Problem is - it's not much to improve on LX, it's already pretty good from sound insulation stand point
Your Speakers & Why You Like Them - Morel's with Pics!
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Another thought on topic (because I want nice sound in LX !)
All forum discussions on what sounds good or not - is just discussions. I really WISH someone in STL posted how good sound they got so I can actually meet and hear it myself. Then, if I like it, I would just go and get the same without thinking twice. Even if it's $50 speakers.
I don't care about brand and models. I want to hear it myself. Not in a showroom of that shape. But in LX sitting in driver seat. Because positioning of components is sometimes a deal breaker.
All forum discussions on what sounds good or not - is just discussions. I really WISH someone in STL posted how good sound they got so I can actually meet and hear it myself. Then, if I like it, I would just go and get the same without thinking twice. Even if it's $50 speakers.
I don't care about brand and models. I want to hear it myself. Not in a showroom of that shape. But in LX sitting in driver seat. Because positioning of components is sometimes a deal breaker.
gregnash
Anal Retentive Analyst
I guess I am the weird one that really hasn't "experienced" that type of sound in a vehicle before. Hell I thought the sound and clarity in my 60 was great with my cheapo RF 6 1/2" in the front doors and 6x9s in the rear cargo area.
But basically what I am getting from all of this is that it really is an "all or nothing" type installation. Get everything done at once otherwise ****ery will be boundless and I will chase my own tail with issues until I replace all of it (if doing piecemeal).
I would like to spend a bit more on the system this time than the 60 as this will be a tow vehicle and thus we will likely take longer road trips in it. The nicer sound would be appreciated however, we have only ever dealt with stock systems, or slightly upgraded ones. So budget for this, since I have other expensive hobbies, will be somewhat limited.
But basically what I am getting from all of this is that it really is an "all or nothing" type installation. Get everything done at once otherwise ****ery will be boundless and I will chase my own tail with issues until I replace all of it (if doing piecemeal).
I would like to spend a bit more on the system this time than the 60 as this will be a tow vehicle and thus we will likely take longer road trips in it. The nicer sound would be appreciated however, we have only ever dealt with stock systems, or slightly upgraded ones. So budget for this, since I have other expensive hobbies, will be somewhat limited.
That's always the case unless you can hear an example vehicle before you buy. Also, what sounds good to one person may be bad to another. As some people age, we lose our ability to hear high-frequencies.
Seems like bass is a smallest problem to have, you can throw in bazooka or something like this and get it.
But what I find missing most -mids. You can get pretty good highs with twitters positioned like in LX. But mids is where it's at for me. I like "juicy" sound. I also like to listen music at lower levels. And it's too noisy in LX at speeds.
Sound insulation project sound great - but most of the noise comes through windows, I hear wind in roof area. So, all the "dynomatting" in doors is a waste pretty much.
Heck, even today stock speakers (repaired) with stock AMP sound good to me in garage. When I drive it at 80mph - NOPE.
This is definitely a situation where you can "not know what you're missing" and sometimes that's a good thing. If your system makes you smile and gives you the occasional goosebumps then it's probably good enough!
Yup, very subjective for sure. A DSP can really help that as you can tune it to what you want to hear, but that takes a lot of seat time with a PC to figure out what exactly you want.
If you can hear much at 80 in an LX you probably need to fix some things. It should be very, very quiet. Or... you need to crank it up!
If you can hear much at 80 in an LX you probably need to fix some things. It should be very, very quiet. Or... you need to crank it up!
It is quiet for 2001, but not by today's "luxury" standards. And yes, I do crank it up
But it's not the same.Do you have a plan? I feel like most of noise comes from windows
Not yet. I have the truck on jack stands for a suspension refresh. I've found vehicles handle differently and ride better with less road vibrations being transmitted to the cabin after they get a new suspension.
I just want to take it "one step at a time" to get the suspension in order before moving up to the cabin. I consider cabin and sound system improvements as "frosting on the cake" after everything else has been done. Though I do like to know where I'm going in the end and will go for a bargain on some part at the right price.
If that's the case you might have worn weatherstrips. It should be quiet, even by modern luxury standards. There was an update to the door weatherstrips mid-generation to address some wind noise concerns. Perhaps yours is a little worn and the older variety?
Poorly done windshields will also leak air on the 100.
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Anyone know the max speaker depth for the doors? Looking at these from Image Dynamics CXS Components | imagedynamicsusa with depth of 3" for the front and these coaxials ID Coaxials | imagedynamicsusa with a depth of 2.5" for the rear.
Working thought some comparable speakers on Crutchfield - none of the components are that deep.
I believe these are made in the USA. What I'm finding is that many companies make certain of their product here (especially subs) but farm most of their product out overseas. This is not an absolute deal killer for me but just working through the possibilitties.
Working thought some comparable speakers on Crutchfield - none of the components are that deep.
I believe these are made in the USA. What I'm finding is that many companies make certain of their product here (especially subs) but farm most of their product out overseas. This is not an absolute deal killer for me but just working through the possibilitties.
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I'll throw my 2 cents in as well, since I find myself descending the audio rabbit hole with my 01 LC. I used to be an audio nut as a kid- built my own door panels to house 8" Illusion Audio midbass, ran Image Dynamics horns under the dash, a 12" image dynamics sub, all active crossovers, and dual 30-band EQ. Sounded amazing at any volume level. Looking back it was silly spending all of my 18-year-old's income on a car stereo, but it made me happy, so whatever. I digress...
I still appreciate good audio, but my LC isnt a daily driver, so doesn't justify a whole lot of work on audio, in my (now much older and wiser(?)) opinion. But I had factory nav and hated it, so did the nav delete a couple weeks ago. Stuck a cheapo ATOTO Android head unit in there and couldn't be happier. I retained the factory amp. I get a slight bit of noise with the volume off that I didn't get before, likely because of the different ground planes, but it's low enough that I can't hear it while driving or with any music on. Only when parked in the driveway with stereo off.
I'd say I could have left it there and been happy, but then I got a wild hair and decided to overhaul the whole thing. But I'll leave that for another thread.
You can always do things one step at a time and see if it's to your liking before taking the next step.
To answer the original question, I ended up putting in JBL Club 6500c components. I like them for the price when replacing blown stock speakers, but if you appreciate good, clear sound, I can't really recommend them for that. I agree wholeheartedly with suprarx7nut's recommendation of spending money on your front speakers first, followed by front amplification if you're concerned with quality. And if you drive it daily, you should be!
I still appreciate good audio, but my LC isnt a daily driver, so doesn't justify a whole lot of work on audio, in my (now much older and wiser(?)) opinion. But I had factory nav and hated it, so did the nav delete a couple weeks ago. Stuck a cheapo ATOTO Android head unit in there and couldn't be happier. I retained the factory amp. I get a slight bit of noise with the volume off that I didn't get before, likely because of the different ground planes, but it's low enough that I can't hear it while driving or with any music on. Only when parked in the driveway with stereo off.
I'd say I could have left it there and been happy, but then I got a wild hair and decided to overhaul the whole thing. But I'll leave that for another thread.
You can always do things one step at a time and see if it's to your liking before taking the next step.
To answer the original question, I ended up putting in JBL Club 6500c components. I like them for the price when replacing blown stock speakers, but if you appreciate good, clear sound, I can't really recommend them for that. I agree wholeheartedly with suprarx7nut's recommendation of spending money on your front speakers first, followed by front amplification if you're concerned with quality. And if you drive it daily, you should be!
We are on the same path with the same philosophy. Got mine still on jack stands, but maybe this week... Looking at audio equipment after I do the seats and shampoo and possibly dye the carpet.
gregnash
Anal Retentive Analyst
Alright ladies and gentlemen....
I will be upgrading the front speakers with components shortly here since the wife and I FINALLY qualify for the stimulus check...
Between these two component sets for the fronts, which would you pick? Can't afford much more than that and will likely throw a small amp in there as well but trying not to dump my entire check on this...
Hertz DSK 165.3 @ $179.99, or...
Focal RSE-165 @ $199.99
I will be upgrading the front speakers with components shortly here since the wife and I FINALLY qualify for the stimulus check...
Between these two component sets for the fronts, which would you pick? Can't afford much more than that and will likely throw a small amp in there as well but trying not to dump my entire check on this...
Hertz DSK 165.3 @ $179.99, or...
Focal RSE-165 @ $199.99
How about these? Morel Maximo Ultra 602.
Amazon.com: Morel Maximo Ultra 602 6-1/2" Car Audio Component Speaker System : Electronics
Buy Morel Maximo Ultra 602 6-1/2" Car Audio Component Speaker System: Coaxial Speakers - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases
amzn.to
I would steer clear of Focal at that price point. Focal makes some awesome stuff, but that's not it, IMO. I wasn't impressed with anything of theirs under ~$500. Nothing Focal screamed good value to me. The good stuff was very expensive. Conversely, the Morel stuff was really good even at $200. Plenty of oomph and great highs.
gregnash
Anal Retentive Analyst
Thanks @suprarx7nut !!! So next question. Do 6.5s for perfectly or should I purchase the adapters from Crutchfield.
My 6.5's fit right into the factory mount, but a "proper" install would use solid plastic adapters. I'd buy them if Crutchfield offers it.
gregnash
Anal Retentive Analyst
If you search for any 6.5s on Crutchfield's website they all have an adapter that comes as part of the purchase.
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- #40
@suprarx7nut those Morel's are the speakers I believe I'm going to go with but still researching. I'm thinking more and more about adding an amp as well. Because I kind of like things to "match" (I realize not necessary and am open to suggestion) I'm looking at Kenwood Excelon amps and am thinking of this one Kenwood Excelon XR401-4 Reference Series 4-channel car amplifier 75 watts RMS x 4 at Crutchfield Amazon has a great deal but couldn't get the link to work. Any thoughts?
Any particular amp wiring kit you would recommend?
Any particular amp wiring kit you would recommend?
