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Installing Subaru / Kicker tweeters -- Questions

Discussion in '3rd Gen. Tacomas (2016-2023)' started by ChukarBob, Sep 14, 2020.

  1. Sep 15, 2020 at 7:10 AM
    #21
    ChukarBob

    ChukarBob [OP] Well-Known Member

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    So, given that I've now done the install of the Subaru / Kickers tweeters in the dash, would replacement of the speakers in the front doors make a discernible difference in overall sound quality? What might be the best replacement speakers given I don't have a lot of money to spend and I'm not overly finicky about sound quality? Or just leave well enough alone until I reach my own conclusion that what's there isn't good enough? I'll probably drive this truck for another 2-4 years. Open to suggestions.
     
  2. Sep 15, 2020 at 7:54 AM
    #22
    shakerhood

    shakerhood Well-Known Member

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    There are a couple little feet on that cover that will bend if you don't get it lined up just right, try straightening those little feet and it should go back in place.
     
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  3. Sep 15, 2020 at 11:45 AM
    #23
    Mister Grey

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  4. Sep 15, 2020 at 1:57 PM
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    Cpngo

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    I did the conversion of the to the Kicker CS series with sound deadening in the door recently. I would say there is a marked difference. I feel like I didn't get much of a change with the tweeters as I did with the door speakers. But i am partially deaf and I probably hear the base better than the highs lol.
     
  5. Sep 15, 2020 at 3:56 PM
    #25
    SubZombie

    SubZombie Well-Known Member

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    If I hadn’t tried it myself I would agree with you (conceptually). My SPL meter also disagrees with you. I ran a ton of frequencies through it to test because it seemed off and it was extremely unbalanced, far more so than the factory setup. Like I said, you lose midrange and the highs go through the roof (tweeters are more sensitive than mid range speakers after all, it absolutely amplified high frequencies far beyond just adding them back in, and trying to correct it with the factory eq was unsuccessful as turning down the treble reduced the top of the midrange the tweeters can’t reproduce even further).

    That said some people will like it. Depends on what you want.
     
    Last edited: Sep 15, 2020
  6. Sep 15, 2020 at 4:21 PM
    #26
    groundball8404

    groundball8404 Well-Known Member

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    I am not an expert, but I agree the tweeters are more sensitive than the speakers that are in there so they are a bit louder, but what would you running mid range frequencies through a tweeter tell you? It is obviously not meant to play those frequencies. The mid range frequencies are meant to be played through the door speakers once you replace the factory dash speakers so maybe I missed something but are you trying to say since the tweeters can't reproduce the original frequencies then it sounds off and you are missing those frequencies? You are missing them coming from the tweeter but the door speakers should be playing them. Like I said I am not in any way an expert and I generally curious about what you found.

    Most factory systems and probably most average car audio people will run a component set with a 6.5 or similar size mid with a tweeter. Why is that little mid that is being replaced causing the issues you are describing? I get the sensitivity thing and agree but as a whole replacing that mid with this tweeter doesn't downgrade the audio for most people.

    It is not even close to the best option but it works for someone who wants to spend 80 dollars and have something that does sound better. Now it is subjective because not everyone like the same sound or care enough to design a sound system with correct crossover points, staging, and perfectly EQd. Also replacing the door speakers makes a difference as well and I would recommend that to anyone that replaced the dash speakers because of the sensitivity issue.
     
  7. Sep 22, 2020 at 9:01 PM
    #27
    ORMarine

    ORMarine Well-Known Member

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    Can you share what speakers you installed? Thanks
     
  8. Sep 22, 2020 at 10:53 PM
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    VaToy

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  9. Sep 23, 2020 at 3:23 AM
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    Vmax540

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  10. Sep 23, 2020 at 3:50 AM
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    wrightme43

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  11. Sep 23, 2020 at 9:45 AM
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