LC Trim base level stereo

[grifocx]

I have the Hertz in my dash. I like them. I do wish I could think of a way to make the screws line up better and make it all a bit more secure. I might pull them out and see if drilling the speaker tabs will allow a more vertical screw entry. Did you do anything to improve fit @chancellor or just make it work as-is?

 

[chancellor]

I have the Hertz in my dash. I like them. I do wish I could think of a way to make the screws line up better and make it all a bit more secure. I might pull them out and see if drilling the speaker tabs will allow a more vertical screw entry. Did you do anything to improve fit @chancellor or just make it work as-is?

I used a hacksaw to trim off the front inside most mounting tab from the Hertz to aid with fitting in around the trim, then I found that the screw holes in the tabs lined up perfectly.

 

[grifocx]

Oh I just realized you used the Hertz DCX 100.3, I have the Hertz 87.3. I might have to swap those for the slightly bigger ones. Seems like they fit even better.

 

[PurelyAbrasive]

I wish I would have now got the Hertz DCX 100.3 when they were on Amazon for $59.

 

[AlexGates]

I'm going to try the Hertz CX 100 when they come back in stock at Crutchfield. The tweeter is adjustable/aim-able, comparing their dimensions to the Alpine they will fit, and SWAG'ing the speaker grill maybe will fit with the tweeter adjusted more away from the windshield. They are available on AMZ, some are dubious sources, but I have a $70 credit on Crutchfield. I'm trying to hold out.

*They also don't have a hard dome tweeter, so shouldn't be as bright, though the DCX100 does sound somewhat better on Crutch's speaker comparison tool, which I don't have too much faith in.

"I used a hacksaw to trim off", you need a rotary tool. . That's what I used on the Alpine, just wrapped the speaker drivers with a cloth. Hacksaw is too much work.

 

[jtc]

I also went with the Hertz front sound stage with the 4 inch on the sides and the 3.5 for the center channel. Been very happy so far with the sound. I also picked up a Hertz Cento 6.5 mid for the front doors that I am just waiting for the trim mount to arrive. Slowly been adding sound deadening to the doors when I get a few hours in the evening.

As for the Hertz mount ears, another option is to just get a good set of pliers and wiggle back and forth. They will snap off without the need to use a saw or Dremel. They have a built in line on the casting which allows a clean snap without sharp edges.

I also took some pics of the rear woofer if anyone needs additional measurements.

 

[chancellor]

"I used a hacksaw to trim off", you need a rotary tool. . That's what I used on the Alpine, just wrapped the speaker drivers with a cloth. Hacksaw is too much work.

Haha I started out with a rotary but I got worried it would generate too much heat and delaminate the woofer

As for the Hertz mount ears, another option is to just get a good set of pliers and wiggle back and forth. They will snap off without the need to use a saw or Dremel. They have a built in line on the casting which allows a clean snap without sharp edges.

I think only the higher end CX 100 have the breakaway tabs. The DCX 100.3 don't have the perforation, the mount ears were pretty solid and I didn't want to deform the speaker basket

 

[ToyFan]

I'm rocking all Hertz, except for the factory "sub" in the rear door. I wired in an under seat JBL Nano sub for the lows. If your apt to take your dash apart (it's pretty easy)to get to the factory stereo out, you can install a Beatsonic amp. I won't claim to be an audiophile, but it's an easy way to add some power to drive the aftermarket speakers. I have the gain about 3/4 to max. It cleared up the sound, and no distoration at any volume. The factory stereo is kind of garbage, but short of bypassing the factory amp and rewiring everything (which I'm not doing), this works for me. Oh, and coincedentally I added a dashmat, which helped knock down some of the brightness banging off the window.

And for Carplay I also have wireless issues disconnecting (with my partners phone), but it happens in our other car too (a Mercedes), so I'm going to blame Apple and their endless updates as an easy out. I have an Andriod (Samsung) and never have issues in either car.

Needles to say, TOYOTA, put a better stereo in these cars (LC/GX). At least maybe future owners can benefit.

 

[arash]

I’m hoping to do a dash speaker upgrade and trying to decide on the options. I see Hertz is popular. Anyone compared these with JL audio, Infinity, or any others? Any big differences?

Also, I found the Hertz on amazon for a discount but I’m not sure if there’s a risk of getting a counterfeit. It’s from a seller with not too many reviews, though they’re positive.

 

[AlexGates]

I’m hoping to do a dash speaker upgrade and trying to decide on the options. I see Hertz is popular. Anyone compared these with JL audio, Infinity, or any others? Any big differences?

Also, I found the Hertz on amazon for a discount but I’m not sure if there’s a risk of getting a counterfeit. It’s from a seller with not too many reviews, though they’re positive.

There are comparisons through out the thread. One member in another thread is running the 3.5" JL, I had them and they are good, but their sensitivity lacks as well as the highs, they are expensive for what they are. Nothing below 86 or maybe even higher is going to blend terribly well with the stock speakers, that was my issue with the JL. The sensitivity (83) even sucks when compared to the JL products that would fit the doors. You have to drive them pretty hard to get a full sound out of them.

As someone else recently posted, the Toyota amp is the issue, it isn't all that great.

I have also found that moving the balance one notch to the rear is more pleasing to me. YMMV.

I think the BeatSonic is more of a DSP than an amp. I've been mulling giving it a shot. The reviews are mixed on to what degree it improves things.

 

[arash]

There are comparisons through out the thread. One member in another thread is running the 3.5" JL, I had them and they are good, but their sensitivity lacks as well as the highs, they are expensive for what they are. Nothing below 86 or maybe even higher is going to blend terribly well with the stock speakers, that was my issue with the JL. The sensitivity (83) even sucks when compared to the JL products that would fit the doors. You have to drive them pretty hard to get a full sound out of them.

As someone else recently posted, the Toyota amp is the issue, it isn't all that great.

I have also found that moving the balance one notch to the rear is more pleasing to me. YMMV.

I think the BeatSonic is more of a DSP than an amp. I've been mulling giving it a shot. The reviews are mixed on to what degree it improves things.

Thanks. I went ahead and ordered the Hertz DCX 100.3 since it was so cheap ($70 on Amazon when it’s $130 on Crutchfield). These have sensitivity of 92 so hopefully they perform well with the stock amp.

I don’t know much about audio systems, but if the beat sonic is just an amp I would guess it mainly helps out for lower sensitivity speakers or at very high volumes. Though like you said maybe it does more than that. The install seemed a bit more involved than I’m comfortable with and it’s not cheap.

 

[Skidaddl]

Thanks. I went ahead and ordered the Hertz DCX 100.3 since it was so cheap ($70 on Amazon when it’s $130 on Crutchfield). These have sensitivity of 92 so hopefully they perform well with the stock amp.

I don’t know much about audio systems, but if the beat sonic is just an amp I would guess it mainly helps out for lower sensitivity speakers or at very high volumes. Though like you said maybe it does more than that. The install seemed a bit more involved than I’m comfortable with and it’s not cheap.

Not sure about the Beatsonic, but it's a common misnomer that a more powerful amp is only for lower sensitivity or for driving high volumes. A proper amplifier will bring more 3 dimensional depth and soundstage to a system, and will provide a fuller, more detailed sound at LOWER volumes than having to crank up a lesser amp. Many audiophiles argue that you should upgrade the amp FIRST, before the speakers. The garden hose analogy works here: if your hose is only a 1/2" diameter, getting a bigger spray gun will do little to improve the water volume coming out.

 

[arash]

Either way I think I’d want to replace the dash speakers and it’s a very cheap and easy install. If it’s still not sounding great I’d look into an amp upgrade possibly.

 

[Skidaddl]

Either way I think I’d want to replace the dash speakers and it’s a very cheap and easy install. If it’s still not sounding great I’d look into an amp upgrade possibly.

100% agree. I'm staying tuned for results on this as I am planning on venturing into audio upgrades myself.

 

[arash]

I just noticed that TacoTunes is now making brackets for the front door spreakers.
Taco Tunes LC Speaker Bracket

I might try this for front doors. I guess Metra 82-8146 adapters with hole drilling is still the best option for the rear doors?

 

[chancellor]

I might try this for front doors. I guess Metra 82-8146 adapters with hole drilling is still the best option for the rear doors?

I used the brackets that came with the Infinity REF607F for the rears

Metra 82-8146 was for putting 6x9s in the fronts, It looks like those taco tunes ones are for putting a 6.5" up front.

 

[bkral]

Thank you, my other vehicle does it via BlueTooth.

If your vehicle supports wireless carplay, it used WiFi direct or it wouldn't work. Most cars just don't come out and say they have a wifi antenna for the wireless Carplay/AAuto.

 

[arash]

I used the brackets that came with the Infinity REF607F for the rears

Metra 82-8146 was for putting 6x9s in the fronts, It looks like those taco tunes ones are for putting a 6.5" up front.

According to the description it might work for any size between 5.25 and 6.75, though they don’t explicitly call out 6”.

“5.25-6.75 inch Toyota Speaker Installation Adapters (Pair Left / Right)

Toyota Speaker Installation Adapter – works with 5.5″ 6.5″ & 7.75″ aftermarket speakers.”

If you were deciding on front and rear door speakers today would you still go with those reference infinities? Any 6.5” options you’d recommend?

And thanks for the tip about the rears working with the bracket that comes with it.

Edit: Realized I probably want to go for a 6x9 speaker up front as well, so that TacoTunes bracket isn't a good fit. I have a 1958 LC so I can't easily install a sub. Hopefully the Infinity reference models you have will offer enough bass without the sub.

 

[PurelyAbrasive]

According to the description it might work for any size between 5.25 and 6.75, though they don’t explicitly call out 6”.

“5.25-6.75 inch Toyota Speaker Installation Adapters (Pair Left / Right)

Toyota Speaker Installation Adapter – works with 5.5″ 6.5″ & 7.75″ aftermarket speakers.”

If you were deciding on front and rear door speakers today would you still go with those reference infinities? Any 6.5” options you’d recommend?

And thanks for the tip about the rears working with the bracket that comes with it.

Edit: Realized I probably want to go for a 6x9 speaker up front as well, so that TacoTunes bracket isn't a good fit. I have a 1958 LC so I can't easily install a sub. Hopefully the Infinity reference models you have will offer enough bass without the sub.

The 1958 does have a speaker in the back hatch. I was looking at it when I installed my hatch light. If you pull out the passenger side grab handle on the hatch you can see it. Now I don’t know if it’s useable or not. I did disable the ANC and engine sounds but I haven’t been back there to see if it’s functioning while playing music.

 

[arash]

Yeah I've seen some reports that it's just for ANC in the 1958. So likely isn't connected to the stereo? I feel like even the stock door speakers offer enough bass for what I listen to, and I'm guessing the Infinity speakers are only going to improve upon that so should be fine for now.