Stereo Upgrade
Thread Starter
5 Year Member
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 2,005
Likes: 1,380
Stereo Upgrade
A month into ownership and really the only complaint is the murky sound from the stock stereo. I've read a lot of threads and I still don't know where to start. I like the Kicker integrated powered sub that just bolts into the stock location and will likely go with that. The Kicker DSP amp is tempting too, just for ease of DIY. But do I even need an amp upgrade or just replace the door speakers? Or do I really need both?
The door speakers are annoying, it's hard to believe there is still not a simple solution. Popping the door panels off is easy. I have no problem splicing wire and cutting the old speakers out of the brackets, but why? Why no Metra harness adapters? Why no speaker brackets that just pop in?
The door speakers are annoying, it's hard to believe there is still not a simple solution. Popping the door panels off is easy. I have no problem splicing wire and cutting the old speakers out of the brackets, but why? Why no Metra harness adapters? Why no speaker brackets that just pop in?
5 Year Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 453
Likes: 145
From: NorCal
The full kicker package includes the sub with its amp, and then the DSP with an amp for the new door speakers. With the previous generation the price came way down after awhile. Just FYI.
As an interim measure make sure you have the speed sensitive volume on. For some reason that really helps with the sound filling out.
As an interim measure make sure you have the speed sensitive volume on. For some reason that really helps with the sound filling out.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 215
Likes: 88
From: Fort White, Fl
As with all stereo quality, excluding the head unit, begins with quality speakers. The next thing I would look at is an amp for them, makes the mid bass and sound so much better. Last is a sub. That's the order I would upgrade.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 188
Likes: 75
From: Oklahoma
Stereo upgrades are like power upgrades. The more you $pend the more you get.
I thought the factory speakers just lacked a little in the bottom end and added a Kicker HS8 Hideaway. For about $200 it rounded out the factory system nicely.
Of course it is nothing like the 200 watt 4 channel amp, MB Quart co-axial made in Germany speakers, a 10 inch 600 watt sub-woofer, with an Alpine head unit I had in my old truck, but that stuff cost about 10x more.
I thought the factory speakers just lacked a little in the bottom end and added a Kicker HS8 Hideaway. For about $200 it rounded out the factory system nicely.
Of course it is nothing like the 200 watt 4 channel amp, MB Quart co-axial made in Germany speakers, a 10 inch 600 watt sub-woofer, with an Alpine head unit I had in my old truck, but that stuff cost about 10x more.
Last edited by OkieDoc; Oct 26, 2015 at 04:54 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 256
Likes: 27
From: south carolina
Is there any type of hookup for the sub behind the rear seat? Since some have the upgraded sony system, I assume they all have the wires right?
Stereo upgrades are like power upgrades. The more you $pend the more you get.
I thought the factory speakers just lacked a little in the bottom end and added a Kicker HS8 Hideaway. For about $200 it rounded out the factory system nicely.
Of course it is nothing like the 200 watt 4 channel amp, MB Quart co-axial made in Germany speakers, a 10 inch 600 watt sub-woofer, with an Alpine head unit I had in my old truck, but that stuff cost about 10x more.
I thought the factory speakers just lacked a little in the bottom end and added a Kicker HS8 Hideaway. For about $200 it rounded out the factory system nicely.
Of course it is nothing like the 200 watt 4 channel amp, MB Quart co-axial made in Germany speakers, a 10 inch 600 watt sub-woofer, with an Alpine head unit I had in my old truck, but that stuff cost about 10x more.
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Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 160
Likes: 45
A month into ownership and really the only complaint is the murky sound from the stock stereo. I've read a lot of threads and I still don't know where to start. I like the Kicker integrated powered sub that just bolts into the stock location and will likely go with that. The Kicker DSP amp is tempting too, just for ease of DIY. But do I even need an amp upgrade or just replace the door speakers? Or do I really need both?
The door speakers are annoying, it's hard to believe there is still not a simple solution. Popping the door panels off is easy. I have no problem splicing wire and cutting the old speakers out of the brackets, but why? Why no Metra harness adapters? Why no speaker brackets that just pop in?
The door speakers are annoying, it's hard to believe there is still not a simple solution. Popping the door panels off is easy. I have no problem splicing wire and cutting the old speakers out of the brackets, but why? Why no Metra harness adapters? Why no speaker brackets that just pop in?