Premium Audio Upgrade for less than $250

It will sound better with just the tweeter upgrade. But running components off the stock HU would require fashioning tweeter mounts and running some wiring -- component speakers usually have external crossovers, and you have to run the output from the HU or amp into the crossover and then out to each speaker, wherever you mount them. Not so bad in a 2nd gen since it is all in the door, but 3rd gen gets a bit more complicated with the tweeters in the dash. Component speakers are usually a bit more expensive, and they are considered a bit more higher-end and assume you are driving them with an amp, so they are typically a bit less sensitive and require higher wattage to drive efficiently. Personally, I would not look at components unless you are ready to spend more, add an amp, and do some wiring and fabrication.

I guess what I am saying is that with the non-Entune unit, I disagree that you can have better for less by going the component route. The HU will not drive components properly without an amp. Plus it's a lot more work and beyond the scope of this thread.

I have been able to put together good (not great) 2nd gen systems for between $700 and $800, but it requires a lot of budget shopping and work. Like buying scratch-n-dent components (which are not a bad way to go), building your own sub box (requires some slightly more advanced knowledge and skills to design with the right volume matched to the sub and actually build the box), and running all the wiring (taking out seats, panels, carpet, etc.).

There are several ways you can go, but unless you are ready to drop at least another $500 and do some extra work, I would stop at the tweeters on a non-Entune unit. It should sound better and might be good enough.

This is the internet, I am a stranger, and that's just, like, my opinion, man. Take it or leave it.

 

I have the 2017 7" Entune non-jbl HU. I put in the Kicker tweeters, the Focal 690TOY fronts, and the Focal RXC-165 rears. Everything is noico'ed really well. Sounds good. Way way way better than stock. I think i'm still in the break in period though. One thing I'm still wondering if anyone knows, is if this setup needs to be amp'ed or not. Can the HU handle these speakers? I don't mind buying an AMP, but has anyone done it for this model year and HU setup?

 

You really do not need it persay, that is a high sensitivity on those speakers so they work well with lower power anyways. You can push them up with an amp of course and even use the stock wiring as you can't go over 75 anyways. See if you are still happy with it in a few months. If you do decide to get an amp, don't forget to factor in the cost of power wiring and the harness which is at least another $100. I had the smaller entune than you are running and the HU could not put out enough power to run my speakers, but they were much less sensitive than yours

 

The head unit isn't going to manhandle those speakers, or any speakers for that matter. Your speakers have a 75w RMS and the entune probably puts out 25w. If you want more out of your speakers I'd add a 4x100 amp. If it sounds good without i wouldn't worry about it.

 

Looking for a minimal amp recommendation. Would like to upgrade tweeters, front and back speakers and use stock oem radio unit. Thank you

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...r-less-than-250.510424/page-112#post-17357905

There ya go.

 

So far so good on the sound. Like I said earlier, still in the break in period. My music tastes are going to work these speakers out, which is why I was wondering if adding an amp would be viable, but I'll take a wait and see attitude on that, but money generally isn't an object for me with doing mods and upgrades. As long as it done right and shows a significant point of improvement, then I'm for it.

 

Ah, good to know about the 25w/channel output. I didn't know that. I think that's sufficient for now. Still working in these speakers though, but they do sound pretty good.

 

I don't believe this to be true, honestly. My amp is rated at 85rms per channel and I'm on the stock wiring. Then there is this:

google watt rating

then this:

 

That and do you believe the rating on the amp. I don't, i also don't run the gains wide open.

 

He can't go over 75 because then he would be exceeding the recommended max of his particular speaker was the point of that sentence. Although personally I wouldn't run more than 80 through stock wiring anyway. Hell in
your case with 85 sure

 

It's not the max of the speaker. Its what's recommended. Unless you want to break out the multimeter and do some ohms law calcs you aren't gonna really know what is being put out of your amp or head unit. If you aren't getting distortion you are good to go.

 

Yeah totally agree on all fronts and still doesn't change the meaning of my sentence. Dude will be gtg on stock wiring, esp since the speakers he has don't require enough power to run wire.

 

My goodness no. But I tune with an oscilascope. I barely moved the gains before clipping occurred.

Ahhhhhhh.....

 

Edit 11/3/17: Based on reviews and experiences it would seem the stock HU on the SR models is not sufficient enough in terms of power output to give you the same level of "wow" that many experience on the Entune head units. For these trucks an amp might be required to achieve similar or better output. Still unsure about SR5s so please post up your experiences. Overwhelmingly folks are extremely happy with and enjoying this upgrade for Entune head units (standard 6" and Premium 7") and some good response on various 2nd gen trim models as well. For 2nd gens, the door speakers should fit, but the TWEETERS do not fit the 2nd gen but are plug n' play for 3rd gens.[/QUOTE]


So I just bought the Subaru tweeters for my 2015 trd sport, before reading the update. So what can I do to make them fit?

 

Welcome to TW!

 

So I just bought the Subaru tweeters for my 2015 trd sport, before reading the update. So what can I do to make them fit?[/QUOTE]


Sell them/return them, and buy a component set with tweeters?

 

Great thread! Ordered some of the dash tweeters today for my 2017 Gen3. Have a pair of NIB Alpine 6.5" 2-ways in the basement I'll throw in the back. I'll just order some of the connectors from Amazon or direct wire. Depending on those sound together I may or may not order some 6x9s or see if any of my buddies have some decent ones laying around. I gave away 2 set NIB of Alpine 6x9s last year to my buddies kid.

 

Sell them/return them, and buy a component set with tweeters?[/QUOTE]
What is an appropriate set for the 2nd gen? I can easily return these. They’re from Amazon.

 

What is an appropriate set for the 2nd gen? I can easily return these. They’re from Amazon.[/QUOTE]

Perhaps these from JL Audio. They should work alright with your stock headunit as they’re pretty high sensitivity. You’ll likely have an external crossover that you have to mount, and the tweeter mounting might take creativity, but they should sound good.

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_13699046/JL-Audio-C1-690.html?avf=Y

Someone else will have to chime in with 2nd gen specific info, or you can check out some install videos for mounting tips for that stuff.