Premium Audio Upgrade for less than $250

Yes exactly ... i mean look at all the previous posts about how cheap the factory speakers are, how small the magnets are etc. .... i doubt anyone can honestly say they sounded like crap considering their looks/ weight/ magnet size etc.

 

Agree, that's why I called them remarkable in the OP. No way I would have thought something that cheap looking and feeling would put out more than some raspy mess for sound. Considering what they were, they put out pretty incredible bass - just no definition and muddy, but still.

 

Thanks for the help guys, Just hate taking the doors off over and over. I feel like I make the clips worse each time, but like you said I should be able to enjoy the 6x9s.

I purchased the sound deadening too, but my buddy who I was installing said it was not worth it.

..... THanks Pal.

 

I ran it without and with... with sounds better, and it does make it so you don't feel the need to turn it up quite as loud when rolling down the road due to the lessened road noise. I still haven't put it on the rears but I'm optimistic it will further improve once I get the time. And you'll be fine on the clips. I haven't broken any yet and I've had my front doors off 3x now, likely the last time i'll have them off anytime soon (or ever) though with everything nicely dialed in. For giggles, I timed myself last time. Had a front door off completely in about 90 seconds.

 

Oh, I know that but thought someone mentioned the weight differences somewhere in this post but they were referring to the door speakers. They sound more crisp and slightly louder but it is clear I need 4 more speakers now.

 

To all those who purchased the Kickers via Crutchfield .. do the 6x9 adapters they include free work ok?

 

what tools did you use?
crow bar and wire cutters?

 

LOL - no, just repetition. undo the triangle, remove the clips, take out 2 screws, remove the retaining clip, disconnect door handle and locks/windows, pull tabs from bottom up, lift and pull away.

Edit - and after removing a couple of times, the clips were less pesky to remove as I'm sure the plastic has loosened a bit. it all still snaps tight though when reassembling

 

Yes - just read experiences above. Holes will LOOK like they don't line up. Use the screws that came with the speakers (not the mounts) and angle them to the holes in the mounts which will look weird and rigged, but trust us it DOES work and creates a good tight bite.

 

THANKS !

 

I got my tweeters today and installed them. (Very Easy BTW) I must say if you do nothing else to your stereo do this. Wow you can hear the highs and the words to the songs with awesome clarity Thanks OP

 

For anyone wondering whether to get the Kicker Hideaway.

Here's two clips I recorded with my phone's sound recorder. Best played on a PC or in the vehicle, basically anywhere with some bass. Playing on your phone won't allow you to tell the difference.

No Sub. Just the Kicker speakers with head unit volume set to 40: https://vocaroo.com/i/s06tsx8bTM1f

With Kicker Hideaway Sub at full gain with bass boost set to 0 and with head unit volume set to 40: https://vocaroo.com/i/s0jGDFYqHezf


Just FYI, full gain is too much for my 38 year old ears.

 

I appreciate the sound clips, the sub definitely adds some to the low end. How do you have the hideaway mounted?

 

I would say that the bass is even more noticeable than what my phone could capture.

This is what I did for mounting:
Unscrew the 3 bolts on the plastic storage place behind the rear seat on the drivers side. Yank on it until it separates. Apply some sound deadening material to the back and sides. Grab the straps that came with the hideaway and screw them onto the plastic. I only did one but used 4 screws. Get ready to place the plastic storage back on but first route the harness through the child seat latch and then place the plastic storage back on. Snap it into place and bolt it down. Strap the Hideaway with the velcro strap(s).

 

Nice work! Which hideaway is that? Isn't there a smaller one that would mount under the front seat? I use the area behind for additional in-cab storage

 

Thanks. Isn't there only one 8" version? That's what I have. With my clazzios installed it was too tight under the seat for my taste.

 

Ohhhh yeahhhh it's all starting to come together, just wating on the Noico sound deadener to arrive (Friday) and i'll be ready to start installing

 

Awesome thread. I bought the system as described. I have only installed the tweeters so far - what a difference. I didn't even play the stereo because the sound was so 'mushy'. Couldn't hear words in songs, etc. Now - CRYSTAL clear. Sounds amazing.

I can't wait to get the other speakers in. I'm not going to deal with sound deadening.

I did break a couple of the tabs getting the tweeter covers off - but they snapped right back on with tight fit and look fine.

 

Finally did my install over the weekend and I am very impressed with the definition of the mid and highs. As everyone has said, 1 box of the noico sound deadening product was good enough for all 4 doors. I mostly listen to spotify using the USB input and the bass has a little less punch unless I bump up the volume past 50. Just curious to what sound settings you all are using? At volume level 40, I find myself turning down the treble a few notches and the bass almost all the way up? Other than that, this is by far a great purchase for $250!

 

Nice! congrats on the install, hell of an upgrade for not a lot of money! I was jamming, smiling ear to ear while running errands at lunch - something that never happened on stock sound! yeah the bass I generally keep near max depending on what I'm listening to. treble stays close to center, mids generally right in between where I have bass and treble. I play with it frequently though when I'm driving - tend to listed to a lot of live stuff and the mixes are always a bit different depending on quality, soundboard mix, etc.,

I've concluded the system gets sufficiently loud enough to further destroy my hearing though! Was trying to talk myself into adding a sub but I just don't need it for my tastes - I can shake my soul all I want with the woofers in the 6x9s personally