Hey fellas.

2000, XJ8 VDP

Had a place install a new deck.
Speakers always sounded weak
Replaced speakers w/ shiny new kickers
Speakers still sound weak af.

Is there an amp floating around in there somewhere?

I did not have any alpine speakers / system installed.

 

If they used the factory wiring, then my guess is you'll wanna pull the trunk liner back on the driver's side, and see if you have the factory amp mounted there. Otherwise you'd have to wire direct to the speakers. When you say weak, are you talking overall sound? very quiet sound? or just not "boom" like you would hope a new set would be? Usually a factory amp not being triggered to power up won't pass signals through, but these might be different. But from what you're saying, it does sound like it might actually be that, a factory amp that isn't being turned on by the remote trigger on the new deck.

 

Do you have the standard system, or premium? Premium will have tweeters in the front pillars, rather than the doors, and a sub on the rear parcel shelf. If you have the premium system, you will also have an amp in the trunk/boot.

If you have a new headunit directly running the new speakers, then you should have enough power to run new speakers, but 'weak' isn't a very helpful description of your problem...
Are you after more volume, more bass, or more clarity?

 

Thanks for the replies everyone, appreciate it. Going to be rooting around this evening.

Yes - it has tweeters in the doors

When I say weak - they're new kicker 6.5'' speakers, and they sounded great in the store.

I have to turn the stereo up very loud before the bass will become noticeable. The sound is timid. Levels all the way up on the deck, but no "oomph" from the new speakers at all.

Thanks again, I'll root around in the trunk. Never saw a sub back there, but maybe an amp by the old CD changer?

Deck - Alpine UTE-52BT
Speakers - 6.5'' Kicker 40CS654 x 4
Tweeters - Stock

 

I know this is subjective, but remember that the store environment, where the speakers are mounted into displays that are purposefully designed for better sound, is going to be totally different than many car environments. Many cars, the Jag included, have open panels and lots of air and places for sound to get lost in. The only way to combat that is to make an actual enclosure behind the speaker on the panel, which is difficult depending on the space.

That said, I'm not saying that it's the only issue. It could be a number of things, either the amp not being utilized properly, it could be a polarity issue on the speakers (Positve / Negative switched). Hard to say, but I'd say if the head unit was tied into the stock wiring, the amp would be the first thing I'd try to check on.

 

2000 VDP came standard with the premium Alpine system.
The amp is on a rack on top of the CD changer

 

Tweeters in the doors means it's standard though.

Realistically you're never going to get much bass out of door speakers unless you're going to amp them properly. At least you have that option though, given you've already changed headunit, and don't have to contend with a factory amp complicating things.

If you want improved volume and bass response then look at adding sound deadening to the outside door panels, sealing up as many access holes as you can, and making sure you have all of the plastic clips in place to hold the door card to the door as solidly as possible.

Also, you've added coaxial speakers, so unless you've disconnected the factory tweeters (which is a bit of a shame, they're not bad, plus higher in the door is better) then you've doubled up on treble! No wonder the mid/bass can't keep up...
Last point to note is that they're rated to run off 100wrms, but you'll be giving them closer to 18wrms off a headunit. You're going to need to amp them to get them really moving

 

Premium has tweeters in the doors also, but only the rear doors, not the front

 

Thanks everyone. Looks like I'll get that amp and sub sooner than later. Don't worry, only a 10'', no ghetto blaster!

 

Just remember speakers are only as good as the place you put them. The greatest speaker in a bad enclosure will still sound bad.
Spend a little time, effort and money on your doors, not just the door speakers, and you should get a pretty good result. Then add the sub to fill in the real lows.

Personally, I would look at upgrading to a proper set of component front speakers. There's actually quite a bit of room where the factory tweeters are. Then add an amp, and a 10" sub in the boot. Rears are less important, so what you have should be more than fine.

 

Premium has tweeter in the A pillars and the rear door handles. Was looking to upgrade the speakers in mine. Was going to get Rockford Fosgates components and not use the tweeters. I think the premium tweeters sound pretty good. might do the same in the rear doors too. Repair the "sub" in the rear deck. That should make a huge difference.
Maybe some door work or baffles.

 

I bought Pyle component speakers and but left the A pillar and rear door teeters in place. I also put a new foam surround on the sub-woofer. Really pleased how good the system sounds, $120 invested