Stereo Questions

[FJBruiser]

I have read some of the posts regarding double face size head unit swaps, as well as shopped around at the obvious (Circuit City, Best Buy etc) to learn about these things, and I still don't have a definite answer for the following questions (people who work at the above mentioned places don't really seem to know much.....I hate to say. I have met very knowledgeable people who work at Home Depot, but never really in electronics stores....)

1) Regardless of sound (which is very clear, but lacks midrange thump for my classic rock taste), I really like the in dash six CD changer on my factory unit. Are there good aftermarket upgrades for my FJ that have six CD changer in-dash?

2)How much impovement in sound can I expect if I change ALL the speakers to decent aftermarket speakers (not the ceiling speakers) but do not change the head unit?

3)Does the Subwoofer have an amp, and can I swap this without changing the head unit?

 

[Mountainclimber]

I've seen pictures and read about folks changing out the head unit with the big Pioneer video/gps/superfront end unit and others. Changed all the speakers, subwoofer, put in a million watt or so amp.

I'd bet they probably sound pretty good. But the unit that comes with it is a pretty decent deal. I'm not sure spending 5k on all of that is worth it unless you don't know what else to do with the 5k.

I too am afraid to believe anything from Best Buy, Circuit City, Tweeters, etc..

Try Crutchfield. They've always been really straight shooters with me and very knowledgeable about almost every make and model vehicle out there.

They always seem to know what fits in what hole and what won't. They even had the wiring harness down to wire color for a couple of oddball projects that I've done in the past.

Crutchfield: Car Audio, Home Theater, Speakers, LCD TV, Plasma TV and of course you can call them on the phone.

 

[NYCTRD]

FJ audio

Just upgrading to better speakers would have a significant improvement. Also adding some sound deadening material will help with the acoustics of the truck, but don't go overboard or you'll need more "amp power".

The head unit in the FJ is nice for an OEM unit and it matches the "big knob" motiff, making handling the unit with work gloves easy.

Liek anything...the more you spend, you start reaching a point of diminishing returns. A hundred or two on better speakers will go a long way...but you can keep going & going & going...you know how mods can be!!

Liek when buying a new FJ, the first thing you should do is buy better tires. For many, that's adequate.

I've seen pictures and read about folks changing out the head unit with the big Pioneer video/gps/superfront end unit and others. Changed all the speakers, subwoofer, put in a million watt or so amp.

I'd bet they probably sound pretty good. But the unit that comes with it is a pretty decent deal. I'm not sure spending 5k on all of that is worth it unless you don't know what else to do with the 5k.

I too am afraid to believe anything from Best Buy, Circuit City, Tweeters, etc..

Try Crutchfield. They've always been really straight shooters with me and very knowledgeable about almost every make and model vehicle out there.

They always seem to know what fits in what hole and what won't. They even had the wiring harness down to wire color for a couple of oddball projects that I've done in the past.

Crutchfield: Car Audio, Home Theater, Speakers, LCD TV, Plasma TV and of course you can call them on the phone.

 

[ckline]

I'd bet they probably sound pretty good. But the unit that comes with it is a pretty decent deal. I'm not sure spending 5k on all of that is worth it unless you don't know what else to do with the 5k.

I couldn't agree more with this. I have read on a few threads about simple speaker changes of 3.5" that fit like a glove made by RockF or HC. They can be bought for around $50.00. The install is simple as well.

The other giant plus about the FJammer is the Aux Input. I listen to every type of music out there, and did play most of it through my iPod. With the Aux input you plug it right in and sounds better than a CD. I recently got the iPhone, and gave my iPod to my cousin. The phone, or the PDA edition, has a really nice feature. You are actually able to go into the general tools on the face of the iPhone. It takes you to the iPod option. In this option you can change how the music is played through the speakers....Acoustic, Reduce Bass, Symphony, "ROCK" and so on. Works a whole lot like my Bose surround sound in my house. It makes a huge difference in how the music comes out of the FJ speakers. Such a difference that I decided not to get new speakers or a head unit. The phone is $299.00 and I think the PDA one is like $199.00. Find someone who has one and try it out, sure beats spending 5k and the sound quality is outstanding. The factory speakers in the FJ actually sound better (in my opinion) than the factory Bose system in my Vette.

Just an idea. If you like it, you can send me the $4,700.00 you would be saveing!!!!

 

[Niner]

I couldn't agree more with this. I have read on a few threads about simple speaker changes of 3.5" that fit like a glove made by RockF or HC. They can be bought for around $50.00. The install is simple as well.

The other giant plus about the FJammer is the Aux Input. I listen to every type of music out there, and did play most of it through my iPod. With the Aux input you plug it right in and sounds better than a CD. I recently got the iPhone, and gave my iPod to my cousin. The phone, or the PDA edition, has a really nice feature. You are actually able to go into the general tools on the face of the iPhone. It takes you to the iPod option. In this option you can change how the music is played through the speakers....Acoustic, Reduce Bass, Symphony, "ROCK" and so on. Works a whole lot like my Bose surround sound in my house. It makes a huge difference in how the music comes out of the FJ speakers. Such a difference that I decided not to get new speakers or a head unit. The phone is $299.00 and I think the PDA one is like $199.00. Find someone who has one and try it out, sure beats spending 5k and the sound quality is outstanding. The factory speakers in the FJ actually sound better (in my opinion) than the factory Bose system in my Vette.

Just an idea. If you like it, you can send me the $4,700.00 you would be saveing!!!!

"Amen"