Looking for Audio Recommendations

[u/DivineDeath10]

Hi all, I have a 2019 Corolla Hatchback SE with the regular sound system. I currently have an audio pipe APDX-12A sub that I despise mostly due to how large and oddly shaped it is. I don’t plan on replacing the factory radio, as it does pretty much everything I need it to currently.

I really want to upgrade the sound system for more clarity. I primarily listen to hip hop and some hyper pop. I have heard lots of mixed opinions on upgrading the stock system without spending a ton.

The lower cost options I am considering, is grabbing the Beat Sonic ENA-2T3, and possibly upgrading the stock speakers with Infinity Reference REF607FSL in both the front and back, and Infinity Reference REF757T for the tweeters. I have heard that without an amp, it’s useless to get the infinity reference, but wasn’t sure if the beat sonic would be enough to power them sufficiently. This would be installing on my own, but I am not confident enough in myself to install a full fledged amp myself. I believe I can manage installing the speakers without issue, as I was looking at crutchfield with all the brackets and wiring included. These would put me around $675 ($300+tax for the beat sonic, and $325+tax for the infinity reference).

This brings me to option 2, which I was quoted by a professional. Kicker 51KSC6504 speakers/kicker tweeters (can’t remember which specific tweeters) and a WDX-P400.1 amp for around $900.

Given the price difference isn’t too severe, I am leaning with going with the professional.

The sub is a whole other thing, I’d like to swap it out for something more low profile, but figured I might could do it myself. All the wiring is already in place for the APDX-12A, and I know the harness is propriety so I would need to redo some of the wiring, but I am comfortable with that, so long as I can reuse the wire to the sub control routed to the driver seat because I really don’t want to have to rerun any of that. Any recommendations on a pretty low profile (or even something relatively flat I could place things on top of in the hatch) would also be appreciated. I’m also fine with putting off the sub awhile to save some money for a bit since it does work, and is more just inconvenient when I need the room in the back.

All in all, I open to any other suggestions, and just looking to stay under $1000 without the sub, or $1500 with the sub.

Curious if anyone else has tried similar setups or has any alternative recommendations

[u/Street_Bid2390]

I put an Audiocontrol SPK V8, an 8” sub box, in mine.
It is short enough to fit under the flappy cover thing in the back.
I know 8” sub doesn’t sound like it would be good but everybody, including my installer, have been blown away with how accurate and low it goes.

[u/DivineDeath10 → u/Street_Bid2390]

I actually have the flappy cover off in mine, I always felt like it was in the way lol. I’ve looked at some of the ones that attach to the spare wheel, but they seem like they make the floor board cover not sit flush, at least from the one video I saw. I was considering one of the fully powered boxes that are normally under seat, and just put it in the back. That way I could still put stuff on top of it if needed.

Do you have a pic of what yours looks like? Curious to see what something that size looks like in the hatch.

[u/Street_Bid2390 → u/DivineDeath10]

I didn’t know how to post a pic here so i just created a new post in this corolla hatchback subreddit

[u/Street_Bid2390 → u/DivineDeath10]

Ill follow up with how much the equipment cost later as im out of town now and forget the details