Any thoughts on how to upgrade the factory stereo on a gxl?

[jct0518 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close jct0518]

I am probably looking for a little more bass and better sound quality..thanks in advance!

[rumy Member Find all posts View Profile Close rumy]

Re: Any thoughts on how to upgrade the factory stereo on a gxl?

Trade it in for a Kakadu .... they have a great stereo system !!

[LaoK User account deleted at own request. Find all posts View Profile Close LaoK]

Re: Any thoughts on how to upgrade the factory stereo on a gxl?

Trade it in for a Kakadu .... they have a great stereo system !!

The Kakadu has 14 speakers and I still haven't found where they all are. I think my dash mat covers about three of them.

The sound is just awesome.

[Schniff Member Find all posts View Profile Close Schniff]

Re: Any thoughts on how to upgrade the factory stereo on a gxl?

I have completely redone the system on my VX with dash parts from the GX Prado so I could put in a Kenwood satnav head unit in the top compartment and UHF in the bottom.

You have asked a fairly open question. What is your budget??

[jct0518 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close jct0518]

Re: Any thoughts on how to upgrade the factory stereo on a gxl?

Trade it in for a Kakadu .... they have a great stereo system !!

Well I cant actually upgrade it to a kakadu (or VXL in my case) since mine is getting armored as we speak..

I have completely redone the system on my VX with dash parts from the GX Prado so I could put in a Kenwood satnav head unit in the top compartment and UHF in the bottom.

You have asked a fairly open question. What is your budget??

I dont think I want to change the head unit or original factory radio, just the speakers or add in a small subwoofer...budget wise, probably not over $2,000.00 US..



Any thoughts?

[Schniff Member Find all posts View Profile Close Schniff]

Re: Any thoughts on how to upgrade the factory stereo on a gxl?

Well, there are many many different options. You could use an amplifier to power a new set of speakers, with a second amp for a sub. Or you could simply run new speakers off the factory head unit and run a seperate amp for the sub. To run amplfiers off the factory head unit you will need to either use Hi/Lo converters to convert the speaker level output to RCA, or use amplfiers that have a high level input.
The best sound quality will come from using a Head unit with RCA outputs (not the factory one) into amps, then aftermarket speakers. Second would be factory head unit via a Hi/Lo converter into amp(s) the aftermarket speakers. Factory head unit into aftermarket speakers is a distant last.

You have to be careful with speaker selection if you are not going to use amplfiers as the stock head unit may not provide enough power to properly control the speaker which can result in premature wear.
Speaker wise you would be looking at replacing the front door speakers (6 x 9s) and A pillar tweeters with a 6.5 inch two way setup. The rear speakers could be replaced with 6.5 inch coaxials. Spend more $ on the fronts as this will have more of a profound effect on SQ.
For subs it all depends on what your priorities are. Subs take up a lot of room, but are excellent for adding dynamics to car audio. There are slimline subs available but their SQ is never all that great. I use two Image Dynamics 8 inch subs which are small but hit hard and are very very tight. If I had more space a pair of 10s would be my choice. I have them mounted in front of my drawer system, just behind the 2nd row of seats.

The best thing to do would be to visit a car audio specialist and have a listen.

[jct0518 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close jct0518]

Re: Any thoughts on how to upgrade the factory stereo on a gxl?

Well, there are many many different options. You could use an amplifier to power a new set of speakers, with a second amp for a sub. Or you could simply run new speakers off the factory head unit and run a seperate amp for the sub. To run amplfiers off the factory head unit you will need to either use Hi/Lo converters to convert the speaker level output to RCA, or use amplfiers that have a high level input.
The best sound quality will come from using a Head unit with RCA outputs (not the factory one) into amps, then aftermarket speakers. Second would be factory head unit via a Hi/Lo converter into amp(s) the aftermarket speakers. Factory head unit into aftermarket speakers is a distant last.

You have to be careful with speaker selection if you are not going to use amplfiers as the stock head unit may not provide enough power to properly control the speaker which can result in premature wear.
Speaker wise you would be looking at replacing the front door speakers (6 x 9s) and A pillar tweeters with a 6.5 inch two way setup. The rear speakers could be replaced with 6.5 inch coaxials. Spend more $ on the fronts as this will have more of a profound effect on SQ.
For subs it all depends on what your priorities are. Subs take up a lot of room, but are excellent for adding dynamics to car audio. There are slimline subs available but their SQ is never all that great. I use two Image Dynamics 8 inch subs which are small but hit hard and are very very tight. If I had more space a pair of 10s would be my choice. I have them mounted in front of my drawer system, just behind the 2nd row of seats.

The best thing to do would be to visit a car audio specialist and have a listen.

Thank you Sir!, for the detailed info! I will definitely check out my local car audio shops and ask around once I get my car back..

[William Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close William]

Re: Any thoughts on how to upgrade the factory stereo on a gxl?

Thank you schniff, that was very informative.

Cheers

[smoov Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close smoov]

Re: Any thoughts on how to upgrade the factory stereo on a gxl?

I have completely redone the system on my VX

Just wandering if you still have the factory amp, and if so, are you willing to sell it?
Ebay has several on offer, from $20 to over $200, but they are not the models I am after.
The one I'm trying to get hold of has the part No. 86280 60440.

[Mimic Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Mimic]

I upgraded my factory stereo to a Kenwood DDX 8036BT. I have the Prado TX-L, Japanese Model, which I believe is similar to the GXL, which comes with 6 speakers. I was wondering, if I wanted to upgrade the rear speakers, as the front are are alright for now, is there a type I should go for, or power which my head unit could support? I saw some good deals for the Infinity Kappa 6.5. Would I need an for these, and what would be best 2 way, 3 way or components. As the rear are very low, and have no bass at all, was hoping these would do the trick. Please let me know what you recommend. Thanks

[countryferal Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close countryferal]

Hiya mate, on that note, have you found them..!?
We've just bought a Kakadu and the Center speaker has packed it in and looking for a diagram saying where they are and what type..

[countryferal Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close countryferal]

The Kakadu has 14 speakers and I still haven't found where they all are. I think my dash mat covers about three of them.

The sound is just awesome.

Hiya mate, on that note, have you found them..!?
We've just bought a Kakadu and the Center speaker has packed it in and looking for a diagram saying where they are and what type..