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Car audio monkeys, is it woth it?

DirtMcGirk

<b>WAY</b> Dumber than N8 (to the power of ten alm
Feb 21, 2008
6,379
1
Oz
Just bought me a new FJ about 1000 miles ago. I like it, other than it needs a hitch mounted bike rack and a new roof rack as the stock one sucks.

One of the things I did notice with it is that the audio in it isn't "great." Its pretty ok for stock, and my ears kind of suck due to too many years of playing with guns, but I do notice that it isn't audiophile great.

Here's what I am asking, is it worth it to upgrade on the stock system? Its the Trail Teams edition, which in 2012 did not come with the subwoofer or the extra speakers. It has 6.5" in the door, and these "roof shakers" which I think are some kind of a 3 way mounted under the headliner. As such, they kinda suck.

Any thoughts? Should I just suck it up and be happy as it goes everywhere I want it to, and its bright red, or do I spend some money and upgrade the stock system?
 

mattmatt86

Turbo Monkey
Feb 9, 2005
5,347
10
Bleedmore, Murderland
Keep the stock system. I thought about going all out and upgrading my ridgeline 2 years ago but then I realized I'd rather put my money towards bike or something else. And at least a bike you can sell a bike or part a few months/years down the road and get a small return. When you sell the car you'll never get any money out of the system and removing it when you sell the car is a pain in the ass, I've done it with two cars. Just tell yourself right from the start "I'm OK with the stock system."
 
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Da Peach

Outwitted by a rodent
Jul 2, 2002
13,681
4,904
North Van
A kickin' stereo probably won't make those self-help CDs work any better. Might be worth a try though.
 

sstalder5

Turbo Monkey
Aug 20, 2008
1,942
20
Beech Mtn Definitely NOT Boulder
Roof shakers..? My buddy just got a 2010 FJ and the stereo sounds more than decent for stock. But I think he may have the premium system because it has a sub in the back. It seems like those things have a bunch of odd speaker sizes though. God's speed if you decide to upgrade.. :rolleyes:
 

descente

Monkey
Jul 30, 2010
430
0
Sandy Eggo
we put a few systems in those at the shop i used to work at. i think they were actually 6x9s in the door? if yours has 6 1/2" even better, much more common size.

the stock deck sucks, the stock speakers are paper and plastic with ~5 watts of power going to them. they will never sound good.

a new deck and upgraded front speakers will be a good start. a 4 channel amp bridged to 3 channel and a small 8" sub will really make it come to life.

always keep the original equipment, if you ever sell the car, wreck it etc you can move the equipment to your next vehicle. you're really only out the dash kit and adapter harness. people do that all the time, think of it as an investment in your happiness for the time you spend in your vehicle.
 

AngryMetalsmith

Business is good, thanks for asking
Jun 4, 2006
21,075
9,778
I have no idea where I am
Forget the stereo upgrade and go full on Pimp My Ride style. Replace the windshield with a wide screen tv (facing the driver of course) wired to a front mounted camera. Windows are for losers.
 

jdcamb

Tool Time!
Feb 17, 2002
19,799
8,383
Nowhere Man!
Forget the stereo upgrade and go full on Pimp My Ride style. Replace the windshield with a wide screen tv (facing the driver of course) wired to a front mounted camera. Windows are for losers.
Lets not make this a windows mac thing that sydasti will unleash a propaganda jihad on...
 

descente

Monkey
Jul 30, 2010
430
0
Sandy Eggo
**** no..... Someone will just steal it...
i'm assuming he has full coverage. in which case, if you are diligent about receipts and having work done properly, you will get new stuff. a lot of times, you get upgraded because lets say your 3 year old nav unit got stolen...well they don't make that unit any more. but because its all price point driven like the bike market, you just get the current closest equivalent. most people that came through my shop who had their radio stolen were not disappointed after they left. we even replaced an entire dashboard cause the thieves were idiots and ruined way more than they needed to. its pretty funny how much **** a tweaker will ruin trying to accomplish things the hard way.
 

AngryMetalsmith

Business is good, thanks for asking
Jun 4, 2006
21,075
9,778
I have no idea where I am
And, with the new windshield sized tv, if you got bored of watching the road, you could watch the latest freeride vid on your way to the trail.

If one tv/monitor is just not enough, and how could it be, replace the side windows with outward facing monitors that play a non stop video of tinted windows.

While were at it we might as well throw in some neon lights, but only under the hood, this way you'll be the only one who knows making you even cooler. Top that off with a transvestite midget in a butler's uniform in the back seat ready to fulfill you every desire and you got one hell of a whip.
 

HardtailHack

used an iron once
Jan 20, 2009
6,627
5,441
I'd do it for sure, you may find with something like a Dynamat door kit and a pair of efficient two way speakers in the door that is enough for you.

A set of Morel Maximo Coax 6's would be a decent entry/mid level speaker, whatever you do don't get three way speakers they all have plastic mids and tweeters and they are all crap.
C0125012D91A91003C4B

Even sound deadening the front doors alone will make the stock speakers sound a bit nicer.
 
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HardtailHack

used an iron once
Jan 20, 2009
6,627
5,441
They might steal it if you have a giant Alpine sticker on the rear glass but spotting an amp under a seat and pair of aftermarket speakers in the doors is pretty difficult.

Just adding an amp to the factory HU is usually good enough however if it is one that reduces bass output when the volume reaches a certain level it should be binned. Fit a cheaper Nakamichi HU and it will look like a factory unit from the 80's and no one wants to steal one of them.
 

IH8Rice

I'm Mr. Negative! I Fail!
Aug 2, 2008
24,524
494
Im over here now
just change the headunit and go from there. the additional power (26w RMS typically) should be more then enough for what you are looking for even with the stock speakers. if you wanted more low end grunt, you could always throw a self contained (amp/sub) into the mix like a Bazooka tube. people tend to give them a bad rap but for the money, they actually perform pretty well and dont take up too much space if you go with the 8".

the FJ's should have 6x9's in the front which is good if you want to replace them. you could go with a nice 6x9 coax speaker, a 6x9 component set (with or without the tweeter mounted on the mid) or you could buy an adapter to fit a 6.5" in there
 

jacksonpt

Turbo Monkey
Jul 22, 2002
6,791
59
Vestal, NY
IMO, it's worth it to have a decent stereo, especially if you spend a lot of time in the car. For me, I'd pay for an upgraded stock system before I went with something custom (for a number of reasons), but that's obviously not an option for you.

If the system sucks, then upgrade it. If it's decent, then don't. You'll get used to it to the point where unless you're listening for deficiencies, you won't notice them. No one needs to be heard and or felt before they are seen coming down the road, so don't go crazy... stick with decent/middle of the road stuff.

Unless cost/money isn't the issue... in which case who cares? Do what you want.
 

in the trees

Turbo Monkey
May 19, 2003
1,210
1
NH
Slightly off topic, but.....get a North Shore Rack for the FJ! Best fit while still allowing access with the rear door open.
 

jdcamb

Tool Time!
Feb 17, 2002
19,799
8,383
Nowhere Man!
Save your money. The girls in the drive thru at Wendy's don't care how kickin your stereo is... Really they don't...