2001 Landcruiser Speaker Upgrade

[Andrewzlc100]

Just thought I would bring you along my journey upgrading my factory system.

Initially I would have used the stock radio and amp. but I quicky realized the amp is terrible (bad punchy bass) and the head unit is just as bad. So, after replacing door speakers I'm on a mission to overhaul Landcruiser stereo system. Let's See how this goes, wish me luck- Ciao

 

[excessive]

let us all know some more details - what speakers did you go with ?

 

[Andrewzlc100]

My first upgrade was this Bluetooth adapter onto my factory head unit. Worked amazing and beats those crummy FM transmitters and Bluetooth cassettes (Yes, you read that correctly)

Hooked up where the CD changer would’ve been

 

[Andrewzlc100]

let us all know some more details - what speakers did you go with ?

I went with the Focal 6.5 RSE 165

 

[Andrewzlc100]

All plugged up and ready to go but…… Disaster did strike

No sound was coming out my speaker. So I reconnected OEM JBL speaker and no sound. Bad possible door harness???

Aha! Nope, door harness was good. So my JBL took its last breath when I disconnected it. That left me a bad crossover from my Focal kit.

The audio gods blessed me. Focal North America branch happened to be a local company. I called and they had given me the crossovers at no extra charge!!!!! I could not believe this!!! Best customer service I have EVER had! Focal fan for life now

 

[Andrewzlc100]

Also to add, Metra speaker adapters were not needed. Pried off JBL speaker (glued on) and Focal speaker screwed on just fine.

 

[Andrewzlc100]

Found this old TSB and highly doubt my amp was replaced when my 100 was under warranty. This issue makes my Focal speakers sound terrible. Bass is way too excessive. This issue alone is also why I'm going to go with a dedicated 4-channel amp, and I want to hear those Focal's sing!

 

[Andrewzlc100]

View attachment 3760123

All plugged up and ready to go but…… Disaster did strike

No sound was coming out my speaker. So I reconnected OEM JBL speaker and no sound. Bad possible door harness???

View attachment 3760124

Aha! Nope, door harness was good. So my JBL took its last breath when I disconnected it. That left me a bad crossover from my Focal kit.

View attachment 3760125

The audio gods blessed me. Focal North America brand happened to be a local company. I called and they had gave me the crossovers at no extra charge!!!!! I could not believe this!!! Customer service I have EVER had! Focal fan for life now

*Branch, not brand

 

[Andrewzlc100]

Focal tweeter mounted flawlessly using stock tweeter bracket

Cover mounted easily no issue, no need to modify or trim anything

 

[Patassa]

When you're ready to take the next step, treat and seal the doors to get maximal midbass out of them, then throw the passive crossovers away and buy a dsp like the JL Audio twk-88 to tune the drivers with individual EQ bands, give them the best possible crossover points, and time align everything.

 

[Andrewzlc100]

When you're ready to take the next step, treat and seal the doors to get maximal midbass out of them, then throw the passive crossovers away and buy a dsp like the JL Audio twk-88 to tune the drivers with individual EQ bands, give them the best possible crossover points, and time align everything.

really? So I run the tweakers directly to amp?

Car audio now is so crazy now and I'm like re-learning it now. I was doing it when I was young 15 years ago when all we worried about is finding the biggest sub, wiring it up and bumping it! haha Now I'm finding out about DSP amps n' all that!

 

[Patassa]

really? So I run the tweakers directly to amp?

Car audio now is so crazy now and I'm like re-learning it now. I was doing it when I was young 15 years ago when all we worried about is finding the biggest sub, wiring it up and bumping it! haha Now I'm finding out about DSP amps n' all that!

Yeah so it's all really similar to 20 years ago, except instead of looking for head units with DSPs ( time alignment, crossovers, and basic EQs), stand alone DSPs came along and gave us much more flexibility to tune our systems for individual drivers and correct alot of the peaks and dips and mess that putting our drivers in non-deal locations gives us. And yeah, you end up with needing more channels on your amp/amps to run everything. I have a 5 channel for the front 4 drivers + subwoofer, and a small 2 channel for the rear speakers that I only have playing when my kid in the back seat. Otherwise I'm driving alone 99% of the time, so I have a profile on my dsp (selectable with the knob it comes with) where everything is time aligned and tuned for the driver's seat.

 

[Andrewzlc100]

Yeah so it's all really similar to 20 years ago, except instead of looking for head units with DSPs ( time alignment, crossovers, and basic EQs), stand alone DSPs came along and gave us much more flexibility to tune our systems for individual drivers and correct alot of the peaks and dips and mess that putting our drivers in non-deal locations gives us. And yeah, you end up with needing more channels on your amp/amps to run everything. I have a 5 channel for the front 4 drivers + subwoofer, and a small 2 channel for the rear speakers that I only have playing when my kid in the back seat. Otherwise I'm driving alone 99% of the time, so I have a profile on my dsp (selectable with the knob it comes with) where everything is time aligned and tuned for the driver's seat.

Thats cool

Right now I'm working with what I have and I forgot I had a 4-channel amp sitting in my closet But at least my car will be amp ready, so if I want to upgrade my amp down the line I would absolutely do so. I also have a mono block amp I came across with a sub, My focus is finish my door speakers, amp n' headunit

 

[delz05]

For those asking... te following FOCAL speakers are confirmed fitment for 01 LX470 with ML system...

Focal RSE-165Auditor Series 6-1/2" component system, front doors​

Focal ACX 100Auditor EVO Series 4" 2-way car speakers, rear doors​

Installed in my LX, keeping factory amp and Navi head unit without issues.

 

[Andrewzlc100]

For those asking... te following FOCAL speakers are confirmed fitment for 01 LX470 with ML system...

Focal RSE-165Auditor Series 6-1/2" component system, front doors​

Focal ACX 100Auditor EVO Series 4" 2-way car speakers, rear doors​

Installed in my LX, keeping factory amp and Navi head unit without issues.

That’s great. I’m sure that Mark Levingston amp complements these Focal’s nicely.

To add, RSE line-up is discontinued by Focal and updated model is ASE. Manufacturer confirmed they are the same- just an updated tweeter

 

[suprarx7nut]

DSP amp for FTW. Separating the time alignment of the tweeter is worth a lot in the 100, IMO. The tweeter is right by your head. The woofer is a long ways away. If you don't separate that signal it's never going to sound good.

A decent 4 channel amp is a good start, but you're really cooking with fire if you can get a full DSP set up in any car.

I can't speak to those Focal's specifically, but a good DSP and good speakers with a proper sub.... mmmm mmm. I miss my old 99 setup. Goosebumps allllll the time. Concert on demand.

 

[Patassa]

DSP amp for FTW. Separating the time alignment of the tweeter is worth a lot in the 100, IMO. The tweeter is right by your head. The woofer is a long ways away. If you don't separate that signal it's never going to sound good.

A decent 4 channel amp is a good start, but you're really cooking with fire if you can get a full DSP set up in any car.

I can't speak to those Focal's specifically, but a good DSP and good speakers with a proper sub.... mmmm mmm. I miss my old 99 setup. Goosebumps allllll the time. Concert on demand.

Exactly, people will spend thousands on drivers, head units, amps but then skimp on the $500 (much cheaper used) DSP which is really necessary to get the full benefit of the rest of the gear.

 

[Andrewzlc100]

DSP amp for FTW. Separating the time alignment of the tweeter is worth a lot in the 100, IMO. The tweeter is right by your head. The woofer is a long ways away. If you don't separate that signal it's never going to sound good.

A decent 4 channel amp is a good start, but you're really cooking with fire if you can get a full DSP set up in any car.

I can't speak to those Focal's specifically, but a good DSP and good speakers with a proper sub.... mmmm mmm. I miss my old 99 setup. Goosebumps allllll the time. Concert on demand.

Shoot, I might have to re-evaluate my entire set up

 

[suprarx7nut]

Shoot, I might have to re-evaluate my entire set up

Haha, it's a slippery slope. DSP is great, but keep the budget in mind. You're not going to make a "wow" system for under $1k. Probably not under $2k, IMO. That's assuming you're not paying anyone labor.

I don't want to stop your progress, haha. Perfection is the enemy of progress. A proper amp and decent speakers will also make a big jump in the right direction.

 

[Andrewzlc100]

My gosh guys, at this rate wether you believe in god or not- but I just keep getting blessed with this build

Got my rear door speakers today and as mentioned in one of my post, RCX (Coaxial) and RSE (component) lineup was discontinued. However confirmed through Focal they are now ASE and ACX, Focal just updated the tweeter grill- same specs n everything

With that being said, I continued to get the RCX just to match my front RSE’s, and a bit cheaper too. This seller gave me the updated ACX at no extra charge! Jeez guys Focal is just winning with me