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1st post, need advise on Corolla system

Discussion in 'General Car Audio Discussions' started by under200, Jul 23, 2006.

  1. under200

    under200 Full Member

    Hello all, have been reading through a lot of posts and I gotta say that this seems like a great place with a lot of audio knowledge.

    My story, Just bought a new 06 Toyota Corolla with a stock in-dash 6 disc changer and 6 speakers. I am ready to jam a pen in my ears when I attempt to listen to it. Wow it sucks. Can anyone offer the most cost effective way to improve the sound quality?
    For some background, in my previous car I had a Pioneer hu and Infinity speakers all which I installed. It sounded near perfect. I am not a big bass guy. Just want to listen to my metal and rock and have nice clear sound with tight bass. Not interested in people outside of my car hearing, as long as I can crank it up and it sounds good I am happy.
    Is the oem hu the culprit of the muddy non-detailed sound? Is it low quality speakers? Low powered hu? Or all the above. Would just replacing the speakers do it or is the oem hu too weak to power them good enough for good sound? Maybe it need a amp, I really like the clean look and layout of the oem unit and the 6 disc capability. Any suggestions??

    Went to my my local car audio shop and asked him what the best route to take would be while trying to keep it inexpensive and simple as possible. Before making any suggestions he wanted to hear what it has stock and play with the settings. His suggestion was that it has no bass and poor highs also. Being that I want to keep the stock head unit since I like the changer and look. He said the best route to go would be to add a small powered sub and swap out the stock tweeters for better ones. He recommended a Infinity basslink. He actually said the speakers that come stock are not all that bad for producing midrange. So by just letting them do midrange and taking care of the highs and lows with aftermarket stuff he said it would be far better and cheaper than buying a 4 channel amp and them all new speakers. All makes sence but what do I know Does it sound like a good plan??

    Under200
     
    under200, Jul 23, 2006
    #1
  2. TheViking

    TheViking Well-Known Member




    Hmmmmm?

    well you could just add tweets and a small sub, that would make it sound, well, "different". I dont reccommend just "adding highs" speakers are designeds to work in harmony with each other, so.....

    Keep your stock head unit, you like the looks of it and the way it performs.

    I would persanally add a new set of component speakers to the front, and either a powered sub in the rear or an amp and custom sub/box.

    I wont suggest what brand, thats up to your ears, but the nice new set of component speaks up front, with factory rear speaks for fill, and a little bottom end from the trunk will make a nice sound system.

    You could probably do this for 600 bucks or so. But dont skimp on the equipment, look for quality brands, on sale and let your ears tell you what sounds good.


    Some really nice sounding sytems have been done doing exactly what you are taling about
     
    TheViking, Jul 23, 2006
    #2
  3. aznboi3644

    aznboi3644 Full Member

    Well how high are you turning up the volume??? Clipping the amp?? Distorting the speakers??
     
    aznboi3644, Jul 23, 2006
    #3
  4. Hautewheeler

    Hautewheeler Full Member

    ah, I'd upgrade the HU.. and then the speaks, and then maybe add a small sub and amp..

    in that order, and as time and the wallet permit.. if you have to go one step at a time, I think that's the way to go..
     
    Hautewheeler, Jul 24, 2006
    #4
  5. under200

    under200 Full Member

    Thanks for the replies everyone, I had no idea this was a normal upgrade. I was also thinking of adding a new set of component up front but with how underpowered stock radios are I whould then need a amp to power them properly. If I went that route I would just replace all 6 speakers with high quality ones and run a multi-channel amp. I kinda wanted to avoid the whole amp thing if possible. The powered amp route seems to be less expensive and less complicated.
    To answer another question, no the speakers don't seem to be breaking up when turned way up. They just produce more muddy sound. They must have bass blockers or have the hu tuned to work with the budget speakers. I really listen to it at a normal level, I don't crank it super loud.


    Under200
     
    under200, Jul 24, 2006
    #5
  6. Hautewheeler

    Hautewheeler Full Member

    if you get a good quality aftermarket HU, it will have enough power to get a fairly decent amount of sound to upgraded speakers, and then you'd only have to worry about an amp when you've decided on what sub you want.
     
    Hautewheeler, Jul 24, 2006
    #6
  7. under200

    under200 Full Member

    I hear you but I like the in dash changer feature of the oem unit and of course it looks like it belongs as a part of the dash. Not to mention it's not appealing to theives to take :)

    Under200
     
    under200, Jul 24, 2006
    #7
  8. weird22person

    weird22person Full Member

    The 06 corollas have a different shaped dash config too. An aftermarket HU just woulndt look right.
     
    weird22person, Jul 24, 2006
    #8
  9. Ranger SVO

    Ranger SVO Full Member

    My turn, My turn

    If you insist on keeping the factory head unit, more power to you. Lets figure out what to do. Factory speakers are weak and should be replaced regardless. When selecting a speaker, look for ones with a high efficiency (sensitivity), 90-92 dB or even better. The higher the effeciency the better it will work at low power levels.

    Next, lets fix your car. (yes its broke). Get a couple of square feet of Dynomat. One square foot per door. Place it all around the speaker mount area. Anything that stiffens the area that the speaker mounts will be a great improvement. If for example, if your Toyota speakers are mounted to cheezy plastic rings, (most are) then cut out a new set out of MDF. The improvement WILL BE REMARKABLE. I'm a firm believer in add on tweeters, so by all means add a couple to the front doors.
    (to everyone else, we've already had this conversation, lets not do it again)
    Tweeters should be mounted as close to the door speakers as reasonablaly possible.

    Rear speakers, I'm not sure that I would bother with them, especially if the front speakers are done right.

    Subwoofer, get the stereo sounding right first. One thing at a time.
     
    Ranger SVO, Jul 24, 2006
    #9
  10. TheViking

    TheViking Well-Known Member

    AH B.S.!!!!!!


    Mount the tweeters in the radiator, pointed towards the ground, at a 36.4 degree angle, so the sound bounces off the ground, and is reflected back through the floor (which has been modified by removing the sheet metal, and grill clothe installed in place of it). The imaging and soundstage will be KILLER!!!!!


    I agree tottally, mount any tweets you get as close to the mid bass drivers as possible. Creates a more accurate sound. whether theyare add ons or a component set. Unlees you are getting "wave guides". thats another topic
     
    TheViking, Jul 24, 2006
    #10
  11. Hautewheeler

    Hautewheeler Full Member

    that was funny, viking.. "pimp my engine bay!"
     
    Hautewheeler, Jul 25, 2006
    #11
  12. Ranger SVO

    Ranger SVO Full Member

    There is nothing I like better than a great sense of humor.
     
    Ranger SVO, Jul 25, 2006
    #12