What should I expect if I swap in coaxial speakers into the JBL front door?

[Regius]

I don't want to disrupt the factory system too much or spend too much energy. I have the JBL system and I already did the rear door deadening, and replaced the rear door speakers with a pair of Infinity ref coaxial (the JBL was coaxial to begin with). Now, getting ready to do the front door, but the front have component speakers. Crutchfield recommended the Rockford Fosgate P1 punch (v2), based on what I wanted. They say with the built-in tweeters on these coaxial speakers, I will expect to hear a change of sound staging. For me, a mere change of location of the instruments is fine, there is still a "sound stage" afterall, only different now. What would be the worst that could happen if I may ask? Also, they say if I buy component system, whether or not I care to replace my A pillar tweets/dash corner tweeters, I may need an amp, so the JBL amp is not enough for aftermarket component system?

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[gmalkmus]

Not gonna notice much change. If anything, it’ll be worse. Save for a full system upgrade rather than changing individual things hoping for a difference.

 

[aquaman67]

Have you tried putting a small piece of electrical tape on the three middle contacts on the removable center speaker?

The outer contacts are the positive and negative to keep the battery in the speaker charged in case you want to use it and it’s not good for the battery to drain and stay discharged for a long time. You don’t want to ruin the speaker just take it out of the sound equation.

It’s reversible. Just remove that little piece of tape.

I prefer the sound system with the center speaker quite.

 

[Regius]

Have you tried putting a small piece of electrical tape on the three middle contacts on the removable center speaker?

The outer contacts are the positive and negative to keep the battery in the speaker charged in case you want to use it and it’s not good for the battery to drain and stay discharged for a long time. You don’t want to ruin the speaker just take it out of the sound equation.

It’s reversible. Just remove that little piece of tape.

I prefer the sound system with the center speaker quite.

Thanks for the tip! I wasn't quite thinking how the Rockford coaxial would interfere with this removable center speaker, I was thinking about the two A pillar tweeters, but your point is taken.

 

[The Dude]

As much as I love Crutchfield, sometimes…..

To answer your question, there WILL be a change in sound, only because the speaker changed. There are crossovers on all the speakers, which would negate the tweeter from playing in the front door.

 

[Regius]

As much as I love Crutchfield, sometimes…..

To answer your question, there WILL be a change in sound, only because the speaker changed. There are crossovers on all the speakers, which would negate the tweeter from playing in the front door.

If I opt for the route of swapping in a component system, what brand and model of component speakers would work as plug and play? my audio shop only carries high end brands like Audison and they have a model that's bolt on, about $400, I don't mind spending if it's that good, just wanted to hear from actual Tacoma owners.

 

[gmalkmus]

If I opt for the route of swapping in a component system, what brand and model of component speakers would work as plug and play? my audio shop only carries high end brands like Audison and they have a model that's bolt on, about $400, I don't mind spending if it's that good, just wanted to hear from actual Tacoma owners.

The problem is you are going to need more than just a component speaker set to get the sound you’re looking for. Swapping in components without changing the amp or signal processing is not going to sound better - it will likely sound worse. The stock JBL system is designed to sound best with the speakers it came with. Swapping in new ones without correcting the signal being sent to the speakers will result in a less than optimized sound.

At minimum, you will need a DSP amplifier to both correct the signal being sent from the headunit and to send enough power to aftermarket components.

 

[The Dude]

Agree 100% with @gmalkmus , just changing speakers is a band-aid on a gaping wound. You “might” like the sound, or you could very well not. I’m gong to drop a little science on you, sorry.

The JBL system in the truck is 2.3 Ω, and most aftermarket speakers are 4 Ω. So, you’d need to adjust the volume up about 30% more than usual now to achieve the same perceived volume. That’s problem one. The other is that Toyota spec’d the speakers in there now for that amplifier. Tone, peaks, filters, all of it taken into account by whomever provides the speakers. Changing just the speakers “could” go either way.

If you decide to swap out speakers anyways, by all means. I recommend for a mellow, easy sound….Morel. For a more “exciting”, in your face sound….Focal. But for goodness sake, find a different shop. ANY speaker can be made plug-n-play with the right speaker adapters. Simple 2-wire plugs that just plug in to the factory plug and have bare wire to connect to any speaker. And, if you have the JBL system, like you said, you have a 3-way system, not the 2-way Crutchfield told you.

*edit*. I realized after typing, you mentioned that $400 was kinda pricey, and here I go recommending $1000+ sets, sorry. For an entry level try the Kicker KSS369, they’re pretty good for a budget set.
https://www.crutchfield.com/p_20651KSS39/Kicker-KSS369.html?tp=106

 

[Regius]

Agree 100% with @gmalkmus , just changing speakers is a band-aid on a gaping wound. You “might” like the sound, or you could very well not. I’m gong to drop a little science on you, sorry.

The JBL system in the truck is 2.3 Ω, and most aftermarket speakers are 4 Ω. So, you’d need to adjust the volume up about 30% more than usual now to achieve the same perceived volume. That’s problem one. The other is that Toyota spec’d the speakers in there now for that amplifier. Tone, peaks, filters, all of it taken into account by whomever provides the speakers. Changing just the speakers “could” go either way.

If you decide to swap out speakers anyways, by all means. I recommend for a mellow, easy sound….Morel. For a more “exciting”, in your face sound….Focal. But for goodness sake, find a different shop. ANY speaker can be made plug-n-play with the right speaker adapters. Simple 2-wire plugs that just plug in to the factory plug and have bare wire to connect to any speaker. And, if you have the JBL system, like you said, you have a 3-way system, not the 2-way Crutchfield told you.

*edit*. I realized after typing, you mentioned that $400 was kinda pricey, and here I go recommending $1000+ sets, sorry. For an entry level try the Kicker KSS369, they’re pretty good for a budget set.
https://www.crutchfield.com/p_20651KSS39/Kicker-KSS369.html?tp=106

So, first about the impedence, great point, thanks. Crutchfield does carry some 2ohm components and they are in the $$$$ range, but I may just invest in those if everything else works out. Question is, if Toyota is 2.3ohm, could 2ohm damage the JBL amp. I doubt there are aftermarket component that are exactly 2.3. Maybe go for 3ohms?

Anyway, in terms of the JBL amp tuned to work with the JBL door speakers and A pillar tweeter, I may live with the possibility that the aftermarket speakers may sound worse, but in fact they may just sound "different" and I'd be ok with it.

Also, why are you suggesting find a different shop?

 

[The Dude]

So, first about the impedence, great point, thanks. Crutchfield does carry some 2ohm components and they are in the $$$$ range, but I may just invest in those if everything else works out. Question is, if Toyota is 2.3ohm, could 2ohm damage the JBL amp. I doubt there are aftermarket component that are exactly 2.3. Maybe go for 3ohms?

Anyway, in terms of the JBL amp tuned to work with the JBL door speakers and A pillar tweeter, I may live with the possibility that the aftermarket speakers may sound worse, but in fact they may just sound "different" and I'd be ok with it.

Also, why are you suggesting find a different shop?

Okay, 3-parter.

1 - Nope, 2 Ω would be fine. 2.3 is nominal, but loud/heavy passages, impedance fluctuates. You’d be fine with 2 Ω.
2 - If you can live with a change in sound, and there WILL be one, I will NEVER discourage anyone from a positive change. I just hate the snake-oil companies promising the world (long story for another time.) Speaker companies just say “we make things that make sound, it’s up to you to decide if you like it.”
3 - If your shop a) doesn’t have any budget choices b) don’t inform you it’s a 3-way setup, and c) don’t tell you how easy it is to make any speaker p-n-p, hard pass. They’re more interested in making money off of you than helping you make a dream system. I’ve seen horror installs from shops like that, corners cut, no proper techniques followed, and jacked up factory wiring, where, if you wanted to go back to factory, ie. trade-in, all your gear has to go with the truck, because you can’t go back to stock.

Question on the shop, did they have pictures of installs they’ve done, more than one or two, that show good technique? Food for thought.

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