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Sound System Upgrade

Discussion in 'Audio & Video' started by TruckyTruck, Jan 25, 2014.

  1. Jan 25, 2014 at 5:32 PM
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    TruckyTruck

    TruckyTruck [OP] Dumbest Username

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    I've just spent a total of about 40 hours on a sound system upgrade. What speakers do you use? Amp? Subs?
     
  2. Jan 25, 2014 at 5:32 PM
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    TruckyTruck

    TruckyTruck [OP] Dumbest Username

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    I just spent about 40 hours total, working on my install. The part that took the longest was all the wiring and amp/component placement under the rear seat. I didn't want to lose any seat functionality.
    I went with:

    6x9 image dynamics front
    http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_22336_Image-Dynamics-CTX-69.html

    6.5 image dynamics rear

    http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_22335_Image-Dynamics-CTX-65.html

    Pioneer GM-D8604 600 watt amp
    http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_63974_Pioneer-GM-D8604.html


    ^^^^^^^the three items above were defective

    Audiocontrol Lc7i line out converter
    http://www.crutchfield.com/p_161LC7IG/AudioControl-LC7i-Gray.html

    Pioneer TS-SW3001S4 12 inch slim mount
    http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_18212_Pioneer-TS-SW3001S4.html

    e2 EWDB2 by Scosche fused dist block
    http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_15319_e2-EWDB2-by-Scosche.html

    Stinger SHD201 inline anl fuse holder
    http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_17748_Stinger-SHD201.html

    NVX XW0BL20 1/0 gauge wire 20 ft
    http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_46862_NVX-XW0BL20.html

    NVX XW4BL5 4 gauge 10 ft
    http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_40534_NVX-XW4BL5.html

    NVX XW4GR5 4 gauge 10 ft
    http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_40535_NVX-XW4GR5.html

    Xscorpion ANL250PL 250 amp inline fuse. Bought 2 just in case
    http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_39076_Xscorpion-ANL250PL.html

    Xscorpion ANL80PL 80 amp dist block bought 4 just in case
    http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_39080_Xscorpion-ANL80PL.html

    Stinger SI421.5 2 for Lc7i to door speaker amp
    http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_38862_Stinger-SI421.5.html

    Stinger SPT5101 1/0 gauge terminal
    http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_42113_Stinger-SPT5101.html

    Hooker Audio 16 gauge speaker wire 200 ft from local shop. .39 cents per foot

    Taco tune adapters for front and back. The rear adapters had to have the speaker hole widened. And the fronts didn't work with the 6x9s that I bought. Which was strange because taco tunes recommends them. I had to use a 5/8 inch thick piece of wood cut out in the shape of the adapter to add to making the magnet clear the speaker. I'll get some pics of that.


    I did have a little wire left over, but the worst is when you don't have enough and have to wait or you get raped on price by the local speaker shop. All wiring was oxygen free copper. The front speakers we very difficult. I had to trim the inside of the door panels to make them fit. This is what I used and they sound damn good, but it was not easy. I used ALL new wiring and did not use the stock tiny wire in the truck. I wanted to keep the head unit because I like the stock look and controls and the lc7i gave back all the bass roll off that the stock head unit loses. I will probably do a little more detail in a write up, but for now you can see what a complete install takes and links for pricing. I have not installed the sub yet because I'm still contemplating the box I'm going to build and I'd I will remove the rear wall plastic in my crewmax. I already have an amp for the sub which I did install so it would all be ready when I get the box made and installed. That's why I ordered 10 ft of each color 4 gauge wire instead of just 5. You could just use all the stock wire but I didn't want 100 watts rms being choked by the small wire. One other point, you fuse based on the wire size.
     
    Last edited: Feb 12, 2014
  3. Jan 25, 2014 at 6:17 PM
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    T-Rex266

    T-Rex266 Elon approved Staff Member

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    ape7e6ap_43aa7698482158c194f34e1886e58af0fe86f408.jpg

    Here is what I am looking at going with....
     
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  4. Jan 26, 2014 at 11:37 AM
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    TruckyTruck

    TruckyTruck [OP] Dumbest Username

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    Updated for your viewing pleasure. Man I love this site... I hope it grows to be a monster!!!
     
  5. Jan 26, 2014 at 1:41 PM
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    csuviper

    csuviper Moderator Staff Member

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    It will.
    For me I probably won't do anything major to the sound system. It's good enough for my listening. I might add an amp and sub that I've had from past vehicles into a custom made box. Either behind or under the rear seats.
     
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  6. Jan 26, 2014 at 5:58 PM
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    TruckyTruck

    TruckyTruck [OP] Dumbest Username

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    Well, the speakers in the non jbl trucks are pretty terrible if you really like to jam your music. I just couldn't take it anymore. Now it's pretty nice.
     
  7. Jan 27, 2014 at 7:26 AM
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    T-Rex266

    T-Rex266 Elon approved Staff Member

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    My Taco had a better stock setup then my Tundra...you would think it would be the other way around.
     
  8. Jan 27, 2014 at 8:05 AM
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    TruckyTruck

    TruckyTruck [OP] Dumbest Username

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    Same with my tacoma. I decided not to get the jbl system in my tundra because they want another 2-3k for it. I figured I could have a bad ass system for under 1k. By the way I found this guy that owns a company called 12 volt. I'm going to get him to build me a custom box. I sent him the link to my sub and he said he can make one to fit my crewmax that's flat and wide.
     
  9. Jan 29, 2014 at 6:24 PM
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    TruckyTruck

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    I'm having the box made for my system. It will be super flat and wide so I don't lose seat travel. And it is going to be 5/8 mdf with a fiberglass resin lining on the inside for strength. After I get it in ill get pictures.
     
  10. Jan 29, 2014 at 7:08 PM
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    csuviper

    csuviper Moderator Staff Member

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    I'll be building a custom box one of these days. Have some extra 1/2" mdf that I will use. Built a center one for the rear of my access cab tacoma but took it out because it took up too much room. Behind the seat will be perfect. I have a 10" Sony explode and I think an mdx amp. Old but will be fine with me.
     
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  11. Feb 2, 2014 at 12:14 PM
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    TruckyTruck

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    Had to warranty my phone that had a ton of pics of my sound system install. I'm going to take some more though. I had this one on a cloud acct though.
    aorn.jpg
     
  12. Feb 3, 2014 at 9:17 PM
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    TruckyTruck

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    I think I'm going to drop a little coin on raamaudio sound deadener for all 4 doors... anyone have a better recommendation for this? I looked at second skin, but no matter how I put it together the price was 50 to 100 bucks cheaper for the raam mat. My main concern was the rattle from the door panels, but i thought if I was going to do it I'd just make it nice.
     
  13. Feb 3, 2014 at 10:51 PM
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    csuviper

    csuviper Moderator Staff Member

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    I installed raam mat in my tacoma and would recommend it. Def quieted the cab from road noise. Not hard to install but did end up with cuts all over my fingers. It was the cheapest I found as well. Also customer service is good.
     
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  14. Feb 3, 2014 at 10:53 PM
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    csuviper

    csuviper Moderator Staff Member

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    I'm interested to see the pics
     
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  15. Feb 4, 2014 at 8:06 AM
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    TruckyTruck

    TruckyTruck [OP] Dumbest Username

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    I will definitely do that. So you used it for your Tacoma. Im just planning to do the four doors. Do you think doing that will be worth it if that's all I do? Its not so much the sound outside the vehicle im not happy with, its the speakers that are so powerful with the amp, the door panels are vibrating like crazy. So Id like to just have solid sound coming out of the doors. Im thinking since im going to have a sub in the rear, that I might do the rear wall too. Maybe just in foam. Thoughts?
     
  16. Feb 4, 2014 at 2:52 PM
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    csuviper

    csuviper Moderator Staff Member

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    This will def help with vibrations. Do both layers on the doors. The base layer is heavy and will make them solid. The foam layer doesn't seem like much so I wouldn't recommend only the foam in the rear.
     
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  17. Feb 4, 2014 at 9:53 PM
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    TruckyTruck

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    Cool. I bought the #2 package from raamaudio... Sounds bad huh... Ha
     
  18. Feb 4, 2014 at 10:03 PM
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    csuviper

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    It will be on my list to do again. Worth it.
     
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  19. Feb 7, 2014 at 11:43 AM
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    TruckyTruck

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    20140207_133021.jpg This showed up today. Looks like pretty good stuff. From Raamaudio.
     
  20. Feb 7, 2014 at 1:57 PM
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    csuviper

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    Nice. Post up some pics of your install. Be carefully not to cut up your fingers too bad on the aluminum.
     
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  21. Feb 9, 2014 at 12:27 AM
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    TruckyTruck

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    Hardest install ever!!!!!!!

    So 3 out of the 4 ID's that I bought were bad. I was sent one so far, the rear 6.5. The other two 6x9s sonic electronix has been dragging their feet all this time, so I called and asked what was going on. They said they no longer carry ID 6x9s... Although I see them for sale on their website, but anyway. They give me a store credit... I didn't want anything else so after much deliberation and unhappy conversation, they decide they will make an exception and return my money to me. I was ok with that, because I felt like I was losing trust in their company. So I took my money and bought them directly from Amazon, who I've not had a problem with and because I could not find the speakers locally.

    Today I installed RaamAudio sound deadener on the rear wall and about 12 inches from the rear wall on the floor. I also installed it in my rear doors and after I get my 6x9s ill do the front doors. The install for that went well, but it took me hours. I didn't want to just slap it in, I wanted it to look professional even though no one will ever see it other than pics. Just with the rear wall and rear doors it is already so much nicer and eleminated a lot of noise. The rear doors feel extremely solid now too. I can't wait to get the fronts done. This is definitely worth the effort.
    So along with that, I completed the speaker install for the rear doors, since they are all I've got at the moment. I also moved my ground wired for my amps for the seatbelt to seperate ground points behind the rear seatbelt panels. Ill get some pics below just i case anyone sees them.

    At this point it's all hooked up and I find that my amp.... Wait for it.... HAS A BAD FREAKING CHANNEL. Yep, the left rear output on my brand new pioneer amp is bad and making the speaker just have a static shhhhhh sound output. I moved the speaker wire over to another output on the amp and it played fine. Not that sonic electronix did this on purpose, but it should be noted that again I purchased it from them.

    I hope you guys don't think I'm bashing them. They haven't done anything wrong, but... Ill be up to a total of 45 dollars just in shipping to them and they won't eat the shipping cost to warranty the equipment. I haven't talked to them yet about the amp, so who knows, they may have mercy and foot the bill.
    Well, it's been a rough ride with this so far. But I'll get there eventually. Hell, the RaamAudio stuff is great though! Best part of my install so far... Ha

    Oh and I used mechanic gloves when I pressed the raammat into the metal. Worked well, I only ended up cutting my hand twice.
     
    Last edited: Feb 9, 2014
  22. Feb 9, 2014 at 12:32 AM
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    TruckyTruck

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  23. Feb 9, 2014 at 12:38 AM
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    TruckyTruck

    TruckyTruck [OP] Dumbest Username

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    Did you ever start this?
     
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  24. Feb 9, 2014 at 5:21 PM
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    csuviper

    csuviper Moderator Staff Member

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    Very nice TruckyTruck. Glad the Raamat worked out well for you . Should get a finders fee/recommendation discount from them when I do my tundra :)
     
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  25. Feb 9, 2014 at 5:22 PM
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    T-Rex266

    T-Rex266 Elon approved Staff Member

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    Nope...it's on my 'mod to do' list
     
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  26. Feb 9, 2014 at 5:33 PM
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    TruckyTruck

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    Actually, when in placed my order, in the notes section I let him know I was a member or tacomaworld and tundras.com and he refunded 15 bucks to my card...! Pretty awesome in my book!

    @Bob
     
  27. Feb 9, 2014 at 5:35 PM
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    csuviper

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    Sweet. Had a conversation with the guy when I installed mine. Can't remember what for now but he was very nice. Think he said he could send out a partial order if I asked based on what I needed.
     
  28. Feb 12, 2014 at 8:56 PM
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    TruckyTruck

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    20140212_221802.jpg 20140212_221750.jpg 20140212_221917.jpg 20140212_222217.jpg 20140212_222613.jpg 20140212_222622.jpg 20140212_222627.jpg Well I decided to have a box built for me. I've done everything else myself and just wanted a nice box built professionally. I got a company called tech12volt to do it for me. He's a one or two man operation and after an accident that floored him a year ago or so, he got a pretty bad rap from what I read online. So controversy or not, I dont care. I decided to give him a shot. I'm really happy with it. 5/8" mdf with fiberglass resin inside for strength. I sent him other link to the sub I bought and he went off thoes measurements. He made it flat like I wanted too. Cant wait to get it all mounted. Maybe I could have made it, but I'm glad I didn't have too! :)
     
  29. Feb 12, 2014 at 9:09 PM
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    TruckyTruck

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    So I haven't really said so here, because I've just been disgusted about it, but I've had a hell of a go at this install. 3 out of my 4 image dynamic speakers were defective right out of the box and I noticed it a week after it was all set in the doors. Also the damn pioneer amp I bought had a bad channel so I had to send that back too! I ended up purchasing a really good amp, Polk pa 4000.4. 125 rms x 4 @ 4ohms. Got it installed tonight. Only one of the speakers got returned, the rear 6.5. So I have both rears in and they sound completely awesome. Very happy with that. The front 6x9s... They were not getting any at sonic electronix until the end of feb if I ordered them again now... Sucks! So I think I'm going to take a chance on some alpine 6x9s, spr-69 type R's.

    I hope I'm doing the right thing. There are none locally for me to hear. I'm just beside myself the ID's were bad. Also I think that company is having problems, image dynamic that is. People say you should stick with the same speaker brand, but I figure if they suck or blow up ill have 60 days to exchange them for the ID's.
     
  30. Feb 12, 2014 at 9:12 PM
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    csuviper

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    Very nice and very flat. Good quality from what I see. I'm thinking under the rear middle seat for me now though.
     
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