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Stereo upgrade advice 2024 Rav4Prime SE

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SHRMN8R

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Enjoy really good stereo, but OEM stereo in brand new Prime SE is mediocre (most OEM are).....
Solicited LOTS of advice from local auto stereo stores--? change all speakers vs dash speakers only vs amp+ subwoofer. Ultimately they talked me into expensive Alpine 8 ch DSP but keep oem speakers "it'll sound great!"...lots of $$$ ( 5 hrs labor!)..bottom line: sounds better, but far from "great". Feel like I overspent for underperformance....
Sound i still not as good as I want....
Looking for my next step.....my thoughts:
1) Try replacing dash speakers only. Most sound still seems to come from front of car. Nice set of memphis two ways will fit and (per customer reviews) has nice bass reponse and good high end clarity. This is cheapest add-on ( around $100 ). Then retweak dsp settings.
or
2) add subwoofer(?8in v 10 in). SKAR makes nice looking enclosure custom for RAV4 made to fit in trunk area depression behind passenger wheel well...
or
3) add sub + dash speakers. Most expensive upgrade, but I fell like Im already deep enough into this that I would be willing to suck it up to get what I want.
I keep my cars for a very long time, so investment in years of enjoyment...
Looking for RAV4 audiophile with helpful advise...Thanks!!
 
#3 ·
I agree, speakers are crap (can live with the sub).

In today's world, easier (and cheaper) to make low distortion amp with good power, speakers, being a mechanical device, have been pretty much the same technology for years, and material costs going up, not down like electronics.

I have JBL in 2024 Prime XSE, tweeters are crap, midranges are muddy and also not very linear. Those are the first to be changed out.

Greg
 
Discussion starter · #5 ·
Thx for feedback ....
Alpine 8 channel CXE-P80-88.. very high quality unit.....Has built in Amp ....
Went with 8 channel on the presumption that I would probably add a subwoofer at some point...
Had my local auto stereo place (same place I bought it) tune it..purportedly by professionals who knew their stuff, with microphone, computer, everything.......I even gave them a spotify playlist of my typical music(classic jazz, some classical music, 70's -90's rock) to tune to my style of music....
Feeling a bit like a sucker, but honestly, got the same advice from two well established and quite professional looking auto stereo places, one in MA and one in ME.
Gonna bring it back to have dsp optimized again, but assuming that doesnt change things, my options are either add 10in sub and maybe new dash speakers, or would anyone say to bag the subwooofer and just change the speakers ( and what brand /style?).....
Just adding sub and dash speakers might be less labor $$$, since Im already beyond my original budget....let them optimize door speakers for midrange with the DSP....
 
#6 ·
dash speakers and tweeters in pillars seem the most "off" to me.. the door speakers I agree, equalize them, the subwoofer is just OK, I agree, improvement needs larger and bigger amp.. have you thought about the subwoofer that fits inside the spare?
 
Discussion starter · #7 ·
Looked at sub that fits inside the spare.....mixed opinions ( mostly negative from the auto stereo dealers, but of course, they were the poeple that told me to leave the OEM speakers alone).......
some responders on older threads say the spare tire sub wont fit-protrudes a bit high and trunk floor wont lay flat......I also need to store stuff on much of the floor, so figure that a spare tire sub would be distorted by the overlying stuff......
 
#9 ·
SHRMN8R said:
Enjoy really good stereo, but OEM stereo in brand new Prime SE is mediocre (most OEM are).....
Solicited LOTS of advice from local auto stereo stores--? change all speakers vs dash speakers only vs amp+ subwoofer. Ultimately they talked me into expensive Alpine 8 ch DSP but keep oem speakers "it'll sound great!"...lots of $$$ ( 5 hrs labor!)..bottom line: sounds better, but far from "great". Feel like I overspent for underperformance....
Sound i still not as good as I want....
Looking for my next step.....my thoughts:
1) Try replacing dash speakers only. Most sound still seems to come from front of car. Nice set of memphis two ways will fit and (per customer reviews) has nice bass reponse and good high end clarity. This is cheapest add-on ( around $100 ). Then retweak dsp settings.
or
2) add subwoofer(?8in v 10 in). SKAR makes nice looking enclosure custom for RAV4 made to fit in trunk area depression behind passenger wheel well...
or
3) add sub + dash speakers. Most expensive upgrade, but I fell like Im already deep enough into this that I would be willing to suck it up to get what I want.
I keep my cars for a very long time, so investment in years of enjoyment...
Looking for RAV4 audiophile with helpful advise...Thanks!!
Click to expand...
Is that Alpine amp 700$? Crazy to add that into the terrible stock SE system on its own. The stock tweeters and speakers are probably worth Under 100$ total. Plus there are not enough of them and no sub. Add a sub and switch out every speaker if you have the cash. Toyota rivets the door speakers in which is crappy. Not sure why they can’t make removable speaker covers so you don’t have to remove the entire door panel.
 
Discussion starter · #11 ·
Thx for feedback....
Well looks like Ill just take the $$$ I would have spent for counseling to deal with my depression over wasting so much money to date , and put it towards some decent speakers (lol)!. However, I may just start with sub and good quality two way dash speakers first and see what I get for sound. That seems like a lot less money for labor than removing door panels and drilling out speaker rivets. Maybe do this in stages. Plus, i figure if I change door speakers , might as well add some sound deadening material while at it, so again more $$$.
Any recommendations re: speakers. Also, 12in sub seems awful big for my sound (jazz, classical). Im not a real hip hop,rap type of guy. I figure 10 in is good.
 
#12 ·
sdavissy said:
www.amazon.ca

Skar Audio Single 12" Sealed Subwoofer Enclosure Compatible with 2019-2025 Toyota RAV4 Vehicles : Amazon.ca: Electronics

Skar Audio Single 12" Sealed Subwoofer Enclosure Compatible with 2019-2025 Toyota RAV4 Vehicles : Amazon.ca: Electronics
www.amazon.ca
Click to expand...
Not sure that would work with the hybrid/Prime (their listing doesn't say anything about hybrid/Prime) because the 12 volt battery is right below that. It might interfere with getting to the 12 volt battery.
 
Discussion starter · #13 ·
Just got my RAV4 subwoofer enclosure by SKAR and I totally did not fit!! Besides, it projects over the trunk floor, which will be very difficult to remove if I ever needed to use the spare tire. It also covers the port that I believe allows for access to the plug-in connection. No go for the Prime. May just get a simple sealed box and put it in the back somewhere.
 
#14 ·
SHRMN8R said:
Just got my RAV4 subwoofer enclosure by SKAR and I totally did not fit!! Besides, it projects over the trunk floor, which will be very difficult to remove if I ever needed to use the spare tire. It also covers the port that I believe allows for access to the plug-in connection. No go for the Prime. May just get a simple sealed box and put it in the back somewhere.
Click to expand...

same as his? He said it fit.
 
Discussion starter · #15 ·
I had to push it in pretty hard to to seat properly, and that bracket that screws into the ring loop it’s not even close. I am not about ready on a new car to start drilling holes just to attach a screw. Plus, the fit is such that I’m not sure that double-sided tape is going to stay in place so I worry that it may rattle.
 
#16 ·
One of the first things I did to my new car was drill a hole for subwoofer wiring. It may be new, but it's your car. Make it what you want and you'll enjoy it a lot more.

And I think you've had your answer already but speakers should have been first; I'm still using the OEM head unit but replaced all speakers and it was a night and day difference.
 
Discussion starter · #17 ·
Thanks, yes Im getting that message pretty loud and clear. However, I think I’m going to definitely put in a subwoofer, and change out the dash speakers to a really nice set two ways,so I’m hoping that maybe I can maybe tune the DSP to optimize the door speakers for mid range get me close to the sound I want. Again, I’m already well over budget.
 
#18 ·
SHRMN8R said:
Thanks, yes Im getting that message pretty loud and clear. However, I think I’m going to definitely put in a subwoofer, and change out the dash speakers to a really nice set two ways,so I’m hoping that maybe I can maybe tune the DSP to optimize the door speakers for mid range get me close to the sound I want. Again, I’m already well over budget.
Click to expand...
You can upgrade the speakers for very little money. It’s disappointing Toyota puts such low end speakers in this vehicle.
 
Discussion starter · #19 ·
True..re:cost of speakers.....
So would you recommend change all speakers and NO subwoofer, or change speakers and add subwoofer...
I mean, can a door speaker woofer offer the bass response and depth of a seprarete subwoofer..
 
#20 ·
Depends on music type you listen to... if its bass heavy and you like it loud, then you'll want the sub.

Honestly, if you have 2 spare channels, use them for the subwoofer. What is the point of 8 channels and leaving a couple idle?

I'd also ask the shop that did the tune for the specifics of the crossover frequencies that they used for the door and for the dash, and if they removed the passive crossover for the dash speaker... I am guessing that they went full range for the rear doors. Ask them!

Do you have any pictures of this amp install?
 
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