Need advice for an install in a 2010 Highlander (w/no sub)

[kujhawk80 10+ year member]

Hello everyone,

I recently purchased a 2010 Highlander and am looking to replace the factory speakers. I am not looking to add a sub as I have the third row seat and need to maintain the utility of the vehicle. As such, I am attempting to get good quality full-range sound from replacing the factory speakers only (and adding a 4-channel amp). The front doors currently have a 6 1/2" driver with a tweeter on the dash (at the base of the windshield). The 6 1/2" speaker in the door is mounted in an adapter to fill a 6x9" opening and as such, I could certainly put a 6x9" in the front door location. The rear doors have a 6 1/2 speaker.

Approximately 8 years ago I had a Boston Acoustics system that I loved, however it consisted of two sets of 6.5 Pros and two 10.5 subs. As I have not been active in the mobile audio market for nearly a decade however things have obviously changed and I would like to leverage off everyone's opinions to do some fact finding.

I listen to all types of music from top 40 to jazz. Some mornings I like to jam out and other evenings on my way home from work I like to relax with something mellow. As such, I need something that is clean, has a good punchy low end (again, a sub is not an option), silky smooth midrange and vocals and a nice clean top end range. I love to hear a defined cymbal, however do not want it to be ear piercing.

I know that 99% of this board will say, "go with a 6 1/2" but with no sub, I don't want to lose the low end that I can partially recapture with a 6x9" speaker (no a primary concern in keeping the component set-up in the front). If there are 6.5" components that can keep the low end that a 6x9" can, I'm all ears!

With all of this said, I am currently looking at the following brands:

Focal (Access or Polyglass lines), JL Audio (C2 or VR lines), Boston Acoustics (SR line), Rainbow (SL line), Image Dynamics (CTX line), CDT (CL line), Eclipse, Mmats (CX line), Polk Audio (Mobile Monitor "MM" line), Morel (Tempo line), Digital Designs.

The rear doors will more than likely match the fronts. Power is 100 per channel (class D amp).

Budget is $500 total for both fronts and rears.

Looking forward to everyones input. Thanks so much in advance!

Bryan

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[dafobbishon3 10+ year member]

if you wanna go for SQ, i'd go with the Image Dynamics brand. GREAT STUFF; or Hertz or Focal.

 

[350zspl 10+ year member]

i just don't like the way 6x9 sound

but it such a personal thing

so i would maybe try to fit a 7" component set up front and a 6.5 coax off head unit power in back

and do a 2 ch amp for up front

 

[UMWDawg92 10+ year member]

get these http://www.diycable.com/main/product_info.php?products_id=538and a nice set of tweeters to go with them

 

[kujhawk80 10+ year member]

I also just noticed that Clif Designs and DLS (Reference line) make 6x9"'s; thoughts?

My goal is not necessarily SQ but rather just a full range audio system. I am not hard up for 6x9"s and would certainly install a 6 1/2" component set if it has the ability to deliver a good solid mid bass punch (I realize a 6 1/2" or 6x9" speaker cannot replicate a 12" sub).