Base Sound System Upgrade/Build

[Scsoren]

Thanks for the confidence because I wasnt really sure when I bought them today Lol. I get them on Thursday so hopefully they sound good. I bought it without the amp for now to see what it would sound like without. I did find this amp below that I think pairs with it pretty well. Thoughts vs the kicker one you linked?

Alpine KTP-445U Power Pack Compact 4-channel car amplifier — 45 watts RMS X 4 at Crutchfield

I was also looking at the Infinity BassLink someone posted earlier. Went to a car audio shop and the kicker hideway didn't fit under any seat. It fits under the seat in the back but once you try to lay it down the sub moves. I'm not sure about the Infinity since no car audio place carries them nor do I know how they sound.

Infinity BassLink Mini Compact powered subwoofer with 6"x8" sub and 100-watt amp at Crutchfield

Please let us know how the Alpines sound without the amp.

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[devhodge]

Ok so I’m at the finish line of almost deciding what I’m going to buy. From everything I’ve read so far don’t replace the 6.5 kick panels as they don’t make a significant difference. Thoughts on the four below? I’m stuck and trying to decide which to go with. Starting with no amp to speakers unless I feel it’s necessary.


https://www.crutchfield.com/p_091RCX100/Focal-RCX-100.html

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_20646CC44/Kicker-46CSC44.html

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_109CL422F/JBL-Club-422F.html

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_108R4032CM/Infinity-Reference-REF-4032cfx.html

I’ve been loving my JBL Club 422s for 3 months. Replaced the kick panels to JBLs and switched back to stock. Sounds waaaayyyyy better. Cheap, amazing upgrade to stock sound. Unless you are an audiosnob (no hate for those that are), don’t do any thing else. I mean it.

 

[fitterhappier]

I’ve been loving my JBL Club 422s for 3 months. Replaced the kick panels to JBLs and switched back to stock. Sounds waaaayyyyy better. Cheap, amazing upgrade to stock sound. Unless you are an audiosnob (no hate for those that are), don’t do any thing else. I mean it.

The JBLs do sound very good - total steal for the price. Did you run into any issues with fitment in the dash or pods? Noticed that the mounting depth is a tad bigger than some of the others in the 4" size...

 

[devhodge]

The JBLs do sound very good - total steal for the price. Did you run into any issues with fitment in the dash or pods? Noticed that the mounting depth is a tad bigger than some of the others in the 4" size...

Nope but I did do bassblockers on the dash and once adjusted front to rear I can hear nice separation front to back with high hats and ride cymbals on drums. I’m really impressed with this <$250 upgrade.

 

[Scsoren]

I’ve been loving my JBL Club 422s for 3 months. Replaced the kick panels to JBLs and switched back to stock. Sounds waaaayyyyy better. Cheap, amazing upgrade to stock sound. Unless you are an audiosnob (no hate for those that are), don’t do any thing else. I mean it.

Love JBLs. So, did you put 2 in the dash, 2 in the rear pods, and leave the factory 6.5s in the kick panels, with no amp?

 

[Scsoren]

Hear’s a sound comparison the left is factory, right is a focal rcx100. Get headphones for the best sound quality it’s not going to be what I’m hearing but give you a idea. It was dark and I didn’t want to jam out and this song was on a sirius radio channel. I’ll take it for a drive tomorrow I’ll install the other and turn it up and decide if I’m going to keep them or not. They are bright and sound good at low volume I think tomorrow after I turn them up I’ll need to use the tone settings for sure.

Love the sound. What are we hearing exactly? Just the one 4” Focal in the dash? No bass blocker? Thanks!

 

[Frankie945]

Love the sound. What are we hearing exactly? Just the one 4” Focal in the dash? No bass blocker? Thanks!

Right, just one and no bass blocker.

 

[Scsoren]

Right, just one and no bass blocker.

Cool! Did you install the other one, drive it around, and decide if you like them?

 

[Frankie945]

Cool! Did you install the other one, drive it around, and decide if you like them?

I installed both and kept them. I think almost any brand would of been better than the 4” oem ones.

 

[Scsoren]

Nope but I did do bassblockers on the dash and once adjusted front to rear I can hear nice separation front to back with high hats and ride cymbals on drums. I’m really impressed with this <$250 upgrade.

I love everything I read up to the mention of “bass blockers”. I just don’t want to even try adding those, not experienced in soldering anything. May just return my Infinity speakers and have someone do this for me professionally.

 

[devhodge]

I love everything I read up to the mention of “bass blockers”. I just don’t want to even try adding those, not experienced in soldering anything. May just return my Infinity speakers and have someone do this for me professionally.

It was actually quite simple with these (I’m no audio install expert):
ELECFUN 150pcs Waterproof Wire... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08DHRTRH9?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

and these:
mxuteuk 30 Pcs Quick Splice... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08C7DXZ63?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

I used a lighter to melt the built-in solder. So simple. If I can do it you can do it.

 

[Roll Sound]

I love everything I read up to the mention of “bass blockers”. I just don’t want to even try adding those, not experienced in soldering anything. May just return my Infinity speakers and have someone do this for me professionally.

Your Infinity speakers are already crossed over at 75hz. I put four Infinity Reference speakers in my Bronco. They sound great just dropped in. I purchased four caps at 150hz, and installed them on all four 4" speakers. I ended up removing them. The system sounded better without them. I have a very keen ear. I'm an audio engineer.

 

[Broncola]

Did you use the rear inputs for the key 200.4? So the rear pods still get the limited frequency range? Or does the key do some magical dsp and the rears sound good when faded to only the back without the sub?

Big thanks to the contributors of this thread! I just completed my upgrade and am very happy with the results.

I decided to start with the addition of amps and a subwoofer, leaving the factory speakers to see if they would wake up with amplification. After install, I've decided that no speaker upgrade is needed - factory units perform very well with an amp and equalization.

I have included pic and model # of a great fitting loaded sub enclosure - even the carpet color was a near perfect match.

System:
Factory 6 speaker system (2 door Wildtrak) - now connected to a Kicker Key200.4 (installed in dash on factory knee brace/support). This amp did an amazing job with it's auto programming and auto equalizer (done with included microphone). Retained wiring in factory configuration (kick panel speakers and dash speakers on front channels, rear pods on rear channels).

Subwoofer/enclosure: Kicker 10" downfiring, shallow mount 48CVTDF102
Sub Amp: Kicker Key500.1 (installed under driver seat), also purchased the subwoofer remote level control Kicker 46CX (installed in recess below climate controls).

Sounds fantastic and capable of unbearable volume without distortion.

Thanks again for the info - schematics and pics were very helpful.

 

[Ser Arthur Dayne]

I'm just adding my pair of shiny pennies here on general principle-

I am getting to be Old & Busted but back in the day I was a little into car audio. I can wholeheartedly endorse Infinity speakers and products.

The '98 Dodge Durango we got with the Infinity stereo system was probably the best factory audio system I've ever had. An also-98 BMW Z3 we got had some super duper Harmon Kardon system - which, incidentally, owns Infinity - was nowhere near as good as the Durango's Infinity despite supposing to be a head-and-shoulders better. Years later I replaced the Infinity speakers in the Durango with the top of the line Infinity Perfect components and Kappa 3 or 4- ways (can't rightly remember) and added a few amps and a 12" Infinity sub ... awesome. Pissed my Dad right off but hey I was still young and dreaming of picking up chics with best stereo system.

I have also had some Infinity home speakers. I can highly recommend their entire product line for anyone seeking to replace stock speakers or any other audio application.

Just my throw-away thoughts.

 

[frogier]

Is anyone interested in a new set of Focal Access 100AC, 300mz base blockers, 4" boom mats and 72-5600 wiring harness adapters? Price is $150+shipping for everything. Speakers where meant for the rear but they didn't fit. So I bought different ones. message me if interested.

Speakers alone are $230 on Crutchfield https://www.crutchfield.com/p_091100AC/Focal-Performance-100AC.html?tp=102

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