Car audio upgrade question

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03-19-2010, 12:14 PM

aruns

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Car audio upgrade question

Hi all,

I have a Toyota 2005 Rav4 with stock speakers and a double din head unit (stock as well).

I am trying to do a DIY speaker and head unit install and have this very basic question.

The current factory setup has 4 6.5" speakers installed on the 4 doors and no tweeters.

I plan to upgrade the speakers to a component setup (like the alpine db6501). However the component setup comes with 2 tweeters, 2 woofers and 2 crossovers.

How do I go about replacing the 4 stock speakers. Do I just get one component system and have the tweeters installed on the front door pillars/dash and the 6.5" woofers in the back doors. Or should I be going with 2 tweeters and 2 6.5" woofers?

thanks!

03-19-2010, 12:22 PM

MR2NR

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Do not think of the new component set as 4 speakers, consider them as 2 speakers split into 2 parts. Both parts are necessary for proper sound. Mount the woofer in the factory location in the door. Mount the tweeter up high on the door or on the pillar. The crossover needs to be mounted ideally inside the vehicle. Do not mount it inside the door where it will get all rusty from the moisture present there. It means some rewiring for sure.

Keep it simple in the rear, a good 2way or 3way speaker is all you need in the back. USe better component type speakers for the front.

03-19-2010, 05:55 PM

aruns

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Thanks for that clarification!

So in that case, if I am using an amplifier, I'll have something like the following setup?

HTML Code:

                                |--<2/3-way_spkr_for_right_rear_door>                  
                                |--<crossover>--<right_front_woof_tweet>
<head_unit>--<4-ch amplifier>-|
                                |--<crossover>--<left_front_woof_tweet>
                                |--<2/3-way_spkr_for_left_rear_door>

If this is the case, and I use a combination of components in front and 2/3-way coax speakers in the back, will I have to keep in mind any kind of acoustical mismatch between the two types of speakers or any related issues?

-Arun

03-19-2010, 06:03 PM

MR2NR

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That is correct for your drawing. Some people will tell you to forget all about the rear speakers. It is up to you. I like rear speakers and would use rear speakers in my own vehicle. Others may not like rear speakers in their vehicle. This is a 100% personal choice for you. You can go as high end as you want, there is no rule that says you can't. You can also go as simple as you like. What I would not want it a speaker that is overbearing as compared to the front or one that does not compliment the front.

Are you open to some options on your equipment? Do you have some already?

03-19-2010, 06:29 PM

aruns

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I am completely open to options. I am new to car audio and after some researching, came up with the following setup (haven't ordered anything yet):

components: Fosgate T1652-s or Polk Audio db6501
Amp: Fosgate P400-2 2-ch

haven't decided on the head unit.

I am not looking for a fancy setup and am sticking to a moderate budget (< $500).

Am open to suggestions

, anything to improve my mediocre stock system.

thanks,
Arun

03-19-2010, 06:32 PM

MR2NR

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PM me your phone number and I will call you if you like. It is dead here at my security post in Whistler right now, need to kill some time.

03-19-2010, 06:33 PM

MR2NR

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You will also find that more of the site will open up to you once you have more posts or make a small donation to it. If you find the site useful, please do make a small donation to the site.

03-19-2010, 06:53 PM

aruns

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Sure will! I only discovered this site yesterday and have already found a wealth of information here.

03-19-2010, 07:04 PM

MR2NR

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ECLIPSE Component Series Speaker SC6500 | Fujitsu Ten
http://www.kenwoodusa.com/Car_Entertainment/2009_Car_Entertainment/KDC-X493
http://www.eclipse-web.com/us/integrated/se6500.html

Last edited by MR2NR; 03-19-2010 at 07:09 PM.