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Quality sound with replacement speakers

Bucketmouth

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Bucketmouth Enthusiast

Bucketmouth

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  I have an 18 LT 1500 and Im planning to add a sub.  I also want to upgrade the factory speakers but they will only be powered by the factory deck.   Would anyone recommend spending money on new speakers or is there no benefit if they arent powered by an amp?  I was hoping to keep it simple and run 1 amp for a sub. Thank you

Armo325 Enthusiast

Armo325

Posted
Posted
  I have an 18 LT 1500 and Im planning to add a sub.  I also want to upgrade the factory speakers but they will only be powered by the factory deck.   Would anyone recommend spending money on new speakers or is there no benefit if they arent powered by an amp?  I was hoping to keep it simple and run 1 amp for a sub. Thank you


I did almost exactly as you described on my 2017 LT double cab. I added a sub that is powered by an added amp but gets its signal from a line out converter tapped in to the rear speaker signal. I also replaced the front door and dash speakers. I plan to do the back doors but it’s low on my list.

My thoughts:

1. The sub is absolutely worth it and really adds to the sound in the cab.

2. The new door speakers, even powered from the factory system, sound much better than the OEM speakers.

3. The aftermarket dash speakers sound exactly the same as the OEM speakers. I’d skip those if I were you.
Bucketmouth Enthusiast

Bucketmouth

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That helps. I wonder if the dash speakers need to be a little bigger, different tweeter or something.  If the doors sounded better, one would think the dash should as well.  Hmmmm..  Thanks for your help.  Did you build a box or buy one the prebuilt subs with the box that fits under the seat?

ftwhite Enthusiast

ftwhite

Posted
Posted

If you run an Amp for a sub, you've done the hard part (getting power, signal, and mounting). You might as well get a 4.1 or 6.1 Amp and power the speakers too.
In my progression, I went from door speaker replacement, to dash speaker replacement with 3", to adding aftermarket Amp for doors and sub, then adding a second Amp for dash, then getting an aftermarket 8" Sub. Each step was an easily notable improvment.
Personal recommendation: use a NavTV processor over a LOC; and don't skimp on the dash speakers or channel. The factory head unit sends tons of midrange to the dash and most of the environmental sounds (phone, chime, etc.).

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

Bucketmouth Enthusiast

Bucketmouth

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Although I can see myself falling into the trap of more and more audio stuff,  Im trying to do this as easy as possible. I just want to do 1 sub amp if possible.  If everyone think it will sound like mud, I may go ahead with another amp but only if I have to.   Is everyone running power up one side and RCA's up the other?  Anyone built a bandpass box that fits?  Thanks for your help. :thumbs:

Ak_grown Enthusiast

Ak_grown

Posted
Posted

aftermarket speaker would be better that the paper cone factory speakers. depends on what you listen to. kicker makes a good speaker if you like loud music, more sound quality look for a "silk dome" tweeter by kenwood/alpine. i been out of the aftermarket game for a while, a simple upgrade would be and sub and coaxial speaker swap. the factory radio is not strong enough to power component speakers.

 

for running wires, yes you can run subwoofer wiring "class D" amp on the same side, if you plan to amplify the door speakers then you need to run power and speaker/RCA wires on separate sides. 

Armo325 Enthusiast

Armo325

Posted
Posted
That helps. I wonder if the dash speakers need to be a little bigger, different tweeter or something.  If the doors sounded better, one would think the dash should as well.  Hmmmm..  Thanks for your help.  Did you build a box or buy one the prebuilt subs with the box that fits under the seat?


I built my own. It was the first time I ever built a box but I wanted a sub enclosure and storage on the other side. There exists under seat storage and boxes for one or two subs but nothing that combines the two. Choices for the double cab are particularly limited.
Bucketmouth Enthusiast

Bucketmouth

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I seen the thread and I really liked the work.  I may have to borrow your idea if you dont mind. What sub and amp did you go with?

Armo325 Enthusiast

Armo325

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7 hours ago, Bucketmouth said:

I seen the thread and I really liked the work.  I may have to borrow your idea if you dont mind. What sub and amp did you go with?

Thanks!  The carpet on the box didn't turn out great and is something to work on for the next one.  I am still happy with the result and I love the sound.  As was mentioned earlier in the thread, I ran the power down one side of the truck (the driver's side in my case) and the signal cables went to the passenger side.  I went with a Kicker 12CX300.1 600 Watt Mono Class D Amplifier.  The sub is a Rockford-Fosgate P3SD4-10 10 inch.  I have done audio work in every vehicle I have ever owned and I have always had good experience with RF subwoofers.

 

Good luck with your project and let me know if you need more info.

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