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More often than not, upgrading an OEM audio system in a regular car is about finding the sweet spot between sound quality and cost. My goal with this particular setup was to improve a modest factory sound system into something audibly richer and more engaging, all while staying within a reasonable budget and without sacrificing boot space.
The setup includes JBL Club 605CSQ component speakers powered by an Infinity Primus 9004A four-channel amplifier, with low-end support from a JBL BassPro SL2 under-seat subwoofer. A DSP (digital signal processor) upgrade via the Onkyo R-MS10 followed later, further amplifying and refining the overall output. Let’s dive into the setup, component by component.
Speakers: JBL Club 605CSQ
The front door-mounted JBL Club 605CSQ component speakers are doing all the heavy lifting here. These are 6.5-inch drivers with tweeters and crossovers placed separately. I have always wanted to capture nuances in contemporary music, and these speakers do a good job of delivering a more detailed sound. Vocals now have far greater presence up front and centre. Cymbals and string instruments, in particular, sound more precise at higher volumes, something I never experienced with the OEM setup on my car. Crucially, these speakers handle power well. Even at high volume, there is minimal distortion, and they don’t sound strained or compressed.
I am someone who listens to different genres while driving. It can be anything from classic rock to Punjabi dance numbers and even orchestral (something with multiple instruments), and so far, these JBL speakers have done a good job of separating the instruments with a wide soundstage. Overall, the sense of depth to the sound is something that my car’s stock setup lacked entirely. Priced at Rs. 17,091, you can check out this high-performance speaker setup by clicking here.
Amplifier: Infinity Primus 9004A
Powering the front-stage speakers is the Infinity Primus 9004A, a four-channel amplifier pushing out 90W RMS per channel. Infinity is known for its clean signal output and solid build quality, and this amp lives up to that reputation. Physically, it’s compact enough to fit under the driver’s seat, and so far, I haven’t had any heating issues whatsoever. It runs cool even after extended use. As for the all-important output, the upgraded JBL speakers sound the way they do because of this amp and the additional layer of depth and articulation that it brings, particularly in the mids and highs.
I cannot directly drive these JBL speakers and the subwoofer from my car’s OEM head unit. Why? Because stock head units simply do not provide enough power for high-performance speakers or subwoofers. This is where Infinity’s amplifier and its strengthened audio signal come into play. After breaking them in, I sometimes started using the speakers at full tilt, and even then, the vocals and the highs stayed clean, which I believe is possible only because of how efficiently this amp manages the frequencies sent to the speakers. Priced at Rs. 13,990, you can check it out at any leading car audio stores.
Subwoofer: JBL BassPro SL2
The JBL BassPro SL2 was a logical choice to handle the low-end punch, given the space limitations in my humble hatchback. It’s a compact, under-seat subwoofer with 125W RMS and an eight-inch shallow sub driver. Its form factor is quite appealing for anyone unwilling to sacrifice the boot space of their car. What about the output, though? Well, it certainly adds weight to vocal-heavy music. The bass is constricted and well-controlled, not boomy, at least in a compact car like mine. That said, it doesn’t hit you with a powerful thump. It's more of a layered low-end punch that makes the mids sound weightier. For casual listeners, this subwoofer is more than adequate. But for audiophiles, especially fans of EDM or electronic music, the output is likely to be underwhelming. Priced at Rs. 33,241, you can check out this compact yet powerful subwoofer by clicking here.
Sound Tuning and Adding a DSP
Initially, the upgraded setup sounded surprisingly imbalanced. The sound staging was completely off, and there was no cohesion across the range whatsoever. Shortly after, I added the Onkyo R-MS10, a digital signal processor that lets you play with EQ, independent time alignment, and crossover adjustments. Finally, it was time to tune the entire setup, adjust the frequencies, and align the timing of all the components, including the crossovers, subwoofer, and the inbuilt amps. Tuning the setup was the final piece of the puzzle, because once everything was dialled in to my liking, the sound signature was exactly what I was going for, considering the limitations of this setup.
Final Output
This isn’t a high-end audio upgrade, and it doesn’t pretend to be. But for anyone driving a regular car who wants to significantly upgrade their in-car audio without sacrificing boot space, OEM look, or reliability, this setup is highly recommended. The JBL component speakers deliver strong vocal clarity and detail, while the amplifier from Infinity makes sure there is never any shortage of clean power. The subwoofer, though modest, fills out the bottom end enough to make the system feel complete. The DSP ties it all together and is a must-have to unleash the full potential of the other components.
I have been using this setup for two months now, and now that the break-in period is over, the sound signature is balanced and quite immersive. The improvement in clarity and richness has been worth the price, and now there is a sense of dimensionality that OEM systems in basic cars just cannot replicate.
Pictures by Kaustubh Gandhi and Sagar Bhanushali
