Speakers

[solaris]

i was looking at the wiring diagram of the 2006 v6 coupe (probably the same with all gen 2) and i noticed that the external amplifier has 6 channels, 2 x rear, 2 x front (lows) and 2 x dash (highs). so if i want to replace the front with 3-way speakers, that would not help because only low frequency will pass through them. if i want 3 way speakers, i would really have to use aftermarket HU and those speakers in the dash would be totally useless... i will post the picture of the diagram as soon as i have time...

[theprodigy79]

kansas, were you able to replace the tweeters or high range speakers on the dash (whatever that is). i think mine is busted as i cannot hear any tweeter on my left front side. i've already notice this when i first bought my car but didnt really paid attention to it. but when i was trying to replace my left speaker, i noticed there's no sound coming from the tweeters. i know it's still under warranty, but i want to replace that anyway if i'm gonna replace my stock speakers...
if you have pictures, i'd appreciate it...

Here are some pics of what you're dealing with:

http://www.solaraguy.org/viewtopic.php?t=20679&start=15

[Lone Solara]

Hmm, I just found out something disturbing: the audio in the 06 Solara is now suddenly rated at only 270 watts, down from 315 for last year's model. Check out Toyota's website.

[theprodigy79]

I think the numbers still apply... the 270 is for the coupe, the 315 is for the convertible (due to the subwoofer). The convertible uses a combination of 6.5s and 6x9s, whereas the coupe uses 6x9s all around, so the convertible gets the little subby to compensate for the lost bass response (hence the # differences).

[Lone Solara]

That's what I initially thought. However, the web site has the same number for both coupe and convertible (the specs are on different pages).

[theprodigy79]

Eh.. prolly an error on Toyota's part... I can't imagine they'd ditch the sub in the converts...

[solaris]

james, do you think this is a good deal?
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-KfRRujKTNh ... 6500&wm=cl

Get a second pair for half-price
Do you think 5 1/4's are ok on the rear?

[swindler]

I can't imagine they'd ditch the sub in the converts...

They still have the subwoofer in the '06 ragtops. I'm upgrading mine now.

The convertible uses a combination of 6.5s and 6x9s, whereas the coupe uses 6x9s all around, so the convertible gets the little subby to compensate for the lost bass response

The only thing I've found different is that the convertible appears to have 6.5s all around - at least the JBL system appears to be that way. I'm confident about the rears, and pretty sure about the doors.

It is very frustrating because nobody I've found seems to have an accurate speaker fit guide for the convertible. Most of the shops just tell me to bring it in.

[theprodigy79]

james, do you think this is a good deal?
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-KfRRujKTNh ... 6500&wm=cl

Get a second pair for half-price
Do you think 5 1/4's are ok on the rear?

Those are some nice speakers, I'd recommend them... I ran the old skool Polk Db series 6.5"s in my Celica and loved em (they are different speakers now, but they are still very good).

I've heard so many things about the Convertible setup that I don't know what to believe... Swindler states that the rears are 6.5"s... I've heard elsewhere that the fronts are 6.5"s... I've also heard that the fronts are still 6x9s... so I'm at a loss as to what to tell all y'all convertible owners except for if you're willing to take a chance at having to make a couple spacers go for 6.5"s all around... The coupe setup is 6x9s all around and I made MDF spacers to house 6.5" speakers all around. I wouldn't do it any other way.. 6x9s are too sloppy and bass heavy for my preference, and to do it right I had to go for the 6.5"s with a pair of 12"s...

[Down2TheC]

^^^ Doors and back seat speakers must be different. Backs are weak as hell. Doors are 6X9's looking at the pics.
But what are you upgrading your sub to, and are you planning a trunk install or squeezing something bigger in the seat? If you're doing it please take pics and post in the tut. section.

[swindler]

I will confirm the size of the door speakers in the convertible the next chance I get. All I've done is peek through the side with the door handle molding off, and they sure look like 6.5s. I have some Infinity Kappas 7" I'm going to try and see if they fit, and if they sound better. If they don't fit or don't sound better, I'll look around.

For the subwoofer upgrade I'm going to try and use what I have at first. I took out the sub enclosure last weekend and measured the volume at right around 20 liters. That's pretty close to the optimal volume for the JL Audio 8W3v2 woofers (21.2 liters) when set up in a ported enclosure. But - the JBL enclosure is sealed.

So I'm going to swap the JBL woofer for the 8W3v2 and add a 2" port on the left side (facing the cavity). I've already estimated that the port needs to be around 8" deep (plenty of room), but I'll take measurements and tune the port for the best overall response.

And to give the thing a little enthusiasm, I just got a JL 250/1 amp I'm going to add to feed the sub all the juice it should need. I think the 250 will handle the 8" JL fine.

If I can't get the JBL sub enclosure to sound right with the new setup, I'll probably build a custom enclosure to fit the cavity and tune it right.

[swindler]

I stand corrected. I just looked and the '06 convertible DOES have 6x9s in the front doors with the tweeters up by the windshield, 6.5s in the rear side panels, and then the 8" subwoofer behind the rear right seat.

[joebxr]

Try this site and select what you want to look at for 2006.
FRONT SOUND
(2) 65mm (2.56") composite-cone midrange/tweeters, left- and right-handside, found in the instrument panel.
(2) 6" x 9" composite cone woofers, one in each front-door panel.
REAR SOUND COUPE
(2) 6" x 9" inch coaxial loudspeakers with integral 10mm tweeters, mounted on the left- and right-handside of the rear-deck panel.
REAR SOUND CONVERTIBLE
(2) 16cm (6.3") Full-range loudspeakers, mounted in the rear side trim panels.
(1) 20cm (7.8") subwoofer, located in the center rear-package shelf.
AMPLIFIER
(1) 6-Channel Digital Signal Processing (DSP) amplifier delivers 270 watts of pure JBL audio system power.
• The amplifier’s onboard DSP converts the incoming audio signal (CD, broadcast) into multiple channels, delivering specific information to each of the JBL premium audio system’s loudspeakers, ensuring optimum imaging to each of the vehicle’s seating locations
• Each of the amplifier’s output channels delivers a specific amount of power to each of the Solara’s loudspeakers, optimizing output and imaging, regardless of the music source.
• A sophisticated signal mixer blends the amplified signals into a superb stereo listening experience for all of the vehicle's occupants

http://www.jbltoyota.com/toyota_solara/audio_advantages.asp

[swindler]

All of that appears dead-on accurate...

...except for the 'superb stereo listening experience' part.

[theprodigy79]

All of that appears dead-on accurate...

...except for the 'superb stereo listening experience' part.

hahahahaha true true... good find Joe, thank you!