Premium Audio Upgrade for less than $250

Hey ya'll. Just upgraded my tweeters with the subaru swap. Was planning on upgrading the door speakers but on Crutchfield it mentions this:
Do I need to do anything or should everything work if I just plug in the adapters?

 

I just installed the focal isc 165 fronts and infinity reference 9632ex rears and nothing needed beside connectors that Crutchfield sent with speakers I bought. I’ve also done the Subaru tweeter kicker ks upgrade... HUGE improvement over stock. I’m now on the fence about getting an amp bc the speakers themselves have made such a big improvement

 

Thanks for the quick response!

 

You’re welcome I literally just installed my rears and was about to let everybody know the big difference it made. Crutchfield sends what’s needed. I do think this is for coaxial speakers only though and some extra harness may be needed for component upgrade to clarify. That’s why I ultimately went with coaxial 2 ways. I’m at $240 right now with my 6 speaker replacement upgrade and install which was extremely easy coming from somebody who’s never changed speakers until now

 

I have tried searching but I'm obviously not using the right words.

Has anyone WITH the JBL Entune system done this upgrade with the Kickers? If so, what are your thoughts? Better? Worse?

 

I am now a couple of weeks into my upgraded front door speakers: Kicker KS 6x9s. As mentioned above, I was planning on installing Kicker tweeters as well, but in the end didn't have the right Subaru Kicker PnP speakers for the install, so I put it off.

My impression: this is a major improvement, almost like night and day in terms of clarity. All systems are improved, but the XM sounds so much better now--it's even listenable, whereas before it was just mushy. This is the way they should have sent the vehicle out from the factory.

I am not planning on adding the dash tweeters at this time or doing the rears. Maybe if I had done it the other way, I would be bragging how much the tweeter plus front speaker upgrade improved the sound, but really this is fine for me for now. (It is possible the KS 3-way door speaker is much better than the CS speaker, and so the tweeter is not really necessary. As always, YMMV.)

If you want an essential but minimal upgrade, try the door speakers first--Kicker KS.

 

Funny, a lot of people did the exact opposite, like me. I installed the PnP Subaru/Kicker tweeters first and the difference was night and day. A couple weeks later I did the Kicker door speakers. Overall very happy with the end result, with no amp and no sub.

 

Have you noticed reduced road noise as a bonus effect of sound deadening?

 

It definitely helps. If you really want to reduce road noise, I recommend covering the floor and roof along with adding a layer of mass load vinyl.

 

For the guys running components the front, where are you mounting the crossover?

 

Also interested, like the idea of tweeters in the sail panels, but seems like a lot of work

 

I am not using the crossovers or tweeters that came with the Kicker CS component set that I am running. Instead, I chose to run the Subaru Kicker tweeter, which has a built in crossover. I can't say enough good things about this setup. It provides better sound clarity and bass than going with a 2-way or 3-way speaker in the front doors. I know you can disable high and mid drivers on coaxials, but I am not a fan of doing it that way.

 

I just did the Subaru Kicker tweeters and the Kicker CS door speakers last night... DEFINITELY a huge improvement over the OEM speakers.

 

So I was working my way through the upgrade, and come to find that the bolts that come with the 6.75 metra plate are machined and too big for the holes in the bracket. I guess I'm going to have to find some self tapping screws or tap the bracket to fit the bolts. Anyone have any ideas?

Also, some dumbass that worked on it before me broke the sail of the driver side door and hot glued it in place. So now I can't remove it. Idk wtf I'm going to do to get it off, and then I'll have to buy a replacement as well. Anyone have a part number or cost?

 

$15 or so

 

If it’s hot glued on, get out the heat gun.

 

Will it get hot enough to melt the glue and not melt the panel? I don't really want to be playing with molten plastic

 

I’d avoid a heat gun. If it’s hot glue, it’s soft enough to pull off with a little prying. That’s the main reason it’s used in the redneck auto industry. It holds well but isn’t permanent

I’d get under it with tour pry too and just try to pry it off. If it comes off, cool. If it breaks, you’re out a $15 panel

 

I pried on it pretty hard the other night and it didn't budge. There's a huge glob of hot glue on each bracket. I may have to use the wife hair dryer for a low temp solution. I will probably replace the panel anyway with new clips as well. I just foresee breaking my panel tool before it comes loose.

 

If you ever want to buy a new super handy tool, buy yourself a skin wedge. By far the most-used tool in my shop. Makes quick work of harder panel clips that bend regular pry tools, and can get into much thinner creases too