Hi All - Recently picked up a 2000 LC with 160K miles and the speakers were pretty poor quality compared to my stock system in my previous car. I wanted a solid system that wasn't going to break the bank, I went back and forth between going full DSP or just speakers, amp, etc. Wanted to share where I landed as I am happy with the set up and spent a good time researching.
Front Speakers: JL Audio C2650 - $330
Rear Speakers: JL Audio C1-650x - $130 (Crutchfield says it doesn't fit the LC but it does, the tweeter sticks out a bit further than stock speaker but everything is fine)
Amp: Kicker 47KEY200.4 - $300 (Has an auto DSP feature, this was my compromise from going full DSP, sure you could get similar results with just using your HU EQ but only take about 5 min with the auto setup)
Sound Deadener: ResoNix - $200
Wiring: RCA cables, speaker wires, 10 gauge power wire and fuse, misc parts - $50
Head unit: Truck came with an upgraded pioneer HU, it's fine but nothing fancy
Total: ~$1,000
Not going to do a full write up but sharing a few things that I found helpful when doing this project:
1. This common write up on how to wire the amp explains which wires need to be tied together. I didn't want to cut any factory wires so I ended up getting a 5 wire connector and the stock terminals to tie together the wires. Here's a link on where you can find the stock type connectors.
2. The amp is simple to wire, wire all the speaker wires into the stock S6 plug speaker wire (which I got the female end from the above link), amp turn on (to the above 5 wire connector, ground, and power from battery
3. RCA cables to the HU are routed through the center counsel area, another video that was helpful on routing the RCA cables
4. Created a little mount for the amp using the stock amp mounts.
In the truck: stock connectors are routed underneath the amp, power to the battery is routed up near the glove box where a nice stock grommet is waiting to be used (wire from amp is ran under the carpet to the glove box area, just need to remove the floor trim and sidewall trim), used the existing ground on the stock mount. Made a nice little carrier for the RCA connections and strap to keep the RCA wires away from the seat movement.
5. I went with ResoNix as it has the highest rated sound reduction, it is a very nice product to work with, would recommend.
6. Installed speakers. Crutchfield provides a few adapters for wiring, but the front speakers have a passive crossover for the woofer and tweeters, the crutch field adapters will provide power to the crossover and then some wiring will need to be ran from crossover to woofer and tweeter.
7. Run the auto DSP feature on the amp, set the gain, and ready to rock!
Only thing I would consider changing is running the stock HU but it didn't come with the truck. I considered switching to a single din but they all look like trash, may switch to this when/if it gets released. Since I don't have car play, the big screen is kind of pointless and impossible to see when sunny and way to bright when dark, plus I'm trying to keep stock where possible.
Shop helper:
Front Speakers: JL Audio C2650 - $330
Rear Speakers: JL Audio C1-650x - $130 (Crutchfield says it doesn't fit the LC but it does, the tweeter sticks out a bit further than stock speaker but everything is fine)
Amp: Kicker 47KEY200.4 - $300 (Has an auto DSP feature, this was my compromise from going full DSP, sure you could get similar results with just using your HU EQ but only take about 5 min with the auto setup)
Sound Deadener: ResoNix - $200
Wiring: RCA cables, speaker wires, 10 gauge power wire and fuse, misc parts - $50
Head unit: Truck came with an upgraded pioneer HU, it's fine but nothing fancy
Total: ~$1,000
Not going to do a full write up but sharing a few things that I found helpful when doing this project:
1. This common write up on how to wire the amp explains which wires need to be tied together. I didn't want to cut any factory wires so I ended up getting a 5 wire connector and the stock terminals to tie together the wires. Here's a link on where you can find the stock type connectors.
2. The amp is simple to wire, wire all the speaker wires into the stock S6 plug speaker wire (which I got the female end from the above link), amp turn on (to the above 5 wire connector, ground, and power from battery
3. RCA cables to the HU are routed through the center counsel area, another video that was helpful on routing the RCA cables
4. Created a little mount for the amp using the stock amp mounts.
In the truck: stock connectors are routed underneath the amp, power to the battery is routed up near the glove box where a nice stock grommet is waiting to be used (wire from amp is ran under the carpet to the glove box area, just need to remove the floor trim and sidewall trim), used the existing ground on the stock mount. Made a nice little carrier for the RCA connections and strap to keep the RCA wires away from the seat movement.
5. I went with ResoNix as it has the highest rated sound reduction, it is a very nice product to work with, would recommend.
6. Installed speakers. Crutchfield provides a few adapters for wiring, but the front speakers have a passive crossover for the woofer and tweeters, the crutch field adapters will provide power to the crossover and then some wiring will need to be ran from crossover to woofer and tweeter.
7. Run the auto DSP feature on the amp, set the gain, and ready to rock!
Only thing I would consider changing is running the stock HU but it didn't come with the truck. I considered switching to a single din but they all look like trash, may switch to this when/if it gets released. Since I don't have car play, the big screen is kind of pointless and impossible to see when sunny and way to bright when dark, plus I'm trying to keep stock where possible.
Shop helper:
