Thought I would share some pics of my recent install into my GT86. May be useful for those looking to upgrade those average-as-hell stock speakers
I had a few requirements for my installation. Namely:
- Must be from the same vendor. I know many (most?) people are OK with mixing and matching components from different vendors, but I always prefer to have everything from the same vendor. It's just a personal thing.
- No panel shake/rattling. Ugh, I can't stand that.
- Amplifier installed out of sight.
- My philosophy is that I will pay what is necessary to have a system I'm proud of. I don't like to own things and constantly wishing I had bought the "better" one.
- I'm also ok with the
stock Toyota head unit.
I mainly play music from my iPhone via the Bluetooth audio or USB jack, and it seems to work well with that. I like the physical back/forward buttons on the head unit as they are positioned right where my fingers can reach when on the gear stick - and is more convenient than a touch-screen for this reason.
I would only upgrade my head unit if I could find one that offered a compelling reason, and I liked the look of. Kenwood makes a head unit that fits perfectly into the Toyota-size deck, but I had a play with it and the interface was rubbish. Right now the only compelling reason to upgrade is to get cleaner audio output to the amp.
So, I ended up getting the following components (apologies for Alpine's slow page loads - their website is hosted on a potato).
Alpine PDX-F6 4-channel Amplifier
http://www.alpine-asia.com/product/Amplifier/PDX-F6
Alpine SPR-60C Front speakers
http://www.alpine-asia.com/product/Speaker/SPR-60C
Alpine SWR-T10 10" Slimline subwoofer
http://www.alpine-asia.com/product/Subwoofer/SWR-T10
They were installed professionally (by
Rapid Radio in Auckland), so obviously there are a few extra parts required to get the system running correctly. These include
- Cable kit & spacers
- Sound deadening front doors with Dynamat Xtreme
- SLC4 line level interface (connecting stock head unit to amp)
- Audio filter to clean up output from head unit and remove any "alternator whine" or hissing.
- Custom subwoofer enclosure - made from fibreglass and sized according to subwoofer specification. Installed neatly into the side of the boot and carpeted to match.
The two fronts are powered by the amp, and the 2 other channels are bridged for the sub.
I kept the pathetic little 3" rear speakers, although they are powered by the head unit.
The amp has a small footprint, and fits perfectly into the foam cubbyhole in the tyre-well:
The new front speakers with the sound-deadening:
The included tweeters were installed up on the dash under the grill, perfectly replacing the stock tweeters.
The tidy job hooked up to the battery:
Crafting the sub enclosure:
The Finished box:
Finished install - hardly any loss of boot (or "trunk" as you americans say
) space:
Sounds AMAZING!
I am so glad to now enjoy my audio so much more while driving - whether it be music or audio podcasts. Definitely worth the money.
EDIT:
The extra amount of bass coming from the sub causes the back window to resonate - which can rattle against the rear centre brake light, as it's fixed to the tray instead of the glass. I solved this by sticking some adhesive velcro around the edge of the light.
