Pioneer Speaker upgrade must do it.

31162 Views 23 Replies 13 Participants Last post by Jrico2, Mar 27, 2014

RAW2u

Discussion Starter · Jul 12, 2010

We took home our new 2010 Terrain SLT-1 Loaded less the Nav on the weekend.

But both the Mrs and myself are highend audio buffs, this means out comes the factory sets.

I have several new sets to pick from

http://www.woofersetc.com/p1136/S500s--Diamond-Audio-HEX-525"-Components-W-Silk-Tweeters.htm

or

http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/CarAudio/p_17974_PPI_356CS.aspx

Of these two I am going to pick a set then get matching for the rear.

These two sets have just been collecting dust since I purchased them.

Once I get all 4 installed of what ever ones I pick from my inventory I will post back also some pictures.

This is the kind of gear we are use to listening to

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[email protected]

· #2 · Jul 12, 2010

I would upgrade to Infinitys for the fact that I loved their stuff from about 10 years ago, however if they like all the other brands that were good quality back then have sold out and went to the cheap side, I am at a loss on what to recommend. The stock speakers are pretty weak though.

sunnyday

· #3 · Jul 13, 2010

I originally planning to get infinity until I saw this. http://cdtgold.com/es62im.htm. This is what is installed to my terrain. Very clean and natural.

sunnyday

· #4 · Jul 13, 2010

Wow! I could have a Lexus if I can afford this kind of equipment. They are using Mark Levinson and I heard its the best system in its class

RAW2u said:
We took home our new 2010 Terrain SLT-1 Loaded less the Nav on the weekend.

But both the Mrs and myself are highend audio buffs, this means out comes the factory sets.

I have several new sets to pick from

http://www.woofersetc.com/p1136/S500s--Diamond-Audio-HEX-525"-Components-W-Silk-Tweeters.htm

or

http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/CarAudio/p_17974_PPI_356CS.aspx

Of these two I am going to pick a set then get matching for the rear.

These two sets have just been collecting dust since I purchased them.

Once I get all 4 installed of what ever ones I pick from my inventory I will post back also some pictures.

This is the kind of gear we are use to listening to

dietz4ibanez

· #5 · Jul 13, 2010

Holy Speakers Batman.

NoobNox

· #6 · Jul 13, 2010

I doubt a true audiophile with that kind of home setup will ever be satisfied with any mobile car system....even the wildly expensive B&O setups in new Aston martins. Going aftermarket can get you better than most high-end factory setups though.

RAW2u

Discussion Starter · #7 · Jul 16, 2010

Yes this is just one of the systems I have produced ;D

Going for a little more highs than what the Pioneer Premium system produces. Well does not produce

NoobNox

· #8 · Jul 17, 2010

RAW2u said:
Yes this is just one of the systems I have produced ;D

Going for a little more highs than what the Pioneer Premium system produces. Well does not produce

So did you make those yourself from parts or do you own a company that makes high end Speakers? Even if that setup doesn't sound as impressive as it looks, (which I'm sure it does) it's still an impressive display for family/friends.

RAW2u

Discussion Starter · #9 · Jul 17, 2010

NoobNox said:
So did you make those yourself from parts or do you own a company that makes high end Speakers? Even if that setup doesn't sound as impressive as it looks, (which I'm sure it does) it's still an impressive display for family/friends.

Yes I did make those 100% cabinets,design and crossovers. These were one of many designes I use to sell.But I have now retired from the business.

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?board=81.0

I have the Terrain going into a shop in 2 weeks to check out the audio system.
As I have the Pioneer premium system I will check out the system complete as we can.

Over all I am not happy at all with the sound quality from the front end of the system.Even with the EQ set full on the highs end the high end frequency response is very muffled to say the least..

I do have my full audio measurement equipment and I may just do just that measure the system in the Terrrain. I do not expect a high end system from a factory upgrade but the the system does sound very compressed (muffled) sounding. And as I am sure there is something not correct we are going to check it out.

So here is the plan of attack.
Take the door panels and front pillars off to reveal the front speakers and trace the wires to the factory stereo output.This way we know for sure we have followed the wires back.

Next replace the front speaker in one of the door and pillar with a set of Diamond S500a on one side only to see if the sound output from the head unit changes or stays the same.
Now if no change that means the stereo (headunit) is the main issue with no highs being output. But if there is a change in sound then we know the speakers are some of the issue.

Next we will install a set of Hertz components in the other door and see if the SPL (output sensitivity) of the 2 makes a big difference as well as sound quality of the 2.
I have picked these 2 brands as I have one set myself just sitting brand new never opened. The Hertz brand is used as my installer has this brand of equal or similar quality to what I have. And if the speakers do make a difference I only want this taken apart once and that is it.

I am not interested in getting into changing the stereo or adding amps to the system, but when you listen to music you should be able to listen to instruments.Not as the system is set now.

Will report back as we progress with findings.

http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/volume_13_4/raw-acoustics-ht-8-speakers-11-2006.html

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Terrain

· #10 · Jul 17, 2010

Wow. I'm not an audiophile by ANY stretch of the imagination... that is to say the factory system sounds OK to me.

I do thank you for taking the time to post your thoughts and details of your upcoming project. As a highly technical person, I can appreciate the need to engineer something that's superior to what you currently have. Kudos!

ajbowman

· #11 · Jul 18, 2010

I completely agree on the lack of highs from the factory system. In fact I thought at first that the A-pillar tweeters werent even working. Right now I have the treble way up (+7 i think) and I still think it's lacking. I will be interested in what you find... if it's as simple as swapping speakers I might do it also.

Narg

· #12 · Jul 19, 2010

These days I can't stand speaker shopping. There are far too many, and price doesn't reflect what you get in quality any more.

Basically, I'm glad to see this post. Hearing from others on what to consider is a real blessing. I'm a bit of an audiophile myself, though with no budget to support my ears desires. I'm somewhat disappointed in the 'Nox audio too. We had an HHR before, and it had Pioneer speakers. While still not high-end in quality the sound in the HHR was noticeably better than in our 'Nox. Which is also a Pioneer system, go figure.

I'm wondering if the 2nd speakers you are considering will even fit? They seem awfully deep.

NoobNox

· #13 · Jul 19, 2010

Narg said:
These days I can't stand speaker shopping. There are far too many, and price doesn't reflect what you get in quality any more.

Basically, I'm glad to see this post. Hearing from others on what to consider is a real blessing. I'm a bit of an audiophile myself, though with no budget to support my ears desires. I'm somewhat disappointed in the 'Nox audio too. We had an HHR before, and it had Pioneer speakers. While still not high-end in quality the sound in the HHR was noticeably better than in our 'Nox. Which is also a Pioneer system, go figure.

I'm wondering if the 2nd speakers you are considering will even fit? They seem awfully deep.

Do you have the 2.4 I4 like the original poster? Sometimes I wonder if the active noise canceling feature interferes with the stereo sound..

Narg

· #14 · Jul 19, 2010

NoobNox said:
Do you have the 2.4 I4 like the original poster? Sometimes I wonder if the active noise canceling feature interferes with the stereo sound..

Yes, but I'd be highly surprised if the ANC did any damage to the sound. The biggest issue is with midrange and highs on the Pioneer speakers. ANC shouldn't have any affect, as it is "mixed" with the sound before it comes out the speaker so that the tone of the music is not part of the cancellation sound. And ANC in this case is only for the low end sound. It's quite easy to do ANC, so I'd doubt the stereo maker got it wrong. Not that it's impossible to get it wrong, I just doubt it.

In my experience, most factory systems are just installed, and not tuned. Most cars that end up with great sound are usually by mistake rather than by purpose. That is unless you are spending 6 figures on a car, then you might expect better sound. Otherwise, the only real solution for most car owners is to get an expert to help with the details on installing the proper speakers and amplifiers to your car.

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sunnyday

· #15 · Jul 19, 2010

Stock speaker is 4 ohms and we didn't find xover with it. I replaced it with 3 ohms and I might need to put a 3 ohms amp to make my front a little bit more pronounced.

RAW2u said:
So here is the plan of attack.
Take the door panels and front pillars off to reveal the front speakers and trace the wires to the factory stereo output.This way we know for sure we have followed the wires back.

Next replace the front speaker in one of the door and pillar with a set of Diamond S500a on one side only to see if the sound output from the head unit changes or stays the same.
Now if no change that means the stereo (headunit) is the main issue with no highs being output. But if there is a change in sound then we know the speakers are some of the issue.

Next we will install a set of Hertz components in the other door and see if the SPL (output sensitivity) of the 2 makes a big difference as well as sound quality of the 2.
I have picked these 2 brands as I have one set myself just sitting brand new never opened. The Hertz brand is used as my installer has this brand of equal or similar quality to what I have. And if the speakers do make a difference I only want this taken apart once and that is it.

I am not interested in getting into changing the stereo or adding amps to the system, but when you listen to music you should be able to listen to instruments.Not as the system is set now.

Will report back as we progress with findings.

http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/volume_13_4/raw-acoustics-ht-8-speakers-11-2006.html

RAW2u

Discussion Starter · #16 · Jul 19, 2010

I will find out in a few days what is up? But till them I have my friend (who also sold me my Terrain) asking for the factory wiring for the stereo as well door wiring.

This way I can get into the speaker wiring from another location for doing some audio measurements.

Once I do all the measurements before and after any changes I will explain the findings.

oracle

· #17 · Jul 20, 2010

The same speakers have to produce that cancelling white noise so why it wouldn't interfere? Probably the mid range frequencies are the most in the car.
It actually make sense the music sound in the I4 sucks compared to the V6 which audio quality is obscene compared to other cars I have bought with the "premium sound".
Any audiophile IMO should feel quite happy with the Pioneer system in the V6, I mean this comes from GM which hasn't shined in that department, ever.

Narg said:
Yes, but I'd be highly surprised if the ANC did any damage to the sound.

gearhead

· #18 · Jul 20, 2010

oracle said:
The same speakers have to produce that cancelling white noise so why it wouldn't interfere? Probably the mid range frequencies are the most in the car.
It actually make sense the music sound in the I4 sucks compared to the V6 which audio quality is obscene compared to other cars I have bought with the "premium sound".
Any audiophile IMO should feel quite happy with the Pioneer system in the V6, I mean this comes from GM which hasn't shined in that department, ever[/color].

That's a little drastic, IMO.
GM's Bose Gold system of 1992 vintage with 4 powered speakers, tape and CD really kicked out some wicked jams!

ScarletSpeedstr

· #19 · Jul 20, 2010

oracle said:
It actually make sense the music sound in the I4 sucks compared to the V6 which audio quality is obscene compared to other cars I have bought with the "premium sound".

Oddly enough that's the one comment I've read that makes me wish I had ordered a V6.

Cameron

· #20 · Jul 20, 2010

i haven't heard the V6 stereo, but i am definitely impressed as far as a "stock" system is concerned, upgraded or not. I didn't think it would sound better than my 04 Monte's premium system but it actually does.

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