Upgrading Car Speakers? - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

SuperFLYboy12 · 12-27-2005, 07:18 PM

So I'd like to get a little more oomph from the speakers in my 2003 Toyota Matrix. I like the stock stereo panel/CD player, so I'd rather not change that, just whatever it takes to get more power in the speaker system. I've been looking thru the Crutchfield site, but I'm not exactly sure what to get still. Amps? Receivers? Do I need to get these? Or can I just stick to looking for front and rear speakers?

I'm just looking to get just a lil more bass and fuller sound... Hopefully it would only cost a few hundred I'm guessing, but really I have no idea how much to expect to spend. I pretty sure I can handle the installation once I know what to get and do. Thanks!

sashime76 · 01-05-2006, 04:37 AM

I suggest you try tech support at Crutchfield or CarDomain...sorry, couldn't offer a direct answer.

shortynickel · 01-05-2006, 09:58 PM

i also would suggest talking to someone at Crutchfield, but it depends on how much you wanna spend and how good of speakers you plan on putting in, if you will need an amp or not. also ur stereo has to have imputs for the amps for it to work effectively

supafly · 01-29-2006, 12:34 PM

You did a few suggestions, here's some info:
- Your current CD player can most probably be used in combination with an amplifier. This will give you more power. But be carefull to much power will "blow up" your speakers. The (peak)power of the amplifier and speakers will be meassured in Watts.
- Adding more the same speakers will increase the volume by 3dB per speaker.
- Most in-car CD players have an equilizer wich is used to change the volume of the frequencies (low, mid, high) wich are outputted. Maybe playing with these settings will give the sound you are looking for.

Plaid13 · 02-18-2006, 03:41 AM

i would suggest getting all new speakers first maybe some 3ways with the built in tweeter if that dosnt get you the sound your looking for get a amp thats like 75 watts on 4 channels to power those speakers. hopefully your stereo will have the rca jacks to connect the amp. If after that you still dont have the sound you want you could get a second amp with 2 channels and 2 8 or 10 inch sub woofers. but if you do that i would suggest getting a new stereo too. Get something with a remote control then. because theres nothing more lazy then using a remote for something thats in reach of where you sit.

darkangel · 02-18-2006, 04:20 AM

I'm not expert by any means, but for my car I bought two 12" speakers, the box, a $100 amp and a wiring kit that could handle the wattage. And DAMN what a difference from the stock system in there. I just bought this stuff from places around here, and my brother wired it all up for me, so I really have no more advice other than upgrade

mosha · 03-12-2006, 05:58 AM

I have a 2000 Celica which has a similar setup to the matrix. Start with a head unit that puts out more power than stock. Dont be fooled by companies listing the MAX wattage, always look at RMS. Putting more power to stock speakers will help with volume but not "oomph" as you stated. It will however provide clearer sound and some RCA outputs desperatly needed for an amp. Then I would suggest an Amp and maybe one sub. I'm runnging a single 12" sub in the trunk and it sounds great. built my own custom box to save some room as well.

12-27-2005, 07:18 PM	#1 (permalink)
SuperFLYboy12 Tilted	Upgrading Car Speakers? So I'd like to get a little more oomph from the speakers in my 2003 Toyota Matrix. I like the stock stereo panel/CD player, so I'd rather not change that, just whatever it takes to get more power in the speaker system. I've been looking thru the Crutchfield site, but I'm not exactly sure what to get still. Amps? Receivers? Do I need to get these? Or can I just stick to looking for front and rear speakers? I'm just looking to get just a lil more bass and fuller sound... Hopefully it would only cost a few hundred I'm guessing, but really I have no idea how much to expect to spend. I pretty sure I can handle the installation once I know what to get and do. Thanks!

01-05-2006, 09:58 PM	#3 (permalink)
shortynickel Addict Location: Central PA	i also would suggest talking to someone at Crutchfield, but it depends on how much you wanna spend and how good of speakers you plan on putting in, if you will need an amp or not. also ur stereo has to have imputs for the amps for it to work effectively __________________ What type of... "Parents have forgotten how to be parents" Aaron Lewis "Get your ass back here, your a white boy walking thru the ghetto" - at the end of a bachalor party said to the bachalor while walking home.

01-29-2006, 12:34 PM	#4 (permalink)
supafly Psycho Location: Rotterdam	You did a few suggestions, here's some info: - Your current CD player can most probably be used in combination with an amplifier. This will give you more power. But be carefull to much power will "blow up" your speakers. The (peak)power of the amplifier and speakers will be meassured in Watts. - Adding more the same speakers will increase the volume by 3dB per speaker. - Most in-car CD players have an equilizer wich is used to change the volume of the frequencies (low, mid, high) wich are outputted. Maybe playing with these settings will give the sound you are looking for. __________________ Thumbs up

02-18-2006, 04:20 AM	#6 (permalink)
darkangel Crazy Location: AB, Canada	I'm not expert by any means, but for my car I bought two 12" speakers, the box, a $100 amp and a wiring kit that could handle the wattage. And DAMN what a difference from the stock system in there. I just bought this stuff from places around here, and my brother wired it all up for me, so I really have no more advice other than upgrade __________________ "I'm gonna die when it's time for me to die.. so let me live my life the way I want to." - Jimi Hendrix

01-05-2006, 04:37 AM	#2 (permalink)
sashime76 Addict Location: Hoosier State	I suggest you try tech support at Crutchfield or CarDomain...sorry, couldn't offer a direct answer.

02-18-2006, 03:41 AM	#5 (permalink)
Plaid13 I want a Plaid crayon	i would suggest getting all new speakers first maybe some 3ways with the built in tweeter if that dosnt get you the sound your looking for get a amp thats like 75 watts on 4 channels to power those speakers. hopefully your stereo will have the rca jacks to connect the amp. If after that you still dont have the sound you want you could get a second amp with 2 channels and 2 8 or 10 inch sub woofers. but if you do that i would suggest getting a new stereo too. Get something with a remote control then. because theres nothing more lazy then using a remote for something thats in reach of where you sit.

03-12-2006, 05:58 AM	#7 (permalink)
mosha Crazy Location: Htown, NJ	I have a 2000 Celica which has a similar setup to the matrix. Start with a head unit that puts out more power than stock. Dont be fooled by companies listing the MAX wattage, always look at RMS. Putting more power to stock speakers will help with volume but not "oomph" as you stated. It will however provide clearer sound and some RCA outputs desperatly needed for an amp. Then I would suggest an Amp and maybe one sub. I'm runnging a single 12" sub in the trunk and it sounds great. built my own custom box to save some room as well.