Add new Focal speakers to 07 JBL System

[Agent WD-40]

I would like better sound out of the front JBL speakers. There just isn't quite the clarity and "airiness" that I like. Overall I think it is a great system but it isn't quite there.

I did some searching and only saw one post about somebody trying to replace the factory 2007 JBL speakers with aftermarket ones. Seeing as the factory 6x9's are 2.2 Ohms seems like you could replace them with some other high efficiency 2 Ohm speakers and get some better sound.

I had my eye on some Focal 6.5" component speakers to replace the fronts (Focal 165-KR2). They aren't cheap but they are 2 ohms and they are very efficient which should match up well to the factory system. The JBL amp should be able to drive them just fine. Infiniti Kappa 6.09cs would also work.

I do see some potential issues though.

1) Is the signal that is sent to the front 6x9 woofer in the door a full range signal or is it low passed or band passed? I would need a full range signal to send to the speakers.

2) There appears to be some sort of limiter on the bass. You can turn the system up but the bass stops short of distorting and really doesn't continue to get louder past a certain point. Would this significantly affect the sound?

3) I wonder if the stock HU/JBL amp has a funny built in EQ curve that would throw this off. Some of the EQing migth compensate for the car and speaker location the rest might compensate for the speakers themselves which. That could throw off the sound of aftermarket speakers.

Anybody have any experience with this?

[nj0ywatch1np0rn]

most Focal speakers have a high RMS rating so you gotta take that into consideration. I'm sure you can still use them with the factory amp but the sound just won't allow for what you pay for.