Midrange/Mid bass speakers for JBL equipped front doors

Howdy!

So, I’ve been researching, planning, experimenting, etc. with how to get the best results over time with upgrades to the JBL 3rd gen sound system (yes, I know “gut it and replace everything” is the standard response, but that’s not what I’m doing).

The first order of business was to add sound deadening and foam to the doors and behind the back seats (double cab). That made a notable difference in quality and clarity.

Next, I started a deep dive on speakers. After a bit of trial and error (and finding what limited information there is available on the specifics of the JBL system and what folks have done with it), I think I’ve got my head wrapped around some solutions.

Since the dash speakers are essentially mids (250-5k hz)run parallel with the front door speakers that are essentially mid bass (25-550 hz), would it not make sense to replace them with an actual midrange/mid bass tweeterless cone? Assuming you aren’t changing anything with the head unit, the built in crossover cuts the door speaker before a tweeter would even come in.

I haven’t seen any information about this related directly to Tacomas or the JBL system, so I’m curious if anyone has done it.

My thinking is, a good set of 2/3 way mids include good tweeters. said tweeters will never make a sound, so why not opt for a mid bass speaker, where you are paying for what you’ll use, and it should theoretically be better since it’s built for the purpose the stereo is using it for.

Anyway, would love to know if anyone has tinkered with this, on a Tacoma or anything else.

 

Here take a look at what this guy did:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/3rd-gen-jbl-full-system-upgrade-w-factory-hu.605691/

My plan was to get infinity kappas for the doors and audiofrog for the dash but for now I'm living with the factory JBL.

 

I have a 2013 with jbl and used Kenwood XR-1800P 7" 2-Way eXcelon XR-Series Component Car Speakers. I didn't use the tweeters though. I used the kickers that everyone is getting. The 7 inch fits into the door with no problems and even come with the adapters for the door. They are discontinued now but still available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Kenwood-XR-1800P-eXcelon-Component-Speakers/dp/B00CE96A4A.

They have been replaced by the 1801p: https://www.crutchfield.com/p_113XR1801P/Kenwood-Excelon-XR-1801P.html

 

Thanks, I’ve poked around that thread before. The issue I have with that sort of set up is that it immediately requires the amp/crossover for the mids.

I’m no audiophile, but I like nice sound. My hope was to replace all four door speakers (replaces the back door speakers with some infinity 6.5” already), evaluate, replace the dash speakers (looking at the JBL GTO20M), evaluate, add in a mono amp and 10” sub to replace the 8” factory sub.... then maybe more if I’m not satisfied.

I may stop after step one, two, or, three, if I like what it does. I just don’t want to plan a system overhaul with amps, bypassing the built in crossovers, etc, if I ultimately don’t need to. Granted, it may eventually get the that point, but each step above would seem to work just fine if everything gets replaced in the end.

Problem is, midrange cones aren’t super common, especially when it comes to well known brands (like mainstream). As such, I don’t really know, aside from stated specs and a couple of reviews, if it’s even worth going down that road.

 

Cool, yea that was another option that had crossed my mind. It would be more expensive in the short term, but I’d have tweeters on standby if I went the full overhaul route.

Though, I actually do like the dash mounted mids and front door lows in the JBL, I just don’t like the quality.

 

I found out the hard way regarding the crossovers on the doors/dash. With that being said, I was gifted a set infinity ref 6x9s/6.5s coaxials and they pound. To the point where I need sound deadening.

sound quality wise, they sound great to my ears. I have skar tweeters in the dash and they are a bit bright and may return them for infinity ref 3.5s.

150(on sale)for front and rear coaxials, 40 for the tweeters. the infinity red 3.5s we’re priced at 70 as well. We’ll see in the coming weeks.

I’m trying my best to keep the JBL amp until I pay off the truck. Eventually I would love to go to an active 3 way front sound stage. but that’s $$$$

 

Here's an option I have in my truck

https://www.kenwood.com/usa/car/excelon/kfc-xp6902c/

They say the kfc-xp6903c won't fit both first/second gen but someone may have done it.

 

I figured with the crossovers in the JBL amp, they’ll only play the frequency that’s being outputted to them.

Infinity Reference 9632IX 6"x9" 2-Way Car Speakers - Pair

$140 Infinity REF-9632IX Reference 6x9" Two-Way Car Audio Speakers

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07B8QP9LF/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_hPzsEbCAHK3RB

Infinity REF6522IX 6.5" 180W Reference Series Coaxial Car Speakers With Edge-driven Textile Tweeter, Pair

$67 Infinity REF6522IX 6.5" 180W Reference Series Coaxial Car Speakers With Edge-driven Textile Tweeter, Pair

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01DSIKGJA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_5PzsEbBXRVM6T

Infinity REF3022CFX 3.5" 75W Reference Series Coaxial Car Speakers With Edge-driven Textile Tweeter, Pair

$64 Infinity REF3022CFX 3.5" 75W Reference Series Coaxial Car Speakers With Edge-driven Textile Tweeter, Pair

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01E4JWG6I/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_DQzsEbBXDQMNB

 

Yea, I made a partial decision seeing the JBL and Infinity 3-way upgrade options. Decided i'd grab a pair of Kappa 90csx components for front doors, with the intention of saving the tweeters and replacing the dash speakers with the Kappa 20mx when I get an AmpPro and whatnot to override the JBL crossover.

I can't imagine that gaining the ability to tune the front (when it's a 3-way component) and replace the factory sub won't be enough to call it good. As annoying as it is, I guess the JBL system really adds $250 to any audio tinkering, which isn't quite as doom and gloom as some folks make it out to be.

I would opt to not have it if I could (TRD Pro, so all JBL) have done so, but whatever, I've made vastly more expensive mistakes

 

I have the JBL version of the kappas, love them. I went with the JBL over the infinity because the infinity has gold accents on the tweeters and the JBL has chrome... so they matched better.

Mine runs full active with a audiocontrol DM-810 dsp and two 4 channel amps for the speakers.

I didnt start with the factory JBL system though, I had the standard audio so the swap was easy.

 

Cool! I’m not incredibly savvy on the technical side of things. The last time I did more than replace a head unit/speakers was like 2005.

might like to pick your brain on how you set up the amps and three way.

I probably would have gotten the JBL version as well, but the kappas were actually cheaper.

 

Just shoot me a message any time. When I did my 3 way system, I made complete new harnesses for the left and right side of the truck and just left the OEM wire hanging in there if I ever put it back to stock.

The harnesses I made are actually super easy to make, I just measure from where the amp is going, along the path the wires need to be then to each speaker location, then add 2 feet to each wire. Once each side is done, you end up with 2 harnesses, each one runs 4 speakers. Then put in the harnesses, plug them in, and your good to go.

Ill leave the OEM JBL guys to help you tapping into the OEM amp or you could just get a aftermarket headunit and bypass the OEM harness completely.

 

Cool, will do. I’m curious how it work with amp channels and wattage. I’ll shoot you a DM. Thanks!