Speaker Info Needed - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

ghost111 · 01-02-2011, 04:55 PM

I have a 99 Camry LE with the premium sound system. My front door panel speakers are in poor condition. I would simply like to do a plug and play change out with some better speakers but no additional amps or extra wires. Just plug and play. Any suggestions?

***JohnGD*** · 01-02-2011, 05:13 PM

Fade the speakers to the rear and listen to how they sound. Those are probably junk as well if OEM.

If you have the tweeters by the window frame then you should look at a component system. I'm not sure they'll be that "plug-and-play". Some fitting may be needed.

Chat online with a www.crutchfield.com adviser and see what they say/recommend. Alpines are decent Japanese speakers at a competitive price. Harmon/Kardon makes JBL and Infinity series speakers. They also market the Mark Levinson brand used in Lexus. HK is the major competitor to Bose. Some seem to like Polk as well.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ghost111

I have a 99 Camry LE with the premium sound system. My front door panel speakers are in poor condition. I would simply like to do a plug and play change out with some better speakers but no additional amps or extra wires. Just plug and play. Any suggestions?

LittleWhiteBubble · 01-03-2011, 10:27 AM

You aren't going to find anything completely plug and play unless you go factory again, as they use proprietary plugs. But simple tube crimps and butt connectors will let you put anything in there. I agree with the guy above, infinity speakers are great. I'm also a big rockford fosgate fan. Kenwood is the best of the cheaper brands and I would recommend them for most people. Don't waste money on pioneer though. They used to make good stuff, now its all garbage.

If you're really on a budget but don't want something completely terrible, get lightning audio stuff from I hate to say it, but walmart. Lightning audio is an off brand but it's owned by rockford fosgate. Not as good quality, but I'd buy it before pioneer or sony.

MisterArdovino · 01-03-2011, 03:44 PM

Unless you are changing out the head unit or adding on an amp, I wouldn't waste your money on expensive speakers. The stock head unit puts out an RMS power of about 16 watts/channel (roughly). More money on speakers these days buys you only a higher power capacity with negligible increases in sound quality. Therefore the only difference between spending $50 on a pair of Kenwoods or $200 on a pair of Boston Acoustics will be $150 wasted. As LittleWhiteBubble stated, nothing will be "Plug-and-Play" but about 10 minutes of wire stripping/crimping will do the job. Best of Luck!!

ghost111 · 01-04-2011, 05:38 AM

Thank you, this is exactly what I wanted to know. I'm not after a killer sound system here. Just OK sound, so Lightning audio is OK for this application.

SexieWASD · 01-04-2011, 06:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LittleWhiteBubble

Don't waste money on pioneer though. They used to make good stuff, now its all garbage.

If you're really on a budget but don't want something completely terrible, get lightning audio stuff from I hate to say it, but walmart. Lightning audio is an off brand but it's owned by rockford fosgate. Not as good quality, but I'd buy it before pioneer or sony.

I don't understand the hate for Pioneer. Sure their subs and amps are mostly garbage, but they still make a good set of middle price range component speakers, and they still make some of the most well respected headunits. I will agree with you on Sony though.

LittleWhiteBubble · 01-04-2011, 09:58 AM

I dislike pioneer's subs and amps more but even their 2 and 3 way speakers aren't very good anymore. I've tried a few pairs in the past few years and haven't been impressed with any of them. I have some in my truck right now, 6x9 3 ways, and the bass sounds flat and dull, and the highs sound stressed and raspy. I've tried 2 head units with them, the speakers just can't perform. Lightning audio sounds better for half the price. I'm not a fan of their head units either. The controls get more and more complicated as they keep getting rid of more and more buttons on the faces. They aren't as user friendly anymore. I like something simple that isn't distracting while I drive. I've always been a kenwood fan as far as head units go.

I would go lightning audio especially with the stock head unit. I've never had them in one of my car's personally, but I've installed them in a few different cars with both stock and aftermarket heads, and I think they have a decent sound for the price. Otherwise, like was stated above, you won't be getting your money's worth.

jtex2717 · 01-04-2011, 10:03 AM

I agree w. LWB....

I have used pioneer 6.5s 6x9s subs and amps and they all suck now....I blew 2 sets of 6.5s w/ normal volume levels....not blaring the music....i dont get wut they are after but quality sure isnt it....

SexieWASD · 01-04-2011, 05:04 PM

I guess I have a different idea of mid price range. I agree with you fully on any of Pioneer's coaxial speakers. I have a set of 720prs components that really aren't bad for the price, considering that one of the mid basses i'm looking to upgrade to cost about the same as the whole set from pioneer.

LittleWhiteBubble · 01-05-2011, 08:11 AM

The best sounding speakers I think I've ever had were a set of eclipse components. I'm still running stock speakers in my camry though. I replaced the head unit and added some subwoofers in the back but the stock speakers still sound great so I haven't ditched them yet.

jtex2717 · 01-05-2011, 08:17 AM

I like Boston Acoustic too and Alpine....Just depends on the quality you are looking for...I would say for just reg OEM style Lightning Audio should do the trick....

Although.....I would never disrespect my Camry like that....just saying...