2000 Avalon XLS JBL Premium Sub Blown!

[rtashjian]

I bought my car as a Toyota certified vehicle and noticed that the sub was rattling. I had them replace it. Apparently the heat or my ability to constantly have the bass turned up to max has blown the new sub. A new sub from my Toyota dealership is going to run me $191.17 (warranty is long gone). I looked into replacing everything myself with just average stuff. I think that was around $700. I've tried all of the junk yards to find the factory sub and no one has an avalon this new. I see where a few people have posted questions about the sub and there doesn't seem to be much hope in replacing it other than using the factory sub.

Where or where can I go to find a replacement? I looked on e-bay too! Is there a factory direct place to go? Just need some guidance. If there is a speaker I could plug in its place I would but I know these "premium" systems aren't real conducive for doing that.

[Luc]

Unfortunately, you just can't drop in any sub since there aren't free-air subs readily available anymore. Check with Car-Parts or TAP and search to see if you can get your hands on one. But you'll still be getting a used, and no guarantee that it will work.

[DMDrew812]

by replacing everything, are you speaking of the entire system (HU, speakers, etc,) or of a speaker-level input amp and sub with enclosure? No idea how premium the premium audio sub is, but Im thinking that getting something else will be more satisfying, if you dont need the 1-2 cu ft of trunk space it will take up.

[Anshu]

if you have enough money/skill why not pop it out and make a fiberglass enclosure for a aftermarket sub?

[rtashjian]

I don't think I'll go the used route because it may not work out. Good idea, but I know all about buyer beware.

If I go the sub/amp route, wouldn't I also have to replace the deck? I don't know what type of outputs it has on it. I would assume I would have to replace the deck with a new receiver and then try to find a receiver with RCA's to match the amp in the back. Sounds like that will cost a ton. Am I way off here?

[DMDrew812]

eh, its easiest to use RCA pre-outs on an aftermarket deck, however since there is already a speaker line running to the sub, you can use a line output converter and make that into (an) RCA(s,) or look for an amp that accepts speaker level inputs. Using that second option, you can simply plug in the existing line, and bam, you're ready to go (minus powering, grounding, etc.) Oh, and the remote turn-on for the amp, that may be difficult, maybe you can tap into the "antenna" cable. My Alpine head unit brings the antenna up for radio use, however when the CD player is on, the antenna goes down. If your head unit does the same, you could have another issue.
This is the budget route. If resources are available, then replacing the head unit is recommended.

[rtashjian]

Well I went to one of our local independant audio shops and got an audiobahn 8" sub. The guy hooked it up and it seems to do the trick. I saved $120!! It would have cost me $200 from the factory without their installation. I will get much more out of this sub if I replace the deck and put in a decent receiver that has more wattage. Any recommendations?

[DMDrew812]

ah, the arguments to come. Are you looking for quality, volume, or style? what are your music preferences? are you an audiophile or ghettoblaster?
another thing to keep in mind is that as soon as you drop a new head unit, the sub will likely be bypassed, since it is part of the stock wiring and amplifying. Not an avalon owner, but this was the case in my "premium audio package" setup in my cammy...

[rtashjian]

I got out of high school a long time ago so I wouldn't consider myself a "ghetto" blaster. I just want something that sounds full. I know that if I drop the deck I will most certainly need a seperate amp to power the sub. This new sub isn't as full sounding as the JVC factory, but that is to be expected since it truly doesn't "marry" with the system. Apparently there aren't any wiring harnesses for the Avalon so that makes everything real handy!!!!!!!!!!

I may look into adding an amp, dropping the deck and figuring out how to use the other existing speakers with the current wiring system. I wonder if that is a possibility? I figure if things start to fizzle out that will give me a good excuse to replace things one at a time.

As far as the type of music I listen to, I would say a combination of everything. Again, I don't intend to pull up at the stop light with the windows down and have everyone else's rear views rattling due to my massive sound. I would however like to pull up and have people hear something sounding rich and full. As long as I can hear it in my car with my windows up and/or down I am happy. I don't have to entertain the neighborhood.

[DMDrew812]

too bad on the wiring harness.. thats no fun. If you dice 'n splice correctly, using what you have as far as wiring goes is no problem.
alpine is good for keeping the sound inside, but still having a good punch when you want it. I listen to lots of punk and rock, and I'm sorry but no hip-hop/R&B, however when my freinds bring those CDs in the car, they arent dissapointed. So now that we know kinda what you want to hear/have, what kind of budget would you like to keep?

[rtashjian]

I had an Alpine years ago (1990) and had great luck with it. I may look into a deck like that. Now as far as cost I would like to stay around $120 or so for the receiver and around $100 for the amp. I would assume that would be enough to do a sufficient job. So we are talking about $250 for an amp and receiver. Any particular models better than others?

I will admit that I had a 95 camry and I put a JVC receiver in it and absolutely loved it. I figured JVC was sort of junky, but I think the receiver was around $120 at the time and it sounded pretty good to me. What about color codes on the wires. I understand that Toyota makes their own color code so it really doesn't make sense. The Avalon is made right here in Kentucky, so I don't know why they have to make it so hard for us "good ole boys!"

If I had a wiring diagram that would probably help. I think I can pretty well figure out which ones go to the rear sub at this point. Better yet, I can always pay my local guy a few extra bucks to do the entire thing and then he can use some of his wisdom to decifer the riddle of the wires.

Someone earlier mentioned tying the amp into an antennae. I don't have a power antennae. Mine is tucked in the rear glass with the defroster.

[Anshu]

with the head unit, it really is only the features that you are looking for. Such as aux in (ipod or other mp3) cd changer, mp3, sat radio, preout(ovbiously)

[cam2Xrunner]

http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/t73224.html

Just saw this, 10 bucks!

oh well

[rtashjian]

That is the story of my life. A day late and a dollar short! Thanks for at least letting me know what you see. That is just too funny!!! That is about all I can do. A good way for me to look at it would be, I have a great excuse for starting all over and putting in a true premium sounding system for me. Not that JBL was garbage. It was fine when it worked. I figure that in the 5 years I have owned the car I will be on sub #3 from JBL. No sense doing something senseless. One piece at a time. I was planning to put forth some money into a high definition receiver for my house, but now it appears I will be deviating from that dream, unless I can calm myself down and realize that what I have isn't bad at all. I just have the fever to go through it an make it sound better than "not bad".

[DMDrew812]

Hi def, for like sattelite or digital cable?