QuestionQUESTION: hello,my child has a Toyota Matrix.I am going to upgrade the sound system. I am looking at
1 Rockford p3 12" sub
4 infinity 6022I 60w 61/2" 2way speakers.(do i need these?)
1 alpine mrp-m500 amp
I want to be able set the sub in and out of the car as room is needed.Will that be a problem?
Do i need an amp for the 61/2" speakers?
Should I get a receiver? or is the factory one ok?
What else can you recommend?
Thanks.
Billy
ANSWER: Hi Billy,
For your first question--whether you "need" the Infinity 6-1/2" speakers--I can only say that just about any good after-market speaker will make a big difference in sound quality compared to a typical stock speaker. I think a speaker upgrade is the most important thing you can do to improve a vehicle's sound quality. I also have a pretty good opinion of the Infinity Reference series speaker.
With that said, you'll get much less return for your investment by replacing the rear speakers, compared to replacing the front speakers. Because of their position, the rear speakers don't have much effect on the sound quality for the driver and front seat passenger; in fact, it's very common for a rear speaker to stop working without anyone noticing. This is especially true in your Matrix, because the rear speakers aren't any larger than the front speakers, and because of their location in the rear doors. If you're looking for a place to save some money, you could eliminate the replacement rear speakers without making very much difference to your sound quality (except from the perspective of the rear seat passengers).
Next, you'd like to be able to remove the subwoofer from the vehicle. This will be easy to do, provided that the amplifier isn't mounted directly to the sub box. If you can find a separate mounting location for your amplifier, then you can simply unclip the speaker wires from the sub box and remove it any time you like. Two caveats: first, I'd strongly recommend that you find a way to secure the sub box when it's in the vehicle. Because the subwoofer will be located in the same compartment as the driver and passengers, you don't want it loose to fly around in case of an accident. Second, when the sub box is removed, it's important that the bare speaker wires can't short out on vehicle chassis metal or on each other; so you might want to use some sort of insulated quick-disconnect terminals for the speaker wires.
You don't necessarily need a new amplifier for the new speakers; but if you want to get the most from them, an amplifier will let you do that. Using upgraded speakers with the factory head unit will improve the sound quality; using them with an amplifier will improve it more.
Finally, the stock head unit is acceptable, but there are several advantages to switching to an after-market head unit. First, it will make it easier to connect the after-market amplifier(s). Second, most after-market decks would allow you to directly control the volume of the subwoofer; this wouldn't be an option using the factory head unit. Third, most after-market decks give you much more flexible sound controls than the typical stock "bass and treble" controls. Finally, after-market head units give you more options for future expansion: if you want to add iPod control capability, satellite radio, Bluetooth wireless functions, or a USB connection for playing music on flash drives, you'll find it much easier with most after-market head units than with a factory system.
Note that I didn't say the after-market deck will give you better sound quality. There really isn't that much difference in sound between a modern factory head unit and an after-market replacement. However, as I mentioned, the after-market unit will give you much more flexibility for adjusting the sound to your preference.
Hope this helps!
Brian
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Hey Brian,
I may replace just the front speakers for now.I have already found a cool clamping system for the sub box. But thanks for the heads up. And I think the amp can go under the seat.I also have insulated slip disconnects that will keep my polarity.
I didn't think about ipod and bluetooth or sound control.Would a pioneer Deh-p6100 Bt be a good fit? and does it offer a wiring harness for a matrix?
Would it be easier to amp the front speakers while i'm replacing the head? or is it fairly easy to do it later?
Thanks Brian. You are helping alot.
Billy
ANSWER: Hi,
I think the DEH-P6100BT head unit is a good choice if you're interested in Bluetooth functions. It will fit your vehicle without a problem, but you'll need to purchase a mounting kit for the Matrix as well as a wire harness adapter.
If you decide to add another amplifier later, it's fairly easy to do so. You might want to use an over-sized wire kit for the first amplifier, with a fused distribution block. That way, when you're ready to add the second amp, you can just connect a short power wire to the distribution block instead of running another wire to the battery. You'll have to remove the head unit again to connect the additional RCA cables, but this should be fairly easy.
Hope this helps!
Brian
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Hey Brian,
one more question-Well maybe-What size,style,wall thickness and material sub box would you recommend? She likes her music with a thump but clear. Well maybe I'm the one who likes it clear. LOL
AnswerBilly,
The owner's manual for your sub includes a set of basic box designs. I'd recommend following the directions for the optimum sealed box design, which specifies a box 18" wide, 14" tall and 10" deep. This is meant to give you a box with 1 cubic foot of air space. The best material for the box would be 3/4" MDF. The box dimensions aren't as important as the volume; if you wanted to take a few inches off the width and add to the depth, it won't make a difference as long as the volume doesn't change. I'd suggest buying a bag of acrylic fill material (pillow stuffing material from a local store's crafts section) and filling the box with it.
I think a sealed box design, with a 12" sub, should give you all the thump you'll need in the enclosed space of a Matrix.
Here's a link to the owner's manual, if you need it:
http://www.rockfordfosgate.com/rftech/library/2007/5_Subwoofers/1230_53315_01_RF
Hope this helps!
Brian
