RF System: Speak and Amp Questions

[Cal2121]

I have not been able to locate the answer to these specific questions, so I am hoping you all can help me out. I have the RF system in my 2010 crewcab. I would like to keep the head unit and sub, but want to replace the other speakers. Initially, I intend to put the Polk db691's (6x9's) in the front doors and the Polk db651's in the rear doors. Then I will replace the tweeters in the dash. My questions are:

1) Is the RF amp enough to run the new Polk speakers?
2) If the RF amp is not enough to run the new Polk speakers, how simple/difficult is it to upgrade the stock RF amp? I would like to avoid a bunch of new wiring if possible.

I really appreciate any input you guys can provide. Thanks.

[05Fronty4x]

The front door RF speakers are 2ohm, so if you plan to replace them and power them with the stock amp I would stick with a 2ohm replacement. I think Infinity makes some 2ohm 6x9's.

Also, the tweeters in the RF system are not true tweeters, they are a 2" mid-tweeter without any crossover running to them. Replacing them with an aftermarket set of tweeters will mean you need to get a set that either has built in crossovers, or install some in line to prevent blowing them out. This stock "tweeters" are responsible for most of the mid-range frequencies of the RF system, so replacing them with a real tweeter with appropriate crossovers means you will loose some mid range. They really did a funky setup with the RF system and when you start to replace things with aftermarket components it becomes important to sort of "re-engineer" the system as a whole to maintain a good balance between low, mid and high frequencies.

I haven't gone in and messed with anything on mine, so I can't really help with much of anything else, but I hope I helped atleast a little in getting started. There are wiring diagrams for the RF amp floating around somewhere. If you plan to mess with the amp I think they will come in handy.

[Cal2121]

05Fronty4x,

Thank you for that information. It is all very helpful. I have a follow-up question regarding the "tweeters." If I want to find a replacement speaker that will serve the same function as the current "tweeters," what do I look for to make sure they are the right type and will work within the current system?

Thanks again

[05Fronty4x]

I'm not sure what the frequency response is of the factory mid-tweeters(dash), but I did notice Alpine makes some 1" tweeters with a frequency response down to 1,000Hz (where as most are 3,500Hz or higher), which I think would cover the mid-range fairly well, there's no way to know for sure though. The problem with our RF systems is that 95+% of the mid-high frequency you hear as the driver/front passenger is coming from the dash speakers, making them integral to the overall sound quality of the system. If you just want to change the tweeters, that's up to you, and maybe the sound would suit your taste. Personally, the first thing I would swap are the front door speakers, and see how much mid-high range you pick up from those before deciding what to do with the dash speakers. A concern there is that the factory amp may have a low-pass crossover for those 2 channels powering the front door speakers (I am not positive, but all I hear is bass from them), so you could potentially find that changing them to a 2 or 3-way 6x9" won't give you any increased mid-high frequency output because the amp is blocking those frequencies internally.

If you were up to it, and you are really into audio, I would redo the entire system with a new amp setup so you can set up the frequencies how you like with adjustable gains/crossovers.

[Cal2121]

05Fronty4x,

Thanks again. I think I am going to replace the front and rear door speakers and see what it sounds like. From there I will decide whether to change the tweeters and/or amp. It may be that a more signifant upgrade is necessary.

[x_mods]

I pulled my RF amp but I also pulled the whole RF system. I know there are a few wires going into the amp, more than I think you would normally have..

I can say if you unplug the Bluetooth module, the steering wheel control harness looses power.