Featured New to audio - Crutchfield suggestion for Rav4 2023 + Sound deadening question .... Any thoughts?

Not bad at all except I'd recommend an 8 gauge wiring kit instead of 12 and instead of the amazon deadener I'd say regular Damplifier by Second Skin. It is more expensive and is a pain in the butt to install but is amazing at both sound and heat proofing.

Second Skin Damplifier Premium Car Sound Deadening Material (1mm) – Butyl Rubber Auto Sound Deadener Mat (10 Sq Ft, 5 Sheets) – Made in The USA

Lee Dee said:

Hello. I'm looking to build out my new-to-me 2023 Rav4 into a car camper. The basic audio in the Rav4 is not great (although not unbearable). I'm not an audiophile but did think the sound could be a bit better.



First question: I'm not interested in installing a subwoofer because space is at a premium. Here is a screenshot of a suggestion on an install I got from Crutchfield on Friday. Wondering what you think of this. About $600 is the absolute max I would want to spend on this upgrade. Total cost with extras is about $630 currently.

I am handy but have never installed an audio system before (but Crutchfield has good tech support so I assume this should be doable).
Is anyone able to weigh in and tell me if this will make a noticeable difference or not really?

Here is a list of the product recommended:

Kicker 47KEY200.4 Compact 4-channel car amplifier with automatic tuning DSP — 50 watts RMS x 4 $227​

Focal ASE 165 Auditor EVO 6-1/2" component speaker system#091ASE165 Focal ASE 165 $180​

Focal ACX 165 Auditor EVO 6-1/2" 2-way car speakers#091ACX165Focal ACX 165 $142​

Second question is regarding sound deadening/insulation. I saw a video of a guy on youtube who used BOTH the Amazon Basics sound deadener (butyl rubber) AND Siless Linear 157mil closed cell foam and heat insulation mat. The Amazon product claims to just be for sound, but the Siless product mentions sound and heat. Would you guys go with both of these products or just the Siless? Heat insulation is as important to me as sound insulation.

Link to Amazon sound deadener: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07XMF3KK5/?tag=caraudiocom-20

Link to Siless: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B095P85BB7/?tag=caraudiocom-20

Thank you in advance for your input!​

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That appears to be a reasonable estimate for equipment. You don't have to be a rocket scientist to install car stereo equipment, but it helps to have some do it yourself skills. If you fit this skill level, go for it. Crutchfield and YouTube have some great videos on how to install car stereos. Crutchfield is also great with their support. Good luck.

I'd find a shop with those Focal's and listen to them. They aren't anything special. I think that your ears can do better with a little more research.

Kicker's key200 is pretty good. Just enough power and the autotuning works well.

Concerning sound proofing, that is for you to decide. There are builds on diyma/rav4world/reddit.... that shows some info. And, Resonix has some info/videos to watch on their website.

You might also get better pricing from other online retailers.

You can certainly trust the advice you get from Crutchfield. And they will help you during the install process, if needed.

For the sound treatment - it helps to understand what each treatment does. "Deadener" turns resonant sheet metal into a less resonant surface. That means, when you knock on it, it doesn't "ring". This helps lower noise that is caused by the sheet metal ringing. This does not block sound. The best resource for comparing different deadeners is here: https://resonixsoundsolutions.com/b...d-deadening-material-independent-testing-data

A noise barrier provides an increase in transmission loss, which reduces how much sound makes it through the treated area. Closed cell foams do not increase transmission loss. Barriers that are comprised of a decoupled mass loaded vinyl are excellent at increasing transmission loss. However, as you treat one surface, adjacent untreated surfaces become the dominant noise source. The most comprehensive resource for noise treatment products is here: https://resonixsoundsolutions.com/blogs/resources


I have a video series where I walk through the benefits of, and installation of, various treatment products.