Speaker/stereo upgrade

parshal · December 22, 2011

I have an '09 crew cab with the non-Bose stereo. I just sold my '07 Shelby and am really missing the upgraded stereo and woofer box when I drive the truck. Things just don't sound the same!

I don't want to spend a lot of money and whatever I do I want the truck to look fairly stock. I don't want to put a box under the rear seats since I usually have the seats up. I'd like to have a Bazooka tube that under the back seat rests but I don't think that will fit. Anyway, I was hoping to replace the front speakers and run a 60 watt amp under the passenger front seat to power them and use a powered Bazooka in the back. I'm just looking to add about 25% more volume and quite a bit more bass. If I added 6.5 speakers all around with no amp will I notice much difference? Will in have to disconnect the crossover and factory tweeters? What tweeters will fit with little modification?

Any suggestions from anyone? I'd like to keep the cost under $500 which is limiting I know. I have an isolated auxilliary battery that I installed a couple of years ago that I posted about in the forum. I figure I can run things off that.

scz71864 · December 22, 2011

you can get a decent set of 4 speakers and a 4 channel 500watt amp for under 500. the problem is going to be the other amp, the sub, and the enclosure thats going to push it over 500

parshal · December 22, 2011

I can go over $500 if I know it will be nice. I searched around a bit here last night and still have questions. I think I may be leaning toward component speakers for the fronts and tweeters. I guess I need to find and pull the stock crossover as well. I'm thinking I could just replace the speakers and add a sub and see how it sounds. I can add an amp later.

Any suggestions on speakers?

dhmcfadin · December 22, 2011

These are some of the best sounding speakers money can buy. I just installed them on my 2011 Z71 Tahoe and man they sound great!

http://www.focal.com/en/car-audio-sound/haut-parleurs/kits-2-voies-se-pare-es/165-vb.php

scz71864 · December 23, 2011

i have the infinity reference speakers in all 4 and i love them so far

parshal · December 23, 2011

These are some of the best sounding speakers money can buy. I just installed them on my 2011 Z71 Tahoe and man they sound great!

Are you using an amp as well?

If you replace the tweeters, is there a stock crossover that must be removed, too? Or, is it simply remove the tweeter and put in the new one using the new crossover?

arctictwist · January 18, 2012

I read somewhere that the crossover is part of the front door speaker. I am pulling out my interior and doing a new stereo this weekend. I will confirm that for you then. Also if you try to run the new speakers of the stock radio, they wont sound great.

parshal · January 18, 2012

I found that the stock "crossover" is simply a capacitor on the back of the tweeters. There's nothing separate to remove.

scz71864 · January 18, 2012

I read somewhere that the crossover is part of the front door speaker. I am pulling out my interior and doing a new stereo this weekend. I will confirm that for you then. Also if you try to run the new speakers of the stock radio, they wont sound great.

thats not true. if you have an amp going to them they will sound fine. if you have an after market HU they will sound better

arctictwist · January 18, 2012

I meant if they are run off the head unit speaker outs.

Carder09 · January 18, 2012

I use kickers throughout my truck and never had any problems, I don't have the speakers amped only my subs but I also have an aftermarket radio installed so I use it for now. If you don't already know, I've found the best deals with sonicelectronix.com most of their shipping is free and customer service is excellent.

arctictwist · January 18, 2012

I concur on sonic. Example: ordered Sunday using free shipping but got no shopping confirnation Monday so I called because I wanted it there for this weekends install. He said ifs 4-5 says so it would more than likely be Monday because ups doesn't do sat delivery. I explained how I already arranged everything and needed it sooner and he offered to upgrade to 3 day shipping for 20$..... That was a 75 dollar option when I put the order in.