maybe they were cheaper at the time or maybe they were a 3 way speaker which I didn't want. Anyway, iirc the infinity and jbl's were about the only 2 ohm choices that were readily available for a decent price.

Also +1 on the 6x9 being a direct replacement.

 

[MikeInNH]

jbl's as well. I can't remember why I went with the infinities

Infinity and JBL are both owned by the Harmon Group. Harmon started buying up many audio companies over a decade ago. They are also consolidating much of the manufacturing and engineering. I wouldn't be surprised if the JBL and Infinity speakers were designed by the same engineers...and built at the same factory.

 

[NOVA46]

I got four Sony, 3 way speakers from Crutchfield for $100. Huge improvement in sound quality over stock, but then again I didn't have the JBL system.

I do recommend Crutchfield.com, they give you all the installation instructions and speaker brackets. With free shipping. I've used them several times now, great customer service

 

[MikeInNH]

I do recommend Crutchfield.com, they give you all the installation instructions and speaker brackets. With free shipping. I've used them several times now, great customer service

I don't do a lot of audio upgrading anymore..but when I do...it's ONLY Crutchfield.

If you compare their prices...they are really decent. I priced out a new head unit for one of my sons project cars at Best-buy. Best-Buy had a lower price for the exact head unit...but then you had to buy the wiring harness (extra)...buy a bracket (extra). After all the extra's you had to buy....the cost from Crutchfield was a little cheaper. Plus they have free on-line service. And sometimes their sale prices are very difficult to beat.

 

[97BlackAckCL]

Alpine Type-S or Infinity Reference are good oem replacements, I've used both in my 4Runners

 

[gshadow325]

I will also add that I'm still running the stock head unit, no plans of changing that. I

i was going to offer options and my stock room for you to choose from. then i read you are keeping the OEM headunit.

My best piece of car stereo advice i give my customers

"Your stereo system is only good as its weakest link"

and

"Its not how loud you can play, its how well you can play loud"

take those two lines and apply it to your quest for better sound in your 4runner. You will come up with your OEM radio is your #1 enemy, in every aspect from integration to sound quality.

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

As far as Crutchfield, I've always had good luck with them and that's usually the first place I check. However, the Infinity speakers are no longer available there (new version is 3 ohm), and I don't see the JBLs listed at all.

Those JBL speakers posted are 2ohm as well that's why I bought them.

6x9 is direct replacement without an adapter for the mounting for the fronts.

Thanks, didn't realize they were also 2 ohm.

i was going to offer options and my stock room for you to choose from. then i read you are keeping the OEM headunit.

My best piece of car stereo advice i give my customers

"Your stereo system is only good as its weakest link"

and

"Its not how loud you can play, its how well you can play loud"

take those two lines and apply it to your quest for better sound in your 4runner. You will come up with your OEM radio is your #1 enemy, in every aspect from integration to sound quality.

I wasn't planning on it, but I can probably be convinced to do so. I had tried a Pioneer double din a few years ago. I had issues I could never track down, very low output and it kept fading in/out. I ended up just putting the stock one back in and selling everything. If I went this route, would I need to run wires to power the speakers directly from the head unit?

I'm open to any suggestions. I'm trying to keep cost down, but want to do it right so I'm not going back in a few months and doing it all over again. Now let me also add that I was content with the factory system, only looking to replace because of blown speakers.

 

[Cygan1008]

i was going to offer options and my stock room for you to choose from. then i read you are keeping the OEM headunit.



My best piece of car stereo advice i give my customers



"Your stereo system is only good as its weakest link"



and



"Its not how loud you can play, its how well you can play loud"



take those two lines and apply it to your quest for better sound in your 4runner. You will come up with your OEM radio is your #1 enemy, in every aspect from integration to sound quality.

Pretty sure with the stock jbl system the amp is the weakest link since it controls so much with this system but regardless if he wants to keep his head unit, some of us like the clean stock look, and he has already clearly stated he has no intentions then why suggest he replace it?

Aside from that a lot of folks on here have had terrible results with the expensive adapters required to change the headunit with the jbl system. It is the only reason I haven't changed mine. If you want to change the headunit for optimum sound quality you would probably be better served gutting the entire jbl system and running all new equipment. At that point your first post about the "budget" is pretty much out the window.

From experience if you want something that sounds good, not top shelf premium but better than stock, just go with the infinity's and bee done with it.

If you want optimum sound then I would start planning the full out swap.

 

[gshadow325]

I wasn't planning on it, but I can probably be convinced to do so. I had tried a Pioneer double din a few years ago. I had issues I could never track down, very low output and it kept fading in/out. I ended up just putting the stock one back in and selling everything. If I went this route, would I need to run wires to power the speakers directly from the head unit?

I'm open to any suggestions. I'm trying to keep cost down, but want to do it right so I'm not going back in a few months and doing it all over again. Now let me also add that I was content with the factory system, only looking to replace because of blown speakers.

its great you are open to suggestions. keeping the OEM deck and keeping the OEM JBL amp is where the problems come in. aftermarket radio and OEM JBL amp sucks hard. you will get that fade in out crap. i experienced it first hand with my truck when i first got it and was so fed up i yanked it out ASAP.

best way to upgrade is get a list of what options you want and budget you want to spend on this upgrade. yes it will be a upgrade. I am sure your subs will sound better too with a decent head unit!!

Pretty sure with the stock jbl system the
amp is the weakest link since it controls so much with this system but regardless if he wants to keep his head unit, some of us like the clean stock look, and he has already clearly stated he has no intentions then why suggest he replace it?

read my original post again, because i read it again and i didnt see where i suggested he change the oem radio. i stated the oem radio is the weakest link and stated that since he wasnt going to change the radio i was not going to offer suggestions.

 

[Cygan1008]

A suggestive comment is not limited to the words "I suggest" and your posting appears very suggestive to me but maybe I'm reading to far into it... That aside I completely agree with you on everything you have stated. The jbl headunit, amp and the way they control the system is a pain compared to nearly any other system on the market, factory or otherwise.

 

[miller507]

It really depends on what your looking for regarding sound wise.

I had focal components all around which sounded amazing, I'm switching to Kenwood's excelon series XR-1800ps in the front and KFC-X783Cs in the back since i'm sponserd by a local car audio shop.

 

[ThirdDeviation]

... I had issues I could never track down, very low output and it kept fading in/out. I ended up just putting the stock one back in and selling everything...

Not sure if I'm actually being helpful here, but I'm running a Pioneer double din with the same issues. I bought the car with the setup already installed, but there was an aftermarket amp that had been removed at some point. I think it was driving the rear speakers and sub (as I don't have any sound coming out of those), but I'm not certain whether it was driving the front speakers, which sound decent but have frequent, short fade-outs in the middle of songs.

I didn't do a lot of looking, but the "PAC TATO JBL Amplifier Turn-On Interface for Toyota Vehicles" ($60-ish on Amazon) was referenced as a solution for the problem in a couple of places. Since I don't have any problems with volume, but I do have the fade out, I thought I had struck out, but then I read a thread here that indicated there's an adjustment level on the interface that needs to be set to roughly 3/4 volume to prevent the fade-outs.

Probably more than you're interested in, given that you're interested in keeping the OEM head unit, but thought it might be helpful if you go a different way.

If I had limited funds, I'd replace the head unit over speakers any day. Even if the speakers could use, but don't absolutely need replacement. Putting in a head unit is analogous to an upgrade engine swap. Speakers are more like new tires. The car might handle better, but there's still a problem with power if all you do is change rubber.