Cheap Kicker soundstage upgrade alternative 2
03-12-2015, 12:46 PM
#11
200W is all I know, this where I got mine brand new Video Link: http://www.ebay.com/itm/09-14-FORD-F150-SUPER-CAB-EXTENDED-CAB-KICKER-SUBWOOFER-SPEAKER-9L3Z-18808-P-/161630564925?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories &hash=item25a1eeb23d&vxp=mtr
Here's a link from kicker as to the features, (ignore that price) LOL http://www.kicker.com/SF150S09
03-12-2015, 01:15 PM
#12
Shot a video yesterday, I choose a reggae song to showcase the different variations of bass. 
Video Link: https://youtu.be/shhJxE9WdM0
Video Link: https://youtu.be/shhJxE9WdM0
03-12-2015, 05:51 PM
#13
Thanks, the bass is responsive with all types of music. I set the Phase about 1/2 way up on the sub to get a good spectrum of bass. I've tried, rock, dance and top 40 songs, all sound good. The trick is to tweak the sub to blend with the rest of the system. It took me some time to get it just right. Also the Lc2i added another opportunity for tuning with the accu bass threshold ***.
03-12-2015, 06:02 PM
#14
03-13-2015, 03:19 PM
#15
Ahh, I see. Looks very nice! As I mentioned above, this is just an alternative. Not an OEM replacement, but hidden nonetheless. I must say I really do like the sound of the rockville. The bass is tremendous, I wonder if it has anything to do with the Audio control.
I would have liked the Kicker as well, but my budget and wants are different. This option is for someone who doesn't want to pay the Soundstage price, but wants to improve the overall sound of the Sony for cheap. The Kicker speakers on my door sound really crips, Im sure the sub sounds great too.
What is the RMS wattage of the kicker sub? I forgot to mention, the Rockville is 150 watts rms, 600 watts peak.
I would have liked the Kicker as well, but my budget and wants are different. This option is for someone who doesn't want to pay the Soundstage price, but wants to improve the overall sound of the Sony for cheap. The Kicker speakers on my door sound really crips, Im sure the sub sounds great too.
What is the RMS wattage of the kicker sub? I forgot to mention, the Rockville is 150 watts rms, 600 watts peak.
03-14-2015, 03:05 AM
#16
Senior Member
Hey guys, I wanted to offer a cheaper alternative to the Kicker soundstage upgrade. I know a lot of guys are opting to purchase the complete kicker soundstage system for around $600 or just the kicker sub for around $300.
Please note - this is my opinion and in no way suggesting that this alternative is better than the Kicker soundstage (though I did use the same Kicker speakers in the soundstage system), but I believe it's another alternative for achieving better sound over the Sony.
I feel that the Sony system is somewhat decent for what it is, but I knew that it needed enhancement with the overall sound, both in bass and clarity. My task was to get better clarity and bass without sacrificing the HU or my wallet.
This was done on my 2013 FX4 with Sony Nav system.
Components used:
1. Kicker Speakers CS68 - for all four doors $69.99 pair x 2 = $139.98
Video Link: http://www.amazon.com/Kicker-40CS684-quot-2-way-Speakers/dp/B00BGRMHX4/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1426027025&sr =1-1&keywords=kicker+cs68
2. Audio Control LC21 - for clean conversion of high speaker signal to low signal.
$69.99
Video Link: http://www.ebay.com/itm/High-to-Low-2-Channel-Line-Output-Converter-AudioControl-LC2i-with-AccuBASS-NEW-/131172490770?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e8a7d 5e12
3. Rockville RW8ca powered sub with Amp kit $99.99
Video Link: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Rockville-RW8CA-8-600-Watt-Under-Seat-Slim-Amplified-Car-Subwoofer-Wire-Kit-/301469569773?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4630fc 92ed
Total price $309.96 for the complete upgrade.
Obviously, you can choose different door speakers or a different powered sub, but this is what I choose based on reviews and my budget goal of $300.
The installation was pretty straight forward, check out my diagram below for reference. Door speakers where all replaced and the sub was mounted behind the rear seat (driver side), fits like a glove. The LC2i was mounted under the rear seat (passenger side). Tapped the speaker signals from the Sony sub to the LC2i and left the sony sub connected (for the little extra bass it provided, not really needed)
The Kicker speakers sing so beautifully compared to the sony's and the Rockville sub punches clean LOUD bass. It literally overshadows the sony sub which sounds non existing. Let's put it this way, do you remember the water cup scene in Jurassic Park? Thats exactly the kind of bass I'm getting from the Rockville. I had a water bottle sitting on my armrest and I could see the ripples in the water, same for my rear view mirror, I $H i T you not!
In conclusion, I'm extremely pleased with my upgrade. No, I won't win any sound competitions, but I wasn't after that. I just wanted clean sound with punchy bass, mission accomplished!
Please note - this is my opinion and in no way suggesting that this alternative is better than the Kicker soundstage (though I did use the same Kicker speakers in the soundstage system), but I believe it's another alternative for achieving better sound over the Sony.
I feel that the Sony system is somewhat decent for what it is, but I knew that it needed enhancement with the overall sound, both in bass and clarity. My task was to get better clarity and bass without sacrificing the HU or my wallet.
This was done on my 2013 FX4 with Sony Nav system.
Components used:
1. Kicker Speakers CS68 - for all four doors $69.99 pair x 2 = $139.98
Video Link: http://www.amazon.com/Kicker-40CS684-quot-2-way-Speakers/dp/B00BGRMHX4/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1426027025&sr =1-1&keywords=kicker+cs68
2. Audio Control LC21 - for clean conversion of high speaker signal to low signal.
$69.99
Video Link: http://www.ebay.com/itm/High-to-Low-2-Channel-Line-Output-Converter-AudioControl-LC2i-with-AccuBASS-NEW-/131172490770?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e8a7d 5e12
3. Rockville RW8ca powered sub with Amp kit $99.99
Video Link: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Rockville-RW8CA-8-600-Watt-Under-Seat-Slim-Amplified-Car-Subwoofer-Wire-Kit-/301469569773?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4630fc 92ed
Total price $309.96 for the complete upgrade.
Obviously, you can choose different door speakers or a different powered sub, but this is what I choose based on reviews and my budget goal of $300.
The installation was pretty straight forward, check out my diagram below for reference. Door speakers where all replaced and the sub was mounted behind the rear seat (driver side), fits like a glove. The LC2i was mounted under the rear seat (passenger side). Tapped the speaker signals from the Sony sub to the LC2i and left the sony sub connected (for the little extra bass it provided, not really needed)
The Kicker speakers sing so beautifully compared to the sony's and the Rockville sub punches clean LOUD bass. It literally overshadows the sony sub which sounds non existing. Let's put it this way, do you remember the water cup scene in Jurassic Park? Thats exactly the kind of bass I'm getting from the Rockville. I had a water bottle sitting on my armrest and I could see the ripples in the water, same for my rear view mirror, I $H i T you not!
In conclusion, I'm extremely pleased with my upgrade. No, I won't win any sound competitions, but I wasn't after that. I just wanted clean sound with punchy bass, mission accomplished!
03-14-2015, 11:31 AM
#18
Senior Member
Looks like a good budget upgrade! Not everyone can afford the kicker system. I want to find out if the ten would fit? For the price I can put two 8 inch behind the seat.
03-14-2015, 04:15 PM
#20
Senior Member
I'm not going to disagree with that but I like the idea of the sub being hidden behind the seat. Any suggestions, better than Rockville, that will fit back there? Custom box with higher quality shallow mount sub like JL, Rockford, Alpine, etc.? For the price, I might give that Rockville a chance when the time comes, then move up to something better if I'm not happy with it or it doesn't last.