what an unbelievable difference! - kappa 3.5 dash speakers
- Thread starter mag10
- Start date
Hi
What's the result after using the 600hrz blockers? I just put the kappas and they make popping noise when I turn up the bass. I think I should have kept the factory blocker....
SOcalTRAIL
New member
So I just finished putting an Infinity in the driver's side spot on me 2011 TE w/JBL and I have to say..... I'm a little bummed.
I am glad I did not do the passenger's side speaker... The factory JBL system is actually pretty good but after the rave reviews member's gave on the huge increase in quality that these speakers give to the stock non/jbl system, I decided to see if it improved the JBL version as well.
I performed a small "blind" test with my girlfriend and neighbor, sitting them in the middle of the back seat, leaned forward. I threw on some good quality acoustic music and used the EQ to change the sound stage to the front right corner, let that play for a few seconds, then I turned the volume all the way down and changed the EQ to the front left speaker and let that play.
Unfortunately both listeners strongly agreed that the front right sound stage (OEM JBL Speaker) sounded "more full and powerful" than front left (Infinity). My ears found this to be true as well. The other thing I noticed was the volume level on the Infinity tapered off at around level 40 on the volume knob (out of 60) and did not get any louder. The OEM JBL was quite a bit louder at the same level as the infinity and continued to get louder until max volume.
Has anyone with a JBL system who has done this had similar results??
Sooo, that being said, unfortunately I have a pair of Infinity speakers for sale, one used for about 30 mins and the other sealed up brand new that I will make someone a killer deal on.
Cheers
I am glad I did not do the passenger's side speaker... The factory JBL system is actually pretty good but after the rave reviews member's gave on the huge increase in quality that these speakers give to the stock non/jbl system, I decided to see if it improved the JBL version as well.
I performed a small "blind" test with my girlfriend and neighbor, sitting them in the middle of the back seat, leaned forward. I threw on some good quality acoustic music and used the EQ to change the sound stage to the front right corner, let that play for a few seconds, then I turned the volume all the way down and changed the EQ to the front left speaker and let that play.
Unfortunately both listeners strongly agreed that the front right sound stage (OEM JBL Speaker) sounded "more full and powerful" than front left (Infinity). My ears found this to be true as well. The other thing I noticed was the volume level on the Infinity tapered off at around level 40 on the volume knob (out of 60) and did not get any louder. The OEM JBL was quite a bit louder at the same level as the infinity and continued to get louder until max volume.
Has anyone with a JBL system who has done this had similar results??
Sooo, that being said, unfortunately I have a pair of Infinity speakers for sale, one used for about 30 mins and the other sealed up brand new that I will make someone a killer deal on.
Cheers
rickwol
New member
Yeh, I would be a bit bummed as well. I know there were a couple of inquiries regarding the Kappas and JBL but I'm not sure if anyone here made that particular swap. If so, they certainly didn't post any results, at least none that I remembert coming across. Since I had the stock non-JBL setup in my TE, the Kappa's did make a noticeable difference for me. However, we have the JBL setup in my wife's Camry and also had it in a previous Maxima and we were always impressed and satisfied with those units. I really think that to experience a significant boost in audio quality over your factory JBL system, you would really need to replace the entire unit and of course that quickly runs into big bucks.
sandcrawler
Senior Member
thank you for posting that. i've been wondering all along if these rave reviews have been in comparison to the stock stereo's speaker — not the upgraded JBL audio.
Ukie
New member
Here's review on Amazon:
"I purchased these speakers for installation into my brand new 2011 Toyota 4Runner Limited. Though the Runner came with Premium JBL speakers pre-installed, thanks to the advice to my friends and t4r dot org, I decided to give these a shot. Boy am I glad that I did. The sound is amazing. The install was flawless. I highly recommend these speakers to replace your factory speakers...you will not be sorry. Best fifty dollar upgrade you can make!"
SOcalTRAIL, what speaker model # do you have?
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SOcalTRAIL
New member
I am pleased to say that after playing with the factory JBL system, it might easliy be the best OEM system I have ever heard. It is still not as good as a full on custom system, but for what it is, it works! I just figured it was worth a shot at getting a slight improvemend out of the front sound stage seeing as how the investment was relatively small and of course, its fun to play around with our trucks!:girl:
SOcalTRAIL
New member
SOcalTRAIL
New member
My assumption is that Infinity 329CF speakers (105W peak) have been used by fellow t4r members to do a dash speaker mod. Please correct me if I'm wrong.
In contrast, SOcalTRAIL has used a 3032cf 75-watt model and maybe that a main reason for not so good results
Hmm.... I think a few people used the 3032cf's like me but when you look at the specs between the two speakers, there isn't a whole lot of difference. The power handeling on the 329's is greater but the SPL is very similar - only 1.1 greater on the 329's .
Maybe it is worth trying out the 329's??? Is there anyone else who has done this mod on the JBL system with the Infinity 329cf's?
Ukie
New member
3-1/2" 2-way Reference Series Car Speakers (REF3032CF):
RMS Power: 40 watts
Peak Power:75 watts
Frequency Response:81 - 21,000Hz
Sensitivity:31dB
3-1/2" 2-way Speakers (KAPPA32.9CF) [WHAT I BELIEVE SHOULD BE USED]:
RMS Power: 35 watts
Peak Power: 105 watts
Frequency Response:85 - 25,000Hz
Sensitivity: 92 dB
I'm not an audio pro, but looks like those speakers are completely different animals.
You should compare spec of your stock JBL dash speaker with KAPPA32.9CF spec to find out whether upgrade makes sense or not.
SOcalTRAIL
New member
I have slightly different specs from Crutchfield on those 3032cf's
•3-1/2" 2-way speakers (pair)
•Plus One+ Injection-Molded Polypropylene (IMPP) woofer cone with hi-roll rubber surround
•PEI balanced dome tweeter
•True Four Ohm Impedance technology: speaker's 2-ohm impedance combines with speaker wire impedance for a 4-ohm load
•compatible with virtually all factory or aftermarket car stereos
•power range: 2-25 watts RMS (75 watts peak power)
•frequency response: 85-21,000 Hz
•sensitivity: 91 dB
•top-mount depth: 1-1/2"
•warranty: 1 year
The 32.9cf's specs from Crutchfield:
2-way 3-1/2" speakers (pair)
True Four Ohm Impedance technology: speaker's 2-ohm impedance combines with speaker wire impedance for a 4-ohm load
compatible with virtually all factory or aftermarket car stereos
Plus One® woven-glass-fiber woofer cone with hi-roll rubber surround
1" edge-driven M.M.D.® dome tweeter
computer-optimized outboard crossover with tweeter level control
direct-connect crossover dongle
power range: 2-35 watts RMS (105 watts peak power)
frequency response: 85-25,000 Hz
sensitivity: 92 dB
top-mount depth: 1-5/8"
warranty: 3 years
Pretty close by those specs... Ukie - I think your right - either way the 32.9cf's should be slightly louder - I might go ahead and buy em to see how they stack up to the JBL's - Im not sure where I could get the specs on the OEM JBL speakers.
Hmmmmmm....
•3-1/2" 2-way speakers (pair)
•Plus One+ Injection-Molded Polypropylene (IMPP) woofer cone with hi-roll rubber surround
•PEI balanced dome tweeter
•True Four Ohm Impedance technology: speaker's 2-ohm impedance combines with speaker wire impedance for a 4-ohm load
•compatible with virtually all factory or aftermarket car stereos
•power range: 2-25 watts RMS (75 watts peak power)
•frequency response: 85-21,000 Hz
•sensitivity: 91 dB
•top-mount depth: 1-1/2"
•warranty: 1 year
The 32.9cf's specs from Crutchfield:
2-way 3-1/2" speakers (pair)
True Four Ohm Impedance technology: speaker's 2-ohm impedance combines with speaker wire impedance for a 4-ohm load
compatible with virtually all factory or aftermarket car stereos
Plus One® woven-glass-fiber woofer cone with hi-roll rubber surround
1" edge-driven M.M.D.® dome tweeter
computer-optimized outboard crossover with tweeter level control
direct-connect crossover dongle
power range: 2-35 watts RMS (105 watts peak power)
frequency response: 85-25,000 Hz
sensitivity: 92 dB
top-mount depth: 1-5/8"
warranty: 3 years
Pretty close by those specs... Ukie - I think your right - either way the 32.9cf's should be slightly louder - I might go ahead and buy em to see how they stack up to the JBL's - Im not sure where I could get the specs on the OEM JBL speakers.
Hmmmmmm....
Ukie
New member
Looks like WarrenReese is a guy who left a positive feedback @ Amazon. Try to send him a PM.
SOcalTRAIL
New member
harper7
Senior Member
I was the first to put them in and I have the JBL system and they are the Kappa 32.9cf. Infinity - Car Audio
The difference was night and day to me.
The 3032cf's are from the Reference series which is their middle of the road speakers and are about in line with the factory JBL 3 1/2's
If you read the first post "I just got done installing a set of Infinity Kappa 32.9cf 3-1/2" 2-way Car Speakers"
The difference was night and day to me.
The 3032cf's are from the Reference series which is their middle of the road speakers and are about in line with the factory JBL 3 1/2's
If you read the first post "I just got done installing a set of Infinity Kappa 32.9cf 3-1/2" 2-way Car Speakers"
sandcrawler
Senior Member
:ybrick:
