Let me open by saying I’m not an audiophile (I’m a biologist) and nothing I’m writing here should be taken as a recommendation. I’m just offering a few observations on my Frankenstereo audio-hackery including what fit.
I started by adding a Beat-Sconic 3T3 mostly because it was easy and made adding a subwoofer less work. It was an improvement, and if you want a quick fix that is plug and play, it’s fine. In retrospect, I might have spent a little more on a better amp and had a professional do a proper installation.
After the amp, I decided to tinker with the speakers. I’ve tried the following for the dash: Rockford Fosgate R14X2, Hertz DCX 100.3, and HERTZ Cento CX 100s. All fit and all were a huge improvement over the stock dash speakers that were part of the JBL package. The Fosgates were a big improvement, but weren’t quite bright enough. The DCXs had great detail but were a little too bright for me, but not necessarily unreasonably so. The best to me were the Centos which had detailed highs as well as a bit of warmth I didn’t expect in a 4”. They also have a pointable tweeter which seemed effective. I originally left the center speaker stock, but later changed it, and that was a notable improvement as well.
I put 8” Audison AP8s in the front doors. I got speaker brackets online and they worked like a charm. They’re to my liking and are a notable improvement at higher volumes compared to the stock speakers. For the rear doors, I put in JL C2-650X, which dramatically outperform the stock speakers. I’ve left the hatch speakers alone and might leave it that way. But, if anyone has thoughts on hatch speakers, please suggest.
Because I had the speakers out, I took advantage of the opportunity to apply sound deadening to the doors. It wasn’t tough at all and it provides a great deal of sound insulation.
While I might have gone about things differently had I known what I know now, I’m happy with my Frankenstereo and it’s definitely greatly improved over stock TO MY EAR.
I started by adding a Beat-Sconic 3T3 mostly because it was easy and made adding a subwoofer less work. It was an improvement, and if you want a quick fix that is plug and play, it’s fine. In retrospect, I might have spent a little more on a better amp and had a professional do a proper installation.
After the amp, I decided to tinker with the speakers. I’ve tried the following for the dash: Rockford Fosgate R14X2, Hertz DCX 100.3, and HERTZ Cento CX 100s. All fit and all were a huge improvement over the stock dash speakers that were part of the JBL package. The Fosgates were a big improvement, but weren’t quite bright enough. The DCXs had great detail but were a little too bright for me, but not necessarily unreasonably so. The best to me were the Centos which had detailed highs as well as a bit of warmth I didn’t expect in a 4”. They also have a pointable tweeter which seemed effective. I originally left the center speaker stock, but later changed it, and that was a notable improvement as well.
I put 8” Audison AP8s in the front doors. I got speaker brackets online and they worked like a charm. They’re to my liking and are a notable improvement at higher volumes compared to the stock speakers. For the rear doors, I put in JL C2-650X, which dramatically outperform the stock speakers. I’ve left the hatch speakers alone and might leave it that way. But, if anyone has thoughts on hatch speakers, please suggest.
Because I had the speakers out, I took advantage of the opportunity to apply sound deadening to the doors. It wasn’t tough at all and it provides a great deal of sound insulation.
While I might have gone about things differently had I known what I know now, I’m happy with my Frankenstereo and it’s definitely greatly improved over stock TO MY EAR.
