Best Non-JBL Speaker Upgrade?

[Sillyboy]

I just purchased the 2007 package #2 (non-jbl). Should have it in a few days

I would like to upgrade the factory speakers... but I am a bit afraid of installing an amp (running wires all over hell sounds like a pain).

So... if I am just looking at a speaker upgrade, what do you recommend?

I am leaning towards the Infinity 6010cs, simply cuz they seem like a decent deal on crutchfield at $150. But I am wondering if I would be happier w/ something more sensitive (say, Kappa 60.7cs at twice the price), or some other option!?

Crutchfield's site likes to claim these speakers don't fit in the Prius, but they are lying right?

Ack! I just realized that i have been assuming the basic speaker system still has separate tweeters, is that true? If not, something like Kappa 63.7i or 60.7cs would better?

Thanks for any input.

[jwilson2000]

Lots of posts here in the forum if you search for "Infinity". Make sure to read the excellent how-to from ~sparky~.

I also have a new 2007 and am planning on installing Infinity Kappas. From what I've read, they're efficient enough to work without requiring an amp if volume is kept at moderate levels. I've heard them in the store and like how much "brighter" they sound than the muddy stock speakers.

Just trying to figure out if I want to put in Dynamat to reduce outside noise at the same time.

Wilburn

[dzoutzidis]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(wilburn @ Feb 28 2007, 05:56 PM) [snapback]398024[/snapback]</div>

Lots of posts here in the forum if you search for "Infinity". Make sure to read the excellent how-to from ~sparky~.

I also have a new 2007 and am planning on installing Infinity Kappas. From what I've read, they're efficient enough to work without requiring an amp if volume is kept at moderate levels. I've heard them in the store and like how much "brighter" they sound than the muddy stock speakers.

Just trying to figure out if I want to put in Dynamat to reduce outside noise at the same time.

Wilburn
[/b]

Personally I'm thinking of installing some Boston Acoustic SL60s. I heard them at the store and they sound amazing. It really depends on what kind of music you listen to and your own personal preference. You should really go and listen to some first hand if at all possible.

As far as the base model goes, the front speakers should be component speakers and the backs aren't so yes you could install the Infinity CSs.

I'm going to try out just installing new speakers but if I'm not satisfied with that then I think the next step would be to get a sub-woofer. Not an overly complicated install but could cost a fair chunck of change.

This site has shown people who've installed both 6010cs and 60.7cs so yes i think Crutchfield is just retarded about them not fitting....

I also just bought an IPOD and a DICE (ipod integration unit) so now I can play all my music on my Ipod through my car and control it using my steering wheel and touch screen. Just thought that might interest you. Also LOTS of posts on this site about that.

Hope that helps.

Cheers!

[Sillyboy]

Thanks folks.

For clarity, since we have a 13 day old newborn at home, going out to listen to speakers is just not gonna happen I am assuming there are speakers out there, that are such a clear step up for the stock speakers, that it don't matter The Infinity's seem to be a favorite around here, so that is good enough for me.

Sounds like even in the non-JBL version, the front speakers are component. The rear are not.

Okay, so here is my latest theory:
Front: Reference 6010cs
Reader: Reference 6012i

They are both 92db (so, they match, that sounds appropriate). 95 would be better, but it seems I would have to pay double.

Any reason not to go with this?

[Sillyboy]

Okay, nobody spoke up, so those speakers are on order. I will be sure to let everyone know how it goes, suppsoed to get here Wednesday, I think.

Now, if it turns out that I am still not so happy w/ the sound, I suppose the next steps would be a sub, an amp, or preferably both

Let's pretend I go w/ the Bazooka BTA6100 ala http://www.laaudiofile.com/bta6100.html (I actually haven't spent a ton of time considering what I will actually do, but want to understand this article better).

I am confused on this part of the article:

More importantly, the midrange is now dramatically more open sounding. With the Bazooka's crossover network cutting off the lower bass from the midrange-woofer drivers, they are free to reproduce the midrange without having to do double duty on the bass. The result is a cleaner sound overall.
[/b]

From my understanding, the sub has a low pass filter, but I can't understand how that effects the rest of the speakers. Is there anything about this setup that is keeping the low frequencies from going to the door speakers?

Also, maybe I just got info overload from reading too many posts, but I am unclear on if there are low level outputs from the HU? I know people have used the fancy "summing" units to get back to a usable signal, but I wasn't sure if that was just an issue for people w/ the upgraded JBL system?

Lastly, is it safe to say that if I want to install an amp (and I want to stop sending bass frequencies to my door speaks), I am going to have to pull apart... alot... ala https://www.metrotpn.com/documents/PDF%20Fi...sXMradio3.2.pdf ?

Thanks all

[Presto]

More importantly, the midrange is now dramatically more open sounding. With the Bazooka's crossover network cutting off the lower bass from the midrange-woofer drivers, they are free to reproduce the midrange without having to do double duty on the bass. The result is a cleaner sound overall.[/b]

This is referring to how the amp splits the signal between the speakers and the subwoofer. You would connect your speakers to the sub, and connect the stock speaker wires as the source. It has a cross-over network. The sub would only get sub frequencies (80Hz and lower), and then the upper portion (80Hz+) would go to the speakers. If you just added a basic amp and sub, you wouldn't be able to cut off (crossover) the sub frequencies from the speakers, which would lead to an overlapping of frequencies.

[Sillyboy]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Presto @ Mar 6 2007, 12:13 AM) [snapback]400734[/snapback]</div>

This is referring to how the amp splits the signal between the speakers and the subwoofer. You would connect your speakers to the sub, and connect the stock speaker wires as the source. It has a cross-over network. The sub would only get sub frequencies (80Hz and lower), and then the upper portion (80Hz+) would go to the speakers. If you just added a basic amp and sub, you wouldn't be able to cut off (crossover) the sub frequencies from the speakers, which would lead to an overlapping of frequencies.
[/b]

Unfortunately, the online manual from bazooka (http://www.sasbazooka.com/pdf/current/Tubesmanual01.pdf) doesn't cover the BT series.

For the Bazooka CS8A5, which has a built-in 4 channel amp for your mids/highs, your answer would make complete sense. But it's unclear (to me at least) if the other bazooka's have outputs for the front speakers.

At any rate, it is slowly becoming clear to me that either:
- I just add a sub, and tap off the rear speaker inputs... letting my door speakers (poorly) attempt to hammer out some bass as well or...
- I tear apart front of my car and get serious. And once I am this far, I would certainly want to amplify the door speakers as well (not going to tear apart the whole car and skimp on the $200 for an amp for the door speakers).

Guess I will make this decision once the new door speakers are in

[Sillyboy]

It's starting to look like I am talking to myself, but what can i say, I am an obsessive guy, so thoughts keep coming to my head about this.

Anyway, am I crazy or did I read somewhere that the head unit has low level ouputs, but they are not controlled by the volume setting on the head unit!? That seems crazy weird, doesn't it!?

Assuming that madness is true, and further assuming I decide to be bold enough to install an amp... it would mean there is no reason to tear apart the dash. I just need to grab the existing speaker wires and route them back to the amp.

I suppose I would need to route all 4 sets back to the amp if i want fade controls to continue to work on the head unit... do I bother w/ that, or just tap the rear speakers?

[GeoGeek]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Sillyboy @ Mar 7 2007, 12:25 AM) [snapback]401456[/snapback]</div>

It's starting to look like I am talking to myself, but what can i say, I am an obsessive guy, so thoughts keep coming to my head about this.

Anyway, am I crazy or did I read somewhere that the head unit has low level ouputs, but they are not controlled by the volume setting on the head unit!? That seems crazy weird, doesn't it!?

Assuming that madness is true, and further assuming I decide to be bold enough to install an amp... it would mean there is no reason to tear apart the dash. I just need to grab the existing speaker wires and route them back to the amp.

I suppose I would need to route all 4 sets back to the amp if i want fade controls to continue to work on the head unit... do I bother w/ that, or just tap the rear speakers?
[/b]

Since you have the Package 2 non-JBL system, you do not have the external JBL amplifier, therefore, you don't have any low level outputs coming out of your head unit.
You can take all four speaker level outputs coming out of your factory head unit and feed them into a line level converter (like the Scosche SLC-4 available from Crutchfield) and then have the RCA outputs you need.
You will have to (and really, you will want to) pull out the head unit to do the necessary wiring.
Once you've done it once, you'll feel "silly" (no pun intended) for having reservations in the first place.

If you don't want to cut any factory wiring, you can get both the male & female wiring harnesses for the
plug that goes into the back of the factory head unit (from BestBuy).
Good Luck!

[Sillyboy]

Thanks Geo.

Is there any reason to prefer running low level via the converter vs high level into an amp that supports it?

I am currently thinking of the Kenwood KAC-8402 amp... if anybody has feeling on that, let me know

It's 4 channel, 60w at 4 ohm, which seems like a reasonable match for the speakers (Infinity Reference 6010cs, Reference 6012i)

I would go w/ the every popular Kenwood KSC-SW1, hoping everything would fit under the rear floor for uber stealth I assume I just "Y" the inputs in the trunk to hit but the amp, and the powered sub.

I am a bit concerned about heat under there (people have made comments about that amp kicking into thermal protection). There a solution to that should the need arise?

And lastly... if anybody is having thoughts of "wow, he is trippin'. would be better to buy the xxx amp, and the yyy sub... it would sound better and be cheaper, blah, blah" ... feel free to share, I am obviously new to this arena

Thanks again.
-Silly