Stock Audio Replacement Advice Request

[aestes89]

Hey all, new JL Sport S owner as of last Friday! Really happy with it so far, but I knew I'd want to replace the stock speakers as soon as possible. I've read all the threads I could find, but it left me with some questions. Anyone who's gone down the replacement rabbit-hole already, I'd love to hear more about your experience. Here are some questions/concerns:

1) The JL Audio FIX 86 seems like a great DSP, but, it has a hell of a price tag. Can anyone recommend a near-equivalent DSP for a more reasonable price? I'd assume as long as I'm using the resistors to "hide" it from the Uconnect headunit, any DSP would work?

2) I've read that some of you have put 5.25 speakers in the knee panels/roll bar. Due to the level of modification required in the knee panels, I'm going to keep those 4", but be honest: How must risk/modification with a dremel is involved to get 5.25" to fit in the 4" housing in the roll bar? The threads here sound like no big deal, but I want to know if it's worth it for only slightly more cone size.

3) Rollbar rattle. The stock speakers rattle the rollbar plastic badly. I can imagine aftermarket will only exacerbate the issue. Has anyone added insulation or some material to the interior of the rollbar to reduce the vibration?

4) Any speaker/amp/sub recommendations for the install? Total budget, trying to keep under $1000.

Any tips, advice, horror stories, photos, etc are all very much appreciated!! Thanks!

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[Shenanigans]

A reciprocating air saw with a metal blade does wonders when fitting larger speakers in a sheet metal hole.

A 5.25” has almost twice the cone area of a 4” speaker. It’s a big difference.

I would use sound deadening material anywhere you can when installing speakers. Make sure you install it properly with a wooden roller otherwise it’s a waste of time and money.

 

[aestes89]

A reciprocating air saw with a metal blade does wonders when fitting larger speakers in a sheet metal hole.

A 5.25” has almost twice the cone area of a 4” speaker. It’s a big difference.

I would use sound deadening material anywhere you can when installing speakers. Make sure you install it properly with a wooden roller otherwise it’s a waste of time and money.

I think this just made more questions for me! I guess I assumed I'd be modifying the plastic housing of the roll bar, I didn't realize I'd be cutting into any metal. Good to know, I'll have to use something other than a small dremel tool for sure.
I also didn't realize 4 > 5.25 could make such a difference. Sounds like it's worth the upgrade!
Do you have any recommended sound deadening material? Sounds like you're referring to a solution like Dynamat, I was thinking something that I can "stuff" into the empty rollbar spaces to deaden the vibration or speaker baffles or something. I'm not opposed to dynamat, but it might be hard to get it up into the rollbar properly?
And thank you

 

[TheJoyceIsYours]

I think this just made more questions for me! I guess I assumed I'd be modifying the plastic housing of the roll bar, I didn't realize I'd be cutting into any metal. Good to know, I'll have to use something other than a small dremel tool for sure.
I also didn't realize 4 > 5.25 could make such a difference. Sounds like it's worth the upgrade!
Do you have any recommended sound deadening material? Sounds like you're referring to a solution like Dynamat, I was thinking something that I can "stuff" into the empty rollbar spaces to deaden the vibration or speaker baffles or something. I'm not opposed to dynamat, but it might be hard to get it up into the rollbar properly?
And thank you

Did you end up swapping out to the 5.25" speakers? Interested in it myself!

 

[cohocarl]

Interested in it myself!

FWIW, I put a pair of Pioneer tweeters in the overhead, and 3 1/2's in the dash and just that made a dramatic improvement. If I get up the nerve, and more time, I might try the 5 1/4 route, but for now it's not bad.

 

[Gaust]

I got a Maestro DSR1 dsp for Christmas. Once the weather improves I’ll start installing the equipment. I have a pair of 5 1/4” separates, 8” midbass and a couple of amplifiers from a previous install. I’ll be modifying the front speaker enclosures, adding sound deadening, and polyfill.
The rear speakers I will have to remove and take a look at what can be modified. Eventually I’ll add an 10”, maybe 8” subwoofer.

 

[aestes89]

Did you end up swapping out to the 5.25" speakers? Interested in it myself!

I did not. I chickened out and just replaced with the infinity 3.5"s. Didnt want to cut all that out and need a 4 or 5 channel amp. I added the 3.5"s in the dash and roll bar, left the 4"s stock and added a mono amp and 10 sub. Minimal work and honestly, it doesn't blow me away but I'm extremely satisfied with the upgrade in sound for about $400. With a soft top, the acoustics aren't really there to ever have perfection anyway. Just wanted volume with clarity when the top is down, and this achieved that. If you want an exact list of items I used, happy to provide. Good luck!

 

[Shenanigans]

I did not. I chickened out and just replaced with the infinity 3.5"s. Didnt want to cut all that out and need a 4 or 5 channel amp. I added the 3.5"s in the dash and roll bar, left the 4"s stock and added a mono amp and 10 sub. Minimal work and honestly, it doesn't blow me away but I'm extremely satisfied with the upgrade in sound for about $400. With a soft top, the acoustics aren't really there to ever have perfection anyway. Just wanted volume with clarity when the top is down, and this achieved that. If you want an exact list of items I used, happy to provide. Good luck!

A properly designed bandpass enclosure would suit a soft top pretty well. I’m not talking about the 1990’s fad of putting everything behind plexiglass and having neon lights. You could also coat the enclosure in resin and apply whatever finish you want such as bedliner, and have a setup that will withstand the elements.

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