Premium Audio Upgrade for less than $250

Right, I get what you are saying. There will be a difference, what I am saying is it will be negligible (in my opinion, your ears may be different) unless you plan on powering said speakers.

 

Got it! Prob just easier to drop in the 6x9 then. Thanks for the info and help

 

Oooh, which speakers?

I would think it would depend on what the frequency range is, sensitivity rating, speaker material, ect between the 6x9 and 6.5 for sound quality debate. Not the first time I've heard the claim that 6.5 is better, but 6x9 leaves less speaker door hole to patch.
6x9's can play lower frequencies (more bass), but only if your music will utilize that frequency.

So many options...

 

No idea which speakers somewhere in the 100 dollar ish range. I’m sure there’s an adapter to buy but idk. Never heard a 6x9 outperform comments up front which essentially it would be with those Subaru tweeters

 

With a beer budget and champagne appetite I've considered something like these...

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_091RCX690/Focal-RCX-690.html
https://www.crutchfield.com/p_091RCX165/Focal-RCX-165.html
https://www.crutchfield.com/p_210MAXIU92/Morel-Maximo-Ultra-692-Coax.html
https://www.crutchfield.com/p_210MAXIM9/Morel-Maximo-Coax-69.html
https://www.crutchfield.com/S-pdV0pFZ8SmM/p_210MAXIM62/Morel-Maximo-6.html (but you've already got kicker tweeter's)

 

Those first one seems to have good reviews the focal-rxx-690. I wonder if it would really make a noticeable difference over the stock ones since they will just be powered by the head unit?

 

Well, I know with stock power the higher sensitivity is wanted as you can get away with feeding them less power. The rcx690's are rated at 92db and Focal's are known for being really bright/clear sounding. There's a few YouTube clips of them. Crutchfield doesn't recommend them as they have a large magnet/ deep mounting depth, but a reviewer said they fit fine.

As others have said, no matter which speaker you choose their will be minimal noticeable differences between them when running off of the factory head unit.

Have you tried comparing a few speakers through Crutchfield's "compare the sound" feature? I really can't tell much difference between the sets I compared other than some sound brighter or more clear than others.

Have you looked at rockford fosgate 6x9s? They make some designed to work with as little as 2-6 watts. (great for factory radios)
https://www.crutchfield.com/shopsearch/6x9_rockford_speakers.html

 

It sounds like what you are saying is that all the ones you linked require more power from an amp, and will have almost zero benefit running off the stock head units power. Is that correct? The only one that might be beneficial ,but prob not, is the kicker originally linked in this thread, and if that is the case might as well just stay stock and save myself the work and 100 dollars

 

although I've replaced car speakers, added an amp, sub, wiring, etc. I'm a newbie in audio as to what the specs and terms are about, lol, I'm still learning too

"Speaker sensitivity is a measurement of how well a speaker converts the amplifier power to to acoustic energy. In others words, how loud the speaker will be for a given amplifier power."

I have the JL C1 690 Components(94db @ 2.8v) and it didn't wow me but everyone has their opinion of upgrading the speakers with the stock system. I wonder what the stock speaker sensitivity #'s are.

 

Probably minimal gains to be had. You've got the highs covered with the kicker tweeters. If you're happy with that and the bass from the hideaway you don't have much to gain by swapping door speakers. I think the conundrum for those who have already upgraded to kicker tweeters is that they're adding another tweeter with 2 ways or another tweeter and mid speaker with 3 ways.

I haven't heard any of those with the factory head unit, so I can't say they'll have almost zero benefit over the stock ones. My suggestions were based off reviews, the high sensitivity ratings, the frequency ranges of the speakers, Focal's clarity, and the popularity of Morels. I forgot about how larger magnets can play into effect. That's why I suggested the rockford's.

The larger magnet requires more watts to push, but the higher sensitivity rating enables them to move air easier with less wattage. You may loose some bass with the larger magnet (or not with the high sensitivity) and you might gain more clarity or mids with the 2 or 3 way 6x9's. The bass might be cleaner (or not).

The kickers have a low wattage requirement and a high sensitivity, that's why they're popular for this application. Sorry for the confusion.

 

No confusion at all I appreciate it a lot. You saved me from my boredom and spending 150 and a few hours for minimal gain! NOW when i start work on my car stereo i might have some more questions for you. I start that in the next month or so and its starting from the ground up. Its a blank slate. Plan to do components in front, some coaxial in back for fill. Couple amps and couple subs in the trunk and then a touchscreen radio. This is all going into a 74 nova so will be custom done

 

just purchased the speakers you recommended and will be installing them shortly after Christmas. I might do the amp install as well if the speaker upgrade alone doesn’t quite do it for me. I really appreciate this detailed information!

 

as I hear some say, it can turn in to be a rabbit hole.
I'm drawing my line in the sand soon after a front door speaker upgrade. Whatever I end up with, will be it!

next be looking for a new hu

 

As with any hobby really.

 

It took a couple of months but today was the day I decided to do something about the speakers. I was trying to jam to some Dinosaur Jr on a sunny highway today and it was honestly a bit frustrating. I just wanted to hear J shred. I think the sound in the Tacoma is worse than my base of bases 2008 Ranger.

I don't need anything fancy. I'll start with the tweeters and see how that sounds.

 

@DingleTower start with sound deadening your doors. You will notice a huge difference then. Add some Noico to the large areas and behind the speakers

 

Can't believe I have to do this work on a brand new truck! Just sayin'...

 

Ok, another fan of the tweet upgrade, doors left alone. 2019 DCSB OR with the Tech Package.

My reference? 50 y.o. ears, working in a machine shop but using earplugs always. Annual hearing test says "you have pretty good hearing....for your age." (great, that's why this year I also get to ask for dual vision lenses, even as my optometrist says I'm his oldest client still in single vision lenses). Audio - Pat Benatar, True Love on CD (heard that first at Sounds Like Music in their $100k room for any of you Phoenix readers) and Uncle Lucius, Keep the Wolves Away on BT audio. Comparisons, my wife's 2017 Forester XT with the HK audio and my Bose Soundsport wireless earbuds. In my garage, in acc mode. When running down the road - meh, there's too much tire noise to tell a difference. Since our music preferences will determine our hardware choices, some of my favorites, Rolling Stones Blue and Lonesome, Quiet Life Housebroken Man, Miles Davis Kind of Blue and the above mentioned.

I think the tweet upgrade added definition to the highs (obviously) in particular the cymbals, adding crispness and depth, maybe even to the point of hearing the sticks hit the cymbals. The whistle in Keep the Wolves away was particularly clear. Reference volume on both vehicles was at 30, so not crazy loud.

Maybe adding in the door Kickers will tighten up the bass (most likely) but again, driving down the road, I think my next task will be adding MLV and felt to the back wall of the cab to reduce the road noise.

The passenger side pillar was a little tricky getting back into place, but a little patience and a couple tries, went back in fine. Disconnecting the plugs was actually the biggest challenge, getting the release pushed and pulling the plug out with the minimal slack in the wiring was the most difficult to me.

Also, BAM Wholesale, the tweets were ~$85, just search the part number, they obviously said they wouldn't fit the tacoma, but of course do.

 

See?! This guy gets why we upgrade the Taco sound system and why it's so pitifully bad to start with!

 

Has anyone does this with just the Subaru Tweeters and replaced the front door speakers with Kickers without an amp how is the volume I'm seeing mixed reviews