Suggestions for HK speaker upgrades?

[Mojo88]

2019 Longhorn with the HK 19 system. It's ok, plenty of tweeters, but lacking in mid-range IMHO, plus it has a cheapo sub. I'm contemplating new door speakers and maybe a subwoofer (with on-the-fly adjustable gain).

Has anyone made some speaker changes? And if so, what did you use and how does it sound now?

Also curious if anyone has added sound deadener in doors or in sub area?

Thanks for any tips...................

 

[CanuckRam1313]

For me personally, I appreciate detail, depth of range, and clarity in my music.

I went with Focal speakers throughout my truck and complimented things with Audiomobile EVO 2410 subs.

Phenomenal sound quality and rich deep base.

EDIT ** yes - all my doors were also lined with a quality sound mat product, and my sub boxes are sealed and stuffed with polyfil, too (look up that trick and you'll see why it's done ).

 

[Mojo88]

For me personally, I appreciate detail, depth of range, and clarity in my music.

I went with Focal speakers throughout my truck and complimented things with Audiomobile EVO 2410 subs.

Phenomenal sound quality and rich deep base.

EDIT ** yes - all my doors were also lined with a quality sound mat product, and my sub boxes are sealed and stuffed with polyfil, too (look up that trick and you'll see why it's done ).

Many thanks for the reply...............

1) Did you add any amps for the Focals?

2) Did you get noticeable improvement in mid-range?

3) Did you use on-the-fly adjustable gain for the sub amp?

4) You used ANC bypass harness, I assume?

 

[CanuckRam1313]

Many thanks for the reply...............

1) Did you add any amps for the Focals?

2) Did you get noticeable improvement in mid-range?

3) Did you use on-the-fly adjustable gain for the sub amp?

4) You used ANC bypass harness, I assume?

You're very welcome!

1) Yes, I went for a full audio system upgrade from top to bottom, including adding a total of 2100W of Kenwood amps (two amps split this output). We also installed a db 5-farad digital capacitor and several new heavy gauge copper grounds throughout the truck, too. I also had an Odyssey H8 AGM battery installed as well.

My truck is a 23' Gen4 Warlock that came with the Alpine system.
I had the front & rear doors and the dash speakers replaced, all with Focal. Also added a pair of Audiomobile EVO 2410 subs in sealed boxes.

My installer kept the OEM Alpine dash center and rear roof speakers in place, as well as the stock Alpine amp, too. However, he performed some sort of audio wizardry and set these three Alpine speakers up to only act as surround speakers that enhance the Focal speakers full output capabilities, and fill the cabin in a correctly balanced and acoustically perfect manner.

2) YES... significant sound improvement on all audio sound level ranges.

Selecting the right speakers and subs, plus having sound deadening put in, plus having the system set up and tuned properly are all key factors to achieving incredible sound quality.

Couple all this with an excellent source for your music to channel through, too. A poor quality recording will not net you the best audio output result. Using something like Spotify with their high end sound definition processing options, or the same for music downloaded and put in a flash drive are also significant factors that determine the deliverable level of your music output in terms of detail, clarity and clean bass.

3) No... my entire system was professionally installed and then it was properly acoustically tuned to audio perfection. If done correctly, one shouldn't need to manually adjust the bass up and down nor mess with amp gain settings.

Having things dialed in with proper tuning ensures that the maximum possible output is achieved with zero sound quality deterioration at any volume level. Furthermore, it also ensures that your speakers are set up to their maximum potential, for the same reasoning.

4) I am no fan of ANC as I do not want any type of "monitoring system" making adjustments for white noise countering. Using a quality sound deadening mat product installed in the right places and an audio system that is set up and tuned properly negates the need for ANC, IMHO. But, this is just my ideology and preference.

 

[Mojo88]

You're very welcome!....................

3) No... my entire system was professionally installed and then it was properly acoustically tuned to audio perfection. If done correctly, one shouldn't need to manually adjust the bass up and down nor mess with amp gain settings.

Having things dialed in with proper tuning ensures that the maximum possible output is achieved with zero sound quality deterioration at any volume level. Furthermore, it also ensures that your speakers are set up to their maximum potential, for the same reasoning.

4) I am no fan of ANC as I do not want any type of "monitoring system" making adjustments for white noise countering. Using a quality sound deadening mat product installed in the right places and an audio system that is set up and tuned properly negates the need for ANC, IMHO. But, this is just my ideology and preference.

Great reply, thanks again!

RE: #3 - I totally understand what you're saying and agree. However, I listen to every music genre; oldies (with very limited bass), old classic rock (with reduced bass, just the way it was recorded back then), newer rock (with the "wall of sound" effect), and even some hip-hop (with MEGA bass). Plus I occasionally enjoy some country now and then, along with some classical. The amount of bass in my preferences ranges from virtually none to too much, haha. Which is why I selected the Kicker sub amp shown below.


RE: #4 - again, I agree. I used ANC bypass cable to disable my ANC. I recently installed it, just to see if it made any noticeable difference in everyday driving. I honestly think I hear a touch more road noise, barely noticeable. But I am gonna do as you say. I've got two big boxes of Dynamat sound deadener to put in doors and back in sub area. This is one issue where more is better, haha!

Thanks again for the replies. Your new system 'sounds' awesome...........

 

[toejam]

My system in a 19' Limited with 12" screen

As stated, you should always start with a good source for the music you are going to play. I either rip my own using EZCD creator, or download hi-res (24bit-192khz which the system plays natively) and feed them via a thumbnail usb drive. I've also ripped albums through my PC with very good results at 24-192.

The coaxes in the dash are crossed over to produce midrange only, the tweets in the upper doors have been mounted on to plates to center them into the grill openings and bring them up to the grills for better dispersion into the cab. The anc has also been disabled. All cabling/connectors, and assoc. terminals are very good quality. I have a buddy who works at a local car stereo shop that helped me do this install.

 

[CanuckRam1313]

Great reply, thanks again!

RE: #3 - I totally understand what you're saying and agree. However, I listen to every music genre; oldies (with very limited bass), old classic rock (with reduced bass, just the way it was recorded back then), newer rock (with the "wall of sound" effect), and even some hip-hop (with MEGA bass). Plus I occasionally enjoy some country now and then, along with some classical. The amount of bass in my preferences ranges from virtually none to too much, haha. Which is why I selected the Kicker sub amp shown below.
View attachment 564843

RE: #4 - again, I agree. I used ANC bypass cable to disable my ANC. I recently installed it, just to see if it made any noticeable difference in everyday driving. I honestly think I hear a touch more road noise, barely noticeable. But I am gonna do as you say. I've got two big boxes of Dynamat sound deadener to put in doors and back in sub area. This is one issue where more is better, haha!

Thanks again for the replies. Your new system 'sounds' awesome...........

I too, listen to everything.

From Andrea Bocelli, Pavarotti, Country, Hip-Hip, Trance & House, Rock, Classical, etc., just no dang Polka!!! I draw the line there

The head unit you choose will facilitate bass adjustments, too, and perhaps in a cleaner way. But I hear you on the amp selection as well.

The sub(s) you select also greatly contribute to the bass. Take a look at Audiomobile EVO 2410. A quality 10" sub in the correctly engineered box will provide excellent punch for any music and then also provide a deep bass rollout for those banging tunes that have bass!

My subs are in sealed boxes and stuffed with polyfill.

I personally went with a Kenwood DMX957XR head unit...this thing is off the charts amazing for fine tuning the system.

 

[Mojo88]

My system in a 19' Limited with 12" screen

As stated, you should always start with a good source for the music you are going to play. I either rip my own using EZCD creator, or download hi-res (24bit-192khz which the system plays natively) and feed them via a thumbnail usb drive. I've also ripped albums through my PC with very good results at 24-192.

The coaxes in the dash are crossed over to produce midrange only, the tweets in the upper doors have been mounted on to plates to center them into the grill openings and bring them up to the grills for better dispersion into the cab. The anc has also been disabled. All cabling/connectors, and assoc. terminals are very good quality. I have a buddy who works at a local car stereo shop that helped me do this install.

View attachment 564847

Damn, I gotta say, that looks like an impressive system! That must sound amazing. What kinda $$$$ did you spend on that?

 

[Mojo88]

.....The sub(s) you select also greatly contribute to the bass. Take a look at Audiomobile EVO 2410. A quality 10" sub in the correctly engineered box will provide excellent punch for any music and then also provide a deep bass rollout for those banging tunes that have bass! My subs are in sealed boxes and stuffed with polyfill......

One more question please - I already have a hardly-used Pioneer TS-D10LS2 - 10-inch Shallow Subwoofer, 1300 Watts Peak Power, Single 2 Ohms Voice Coil. I had it in a Cadillac Escalade, under rear seat. So I am gonna start by using that subwoofer, but I need a custom box. Probably gonna buy that from the guys at Net Audio, they seem to be making lots of boxes for the RAMs.

You say your sub box is sealed.... are your two subs firing down... or up?? You must have discussed this with your audio guy. I'm kinda torn between firing up versus down, and ported versus sealed.

Thanks

 

[toejam]

I spent roughly $2,500 for everything

 

[Mojo88]

I spent roughly $2,500 for everything

Damn! That seems like a great deal!

 

[CanuckRam1313]

One more question please - I already have a hardly-used Pioneer TS-D10LS2 - 10-inch Shallow Subwoofer, 1300 Watts Peak Power, Single 2 Ohms Voice Coil. I had it in a Cadillac Escalade, under rear seat. So I am gonna start by using that subwoofer, but I need a custom box. Probably gonna buy that from the guys at Net Audio, they seem to be making lots of boxes for the RAMs.

You say your sub box is sealed.... are your two subs firing down... or up?? You must have discussed this with your audio guy. I'm kinda torn between firing up versus down, and ported

Damn, I gotta say, that looks like an impressive system! That must sound amazing. What kinda $$$$ did you spend on that?

I'm about $6K CDN all in for it...
Worth every single penny!

 

[CanuckRam1313]

One more question please - I already have a hardly-used Pioneer TS-D10LS2 - 10-inch Shallow Subwoofer, 1300 Watts Peak Power, Single 2 Ohms Voice Coil. I had it in a Cadillac Escalade, under rear seat. So I am gonna start by using that subwoofer, but I need a custom box. Probably gonna buy that from the guys at Net Audio, they seem to be making lots of boxes for the RAMs.

You say your sub box is sealed.... are your two subs firing down... or up?? You must have discussed this with your audio guy. I'm kinda torn between firing up versus down, and ported versus sealed.

Thanks

Sub faces are pointing upwards with the guts in the sealed box that's filled with poly-fil.

However, the EVO 2410 is specifically designed to be shallow mounted in a sealed box. The poly-fil trick just adds to the richer and deeper bass!

The deep base is insane to say the least on those tracks where deep bass is there!

I went with two separate boxes in the event I need additional space and have to remove a box under one of the seats.

 

[CanuckRam1313]

One more question please - I already have a hardly-used Pioneer TS-D10LS2 - 10-inch Shallow Subwoofer, 1300 Watts Peak Power, Single 2 Ohms Voice Coil. I had it in a Cadillac Escalade, under rear seat. So I am gonna start by using that subwoofer, but I need a custom box. Probably gonna buy that from the guys at Net Audio, they seem to be making lots of boxes for the RAMs.

You say your sub box is sealed.... are your two subs firing down... or up?? You must have discussed this with your audio guy. I'm kinda torn between firing up versus down, and ported versus sealed.

Thanks

This specific Pioneer sub.. what is it specifically designed for in terms of placement in a box (dimensions for a shallow mount application such as our trucks) or, and if it is meant for a sealed or ported box...

The Audiomobile EVO 2410 is specifically designed for a sealed shallow mount box!!! The poly-fill adder is just icing on the cake to further enhance this specific subs required environment in order to provide maximum output potential.

 

[skates15]

Regarding the rear headliner speakers I had Kenwood KFC X3C which I returned because they were marginally better than stock (my system 9 speakers Alpine 2023).
I replaced them with Infinity Kappa 203S which were much louder (bass) and clearer, A keeper which I recommend for the headliner speakers if you intend to use them. Rounds out the rear response with the rear door speakers being full range with the stock amp.

• 2" silk dome midrange speakers
• grilles and crossovers included
• 3-ohm impedance
• handles up to 50 watts RMS (150 watts peak power)
• frequency response: 500-7,000 Hz
• sensitivity: 94 dB at 2.83 volts