Changed Dash Speakers To Kickers...WOW!

[grinch72]

I did not. The HK system seems to be crossed at the amp. I've run a frequency generator on them and they seem to cut out well before the range these are ok at.

I can't say the same for other systems though.

So did you notice a large difference from the HK speakers and did you only change the dash?? Corners only or corners and center?

 

[wildh24]

I replaced every speaker, 3.5s and 6x9s and sub. See details in signature.

I had about a 10% decrease in overall volume from the 3.5s. About a 25% increase in volume and bass response from the 6x9s.

Overall I am much happier with the sound quality of the infinity vs stock HK speakers. The mid and high range is smoother, clearer, and more detailed. The highs in particular are softer and less shrill which I prefer (that's a personal thing and if you don't know what you like, I'd encourage going to a car stereo shop and having them play some samples of songs YOU like to get a feel for how they sound... You'll know what sounds good to your ears. Don't get to caught up in volume alone. I like music to calm me, not make me irritated, so I lean towards silk or textile tweeters).

I had to lower the bass on the factory EQ. The 6x9s were much more efficient and responsive than the factory ones. I'm at -6 or -7. It's too much mid bass otherwise for my tastes. I fine tune the sub with the PAC AMPPro remote volume knob and am very happy overall. Might add a 2nd 10" to fill in that low end, but I can definitely live with where it's at now.

 

[Joeyp]

Just ordered my kickers tonight!

Did you install them yet? Im curious of the sound difference. I not crazy about the Alpine system. my 4th gen sock stereo had just as good if not better sound.

 

[troutspinner]

Did you install them yet? Im curious of the sound difference. I not crazy about the Alpine system. my 4th gen sock stereo had just as good if not better sound.

If that is the case, a dealer visit is definitely in order. The Alpine system is WAY better than the stock 6 speaker system.

 

[Patsy1099]

Not that it’s comparable but my truck is at the dealer for a few days getting some stuff done and they have me in a 2018 and it has the alpine. Very unimpressed with the sound. I actually think the stock 6 on my 19 is (was) better. Not sure how much they’ve changed the audio from last year but I would have thought the alpine to be a lot better than this.

 

[Billet1500 4x4]

Did you install them yet? Im curious of the sound difference. I not crazy about the Alpine system. my 4th gen sock stereo had just as good if not better sound.

I replaced all of the speakers from the Alpine system with JBL except for the sub and flipped the polarity on the drivers side dash speaker. Huge improvement. To me the Alpine lacked clarity in the upper mid range and highs were almost non existent, mid base sounded sloppy and muddy. Hopefully someone comes out with a replacement for the factory triple voice coil sub, not holding my breath on that one though. I've never listened to the base 6 speaker system so I couldn't compare the two.

 

[GOATinstructor]

I decided on the Infinity Reference from crutchfield.

Install was very straightforward and the only difficulty was the screw closest to the windshield. A 90° phillips is the way to go there.

I didn't use the included bass blockers.

Overall, I notice an improvement in clarity; it's definitely not as muddy sounding. It was not as stark as I was hoping, however. I also did not notice a decrease in volume.

 

[Gen3CoupeTX]

Well that was definitely worth $35 and 15 minutes! I followed OP's lead and bought Kickers from Crutchfield for the front dash corners. I didn't really notice it even having speakers installed there in my base 6-speaker system. I sure notice them now!

Speakers are Kicker 43DSC3504, and they shipped with the Metra 72-7902 wiring adapters. No issues, perfect fit. I'm sure I'll continue to play with the EQ settings, but what a noticeable difference. I've had Chick-Fil-A visits that cost more than this!

 

[fotomatt1]

I replaced all of the speakers from the Alpine system with JBL except for the sub and flipped the polarity on the drivers side dash speaker. Huge improvement. To me the Alpine lacked clarity in the upper mid range and highs were almost non existent, mid base sounded sloppy and muddy. Hopefully someone comes out with a replacement for the factory triple voice coil sub, not holding my breath on that one though. I've never listened to the base 6 speaker system so I couldn't compare the two.

I thought it was the drivers side door that needed polarity swapped but dash should be left as stock?


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[Billet1500 4x4]

I thought it was the drivers side door that needed polarity swapped but dash should be left as stock?


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In the alpine every speaker is wired reversed polarity. For some reason the drivers side dash speaker is wired reverse polarity per the wiring diagram but upon testing by @rsonedecker the channels are backwards. It's really strange when you look at the system as a whole, but it made a difference in the sound stage when I flipped the wires.

 

[Patsy1099]

I thought it was the drivers side door that needed polarity swapped but dash should be left as stock?


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I think all trucks are different. It’s random and inconsistent. If you are doing a speaker swap you should check the polarity before and after to be sure.

 

[Billet1500 4x4]

I think all trucks are different. It’s random and inconsistent. If you are doing a speaker swap you should check the polarity before and after to be sure.

Unfortunately the only way to check the polarity of the signal itself is with an app like speaker pop, or with your ear.

 

[fotomatt1]

I think all trucks are different. It’s random and inconsistent. If you are doing a speaker swap you should check the polarity before and after to be sure.

Can you check with a multimeter?


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[Patsy1099]

Can you check with a multimeter?


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That’s the way I do it.

 

[wwalljr]

Put the Infinity Reference 3032’s in the dash corners and a Kicker 43DSC3504 in the dash center. (I would rather have 3 matched, but didn’t have another Infinity available...I will accept criticism...) Anyway, the Infinity had the 270 uF cap soldered on already for a 150mhz crossover if my math is correct. I put a 300mhz crossover on the Kicker. It’s much more clear. Even at full volume. So far so good.

 

[wildh24]

Put the Infinity Reference 3032’s in the dash corners and a Kicker 43DSC3504 in the dash center. (I would rather have 3 matched, but didn’t have another Infinity available...I will accept criticism...) Anyway, the Infinity had the 270 uF cap soldered on already for a 150mhz crossover if my math is correct. I put a 300mhz crossover on the Kicker. It’s much more clear. Even at full volume. So far so good.

Someone is selling an individual infinity reference 3.5 on here.

 

[Billet1500 4x4]

Can you check with a multimeter?


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Multimeter won't work on the alpine setup. The amp isn't single ended meaning negative terminal of the speaker isn't attached to ground.

 

[Patsy1099]

Multimeter won't work on the alpine setup. The amp isn't single ended meaning negative terminal of the speaker isn't attached to ground.

Ahh makes sense. Didn’t think of that and that they wouldn’t use single ended. The base system has no amp so that’s why it not an issue

 

[DaMythDaLegend]

The Infinity Reference 3032’s or Kicker 43DSC3504 will all fit in the center dash and dash corners?

 

[wwalljr]

The Infinity Reference 3032’s or Kicker 43DSC3504 will all fit in the center dash and dash corners?

Yes they will. I had to trim some of the tabs off the infinity’s to get them to sit correct in the corners. No big deal.