Ok.. I blew my my front 6.5" JBL speakers a few months ago and did my first post to this board to ask about speakers for the very same year model. I have a 2002 w/ the DVD/NAV + rear DVD/LCD, all of it factory until about 3 weeks ago... Here's what I learned.
The DVD/NAV is an eclipse head unit. Everything about it is A++, except for the clear protectant on the screen that wears out too quick.
I thought the front component speakers sounded pretty good. The ones in the rear weren't so hot, but all the noise I cared about was in the front. The amp is under the co-passenger seat, beneath the DVD player for the NAV. It's small and tucked way under there. It's probably no more than 35-40 watts. The JBL speakers turned out to be paper cones. I'm glad I didn't pay the dealer the $400+ to replace 1 pair of front speakers. Here's a pic I just took of the stock speakers:
Ok, I'm getting in to this post. I've spent many a late night toiling online over speakers, what's 1 more night!?
After my speaker blew, I went to 10 different shops over the next several weeks and got 12 different answers on how to fix 1 freaking speaker! First I went to my dealer. He laughed and told me not to even bother with the stock, over priced and not worth the money, and sent me to a "Pimp My Ride" type place. Then I went to Tweeter's, Car Toys and independent shops all over DFW. I heard stories about ohm's and ahh's.. having to change the stock amp... bypassing the stock amp.. having to change not just the front, but all 7 speakers.. re-wiring the car completely.. replacing the entire DVD/NAV, etc.. Some shops said they'd need the car for days, others said they were booked for weeks.. I heard so many freaking stories! All I wanted were some better sounding speakers and none of the brick & mortars seemed to know jack about audio systems on Land Cruisers. I found lots of good info in this forum and sites like crutchfield and cardomain.com tell you what does and does not fit a 2002 LC... BUT I was TOO CHICKEN to install the speakers on my own.
After all was said and done, the only store where an installer who took the time and interest to take off the covers and check out the amps was the guy at Circuit City, the last place I thought I'd ever buy ANYTHING from. The BEST speakers they carry in-stock at the store were these Polk DB 6500 components:
I really wanted MB Quarts (thanks to some of the guys on the forum).. to the point of almost installing them myself.. but from the specs, they need a lot of juice and there was no way I was going to be able to do an amp on my own. So I settled for the Polks.. At CC they had a buy 1 pair ($199) get another pair 50% off, so I figured what the hell and bought the DB 650 ($99) coaxial to replace the paper stocks in the pack. I was very appreciative of the installer so he did some vodoo math and did the 2 sets for $149 and $74. Spent $40 on Dynamat for all 4 doors and $22 for a harness. The install for 1 set of components and 1 set of coax's was $56 and $40. Dynamat install was given free. I figured since the JBL had blown once and I was getting a square deal, I bought protection plans on the speakers after the install, which is something I never do.
The Polks were just as loud or louder seeming than the JBL's but they sounded a little muddy. I didn't remember there being a "break in period" for speakers, and after a few weeks they've opened up quite a bit, but I'm still not satisfied! I drive a lot of Texas Interstate miles with the front windows cracked and the rear vents open. I want the joy of louder and more life in the music! So I took the LC back to CC and had the installer take a listen. He had previously mentioned upgrading the small jbl amp to a larger eclipse 4 channel ($339) would help. I asked about getting that amp installed and upgrading the speakers to the eclipse component they sell online. The salesman said, 'YES! Of course that will sound better', but the installer I trust said the Polks are plenty loud and actually work well with the stock amp. I told him I wanted loud, celan and deep, but no dorky boxes in the back. He suggested a sub and amp would be the way to go... so I am having this installed TOMORROW!:
1 x 10" Kicker CVR woofer, 300 watt amp w/ crossover and adjustable bass boost to be mounted in the front dash. The speaker and amp is going to be fitted in to the rear panel where the stock 4" woofers are. He's going to custom mold a fiberglass enclosure back there and mount the amp so it's not visible. Here's a before pic:
Ever since I was in High School I've wanted big speakers in my car. I've had the 'premium' stock stereos in my previous LC's and BMW.. not bad but not 'bad ass!' either. I've never liked the idea of having a "woofer box" in the back of any car I owned because I use 100% of the cargo space at least 12x per year, plus cosmetically, I don't think a box in the back of the truck is too 'cool'.... So I'm nervous and excited about the install. Something I've always wanted (big speaker + amp sound) at the cost of something that scares me to death (modifying my beloved stock LC). I will post pics and let u know how it goes..
If it sounds great, my job is done.. bring on the next several 100k miles! I will enjoy everything from audio books, music and movies at a new level. If it still doesn't sound good enough, I have until Jan 12 to swap the Polks for Eclipses, at which point I will add the eclipse amp for the front and rear door speakers. I'm on a mission for some great sound, dammit!
