Time for a speaker upgrade - NOW WITH PICS

[Christian]

Coming from a 2008 Lexus LS with a Mark Levinson 19 speaker system, listening to the Sony in my SHO is a big step down. So, I am looking to upgrade, starting with speakers and seeing what happens after that. I realize that this can be a rabbit hole.....been there done that. However, I'm not unreasonable, and my standards are flexible. For one, I have ZERO interest in bass that rattles the licence plates and shakes the rear view mirror. However, I DO like good, solid bass that complements the track/song. I found the other speakers are muddy and at higher volumes, treble and mids are harsh and shrill.

Based on numerous posts here and elsewhere, I have decided on:
1. 5x7 components for the front doors, (replacing the tweets in the sail panels). About to pull the trigger on a set of BLAM speakers. Terrible name, phenomenal speakers. Made in France and engineered by Guy Bonneville - former sound engineer at Focal. They even look like Focals.
2 5x7 Hertz Energy coaxials for the rear doors, which I have already purchased.
3. 3.5 inch center channels front and rear. Looking at Kicker coaxials.
4. Sub - not sure yet. I was going to do Tang Band 6x9 subs, but I don't think 6x9's will give satisfying bass - even with a better quality version of a 6x9. I am leaning towards a sub box, possibly passive. Again, I'm not looking to impress the neighbours.....just my ears.

Later down the road, I may add/replace the amp. One thing at a time.

Has anyone used the factory sub amp to power a sub box? I thought the factory amp had a separate channel for the sub, but from what I've read and seen, the sub is powered by a completely separate amp and located beside the other amplifier.

for the 3.5 speakers, I understand that just about anything will fit in the rear, but the dash is a bit more restrictive? True? Any tricks?

Any and all input is as usual, appreciated.

 

[Lostneye]

I have not heard them but have heard nothing but positive reviews about BLAM. I agree not the best name. Not to be a **** but the factory tweeters are in the a pillar. The sail panel is on the door on the inside or where the mirrors are, I have custom tweeter pods there instead of factory location. The factory amp changed at some point but my 2013 has one amp located in the drivers side rear quarter. I have heard the factory amp distorts early on the sub channel and to use the rear speaker outs for a signal but can’t confirm since redid the whole system at once. It doesn’t make much power so I would get a serperate sub amp. There is room behind the panel to mount it near the factory amp. Personally I don’t care for the Sony surround processing and even stock keeping it in steep mode sounded better to me. Those that upgraded just speakers all seemed to have good results. Those tang bangs are good for what they are but I don’t think they will be enough. I would stick to your plan(minus the center speakers but that personal preference). Sound deadening the doors will help some and get some closed cell foam weatherstripping from the hardware store to put around the door speakers to help seal against the door card.

 

[Christian]

"Not to be a **** but the factory tweeters are in the a pillar. "

You're not being a **** lol. I know the sail panels are the (sail shaped) panels behind the side view mirrors found in most cars. I only had "sail panels" on the mind, because I was looking at modifiying mine after seeing it done on a Youtube video. Too much work though. I did it on my Ford F450 chassis motorhome and it looked and sounded great. I'll stick with the A pillars, but might surface mount them.....we'll see.

"The factory amp changed at some point but my 2013 has one amp located in the drivers side rear quarter. "

That's what I saw in the photos. Until I have a closer look, I'll assume it's the same in my '17

I just found a source in the UK for the BLAM's. Half the price of my local shop and they ship for cheap to my area.

Now looking at JBL's for the center channels instead of the Kickers.

 

[SHOMON]

It would be nice if you could maybe post that UK source for the speakers??

 

[Christian]

It would be nice if you could maybe post that UK source for the speakers??

Here ya go: https://www.ebay.com/itm/BLAM-570RS...738866?hash=item2608396eb2:g:t78AAOSwypZb2ZFD

I may just get them from my local shop. 100 dollars more, but then I have an out if they don't fit or if I have any issues.

 

[JRV1631]

I put Focal component ISS 570’s upfront and Kicker coaxial CSC68’s I the rear doors. So far I’m very happy. I know there’s a lot more that could be done. But I thought that would be a reasonable upgrade and keep me out of that rabbit hole you mentioned.

 

[Lostneye]

"Not to be a **** but the factory tweeters are in the a pillar. "

You're not being a **** lol. I know the sail panels are the (sail shaped) panels behind the side view mirrors found in most cars. I only had "sail panels" on the mind, because I was looking at modifiying mine after seeing it done on a Youtube video. Too much work though. I did it on my Ford F450 chassis motorhome and it looked and sounded great. I'll stick with the A pillars, but might surface mount them.....we'll see.

"The factory amp changed at some point but my 2013 has one amp located in the drivers side rear quarter. "

That's what I saw in the photos. Until I have a closer look, I'll assume it's the same in my '17

I just found a source in the UK for the BLAM's. Half the price of my local shop and they ship for cheap to my area.

Now looking at JBL's for the center channels instead of the Kickers.

Can’t say how much of a difference moving the tweeters to the sails make since I added a DSP with a professional tune at the same time. I’ve since filled the factory grill and covered the a pilar in alcantara

Don’t know if BLAM is well known enough but be careful of counterfeits on eBay and Amazon. There are plenty of fake Focal, Hertz, etc out there.

 

[Christian]

Can’t say how much of a difference moving the tweeters to the sails make since I added a DSP with a professional tune at the same time. I’ve since filled the factory grill and covered the a pilar in alcantara

View attachment 8904 Don’t know if BLAM is well known enough but be careful of counterfeits on eBay and Amazon. There are plenty of fake Focal, Hertz, etc out there.

Yeah....that tweet looks awesome. Very elegant....well done!

I wondered about the fake/counterfeit speakers, but that vendor seems on the up and up.

I've now ordered a pair of Pioneer 3.5 for the front and rear centers. Wednesday I'll pick up the BLAMs and then the sub. Don't flame me too badly, but I'm seriously leaning towards the Scosche 1o" powered sub. Gets great reviews and I figure I don;t have much to lose. I have enough points on my mastercard to get it for free. If I don't like it, I'll return it. It'll just sit in the trunk, placed out if the way.

 

[Lostneye]

Yeah....that tweet looks awesome. Very elegant....well done!

I wondered about the fake/counterfeit speakers, but that vendor seems on the up and up.

I've now ordered a pair of Pioneer 3.5 for the front and rear centers. Wednesday I'll pick up the BLAMs and then the sub. Don't flame me too badly, but I'm seriously leaning towards the Scosche 1o" powered sub. Gets great reviews and I figure I don;t have much to lose. I have enough points on my mastercard to get it for free. If I don't like it, I'll return it. It'll just sit in the trunk, placed out if the way.

Thanks. Apicella Auto Sound did the work.

No flaming, not everyone has the time/budget/need or even want for a big system but most of those all in one subs are okay at best. These are big cars with a lot of interior space to get air moving. No harm in trying it out but my guess is you will be underwhelmed.

 

[bpd1151]

2 15's and 2 12's helps the air move all around in my setup. LOL.

Shake. Rattle. And roll.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

 

[Lostneye]

2 15's and 2 12's helps the air move all around in my setup. LOL.

Shake. Rattle. And roll.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

Moving enough air you were asked to turn it down at Nationals.

 

[bpd1151]

Moving enough air you were asked to turn it down at Nationals.

Hahahaha..... this is very true.

Damn Ford Motor Co. and Carlisle Exec's for trying to capture drone footage.

In my defense, they did say they enjoyed the entertainment, and did return 20min later to ask me to turn it back up afterwards.

LOL.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

 

[Christian]

I have now installed the front center speaker, which was easy. Now however, I am trying to get to the rear center speaker. Can anyone offer some advice on how best to do this? I have removed the clips holding the shelf all down, but there are a lot of interlocking parts holding it in, such as rear pillar moldings and who knows what else. I tried downloading the Scosche guide, but it says "unavailable". There's a 2011 guide available, but I'm not sure if it's the same procedure?

I am taking a lot of photos to put together a DIY. Perhaps it'll be of use to someone.

 

[Johnbigdog]

I have now installed the front center speaker, which was easy. Now however, I am trying to get to the rear center speaker. Can anyone offer some advice on how best to do this? I have removed the clips holding the shelf all down, but there are a lot of interlocking parts holding it in, such as rear pillar moldings and who knows what else. I tried downloading the Scosche guide, but it says "unavailable". There's a 2011 guide available, but I'm not sure if it's the same procedure?

I am taking a lot of photos to put together a DIY. Perhaps it'll be of use to someone.

Remove the c pillars which requires you remove the outer bolsters and the plastic threshold on the left and right sides that the door covers when closed. Pull the plastic out with the door seal, it's easier. The bolsters have to be pulled down and out. They have a protrusion that fits up and into, behind them. Does that make sense? Once removed there are a few push pin/christmass trees you need to remove to get the tray out behind the rear seats. If you gold them down they are all clearly visable


The whole parcel tray cover doesn't lift strait out. It kinda comes back and up, then out. You may have to help it up and over the sunshade. It tucks into stuff underneath. Do not pull hard come easy.

If you are annoyed by the shade making noise when you put the car in reverse the first time every drive, this is a good time to remove the reverse circuit from.the shade module.

 

[Christian]

Back end done except the sub. Now installing the front component system. Should I use the built in crossover of the factory system or somehow install the crossovers from the speakers I bought? If I use the aftermarket crossovers, I'm looking at a significant wiring job.

 

[SHOMON]

Back end done except the sub. Now installing the front component system. Should I use the built in crossover of the factory system or somehow install the crossovers from the speakers I bought? If I use the aftermarket crossovers, I'm looking at a significant wiring job.

The speakers are designed to operate with the crossover they come with. That way they will work at the correct frequency they were designed to play. That being said you can wire them up to the factory amp and crossover.
Just make sure they are the same impedance as the factory speakers.

 

[Christian]

The new speakers are 2 ohm

 

[SHOMON]

Measure them individually if you can with a meter. They are most likely 4ohm each and connected in parallel at the crossover to achieve 2ohm.

 

[Christian]

The box says "high efficiency 2 ohm system"

If I'm doing it right, my meter shows 2.5 to 2.7 ohm

 

[Christian]

All done except for the sub power and remote. I'm trying to find a pass thru in the firewall or elsewhere. Any tips here? Where to get power for the remote turn on? Perhaps somewhere on the amp??