A Bunch of Audio Q's:

MN Z-71 · October 8, 2003

Hey guys...Ive got a few questions to run by you so here goes.

My current audio setup is a Pioneer Premier DEH-P350 XM ready head unit, 50Wx4 with Boston Acoustics FX7 4x6 speakers front and back. I also have a Sony 10 disc FM modulated CD changer. The front speakers have been in longer than the rears and they have pretty much gone to crap, partially due to being run on a faulty stock head unit.

So I will soon be needing new front speakers in addition to a sub in the near future. My original plans were to go with Boston Acoustics MX7 (a step up from the FX7's) in front and add a Infinity Basslink to make up for the puny 4x6's. I dont need much bass...just some good filler that is clean and crisp.

But reading through the posts in this forum has me looking at the single 10 inch JL Audio Stealthbox. Is this a good unit...anyone have experience with it? What would be a good (but reasonably priced) amp to run it?

Looking at JL's site I also found the TR400-CXi 4 inch speakers with 4x6 adapter plates. See it at this website.

I have never seen a setup like this before...how does it work? Will the speaker fit underneath my stock speaker grilles or does that have to be cut out, modded? Can I expect a significant increase in sound quality with these 4 inch speakers or will the MX7 Bostons be just as good?

Im kind of a newbie to car audio so any help/opinions/suggestions you can give would be great.

My other question is in regard to the radio reception in my truck...frankly it sucks. There are many stations that dont come in, and I lose alot of them in outlying areas. My old Ford truck got WAY better reception than this thing does...I thought before that it was just the stock head unit, but the new one is no better. Has my antenna gone to crap or is there something else I can do to boost my reception?

Sorry for all the questions...I tend to get kind of long-winded. Any help you can give is much appreciated.

Cyclic · October 8, 2003

First thing to do is make sure your FM modulated changer is off. It cuts the radio signal out when its on. For that matter I would remove it entirely as a modualted changer does not give that clean of a signal anyway. Get rid of the sony FM changer and get a dirrect connect Pioneer.

To simply touble shoot try taking out the modulator and connect the antenna wire directly. Also make sure that when the radio was installed they actually used an antenna adaptor to connect you radio. Some cheap/lazy places will just wrap it with electrical tape and stuff it in the antenna hole.

As to the speakers standard 4x6 will work fine but be careful about going ti big there is very little mounting depth available in the dash mount. The absolute best setup is to go with kick panels which will allow a 6.5 and a tweeter. The go with a basic 4x6 in the dash to help with the front stage imaging. If you have a regular cab p/u then disconnect the rear speakers and you will find the cab is more balanced as far as sound. In the extended cab you can make some fill plates to install 6x9's into the rear pockets. In either case a single 10 will fill out the bottow end very well.

Edited- just saw that you had the extended cab- go with the plates and install 6x9's in the back.

MN Z-71 · October 8, 2003

Changer is off, and it was installed correctly with an adapter. But the poor reception was there when I got the truck...when everything was stock. Do these trucks just not get good reception or what?

I plan on replacing the changer at some point with a direct connect unit, I never noticed the drop in sound quality with the stock radio but I definitely do now and for sure will with new fronts and a sub. For now I pretty much just use the single disc player in the HU.

When you talk about kick panels you are referring to the units that go down near the floor, under the dash? I never thought those would give good sound being so low, plus they will cut into my legroom and will likely get banged up and ruined when i get in and out with muddy and/or snowy boots. This is still a work truck, not just a play toy so I want to keep things functional.

Ive never heard of putting 6x9's and fill plates in the rear before...can you explain to me how this works? Where would they be located? Currently my changer is occupying the driver side rear pocket if that is what you are referring to.

Im also looking for some direction on which sub to go with, the JL Audio Stealthbox or the Infinity Basslink? Will the Stealthbox with the sub firing down into the corner give me better sound or is it not going to matter in the limited interior space of my truck? As I said before, I dont need big loud booming bass. Im not looking to go deaf, enter competitions, or annoy the hell out of other people. I just want some good quality, clean filler bass so I can hear the music how it was meant to be heard.

Does anyone know that the Stealthboxes cost?

Cyclic · October 9, 2003

For the time being on the antenna disconnect every connection and clean/lube before reconnecting. Check the grounding of the antenna base- kind if important for reception. On my old 1989 I had great reception when I went with an Alpine deck, so your problem could be anything. Try getting a replacement antenna assembly and plug that in with out installing it for a comparison.

If kick pannels are out for you, then the only other way is to add a 5.25 in the door. It will fit but check at a local Circuit City for location. They should have a book with the exact location for easy install of the 5.25 in the lower door panel. I would use a 5.25 in the door and the 4x6 in the dash for the front stage. Should help with transition and mid bass response. Make sure to cap off the 4x6's a little above their lower freq response for best sound.

The 6x9's are mounted in a 1/2 inch wood or MDF plate. You remove the factory rear pockets and fabricate the horizontal plate to cover the pocket opening. Cut open for your 6x9's, then cover in vinyl or carpet of your choice. Again check with your local stereo shop for help and tips.

As for the subs I have long perfered MTX. I tend to use an wood enclosure. I've compaired many boxes over the years and have found wood far out performs plastic for bass production and clearity. My recomendation is a single 10 inch sub in a underseat wood enclosure perferably in a down firing arangement. You will be very surprised with the response in your extended cab.