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Terra Acoustics Front Soundstage (Speaker upgrade)

rezar1

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Mine is the Alpine, so it sounds like improvement across the board. I think some may be expecting a magical change in sound, which isn't going to happen with a $250 upgrade.
I wasn't expecting magical change but I was expecting some which is what they are stating. I played some music back to back, exact same music with the same volume level and hardly noticed any difference.

They have 2 different versions, did you get the Alpine version? If so is it possible they sent the wrong version? I have had these saved but the 250 is pricey for the small front speakers. I wished they made some upgrades for the sound bar.
I did ordered the Alpine version. How can I tell if they are the Alpine version or not.
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Lynn_F

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I received mine and installed them last weekend...meh. They sound good and the external tweeter looks cool but I'm not sure they're worth the $. I have the Alpine system and I've upgraded the soundbar speakers with the Dart Kicker 3.5's and Kicker KSC404 4's. I'm not sure that I can tell the difference between the Dart Kicker 3.5's & the Terra Acoustics. The Kicker speaker upgrades have a noticeably larger magnet than the OEM Alpine's but the Terra Acoustic magnets are the same size as OEM, maybe a little smaller. I am going to keep them in for a month or so and see if my feelings change but I may be returning these.
 

Klicht87

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I received mine and installed them last weekend...meh. They sound good and the external tweeter looks cool but I'm not sure they're worth the $. I have the Alpine system and I've upgraded the soundbar speakers with the Dart Kicker 3.5's and Kicker KSC404 4's. I'm not sure that I can tell the difference between the Dart Kicker 3.5's & the Terra Acoustics. The Kicker speaker upgrades have a noticeably larger magnet than the OEM Alpine's but the Terra Acoustic magnets are the same size as OEM, maybe a little smaller. I am going to keep them in for a month or so and see if my feelings change but I may be returning these.
Good to know. I'm still on the waiting list but I'm not sure I can justify $250 on these speakers after a few reviews like your own. I just hate how the factory speakers really don't get any louder after about 25 on the volume meter. Probably the worst audio system of any vehicle I've owned.
 

21Moja

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Does anyone have experience with the Terra compared to the dart speakers? Has anyone heard installed both to see how much of a dif there is? 250 is steep for what these speakers are bringing to the table.
 

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Any new or reconsidered opinions on these? Now I have the itch and want too see if it’s worth scratching. I already have the alpine system.
 

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Any new or reconsidered opinions on these? Now I have the itch and want too see if it’s worth scratching. I already have the alpine system.
I have the alpine system as well, and replaced my front speakers with Terra a week ago. Happy to report that the speakers are a massive improvement over the alpine high-end sound, and helped fill the mids sound as well. Super easy install, definitely worth it.
 

ttn333

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I had the complete opposite experience. Replaced the Alpine with Terra and could not tell any major difference. At least not for $250. I ended up keeping them but would not have purchased them had I known.
I have a completely opposite experience, lol. It was such a drastic difference in the quality of sound coming out that I had to re-listen again to make sure it wasn't a placebo effect. I had a much lower expectation and thought there might be a chance I'd retain the set. I am more than happy to pay the $250 and probably more the change. The soundstage was lifted and more focused. There's much more range and presence, to the vocals especially. I'm really pleasantly surprised. The TA really make the soundbar speakers stand out as subpar. It's glaringly bad now in comparison to the TA. Distractingly bad. I'm going to have to look at some substitutes. I didn't want to go full bore like last truck with Focals and JLs. This is just my opinion. Maybe taste in music has something to do with it. They definitely don't get louder, but because they are clearer and fuller, I don't feel the need to have the volume quite as high. Just another data point.
 

jdanek

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Installed the Terra speakers yesterday. Had fairly low expectations. Even told my wife beforehand not to worry about the $250 cost ... as I will probably return them.

Well, these speakers are a noticeable improvement over the premium Alpine speakers. Treble is now present and vocal clarity is substantially better.

The good news is my wife also thought the Terra's sounded great and approved the purchase :)

p.s. My comparison was based on good quality mp3s and streaming music at 256kbps (connected via CarPlay). I suspect the improvement would have been less noticeable with a bluetooth connection or with Sirius radio.
 
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Darel

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I got these, and I actually believe they sound worse than the stock speakers. I left them in for a couple months to "break in" as the manufacturer recommends, still didn't like them, contacted the manufacturer to return them, and was told I waited too long. After waiting for them to "break in" per THE MANUFACTURER'S INSTRUCTIONS. Don't waste your money. Fwiw '21 JTR Alpine (and yes they sent me the right speakers).
 

Burghardphotography

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I got these, and I actually believe they sound worse than the stock speakers. I left them in for a couple months to "break in" as the manufacturer recommends, still didn't like them, contacted the manufacturer to return them, and was told I waited too long. After waiting for them to "break in" per THE MANUFACTURER'S INSTRUCTIONS. Don't waste your money. Fwiw '21 JTR Alpine (and yes they sent me the right speakers).
I wonder if there is some sort of quality control issue with these. I’ve been playing music for decades, sometimes professionally, and these seem like a noticeable improvement to me over the alpine speakers. But I‘be heard multiple people across different forums absolutely confident that theirs sound worse. I’d love to get a few sets side by side and see if there’s a difference.
 

Darel

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I wonder if there is some sort of quality control issue with these. I’ve been playing music for decades, sometimes professionally, and these seem like a noticeable improvement to me over the alpine speakers. But I‘be heard multiple people across different forums absolutely confident that theirs sound worse. I’d love to get a few sets side by side and see if there’s a difference.
So, I've been into home theater for 20+ years so believe me, I went into this knowing no car stereo can actually sound good, and ALSO tempered with the fact that I knew their claims of an actual "soundstage" in an environment as terrible as a car interior was BS (although my Audi S5's Bang & Olufsen system was genuinely amazing and to this day makes me want to spend the rest of my life tracing VAG electronics with a multimeter just to get that stereo back). But, I figured for $250 and a quick bolt in it's not a big loss. I'm also NOT a basshead and I like clean, clear, crisp highs, so I figured the separate tweeter HAD to be better. And, while obviously not that wonderful B&O system, I do think the Alpine system is pretty darn good.

The difference was not striking. I don't suspect a QC issue, it wasn't THAT bad. But, oddly, the stock Alpine speakers actually delivered cleaner highs than the Terra separates. I was really surprised at that. If I had to put it into words, I would say the Terra highs sounded more like slapping a sheet of tinfoil with a spoon. Not overwhelmingly, but there is just this...jangle that the stock speakers don't have.

It was actually subtle enough that I swapped back and forth a few times, and since Terra refused to take them back, I figured WTF, I paid for them, I'll just leave them in and try to forget about it.

Bottom line, Alpine is better than the Terra, not so much better that it's a huge issue but I definitely wish I hadn't spent that $250. They are NOT an upgrade. Do NOT spend the money.

And DON'T listen to what Terra says about a break-in period, like I did. If you decide to spend the money anyway, and you come to the same realization that I did, take them out and ask for a refund right away. Don't leave them in there for a "break-in" period.
 

Burghardphotography

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So, I've been into home theater for 20+ years so believe me, I went into this knowing no car stereo can actually sound good, and ALSO tempered with the fact that I knew their claims of an actual "soundstage" in an environment as terrible as a car interior was BS (although my Audi S5's Bang & Olufsen system was genuinely amazing and to this day makes me want to spend the rest of my life tracing VAG electronics with a multimeter just to get that stereo back). But, I figured for $250 and a quick bolt in it's not a big loss. I'm also NOT a basshead and I like clean, clear, crisp highs, so I figured the separate tweeter HAD to be better. And, while obviously not that wonderful B&O system, I do think the Alpine system is pretty darn good.

The difference was not striking. I don't suspect a QC issue, it wasn't THAT bad. But, oddly, the stock Alpine speakers actually delivered cleaner highs than the Terra separates. I was really surprised at that. If I had to put it into words, I would say the Terra highs sounded more like slapping a sheet of tinfoil with a spoon. Not overwhelmingly, but there is just this...jangle that the stock speakers don't have.

It was actually subtle enough that I swapped back and forth a few times, and since Terra refused to take them back, I figured WTF, I paid for them, I'll just leave them in and try to forget about it.

Bottom line, Alpine is better than the Terra, not so much better that it's a huge issue but I definitely wish I hadn't spent that $250. They are NOT an upgrade. Do NOT spend the money.

And DON'T listen to what Terra says about a break-in period, like I did. If you decide to spend the money anyway, and you come to the same realization that I did, take them out and ask for a refund right away. Don't leave them in there for a "break-in" period.
Overall, they should have at least accepted the return, that’s kinda shitty that they stuck you with them like that.
 

ttn333

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So, I've been into home theater for 20+ years so believe me, I went into this knowing no car stereo can actually sound good, and ALSO tempered with the fact that I knew their claims of an actual "soundstage" in an environment as terrible as a car interior was BS (although my Audi S5's Bang & Olufsen system was genuinely amazing and to this day makes me want to spend the rest of my life tracing VAG electronics with a multimeter just to get that stereo back). But, I figured for $250 and a quick bolt in it's not a big loss. I'm also NOT a basshead and I like clean, clear, crisp highs, so I figured the separate tweeter HAD to be better. And, while obviously not that wonderful B&O system, I do think the Alpine system is pretty darn good.

The difference was not striking. I don't suspect a QC issue, it wasn't THAT bad. But, oddly, the stock Alpine speakers actually delivered cleaner highs than the Terra separates. I was really surprised at that. If I had to put it into words, I would say the Terra highs sounded more like slapping a sheet of tinfoil with a spoon. Not overwhelmingly, but there is just this...jangle that the stock speakers don't have.

It was actually subtle enough that I swapped back and forth a few times, and since Terra refused to take them back, I figured WTF, I paid for them, I'll just leave them in and try to forget about it.

Bottom line, Alpine is better than the Terra, not so much better that it's a huge issue but I definitely wish I hadn't spent that $250. They are NOT an upgrade. Do NOT spend the money.

And DON'T listen to what Terra says about a break-in period, like I did. If you decide to spend the money anyway, and you come to the same realization that I did, take them out and ask for a refund right away. Don't leave them in there for a "break-in" period.
It's funny how differently we all hear and appreciate audio. I suspect a lot of us who upgrade our car stereo have a history with audio. I had low expectations with the TA but was pleasantly surprised by the very apparent improvement in the sound. Also surprisingly for me, it was the midrange and upper midrange that stood out to me. I'm not comparing this to my home theater system. That wouldn't come close. But just the difference between TA and stock Alpine. Just like in my previously life, some people just don't like the sound of a speaker while others do. Maybe try rolling some other speakers into the dash and see if you like them better. I'm sure you can sell these pretty quickly.
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