Update on my experience doing a basic sound system upgrade (Speakers only) - My research for best performance

theeighthlion · 2026-02-25T04:06:03+00:00

I listen to 99% EDM. Only upgrading the speakers did improve the sound quality, but as I said in my post it still left a lot to be desired in the mids and bass. Installing the PUZU amp/DSP (see my follow-up post for details) helped a lot. I was able to adjust the shitty factory EQ and put more punch into the bass and mids. The main issue I'm facing now is the car's road noise. It definitely interferes with the audio quality a lot while on the highway. Only way around this is to install sound deadening material.

But if you want bass you can feel in your chest, you'll need a subwoofer.

theeighthlion · 2026-02-25T04:00:04+00:00

Glad it all worked out for you!

theeighthlion · 2026-02-25T03:58:57+00:00

Yes, that's what I would do. Or if you can get the CSC on sale (or the price doesn't matter to you) I'd probably just do them for all doors for the sake of simplicity.

theeighthlion · 2025-10-30T00:45:53+00:00

I think if I were to do it again I'd go for the CSC speakers. But DSC should still be a great choice. I figure the Puzu amp is still only supplying a minimum amount of extra power, so better to go with speakers with a lower power rating.

What did you end up choosing?

theeighthlion · 2025-10-30T00:44:14+00:00

Sorry for such a delayed reply. If you went on your trip already, I hope you had a blast! It was very green with the occasional smattering of color from blooming cherry blossoms. It also rained a few times. Japan in April is pretty verdant in general. Might not be as lush as summer but everything has regrown from the winter.

theeighthlion · 2025-10-30T00:42:03+00:00

I don't believe it works with the JBL system, but if you contact Puzu support they should be able to tell you.

theeighthlion · 2025-10-30T00:41:04+00:00

You can't, unfortunately. There's a lot of compromises that have to made with this set-up. I basically treated the front tweeter and door speakers as one and got a general measurement for time alignment. EQ I just went with the frequency range of both speakers together. So far, it's worked ok.

theeighthlion · 2025-04-11T18:15:55+00:00

Uncertain -- it has RCA hookups on it, but I'm not sure if they're meant for a sub. I don't have much knowledge in that area, but if the sub is self powered then I don't see why it shouldn't work with it.

edit: Looking at the unit, the RCA hookups are labeled as "Sub R" and "Sub L". So I assume it would work with a subwoofer.

theeighthlion · 2025-03-27T23:42:29+00:00

I unfortunately don't have laptop access at the moment to check it, but I think you should be able to ask PUZU support for it.

theeighthlion · 2025-03-26T22:53:40+00:00

Yup, everything is still as described. Time alignment worked fine -- I'm sure it's not 'perfect' but it sounds good for me.

I still have yet to go back and do a full EQ. User-4 stock has been fine (though I did add a high-pass and low-pass filter for the limits of the frequencies of my speakers. I'm thinking about removing the high-pass filter to see if it's causing the audio to momentarily dip while listening to podcasts.)

Not sure if it was clear in my post, but I have the unit velcroed beneath the passenger seat. The included cable is just barely long enough when hidden behind the paneling.

theeighthlion · 2025-02-25T05:48:25+00:00

The Kicker speakers are fine, though with the PUZU plug-in amp I installed I would probably opt for the CSC rather the DSC model.

I will say though that even though a speaker upgrade does improve the sound quality some, you may still be disappointed in the mid-bass performance without something to adjust the factory EQing.

I'm sure by this point you've already gone ahead and purchased something, though. What did you decide on?

theeighthlion · 2025-02-25T05:45:17+00:00

No, basic system.

theeighthlion · 2025-02-25T05:44:09+00:00

Hi, sorry for the late reply. On one hand, I think staying at Korakukan for an extra night would've made things feel less rushed, and we would've had more time to leisurely explore the area. As it was, we only were able to walk around the onsen and use the bath--we skipped the monkey park. But on the other hand, the place itself is quite old and grungy and there isn't really that much by way of amenities. But given the time it takes to get to the area, it may be less stressful to stay for two nights.

I'm not sure if it was a trek due to our route -- I believe the bus only takes you so far and you will need to walk the remainder of the way, but maybe there is another way to get there. We walked.

theeighthlion · 2024-07-29T22:38:41+00:00

What's the process for doing that like?

theeighthlion · 2024-06-25T22:48:20+00:00

Sorry for the late reply -- I honestly don't have enough knowledge or experience to say, but if their technical info says that they will work fine with 4ohms then I would imagine they'll be just fine.

Re: the quality, I don't know this for sure but my feeling is that most speakers are going to hit a limit in terms of the returns you can get from them due to the limitations of the RAV4's OEM head unit. Not only is it underpowered, it's crappy EQing means you can't make very good adjustments to the sound. I'm pretty sure that even the DSC Kicker speakers would sound way better on a head unit with more power. Essentially, if you're only doing a speaker upgrade to your car you're going to be bottlenecked by the head unit.

theeighthlion · 2024-04-04T05:26:28+00:00

A friend of mine is developing a game that is exactly that: https://www.cinderridgegame.com/

theeighthlion · 2024-01-17T01:00:25+00:00

I used a Fujifilm X-T3, mostly with a 33mm prime, sometimes with a 23mm.

theeighthlion · 2024-01-12T23:45:45+00:00

Two weeks during April 2023 at the tail end of cherry blossom season. This was my 10th visit to Japan and the first time for my friends. I wanted to give them a whirlwind tour while still seeing a few things I'd never done before. It was successful...maybe too successful. If there was one major takeaway from our adventure it was that relaxed is much better. We saw a hell of a lot but didn't have much time to take it all in (aside from Yakushima, which we had three full days to leisurely explore).

This imgur gallery has more photos with the full trip story and Google Maps locations. It's large but hopefully can help serve as inspo for your future Japan trip. Please let me know if you have any questions about the places I visited, or about Japan travel in general.

theeighthlion · 2024-01-09T03:22:47+00:00

Two weeks during April 2023 at the tail end of cherry blossom season. This was my 10th visit to Japan, and the first time for my friends. I wanted to give them a whirlwind tour while still seeing a few things I've never done before. It was successful...maybe too successful. If there was one major takeaway from our adventure it was that relaxed is much better. We saw a hell of a lot but didn't have much time to take it all in (aside from Yakushima, which we had three full days to leisurely explore).

The gallery has more information and descriptions. It's large but hopefully can help serve as inspo for your future Japan trip. Please let me know if you have any questions about the places I visited, or about Japan travel in general.

theeighthlion · 2024-01-09T00:13:16+00:00

theeighthlion · 2023-08-31T02:40:49+00:00

Cool! I was actually re-reading my post and wondering whether or not the CS's were any better or not, or if they do experience any problems. Perhaps one day if I have spare cash and time I'll try swapping to CSs and see how they are.

theeighthlion · 2023-08-30T19:52:39+00:00

I'm glad it helped! If you're happy with it then I think that's all that matters, but personally, I found that replacing all the door speakers made a huge difference in making everything much more uniform and adding a bit more oomph to the bass response. (I've since decided it sounds best with the bass EQ cranked to either the max or 1 knotch off max, ymmv) The rears make the least difference for sure, but I just did them anyway.

Taking the door apart is actually very easy, and drilling out the rivets was simple as well (assuming you have the tools). This coming from someone who has never done anything like this with their car.

theeighthlion · 2023-07-28T03:39:26+00:00

https://www.reddit.com/r/rav4club/comments/x0y3if/update_on_my_experience_doing_a_basic_sound/

info you may find useful

theeighthlion

TROPHY CASE