How Do I Improve My Rav 4 Sounds?

[Mr Pompey]

Hi,

I've recently bought a 2002 RAV 4 D-4D VX

Its got the 6 cd changer and whilst the music output is OK, I don't find it particularly sharp or crisp. I'm wondering what people have done to improve things

Is this a problem with standard fit Toyota stereo or something that can be rectified with some new Speakers

Any help appreciated - Thanks

[chatman]

Hi,

I've recently bought a 2002 RAV 4 D-4D VX

Its got the 6 cd changer and whilst the music output is OK, I don't find it particularly sharp or crisp. I'm wondering what people have done to improve things

Is this a problem with standard fit Toyota stereo or something that can be rectified with some new speakers

Any help appreciated - Thanks

Welcome Pompey (football related??) to TOC and the ever so friendly but sometimes manic RAV forum......

Most on here (and they will chip in soon) have replaced the crap paper Speakers in the RAV front and Back...You have to be carefull when doing these though as only certain makes can fit in the designated space....

Mine is fine for my needs at the moment but no doubt some day my ears will require finer tuning thus making me change the setup....

At the moment having the 6cd changer under the passenger seat stops my wife and daughter putting their, well rubbish cd's in it....so at least I can preserve my hearing a little longer....

[Mr Pompey]

Thanks for your reply and welcome and I agree with location of the CD changer as being ideal for preventing girls for putting their CD's in!

Yes I'm a Pompey fan and I think the only one where I live!

OK, I'll wait for some feedback from others regarding makes that fit- Thanks

[Mr Pompey]

100 Reads but only one reply? Everyone too busy buying pressies or down the pub

[dave.m]

This member changed Speakers, try his website -

http://www.unclepips.co.uk/

or you could change headunit to a standard single din type if you also buy a fascia adapter. ;)

[Mr Pompey]

This member changed speakers, try his website -

http://www.unclepips.co.uk/

or you could change headunit to a standard single din type if you also buy a fascia adapter. ;)

Thanks - "or you could change headunit to a standard single din type if you also buy a fascia adapter." Will this lose me the computer elelemnts etc?

[dave.m]

Yep, you will lose your trip computer, (not such a big loss its only a guide) ;)

[Nettie McKenzie]

I'm not sure if you are being serious about your family's lack of input to your CD changer.

In my experience, if you want to install a decent music system to a car then you are wasting your money.

Just listen to these hoodies driving Renault Clios with a large exhaust and what sounds like a tribe of African warriors beating drums.

One needs a certain refinement in one's life without imposing your choice of music on your fellow female travellers. Would buying yourself an MP3 player (if you understand such technology as I do not) with a headset not be more appropriate and far cheaper. I have read you can even plug them into your cigar lighter.

Perhaps Santa will bring you one of these new ipod things. Do please be careful. The traffic police here warned me that having my cassette Sony walkman plugged into my ears prevented me from hearing their cars siren. I couldn't see the flashing lights as I have a Christmas tree with low power lights tied onto my towbar. Well its nice to be noticed sometimes isn't it (ask your wife)?

[anchorman]

I'm not sure if you are being serious about your family's lack of input to your CD changer.

In my experience, if you want to install a decent music system to a car then you are wasting your money.

Just listen to these hoodies driving Renault Clios with a large exhaust and what sounds like a tribe of African warriors beating drums.

One needs a certain refinement in one's life without imposing your choice of music on your fellow female travellers. Would buying yourself an MP3 player (if you understand such technology as I do not) with a headset not be more appropriate and far cheaper. I have read you can even plug them into your cigar lighter.

Perhaps Santa will bring you one of these new ipod things. Do please be careful. The traffic police here warned me that having my cassette Sony walkman plugged into my ears prevented me from hearing their cars siren. I couldn't see the flashing lights as I have a Christmas tree with low power lights tied onto my towbar. Well its nice to be noticed sometimes isn't it (ask your wife)?

Betty I think I'm falling for you. But I'm already taken so we'll have to maintain a secret cyber relationship.

Tell me, what is your take on dog fouling?

[shcm]

Betty I think I'm falling for you. But I'm already taken so we'll have to maintain a secret cyber relationship.

You want to be careful there anchorman. I reckon a few glasses of vino and she could turn into a right handful. A right little RAVer. ;)

Tell me, what is your take on dog fouling?

Mine is 2 yellow cards and they are off, :D but I suppose I should wait for the definitive answer from Nettie.

[Mr Pompey]

Anyone else? I can't believe just one person has changed their factory fitted door Speakers?

Nettie - I don't think replacing a stereo or Speakers for a car is necessarily a waste of money. I'm sure it depends on how much money you choose to spend and how long you are in the car for and if you are in it by yourself most of the time. Besides horses for courses - most blokes would say spending cash on 20 pairs of shoes and 20 handbags a complete waste of money

[shcm]

I seem to remember (although my memory can play tricks sometimes) reading a number of posts on RAV4WORLD a few years ago , about changing Speakers and stereos for the 4.2. The body for the US model is essentially the same as the EU 4.2 I believe.

I think the biggest gripe was the fact that the factory Speakers are riveted in. This post seems to confirm that:

http://rav4world.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=583.

You could try searching over there, to see if you can dig up anything else, but don't stay too long, it's not good for your speling! ;)

Never bothered changing anything in my old 4.2, I liked the temperature read out and trip computer too much. I did rig up a PC as a nav system and jukebox, connected to the headunit via an aux adapter, in place of the CD changer.

[anchorman]

There is a jbl upgrade for the RAV;

http://www.jbltoyota.com/Toyota_rav4/default.asp

[Nettie McKenzie]

Betty I think I'm falling for you. But I'm already taken so we'll have to maintain a secret cyber relationship.

Tell me, what is your take on dog fouling?

I checked on your profile and it looks as if you are letting one off in your cab. This is just as bad as dog fouling.

Dogs must not be encouraged to swear. If they do, then they should be severely disciplined.

I'm grateful for your other comments, but think that I am perhaps a little young for you. I've only been pulling my pension for 10 years.

Back on the topic, is it not dangerous to be changing CDs under the passenger seat when driving? Or are these RAVs only used by people who travel on the M25? There is nothing like a nice singalong with your friends in the car.

Betty

[Nettie McKenzie]

Anyone else? I can't believe just one person has changed their factory fitted door speakers?

Nettie - I don't think replacing a stereo or speakers for a car is necessarily a waste of money. I'm sure it depends on how much money you choose to spend and how long you are in the car for and if you are in it by yourself most of the time. Besides horses for courses - most blokes would say spending cash on 20 pairs of shoes and 20 handbags a complete waste of money

Dear Mr Pompeii

I do not know of any 'blokes' who have 20 pairs of shoes nor 20 handbags other than my neighbours husband who dresses up to drive his diesel 5 door RAV. Why on earth he does is beyond us, but he continues to do it. Mildred next door is most annoyed as he buys a new outfit for each journey. There is nothing more wasteful. 2 dresses from Laura Ashley is more than enough with the use of hush puppies - 2 pairs - 1 brown and 1 black. I wear the black when filling up with diesel because it is such messy stuff.

Betty. My friends call me Nettie.

[chatman]

Back on the topic, is it not dangerous to be changing CDs under the passenger seat when driving? Or are these RAVs only used by people who travel on the M25? There is nothing like a nice singalong with your friends in the car.

Betty

:eek: If you can change the CD in the changer under the passenger seat, and still drive in a straight line and not hit anything.....Then I'll like to meet you as well..........

Best to have a bit of forward planning for longer journeys...Select aquired music cd's before journey then sing along to your heatrs content...Or take a passenger to sit in the passenger footwell and change the cd's for you when required.... :lol:

[BigBaz]

Anyone else? I can't believe just one person has changed their factory fitted door speakers?

I am happy with my sounds, but I would like to have a DAB radio receiver tho included

[Mr Pompey]

Nettie - I don't think replacing a stereo or Speakers for a car is necessarily a waste of money. I'm sure it depends on how much money you choose to spend and how long you are in the car for and if you are in it by yourself most of the time. Besides horses for courses - most blokes would say spending cash on 20 pairs of shoes and 20 handbags a complete waste of money

Dear Mr Pompeii

I do not know of any 'blokes' who have 20 pairs of shoes nor 20 handbags other than my neighbours husband who dresses up to drive his diesel 5 door RAV. Why on earth he does is beyond us, but he continues to do it. Mildred next door is most annoyed as he buys a new outfit for each journey. There is nothing more wasteful. 2 dresses from Laura Ashley is more than enough with the use of hush puppies - 2 pairs - 1 brown and 1 black. I wear the black when filling up with diesel because it is such messy stuff.

Betty. My friends call me Nettie.

Dear Netteeii / Betty / Betteeii, Nettie

I''m not sure what to call you as I'm not sure I'm regarded as a friend

In terms of my name, its Mr Pompey. Pompeeii I believe got covered in lava as a result of an erupting volcano. Pompey however are the best footie team on the south coast. I'm of the footy sort rather than the pumice stone type.

In terms of footware I have 3 pairs of trainers, 3 pairs of shoes, a pair of golf and foot boots

Changing cds in the multi changer is very easy. Do it before you leave, do it in the traffic jam, do it when the lights are red else rig a remote system to steer whilst you make the change

In terms of what footware whilst filling up, I rarely

get out of the car. Parking as close to the pump as I can muster you can just reach it from the passenger window, and passing backward whilst moving into the rear seats with long arms you can insert the nozzle into the tank and pump away. Reverse this procedure to replace pump and pay by card at the pump. In this way no-one will ever have to see your simpsons slippers that you put on by mistake