JBL vs Kicker

[08HoeCD]

I'm considering a speaker upgrade for my '08 Tahoe with factory Bose system. I'm a dad in the suburbs, no audiophile, and I won't be messing with the head unit or adding amps and all that. Just interested in replacing the 8 existing paper cones with more efficient and more natural sounding goods.

I understand JBL and Kicker are affordable and highly rated brands, and they both offer simple replacement solutions for my factory speakers (front & rear pillars, front & rear doors). Any clear difference/preference between the two brands, or is it basically a flip of the coin? Remember, I'm no audiophile.

 

[iamdub]

I'm no audiophile, either, but I'm a bit of a stickler for great sound at all volumes. By "great sound", I mean clean, balanced and even across all frequencies. None of this all-bass-and/or-all-highs crap.

In my experience, I've always gotten a more warm and fuller sound out of paper cones. Some of the best sounding full-range, non-amped speakers I've ever had were the stock ones from my brother's '01 Tundra Limited. I put them in my '98 S10 standard cab and after tweaking the EQ (Pioneer HU), had such a full and responsive sound out of them. Being in a standard cab S10, they didn't need to be maxed out to fill the cab. I would actually feel the lower mid-bass in my chest.

Out of JBL or Kicker, I'd most likely choose JBL. JBL has been in the game longer and is used way more widely than Kicker. But, every brand has their various levels of product and speaker response varies by vehicle and speaker sound varies by person. I'd still research both deeply and try to find feedback on the models in question installed in similar vehicles.

 

[MCAT069]

I vote JBL as well. I replaced the stock speakers in my 07 Tahoe with them and was very pleased with the result.

 

[AppocAlexx]

If you looking for sound quality JBL has some mid range priced stuff that would sound great in our trucks. Kicker is bit more basic than JBL as well. If anything you could almost compare JBL to some of Infinity speakers when it comes to good crisp sound.

 

[08HoeCD]

I'm interested in going a step up from factory quality & sound but not looking to do anything costing more than, say, $100 per pair of speakers. I plan to run all off the factory Bose head unit (navigation) and amp.
Is it realistic to swap front & rear door speakers for under $200 and have the resulting sound be worthwhile?

 

[Drok]

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00K...340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=rockford+fosgate+6.5

These are what i used in the doors (4) and they sound great... theyre just running off the factory bose amp and i havent swapped any other speaker out. I was gonna amp them but i like how it sounds now so meh.. no need to. I know its a bit more then what you wanted to spend but to me theyre the best bang for the buck. Since they can be amped later if ya want to.

I may have some extra door speaker mounts laying around some where ill look when i get a chance.

Between the jbl and kicker id go with jbl for mids and highs and kicker for lows.

 

[08HoeCD]

Pretty cool.
Hard to pick which way to go, since there are so many relatively low-cost options out there. But will look more closely at the recommendations you guys have shared.

Thanks to all @iamdub @MCAT069 @AppocAlexx @Drok

 

[Drok]

Lol. Yea that was my issue also too many choices to pick from.

 

[08HoeCD]

Yeah.
For me, this idea of upgrading speakers is purely a fun, low-cost project. I'm never going to make or install custom enclosures or add crazy amps or subs or anything like that. Just looking to do a simple speaker swap, making sure that I spend enough on the speakers to notice the difference and make the project worthwhile.

 

[iamdub]

If your stock speakers are not blown or worn, you may get the better sound you want by leaving the stock speakers in place and putting your $200 towards sound deadening. I know it's not as "fun" or "cool". But, it would help the sound of the speakers as well as quiet some of the road noise, which would further make the speakers sound better, especially at lower volumes.

 

[Denali2k8]

If your stock speakers are not blown or worn, you may get the better sound you want by leaving the stock speakers in place and putting your $200 towards sound deadening. I know it's not as "fun" or "cool". But, it would help the sound of the speakers' as well as quiet some of the road noise, which would further make the speakers sound better, especially at lower volumes.

THis!!!!! Raamat makes a good product, and like dub said, if your stuff is in good working order, sound dampening will help more than driver upgrades. I made a 99 Silverado ext cab as nice on the inside (quiet and sound quality) as a $$$ car with all the dampening I did.

 

[08HoeCD]

If your stock speakers are not blown or worn, you may get the better sound you want by leaving the stock speakers in place and putting your $200 towards sound deadening. I know it's not as "fun" or "cool". But, it would help the sound of the speakers' as well as quiet some of the road noise, which would further make the speakers sound better, especially at lower volumes.

Interesting that you point this out, as I've been spending (wasting?) a lot of time lately studying sound-deadening, trying to figure out whether to go that route instead of or in addition to a speaker swap. My speakers are not blown, but the sound is pretty lame.

Funny thing is, I don't listen to much music in the truck. I normally listen to sports radio for the daily commuting thing, but I enjoy music for longer trips and/or when wife & girls are in the truck with me.

 

[08HoeCD]

THis!!!!! Raamat makes a good product, and like dub said, if your stuff is in good working order, sound dampening will help more than driver upgrades. I made a 99 Silverado ext cab as nice on the inside (quiet and sound quality) as a $$$ car with all the dampening I did.

Looks like this is a good first step------and I'll spend a few bucks on interior door handles for front driver & passenger doors, so I can replace my peeling ones while I'm at it.

 

[Denali2k8]

Looks like this is a good first step------and I'll spend a few bucks on interior door handles for front driver & passenger doors, so I can replace my peeling ones while I'm at it.

Dampening will help your car be less noisy on the inside. My NBS truck was notorious for sounding like a pop can in the car wash due to the roof being so thin and crappy reinforced. I put a bunch on the roof and it was never loud again. You don't have to cover every surface. It also helps keep the temp you want inside the vehicle

 

[iamdub]

Interesting that you point this out, as I've been spending (wasting?) a lot of time lately studying sound-deadening, trying to figure out whether to go that route instead of or in addition to a speaker swap. My speakers are not blown, but the sound is pretty lame.

Funny thing is, I don't listen to much music in the truck. I normally listen to sports radio for the daily commuting thing, but I enjoy music for longer trips and/or when wife & girls are in the truck with me.

If you could attenuate the outside noise, your ears could focus more on what's coming out of the speakers instead of having to "mentally filter it out". You're probably so used to it that you don't even notice it because it's just one of the sounds of driving in your mind. If you had the radio off, you'd appreciate the quieter cabin and it would be more calming on longer trips. It would give your Tahoe a more luxury car feel. Then, if you decide one day you wanna upgrade the speakers, the sound deadening would make that investment even more pronounced. You wouldn't be trying to get better sound to cover up the road noise so you'd be able to appreciate their better sound that much more.

 

[massivespl]

https://www.amazon.com/Noico-deadening-automotive-Insulation-dampening/dp/B00URUIKAK

Can't beat this deadener for the price. You could deaden all your doors with just $64. Make a big difference. It's real 80mil and real butyl.

 

[08HoeCD]

I'm sold!

My Tahoe is pretty solid, but I believe that I can enhance the acoustics with proper sound deadening alone. I'll plan to install Dynamat now.....and MAYBE some speakers down the road. Just gotta order those interior door handles......

I keep getting carried away with the mods....gotta remind myself that I may be passing this ride down to my younger daughter within a year or so.

 

[AppocAlexx]

Just one more thing from me. I paid around 100 for each pair of speakers in my truck and I wish I had spent more on a better quality set. Much like everything else for the most part. You get what you paid for and you will always regret not going with something bigger or better for a little more money.

 

[Speck]

Like some of the others have suggested, I highly recommend the sound deadening first, then possibly look into just changing your factory amp. You could look to see if you have the Bose "Premium" or the "Luxury" model. There is another post on here where someone changed to the Luxury amp and it "woke up" his factory Bose speakers. Couple that with the sound deadening and you might have a nice cheap upgrade.

Joe

 

[08HoeCD]

Did the Dynamat thing for both front doors. Removed moisture barrier and installed sheets on inside lower area of outer door skin plus sheets on inside of inner (metal) door panel plus small strips around factory speaker plus a few strips on large sections of door card. Forgot about taking pics, but everybody's seen it plenty before.

Must say that I'm impressed. Listening to satellite radio is a joy, and it feels like I've got a new sound system and/or a slightly more solid-driving truck. Definitely worth the $53 I paid for the kit, and I used only barely half so I have enough to do rear doors easily.

Only minor issue now is that creaking door cards are more noticeable----driver and passenger door cards want to creak at what seems like a seam near the rear edges of doors. Will take the cards off and see if Dynamat on those areas will help.

Looking forward to installing Dynamat to the rear doors and fixing the fronts....maybe tomorrow if I have a few hours free.

Did front and rear doors for about $50. Like adding an amp.