Diagnostic Help and Recommendation
 

Hi Audio Experts. Need a bit of help. I'm a bit of a home audio guy on a budget but not quite as into car audio. Just don't have the time or budget for a big overhaul.

2002 Avalon - Factory JBL 5 Way system. Reconed the Sub a while back and it worked great. recently noticed I had a "pop" in the left rear speaker. Sounds great, then will occasionally pop. Wanted to upgrade the speakers anyway (figured this was not a speaker issue) so I just put in a decent set of Kickers using the factory enclosures. Of course, the pop is still there and getting worse.

Not sure if the issue is caused by the Amp (under the passenger seat I think) or in the radio. I don't mind upgrading the radio to something more modern/better. Does anyone have a suggestion on what is causing the issue, how I can check it and what I should consider replacing?

No way am I paying $500 to replace the factory Amp. I've been told I can replace the radio and bypass the amp but i would think it would sound weak as I understand a new radio alone would not be able to power the sub. I'm sure I'll have a question to any reply but I would really appreciate any help from you car audiophiles out there. Thanks!

What I'd do in your situation is buy a 5 channel amp that would power all the channels, and get a new deck no matter what. Do remember, that more than likely you will have to re-run and replace ALL the factory speaker wiring if you replace the amp, and it's more of a pain in the butt to try to use factory wires than it is to just replace them all to all factory speakers. Even though you had JBL's from factory, you MAY have to install aftermarket, passive crossovers to the Kickers, as the factory amp probably uses electronic xovers, and they would be built-in to the factory amp. A new 5 channel amp will probably have xovers built in that have adjustable frequencies for each channel, and that may save you from having to use outboard, passive xovers, but personally, I'd at LEAST put a protective capacitor on the TWEETERS, just to be safe, as they are the most delicate speakers in any system. An economical quality amp I'd look into is an Alphasonik, or a Profile. As for a deck, my all-time favorite, never break down head unit is a Clarion. They NEVER let me down. Second choice would be a Pioneer. Both simple, reliable and usually on sale if you shop around. Another bonus with this is that since you have Kickers already, you can step up the power to them with a newer, better amp. If you do this, this system could be a REALLY kick ass 'econo' but loud, SQ system! It's amazing what you can do on a fixed budget, and how good it can sound when you're done! An inexpensive, simple system can be REALLY fun to put together, as you have to be creative, as well as shop around for the best deals!

If you want to know more, message me, and I'll do what I can to suggest models, etc. Look at the pix of my system I'm rebuilding in my car now; you'll see what an overboard, over the top system is, but I've done a LOT of budget systems, that sound KILLER; I'm a home Audiophile, with a bi-amped HOME system, and I have been doing home systems for 35 years and cars for 30. I can HELP!