Cal Tops Soundbar/New Speakers

DanB98TJ · 02-03-2002, 06:53 AM

Just finished installing my California Tops soundbar and new speakers.

Replaced the el-cheapo stock speakers in the dash with Polk 4x6" (model EX462). Wanted Polk 6x9's in the bar, but they were too deep to mount,

so ended up with Alpines (model SPS6939) instead.

The dash speakers went in really easy

...just needed the proper "adapters" because of the wierd mounting design

($14.95 from Circuit City).

Received the soundbar last week and had to fix it because it was damaged during shipping

(no fault of Cal Tops). Looked like it was dropped on the end, breaking one of the pieces of wood.

Not sure how much I like the mounting - may end up making new brackets somewhere down the road to raise it up a little. Either I mounted it wrong, or it sits lower than the sport bar (top edge). It looks very good, and the cover for the bar is excellent.

Fought for amost an hour to get one of the grilles for the Alpine speakers to fit

...spent over that on the other, and still can't get it to work.

I ran out of patience and will try again tomorrow.

Also installed a dome light into the bar. Thought I had it wired right, but it won't shut off when the door is closed and switch is off...guess the ground wire is switched on TJs, instead of the power wire.

I'll have to mess around with it some more tomorrow.

Considering I don't have an amp, just a cheap Sony CD player/receiver, it sounds pretty good. Hopefully I will be able to hear it with the top down, and at freeway speeds.

I think this is the most expensive mod I have made so far (about $365 total)...pretty sad considering how hard I wheel this thing. Think I need to get a second job (or win the lottery) so I can do all the other things I need.

[This message has been edited by DanB98TJ (edited 03-24-2000).]

wvjeep · 02-03-2002, 06:53 AM

Glad you got a mod ya like! The stock stuff is OK but I hope someday to step up my system...when it comes to Jeeps there are so many wants but so few $$$$$$$4, ya know?

------------------
George Sumner
2000 TJ sport
Silverstone/Black both tops, 30" tire group, TJ stickers!, dark glass, black Wet Okole seat covers w/Jeep logos, bestop sun block windows, factory fogs, etc..more to come
1998 XJ- Limited
Gunmetal-w/mist gray leather, all stock, factory fogs, dark glass

DanB98TJ · 02-03-2002, 06:53 AM

Well, if anyone wants 6x9 speakers that LOOK good...don't get the Alpines. The grilles are a real PITA to get on (took almost an hour this morning to finally get the second one), and will probably fall off the first time I go wheeling, so I will probably end up removing them for good. Then I get to look at the blue speakers.

Also got the dome light fixed...yep, the ground wire is switched, and the power wire is hot all the time. Was easy enough to fix...once I pulled the front of the dash apart so I could access the wires.

It definately made a big improvement with the top down (had to go for a ride just to see if I made any difference

), but could really use an amp or higher power stereo to boost it a little more.

Too bad California Tops is discontinuing the sound bar. It is the only one that I've seen that will fit over 6.5" speakers. The 6x9's are a tremendous improvement, even over the 6.5" Infinitys that I had, which were in custom boxes in the same location.

Watching those lottery numbers real close tonight...

[This message has been edited by DanB98TJ (edited 03-25-2000).]

AlexYJ · 02-03-2002, 06:53 AM

Watch that stereo loudness, you could damage your hearing being too close to 6x9 speakers at full blast near your ears

I wish I had the money to buy the CalTops sound bar right now before Tim stops selling them. I like because of it's speaker size too.

DanB98TJ · 02-03-2002, 06:53 AM

Huh...what's that you said? Sorry, I can't hear you.

Actually, I do have a bad habit of cranking it up, especially in my Ranchero (has a similar stereo, but boxes with 10" woofers, midranges & tweeters right behind the seat...lots of sound for such a small cab).

I don't know if Tim has any of the soundbars left. I would check with him and, if he does, order it ASAP. I had to scrounge up the money quickly because I had just spent $400 for tranmission parts for the Ranchero. It is well worth the money, and I think it looks better than the factory ones.

02-03-2002, 06:53 AM	#1
DanB98TJ Registered Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 2,269 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Cal Tops Soundbar/New Speakers Just finished installing my California Tops soundbar and new speakers. Replaced the el-cheapo stock speakers in the dash with Polk 4x6" (model EX462). Wanted Polk 6x9's in the bar, but they were too deep to mount, so ended up with Alpines (model SPS6939) instead. The dash speakers went in really easy ...just needed the proper "adapters" because of the wierd mounting design ($14.95 from Circuit City). Received the soundbar last week and had to fix it because it was damaged during shipping (no fault of Cal Tops). Looked like it was dropped on the end, breaking one of the pieces of wood. Not sure how much I like the mounting - may end up making new brackets somewhere down the road to raise it up a little. Either I mounted it wrong, or it sits lower than the sport bar (top edge). It looks very good, and the cover for the bar is excellent. Fought for amost an hour to get one of the grilles for the Alpine speakers to fit ...spent over that on the other, and still can't get it to work. I ran out of patience and will try again tomorrow. Also installed a dome light into the bar. Thought I had it wired right, but it won't shut off when the door is closed and switch is off...guess the ground wire is switched on TJs, instead of the power wire. I'll have to mess around with it some more tomorrow. Considering I don't have an amp, just a cheap Sony CD player/receiver, it sounds pretty good. Hopefully I will be able to hear it with the top down, and at freeway speeds. I think this is the most expensive mod I have made so far (about $365 total)...pretty sad considering how hard I wheel this thing. Think I need to get a second job (or win the lottery) so I can do all the other things I need. [This message has been edited by DanB98TJ (edited 03-24-2000).] __________________ 1998 TJ, 4.0, 5-speed D44/HP D30, 4.88s and Detroits, Tera 4:1 and 2-Low, 35's Will work for Jeep parts My Pics

02-03-2002, 06:53 AM	#2
wvjeep Forum Leader Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Oak Hill, West Virginia, USA Posts: 2,756 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Glad you got a mod ya like! The stock stuff is OK but I hope someday to step up my system...when it comes to Jeeps there are so many wants but so few $$$$$$$4, ya know? ------------------ George Sumner 2000 TJ sport Silverstone/Black both tops, 30" tire group, TJ stickers!, dark glass, black Wet Okole seat covers w/Jeep logos, bestop sun block windows, factory fogs, etc..more to come 1998 XJ- Limited Gunmetal-w/mist gray leather, all stock, factory fogs, dark glass __________________ 2008 Liberty Limited 2002 WJ Limited 4.7 V8 HO 1999 Jeep XJ Classic 2001 Land Rover Discovery Series II SE *************************** THE OLD FLEET- no longer with us- 2006 KJ Limited-black w/ slate interior 2004 KJ Limited-silver with slate interior 2002 KJ Limited--Black 1991 Jeep YJ Islander-Navajo Turquoise 2000 TJ sport Silverstone 1998 XJ- Limited Gunmetal 1996 XJ Country Black UpCountry 1996 XJ Country Blue 1993 XJ Sport Champagne 1982 Sj Full size Cherokee black 1978 SJ Full Size Cherokee Wine

02-03-2002, 06:53 AM	#3
DanB98TJ Registered Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 2,269 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Well, if anyone wants 6x9 speakers that LOOK good...don't get the Alpines. The grilles are a real PITA to get on (took almost an hour this morning to finally get the second one), and will probably fall off the first time I go wheeling, so I will probably end up removing them for good. Then I get to look at the blue speakers. Also got the dome light fixed...yep, the ground wire is switched, and the power wire is hot all the time. Was easy enough to fix...once I pulled the front of the dash apart so I could access the wires. It definately made a big improvement with the top down (had to go for a ride just to see if I made any difference ), but could really use an amp or higher power stereo to boost it a little more. Too bad California Tops is discontinuing the sound bar. It is the only one that I've seen that will fit over 6.5" speakers. The 6x9's are a tremendous improvement, even over the 6.5" Infinitys that I had, which were in custom boxes in the same location. Watching those lottery numbers real close tonight... [This message has been edited by DanB98TJ (edited 03-25-2000).] __________________ 1998 TJ, 4.0, 5-speed D44/HP D30, 4.88s and Detroits, Tera 4:1 and 2-Low, 35's Will work for Jeep parts My Pics

02-03-2002, 06:53 AM	#4
AlexYJ Registered Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Michigan, Detroit Metro Posts: 1,404 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Watch that stereo loudness, you could damage your hearing being too close to 6x9 speakers at full blast near your ears I wish I had the money to buy the CalTops sound bar right now before Tim stops selling them. I like because of it's speaker size too. __________________ '03 TJ Sport with goodies to come For Sale: '94 YJ 2.5L, 5sp, 2.5" BDS AAL, Trailmaster SS shocks, K&N, Herculined, 31" BFG MT-KMs on AR OutlawI, Hella500s, KCs, Cobra75 CB, FirestickII, Michigan Jeepers JeepFabrication.com

02-03-2002, 06:53 AM	#5
DanB98TJ Registered Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 2,269 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Huh...what's that you said? Sorry, I can't hear you. Actually, I do have a bad habit of cranking it up, especially in my Ranchero (has a similar stereo, but boxes with 10" woofers, midranges & tweeters right behind the seat...lots of sound for such a small cab). I don't know if Tim has any of the soundbars left. I would check with him and, if he does, order it ASAP. I had to scrounge up the money quickly because I had just spent $400 for tranmission parts for the Ranchero. It is well worth the money, and I think it looks better than the factory ones. __________________ 1998 TJ, 4.0, 5-speed D44/HP D30, 4.88s and Detroits, Tera 4:1 and 2-Low, 35's Will work for Jeep parts My Pics

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