Upgrading Stereo

Hello everyone. I've been a bit of a lingerer here on the forum since before I bought my Truck back in February. I don't normally need to chime in much I can usually find what I'm looking for and more. But I figured I throw this out there to get some peoples opinions if anyone wants to share their experience.
So here's what I plan to do. The stock stereo has got to go. I was originally just going to keep the stock entune head unit and add an audio processor ( likely the JL fix 86 ) but am starting to explore upgrading the head unit altogether. While entune was alright when I had an iPhone, it doesn't seem to be as cohesive with an android. I feel like I could get something that integrates with current tech a bit better. Have any of you done away with the stock Entune head unit and added an aftermarket one? I cant really see any functionality I would lose other than maybe vehicle information.

As for the rest of the stereo I'm still shopping ideas but will probably be 6.5" components up front and 6.5" two ways in the back with a 12" behind seats. Alpine 5 channel for power.

Feel free to direct me to a thread if this has been discussed before, I have been searching for one and will continue but thought I'd get something going if anyone has any insight on the project.

I look forward to meeting some of you, cheers.

 

All right. Have finally got some time to bring anyone interested up to speed. I'm pretty happy with the way things have turned out although there are still some tweaks to make.
What's done so far:

Front speakers: Focal K2 Power components

Rear speakers: Will be the same as front. Currently Focal Access 165AC

Amplification: Alpine V9 5 channel. 100x4 500x1 mounted under passenger seat, was gonna do an amp rack in the passenger cubby but I might use that area for another 13.

Sub: JL Audio 13tw5v2 2ohm

Box: Fiberglass/MDF molded in cubby with some panel modifications. Supposedly .08 cubic feet but as beautiful as it is I think it may be slightly undersized. Will be checking, and my installer agreed to rebuild if need be.



Head unit: Kenwood DDX9903S

I did away with the entune head unit. I was originally gping with the JL FIX 86 DSP but I'm glad I went with the Kenwood DDX9903S. It's anot Android Auto/Apple Carplay enabled media player with DVD. A few of the key features aside from AA/ACP was the hdmi input, vehicle information display (idatalink maestro), EQ/XOver, and the capacitive touch screen(glass).




My installer was able to get a dual HDMI/USB flush mount so I can easily change input devices. I have a fire tv stick that is powered by the usb and receives wifi from a phone. With it loaded with Kodi (if you don't know what Kodi is I highly suggest Googling it and checking it out) I can watch pretty much anything including live television. The USB supplies rapid charge and the Android Auto connection.

Focal components:
Was just Googling my fronts to make sure I got the model number right and saw them on sale from what I bought them for a month ago. So the k2's will be replacing the speakers that were ( this is not a typo) replacing the speakers that are currently installed. Those are Focal Access 2 ways. I can't really hear them very well, and want Tweeters near the door handle.
They really are fantastic speakers.


All doors and rear panel fully dynamatted. Here is a link to a vifeo of a door with and a door witgout dynamat. It's a perfect example of what this stuff does.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B7vvuA13so5aaDlPMjh6SEZLR2c/view?usp=drivesdk

All in all it definitely had its issues but am pleased that it's all coming together. Speakers are pretty much broken in, once I get my rears swapped out I'll be a happy man!

 

this is great. I've been planning to upgrade my stereo at some point. and i just happen to have a set of Focal K2P's 6.5 and a whole bunch of other stuff including caps, amps, high end wire... i now know my stuff will fit. i had it in a previous car and it's ready for the Tacoma.

too bad about my subs tho. i have 2 10W7's and ain't no room for that! not even for one of them.

 

Oh I know all about the W7's got a 12 sitting in my garage. Thing is a beast! You'd have to just remove the rear seats!

 

hey man, what would you recommend for a sub solution? i like what you're doing and the SQ focus, but I'm dead with the subs. i don't want to downgrade in a bad way from the 10w7's and have to pay to do it, and i don't want to lose both sides of my seat storage... I'd be ok with losing one side. is your box custom or a JL model?

 

Have you heard the 13TW5's? It's obviously not a w7 but you'd never know the fuckers mounting depth is 2.5". It's pretty legit.

My box is custom

 

I'll look into it. that may be my thing sq-wise. i always preferred sealed boxes and smaller tighter woofers... the w7 was an exception to that. this may be right for me because it's about the punch and presence in the sub, not the super deep or high output.

 

This thing is like a 10 on steroids. Very punchy, my box is very sealed. You can't even flex the sub when you push on the cone.

 

orly? that sounds mighty nice. mind sharing who made it? feel free to pm if you'd rather.

 

He's a buddy of mine that works for Car Toys here in WA. Issaquah. I told him as soon as I put this box up on the forum people were gonna want it. It's one of the best I've seen for this sub on here but like I said in my post, I think it may be undersized a bit. I think I can get more out of it I need to hear it in one of JL's boxes to compare.

 

Do you have any pictures of the headunit installed? I am interested in an aftermarket head unit but want to maintain the factory look. Does the new head unit work with the back up camera and the steering wheel controls? Thank you

 

I was going to put that hdmi/USB in my 2nd gen just to get mirroring, I would have never ever thought about using it for Kodi, you are a genius!
And that box is super clean. One of the cleanest solutions I've seen. I hope it works out, and your boy can make some coin off that

 

Back up camera works and you still have the factory guide lines displayed on screen.
Steering wheel functions are kept through the idatalink maestro adapter.
The only thing you loose on your in MDI is anything Nav related. You can still view everything else you could and get vehicle info.
The Kenwood has a tire pressure gauge on it as well as a screen with different gauges on it but.
Now while this head unit doesn't have Nav, it does have Google maps through android auto. You don't even have to push any buttons to utilize " ok google" just say it and you can use any features your phone offers through ok Google

 

Yeah I love the box. Wish it wasn't hidden behind the seat .
The flush mount let's you easily swap out any input you want. Want to bring the Xbox? Easy.

At first the USB's connection did not work for android auto but I updated the software on the Kenwood and it worked so I think that was just a bug.

 

Still don't understand why people hate the system so much. Works fine and sounds pretty good. Guess people want that thump like upgraded and premium systems....

 

I know plenty of people that think upgrading audio is a waste. But I've also spent a fair amount of money on it over the years and not once have I regretted it. I escape when I'm in my vehicle and the music's turned up. It's not about the thump, you'd have to hear the whole think together. It's akin to listening to music with quality headphones.

And the Taco's stereo is majorly sub part imo

Look at the size of the driver in the original door speakers. That's a quarter next to it, which is probably what they cost toyota.

 

All right it's official. Same components for the rear ordered. Haven't done components in the rear before so I'll let you know if it was a waste of $200

 

Who did your sub box?! I have been wanting to get my 13tw5 in since I bought the truck!

 

His name is Ben, works out of the Issaquah Car toys.

 

Does he build and ship by chance?