New Sound System - RetroSound, Focal, JBL.

[BGBronco]

I finally got around to adding a sound system. Everything was just under $900 from Crutchfield and happy with how it turned out. As you will see, I cut the interior doors for the front speakers (4”). Yes, I know it’s a crime but they blend well with my black paint. I debated the RetroSound head unit but am really happy with it overall and the Bluetooth streaming works well for music and calls. I went with a smaller JBL Nano sub that fits easily under the passenger seat and 6.5s in the standard rear spot that everyone seems to do.

First Song, Rock and Roll Ain't Noise Pollution, Second Song L.A. Woman, Third Song, Tennessee Whiskey.

It was a good day.

 

[amfw]

I'll be curious to hear how you like that JBL sub. I have the sound ordnance powered sub under my passenger seat and am happy for it filling in the bass but not crazy about it overall. Despite filling in the bottom end, it gets swamped pretty easily and isn't the cleanest. I feel like JBL could probably do a better job, but perhaps it's a limitation of the compact powered sub approach overall.

 

[hummerdan]

What are the dimensions on the radio? Thank you

 

[BGBronco]

What are the dimensions on the radio? Thank you

 

[BroncoJimbo]

Focal makes good speakers. How does it sound with the top off at speed?

 

[BGBronco]

I'll be curious to hear how you like that JBL sub. I have the sound ordnance powered sub under my passenger seat and am happy for it filling in the bass but not crazy about it overall. Despite filling in the bottom end, it gets swamped pretty easily and isn't the cleanest. I feel like JBL could probably do a better job, but perhaps it's a limitation of the compact powered sub approach overall.

I'm still playing around with the settings. I listen to a wide variety of music and I am happy with it. It definitely makes a difference between having it on / off. That said, I'm not a serious audiophile so take my comments in that context. Size-wise, it fits well under the seat (Toms Premium) and is not wedged in too tight.

 

[BGBronco]

Focal makes good speakers. How does it sound with the top off at speed?

Overall good. I am using the RetroSound HD 4x 25 WPC so it's never go to be a monster.

 

[abn373]

Hey, hope this isn't a hijack, I am just offering some additional options. I just finished up my new sound system this week also. I also am not an audiophile, but the cheap "don't care if it gets stolen or rained on" system I had put in there years ago finally had to go. I just wanted something water resistant, not too expensive in case it got stolen (or not be tempting) and sound decent at a stop light and while driving, because I never have a top or doors on.

I found that Jensen has a Heavy-Duty series designed for trucks and farm tractors and such with rubberized knobs and shock resistant, and most importantly, not a bunch of carnival lights and menus. The one I got is Bluetooth, AM/FM/Weather, and XM, as well as USB...no CD, although they do offer that option (185watts) Jensen JHD163BT

Then I picked up four Kicker 6 1/2" marine speakers (65w i forget the peak, maybe 100w?) that are 100% waterproof. Kicker 45KM654...btw, they come "free" with both black grills or white grills, I guess for the boat crowd. I used the black and threw out the white, but white may work for some.

Lastly, under the passenger seat (sucks I had to remove seat to install it) I found a ruggedized water-resistant amplified subwoofer from Pyle. It fits perfectly under the seat and is actually designed for that. Pyle PLBX8A 8" Subwoofer (600watts). trust me, I have the power/boost dialed waaaaay down....

The rear speakers, I actually mounted into my metal bed box and I think it looks pretty good and projects sound forward. The front, I simply replaced the cheapo 6 1/2" speakers I had in the pods under the dash, with the twice as good Kicker ones.

I have to admit, the sound is beyond my expectations for essentially a boat set up in a vehicle with no roof, doors, carpet or anything else that would help acoustics. Just fiberglass and rhinolining. I tried it with Country, which is easy peasy, but also heavy metal, and if you want to test a subwoofer, you have to try some Rap music and it even handled that level of base and sounded good. But the stamp of approval is my 17 year old son saying it sounded good

 

[duffymahoney]

What focals size in the door?

 

[BGBronco]

What focals size in the door?

4" in the door.

 

[hummerdan]

View attachment 902186

Thank you. What size hole did you have to cut out for the radio to pass through the dash?

 

[sprdv1]

I'm still playing around with the settings. I listen to a wide variety of music and I am happy with it. It definitely makes a difference between having it on / off. That said, I'm not a serious audiophile so take my comments in that context. Size-wise, it fits well under the seat (Toms Premium) and is not wedged in too tight.

Looking good

 

[BGBronco]

Thank you. What size hole did you have to cut out for the radio to pass through the dash?

I don't recall the size but three round holes ~3/8".