3rd Gen - Simple stereo build

Here's a stereo upgrade\build that I wanted to share. There's not too much going on here but I wanted something louder, more balanced, and a simple\clean install. The speakers are running from the stock Entune head unit and sound surprisingly good (See update 1)
***Update 1 - after months of running this setup the sound clarity is poor at higher levels and there's a noticeable bass drop off at the sub***
***Update 2 - Keykey amp just installed. Immediate improvement with sound clarity, especially at higher volumes.

Specs :
Kicker tweeters (subaru)
Kicker 6x9's (DSC6930)
Kicker 6 3/4's (DSC670)
Kicker CompVT slim 10" (2 Ohm)
Kicker DXA250.1 Amp
Kicker Key Amp
Sub box 3/4 MDF - approximately .7 cubic feet of volume

 

Custom sub box and amp install

 

3 ways in the door and replacement dash speakers too? Don't think I would have gone that route.

 

Yep. The stock dash speakers/tweeters are terrible. They made a big noticeable difference as I replaced them a week after the door speakers.

 

What interface did you use to get signal to the sub amp?

 

I used this plug and play adapter

$36 Add An Amp Amplifier Adapter Interface to Factory OEM Car Stereo Radio System for Select Vehicles - Add Subwoofer Bass Amp etc.- No Factory Premium Amp- Compatible Vehicles listed below

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CQUL240/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_jSt0DbS0YC95B

 

Did your front speakers come with Metra brackets

$17 82-8146 6" x 9" Front Speaker Adapter for Select Lexus and Toyota Vehicles, Black, Apple

82-8146? I just received some from crutchfield and the bag was torn and I'm not sure whether they should have come with hardware.

 

After months of running this setup and lots of tuning I can say that this simple setup isn't good enough for me.

It sounds great at mid level volumes but once you get into the 40 to 50 range (tuned so that 50 is max) the bass from the sub drops off and overall it's not great quality.... Most noticeable with heavier rock music.

Part of the problem, I suspect is that I'm using this LOC below which I believe is tapping into the rear speakers (which has a much more limited signal compared to the front). The other problem is the entune head unit of course, with it's limited output power and way it distributes those signals.



So, my plan is to run the Kicker Key Amp (180.4) for the door\tweeters to give me the necessary power and ability to fine tune the gains for the front\rear.

I'm still looking into how I want to get a better signal to the amp, assuming tapping into the front speakers would be the best for that.


I am used to mild stereo installs on older vehicles where it was assumed that the stock head unit would be replaced to give you simple RCA outputs to the sub amp. Certainly a learning experience with this Entune unit.

 

That adapter is pulling from the front speakers luckily. The rear speakers are in the smaller connector

the factory head unit runs out of gas in the mid 40’s for music with lots of dynamic range (such as rock music)

I would ensure the gains on that LOC are all the way up. I might also consider adding the bass knob to your sub amp. Then you can bump the gain up so that with the knob at 100% you can get full bass at lower volume (I like my volume at about 50-60% but full bass output) so the knob lets you run full bass at lower volumes, but turn the knob down as the main volume goes up higher to prevent the sub amp from distorting.

 

Thanks for the info... I was able to get a half turn on both of those gains. Didn't make much of a difference at high volume but at least I know they are set correctly now.

 

I would imagine that the amp is running out of guts at the top end. The small, sealed enclosure really put a damper on smaller amps. Are you running the amp at 4ohm or 2ohm? The amp may be going into "clipping" mode. It may be a matter of playing with the gain on the amp and the gains on the LOC. GL

 

It’s running at 2ohms, so the amp is putting out solid power to this sub. I know the box is on the smaller side (packed generously with polyfill) so I may just expecting a bit too much.

Either way, getting the rest of the speakers more wattage from the kicker key will help all around

 

Added a kicker key amp... Immediate improvement, especially at higher volumes.

I think I found a good home for the amp, under the head unit. I thought outside the box as I was trying to figure out how to secure it - used 2 alligator clips on both sides to 'sandwich' it in place. In reality it's not going to move around much but my OCD forced me to figure something out =).

 

I have almost the same setup, but I also added the Kicker Tweeters, the sound quality makes a difference. Like to OP, I will install a Kicker Key amp for the highs and most likely a powered subwoofer.

 

Added a bass knob.

*Edited* - changed bass knob location for a cleaner look. Didn’t realize the kicker one came apart.



I never gave these much thought but these are a must have to get the bass dialed in perfectly. I listen to a variety of sources (Radio, CD, Bluetooth) and the signals vary greatly between them all.

Overall I'm really happy with how everything is sounding now. Just for kicks I have an old, larger ported box that I'm going to throw the 10" kicker in to see how it sounds. I've ripped all the plastic out behind the back seats so now I have more room.