Changed out Factory Alpine for some JBL...ok, but not great

[14RamMan]

Changed out the factory Alpine speakers to the JBL 2 ohm versions and a cheap pioneer sub. Sounds better, but not worth the cost (in my opinion). Working on building a fiberglass enclosure for a set of 10w6v3's powered by a JL 1000/1 amp. Already have the Hertz high energy 165s. saving up for a great 4 channel amp and some kind of signal processor (thinking Audison Bit One).

Been taking pictures of the whole thing and will post in another 2 months when I finish up.

 

[BCMark]

If you are only going to be running 4 channels plus a sub like I did, go with an Audison Bit Ten. You'ld be throwing money away stepping up to a Bit One when the only difference is 8 channels instead of 5.

 

[14RamMan]

I would love to run the Bit Ten, but it only has 4 high level inputs. The factory Alpine needs to have 8 channels summed for a full signal.

 

[DRkNESS]

Wow, (2) of those 10W6V3's will definitely cause your bladder to erupt lol. Have you ever run those in a truck before ?

 

[Etroze86]

The 10's should be pretty righteous in our trucks, just make sure you have plenty of air space for them.

 

[jboy2015]

the 2 w6v3 should sound extremely nice. I have a 12w6v3 ported in my single cab and it bumps very nice. you going sealed or ported?

 

[baum]

if you are putting in "cheap" stuff what do you expect? if the new equipment is not amp'ed by aftermarket and summed correctly you really dont gain anything. keep in mind the factory alpine is designed to work well with its own speakers and not others. i have seen where putting in new speakers actually made it sound worse especially when the factory was the "premium" setup.

 

[Etroze86]

^^^^This is 100% and a very good reason why I don't usually do anything with factory "premium" setups unless they are willing to gut the whole thing and start fresh.

 

[adrianp89]

^^^^This is 100% and a very good reason why I don't usually do anything with factory "premium" setups unless they are willing to gut the whole thing and start fresh.

Agreed... This Alpine system is hard to top with out spending some serious cash.

 

[John94z]

I wouldn't consider JBL "cheap" I think that's a bit foolish to say.
OP, sounds like you went about the initial upgrade with some unrealistic expectations and are now going all in. From the sound of your initial upgrade I think you were looking to boost the factory alpine a bit. You got better speakers but you didn't amplify them. That right there was a majority of your problem. The other part is the factory set channel frequencies. Those speakers weren't the problem.
Nevertheless it sounds like you will have quite the system once you are finished. Looking forward to your build log. Good luck

 

[baum]

I wouldn't consider JBL "cheap" I think that's a bit foolish to say.
OP, sounds like you went about the initial upgrade with some unrealistic expectations and are now going all in. From the sound of your initial upgrade I think you were looking to boost the factory alpine a bit. You got better speakers but you didn't amplify them. That right there was a majority of your problem. The other part is the factory set channel frequencies. Those speakers weren't the problem.
Nevertheless it sounds like you will have quite the system once you are finished. Looking forward to your build log. Good luck

JBL is not what it use to be. they made a name for themselves back in the 90's but then they got bought and sold may times and as we all know once that happens quality drops off. that is what happened with them.

coming from the custom audio world. IMO if you are spending less than $200 (retail) on a set of components/speakers (if done correctly components are really the only way to do front stage setups) you are really only buying "factory replacements".

now yes once the OP goes with the JL and Hertz thats when the difference will come in if summed and amp'd correctly.

 

[adrianp89]

JBL is not what it use to be. they made a name for themselves back in the 90's but then they got bought and sold may times and as we all know once that happens quality drops off. that is what happened with them.

coming from the custom audio world. IMO if you are spending less than $200 (retail) on a set of components/speakers (if done correctly components are really the only way to do front stage setups) you are really only buying "factory replacements".

now yes once the OP goes with the JL and Hertz thats when the difference will come in if summed and amp'd correctly.

I have to firmly disagree. It's 100% unfair to compare any brands together. JL, Hertz, and JBL all make entry-level, OEM replacement stuff, and they make top of the line speakers as well.

I work in the retail world and for 99% of cars, a $70 set of speakers is a huge upgrade over factory. Of course there are exceptions for newer premium systems, but even then some factory "premium" systems get an upgrade by the entry level JBL and Alpine component sets. We do brand new Honda's several times a month with the "premium" system, retain the stock amplifier and put JBLs around for under $300 out the door. The difference is night and day.

It's been a while but I'm pretty sure the JL ZRs can't compete with the Milli's or the GTIs, and IIRC the GTIs are some of the best speakers money can buy. Don't forget that Harman owns JBL and has owned it since 1969... well before their "prime".

 

[John94z]

JBL is not what it use to be. they made a name for themselves back in the 90's but then they got bought and sold may times and as we all know once that happens quality drops off. that is what happened with them.

coming from the custom audio world. IMO if you are spending less than $200 (retail) on a set of components/speakers (if done correctly components are really the only way to do front stage setups) you are really only buying "factory replacements".

now yes once the OP goes with the JL and Hertz thats when the difference will come in if summed and amp'd correctly.

Basically my point was OP didn't get the results he wanted not because of the JBL speakers but because of the install. JBL prob isn't what they were because the reasons pointed out I agree. But they still have product lines far from junk. I'd prob rate them on par or a little below infinity. I think they are the same company now too. It's all about what you're trying to do and how you do it. But you know that working where you do.

 

[14RamMan]

Wow, I didnt realize this post would garner so much attention. Let me clarify a few things: JBL is a decent company, but I purchased some of their least expensive equipment. I think a full set of speakers and the sub was $300 total. It sounds better, but I personally dont feel it was worth the cost.

In my last Ram, I had 13W6's that I made a custom enclosure for (wayyyyy overkill, I know) and a high end set of amps/speakers. Ive always had high end systems, but hoped that the "premium Alpine" system would be ok. I was wrong.

Its killing me to see this equipment sitting in a spare room. I need to finish up the sub box (80% complete), order the speaker amp and get a signal summing/EQ device, then Im good to go. I posted my last build back in '05 when I built it, and will do the same for you guys.

 

[scotts2012ram]

I'll say this jbl isn't what I use to be. I have a old set my uncle had in his car power right and everything. I love them but the set I got that's basically the new set of them on a amp set right and everything. They flat out suck I've tried to get them to sound even close to the old set and they just can't. I have done just about everything that can be done to the doors. They will be coming out and alpine or sundown components will replace them

 

[adrianp89]

I'll say this jbl isn't what I use to be. I have a old set my uncle had in his car power right and everything. I love them but the set I got that's basically the new set of them on a amp set right and everything. They flat out suck I've tried to get them to sound even close to the old set and they just can't. I have done just about everything that can be done to the doors. They will be coming out and alpine or sundown components will replace them

I am not sure what levels your looking at, but the GX series JBLs are a better speaker than the Type-S. No experience with Sundown Components. I used to run their 8" mid and it was perfect in my system.

 

[crash_eco]

makes me miss my old system from my younger years. If i remember correctly, i had a set of pioneer 6x9's in boxes run off a 600w legacy, and then two 10" pyramids on an 800w. then a set of 2" in the dash and a set of 4's i think in the doors. its been at least 10 yrs since ive just run stock systems. that set up was the first one i ever built myself and it went into 3 different cars and stayed in my 89 ranger when i sold it.

i must be getting old cause i seem to value my trunk space over speakers now. haha

 

[John94z]

I am not sure what levels your looking at, but the GX series JBLs are a better speaker than the Type-S. No experience with Sundown Components. I used to run their 8" mid and it was perfect in my system.

I just budget a set of the P660c's those were great. Idk what I'm going to put them in yet but I do have em for when I'm ready.

 

[adrianp89]

I just budget a set of the P660c's those were great. Idk what I'm going to put them in yet but I do have em for when I'm ready.

They are clearance right now I believe, but we get them well over 50% off with my discount. Those will probably be the speaker I go with, whenever I do upgrade.

EDIT: Thought we were talking about the GTIs.

 

[scotts2012ram]

John that's the ones I have there good unless you like bright highs. Adrian it will be type-r or sundown sa components