Audio Questions

So I'm looking to upgrade my audio system, I have already ordered a head unit (an Alpine IVE-530). Over the next months I will be purchasing the rest of the components for my system. I am wondering what the main differences are between stock speakers and a good set of components (be gentle I'm learning) I want to know what my money is going into as far as the speakers. Also is there a way to keep most of the behind the seat storage and still put in a sub? And finally has anyone had any experience with Polk Audio? I apologize if these questions have been answered already I tried looking around a bit but didn't find much.

 

Some of the TRD Sports have a factory subwoofer in the back behind the rear passenger seat. Although I've heard it's not much to brag about, so I'm sure you can put one back there

 

HU first is a good move. Stock speakers are horrible compared to even the low grade audio stuff because car maker's don't want to spend the money on a decent stock system. With the double cab you can put a good 10" behind the seat and only take up about half that space at most. I like my Polk Audio 8's.

 

Also as far as getting them installed what places do people recommend or is it something I could do on my own with a little help?

 

You could do everything with a little know how. Head Unit swap is just splicing wires together and unsrewing a bracket from the stock radio and onto the aftermarket radio. Sub install at the very least is running wires. Door speakers will be 10x easier if you get your speakers from crutchfield and get the adapter for whichever speaker you purchased.

 

I bought a Rockford Fosgate 8" sub and built a sealed box that fit inside the driver side cubby in the back. I had to grind off the loop for a baby seat for it to fit, but that was the only modification, and the volume of the box was about right according to my calculations. I just used 1/2" MDF and glued carpet to the outside of it. It was a rather funky shape, though, to get it to fit right and have the right volume.

I used a 4-channel amp installed in the passenger cubby on top of that little shelf, just strapped it in. Bridged one side for the sub, ran front components off the other 2 channels. Ran the rear stock speakers off the HU at low volume just for ambience.

Overall I only spent about $750 on the entire setup. I got the dash kit, wiring harness and front speaker adapters for free by going through Crutchfield, and got deals in the Scratch & Dent section -- I have bought multiple items in the Scratch & Dent area from them, and all were in perfect working condition, no blemishes.

Most of the trouble I had was installing the tweeters in the factory location. I ended up modding the stock speakers to hold the component tweeters, and found a spot in the door where the crossovers would fit.

I originally got a cheaper set of Alpine front component speakers, but one of the tweeters blew. I got a set of marine-grade Polks to replace them with, and they sounded great.

My advice:

1) You will not be happy with the stock front speakers no matter what HU you put in.
2) Don't skimp on the front speakers, they provide most of the sound. Get a decent set once.
3) You will probably need a sub to round out the sound. I don't listen to hip-hop and don't need to rattle my windows, I just like clean, punchy bass (not muddy rumbling). So the single 8" was fine for me.
4) You will need an amp to provide good power to all of the above. Get a decent clean one, not a cheap supposedly high-power one.
5) You will want an amp install kit to get good clean power to the amp.

Again, I did all of the above for a pretty reasonable price, so you can have a good system for a decent price. Crutchfield is your friend, great service if you have issues (I got a bad head unit once, they shipped a replacement immediately without even getting the original one back)

 

Thanks for the info, I appreciate it.

 

Amps will generally fit under the seats and a sub will fit on one side of the back wall, you will be able to retain 'half' your storage in the back. FYI

 

I am also looking to upgrade the speakers in my 2012 access cab. I realy want to keep the head unit. It works good, and I like to keep things looking stock(ish). Has anyone installed 4 new speakers without a sub or amp and had good sound? I really do not want to loose any space in the back seat. My old 2005 access cab had speakers in the back doors, and it didn't sound too bad.

 

I have a pair of Polk 12" subs..had them a few years and they still sound damn good.

Joker..you'd get better sound with the speaker upgrade sure, but I think if you even went with an aftermarket head unit as well you'd proclaim it well worth it. A lot of aftermarket ones offer 40 or so watts for each of the 4 channels, which would show you quite a bit more than the stocker.

 

I have seen one or two people cut the rear door panels and install speakers. The door frames still have the speaker mounts, i plan on doing this, i already installed a 8" shallow mount rockford fosgate sub, components in the front and a 5 channel amp. It sounds great besides the headliner speaker which i will disconnect when i put in new rear speakers. I also didnt lose any space in the back seat because i cut apart the storage compartment and put the sub in there under the seat.

O.P- sounds like you are getting good advice already.
New headunit will improve the sound, new speakers will improve it more, and an amp will probably improve the s.q. Even more if your up for a project.

 

ABA... Do you know how many watts the stock head unit comes with. I'm not looking to rattle the mirrors, but it needs to sound good.

 

I'm Thinking about putting Polk Audio DXi6500 in the front but not sure what to put in for the rears... I was thinking about DXi650s they are coaxial would that setup work?

 

That would probably work great. Those fronts are what I used to replace my blown Alpines. I thought I recalled them being marine-grade, but those are for sure what I used, and I was very pleased with them. I used the stock rear ones and just faded mostly to the front, had them just loud enough to know they were there. Sound when sitting in the back seat wasn't that great, but I don't sit back there. When people do sit back there, we're usually not listening to the music very loud anyway.

Crazy, not sure what the stock head unit puts out, but the magnet on the front woofer of the stock speakers was tiny in my '09. It was kind of strange seeing one that small. I don't think it puts out much power. I would at least upgrade the head unit as well.

 

I have 6.5 polk(Db series) compnents in front, 6.5 sony's in the back(had sony's sitting around for 2 years). The polks I got for $107 off Amazon(normally $199). Second set, I had the 5.25 components before in my civic. These Polk's "rock the house" and I have not heard anything better for the money. 5 ch alpine(mrv60) 50x4,200x1(sub ch) @4ohms(for $199 off amazon,normally $400-450). Concern yourself With the fronts and the sub, rear is just fill. I also threw some dynamat in the doors while switching speakers. Can def tell the dynamat difference. My guess is the factory head unit is about 5-8 watts a ch. Kept my factory head unit for the look and used speaker level input harness that came with amp. Only had to tap into 2 speakers(rears at pillars) to get signal for amp. No remotewire, amp turns on when it senses a signal. Did not know how that would work out, but it works flawless. Added a 10 kicker comp picked up as open box at best buy for $22. It was blown so I took it back and they gave me a new one. Best 22.97 I have ever spent. Ok sub, good range gets loud.Hope this helps.

 

I go my new head unit installed tonight. Still have some bugs to work out... DVDs wont play (I tried to do it the "right" way...) and I haven't tested the bluetooth mic location but there is a definite increase in sound quality but its not enough I can't wait to upgrade my speakers now! Has anyone had any success with attaching the parking sensor wire?

 

Thanks for the help. After some thought and reading some other threads, I think I know what I will do. I will get some good 6x9's for the front doors and disconect the headliner speakers. I will add some cheap speakers to back doors (possibly the removed front speakers can be used) just for a litte bit of surround sound. I will listen with the fade set more to the front. I am betting this cheap and easy fix will meet my expectations. I'll take pictures and let you all know how it sounds.

 

I just bought 2 brand new pairs of 5 1/4 Boston Acoustic PRO SE 50'S for my new Jetta for 499.00 shipped.

 

Don't do that front speakers alone will sound better than after market up front and stock in the back.

 

Taking a swing, I'll guess 10-15 watts a speaker. Total guess but that's about the norm I find for stock systems.

I'd say go with your idea on the speakers first Joker..you can ALWAYS pop in an aftermarket head unit if you still aren't happy.