Audio upgrade! Audiophile grade!!!

Most def we can hook you up with somthing a million times better then oem+

 

With all the parts I’m using total price is close to the 9-10 grand for everything but I’m going all out with processors, sounddeading, new wire, custom box, and very high end equipment.

 

If possible use soundeading on both the inner and outer layer of the door. As far as getting it inside we’ll your going to have to get creative I have a bunch of tools just for this purpose but for spots we’re I can’t really reach I cut Pieces of sound deading and I will use a long screwdriver to roll it on. I also use a spray on sound deader made by a company directed its called boom mat for those impossible to reach spots. As far as speaker are concerned I don’t really like kicker but compared to factory speakers there amazing! Personally though I’d go with hybrid for super nice or alpine because they make a 6x9 component set

 

So Audio Tech guy, if I don't want to replace speaker wiring and head unit (Have the Tech Package with the step below JBL), have already replaced for the Subaru Kicker Tweeters, but want to get better sounds. What would you advise for replacements?

 

I like the fact that it has the ability to mirror more apps from the iPhone than you can get via Carplay. I.e. Waze!

 

Depends on budget so you said step below meaning it’s amplified but not jbl right? I’ve done a ton of Tacoma’s but I haven’t come across a non jbl amplified one yet. But assuming that Toyota is following the same steps they alway had it should be like the rest of the non jbl systems which is variable signal behind the radio which means you can use it to add aftermarket amps. IF budget is. It an issue. I would do atleast a 6 channel little digital processor so you can optimize the sound! And from there I would def get a quality amplifier sending atleast 75 Watts rms. And lastly I’d change those Subaru kicker tweeters and get a nice set of 6x9 component speakers for your front stage. Alpine makes some nice ones and not to expensive, hybrid audio also makes them, and few other company all of which are better then kicker imo. Also if you don’t care about rear speakers or don’t carry people in the back don’t worry about them leave them alone and focus on the front if you get that small processor and a 4 channel amp you can run the front speakers active and make a world of a difference by sending them more power because the passive crossover that the speakers come with steal power. You can also time align them to make your center image!

 

But if your on a budget and just want to get a little better sound hybrid makes a 2 ohm 6x9 component replacement speaker set that will get a little more power from your radio or you can also try a really efficient speaker like the hertz audison prima speakers sound way better then stock and require little power to sound good. But if you ever plan on adding amp go hybrid because they handle more power then prima and sound better

 

Budget really isn't the issue, just know - how, clean install, and experience really. From what I have seen and searched mine would be the non-JBL amplified version. I replaced the stock thin paper tweeters, for the Kicker in the dash which made a difference. I want to replace the 6x9's and the rear doors which I think are 6 3/4"s. Wasn't really looking at amp if I didn't have to, but again its more because of my experience and knowledge is horribly minimal and I was just looking at a sound improvement over stock.

 

Are you sure it’s amplified? I just looked up the packages offered and there’s only jbl. I ask because my truck said premium sound plus entune plus when I bought it but it was not amplified. But if budget is not an issue I would definatly run a nice amp. If it’s not amplified you can get away with a nice high to low adapter but if you want really good sound and adjustability def a dsp. Because if you change the speakers it will sound better but at the end of the day that factory radio is sending out about 18-25 Watts which is not enough for a nice set of speakers if your in Norcal you can swing by my shop and I’ll be glad to show you some options. We have a Tacoma specific custom ported box with a 8 inch subwoofer that pounds! And we carry all major brands

 

M

May not be. I just thought I had read somewhere here that the Premium Non Jbl version head unit was amplified?

 

No I have the same premium non jbl it basically just means you get gps and few other little features on the radio itself

 

Hey manny I have a quick question for you about the dsp and newer amps. I read that kicker has this amp that I actually purchased. On their site and description it says it can hook up to any factory car audio. Because it has two new technologies in it. One is called the Fit2, fail-safe integration technology and from what I understand has a pre amp and mixer/crossover already in it. This is going to be just for door speakers hence a 4 channel amp. So basically does this little beast have it's own DSP in it?

https://www.kicker.com/kxa4004-4-channel-amplifier

I will be using a modified wiring harness from the amp using 9 wire and the Metra wiring harnesses to get from the factory harness and back to it. Will this work with how I'm thinking to do it?

I just don't feel the need to spend money you don't need to if newer amps have these new technologies and can do the same thing a cross over and a dsp would do already. Less things for the signal to pass through as well you know? Your in the business though and know more about this stuff so I'd like your input as I'm taking kickers word for it only and have no experience. Lol!

Thanks!

 

Hey so I want to start off by saying I’m not familiar with kicker because we don’t sell it. I went over the manual for the specific amp that you mentioned and it does not seem like it has a dsp built in there fit2 technology basiacly means it has a nice high to low adapter built in. From what i read it has load resistors built in to the amp because some cars will not send audio out once you disconnect the factory speakers because the radio doesn’t see a resistance. But if your truck is non jbl you should have no issues if you have jbl you can use it but the sound will not be optimal if you do have jbl I will recommend a Pac amppro harness it will give you a perfect signal to go to your amps.

 

Question do I need component crossovers if I am using a JL Audio Fix86?

 

Sub'd as well, would love to learn a better way to soundproof my rig as well as improve sound!

 

Hey manny,

Thanks for the reply! Maybe you over looked it but in its description I think it says it best.

So if I believe kickers description it does have a dsp. I also just came across audiocontrols amp that has a built in dsp that allows you to adjust settings based on hooking up a pc via USB.


Technology is advancing! Since this is a 4chan amp I will use it to power my doors from our factory head units crappy signal to process and clean it up then use this amps rca outputs to supply the signal to my dumb amp for my two subs and adjust low pass as needed!

Thanks for your help and response but with further research I answered my own question and hope I shed some light on newer amps and easier ways to hook up our factory hu and save money on hardware.

 

I just re read there manual as it’s very short. There description does indeed say dsp controlled preamp but nowhere in the manual does it mention it again or does it even give you a USB port that you can use. The only USB port on the amp they advise you not to touch. So o would call kicker and ask them what they mean by “dsp” because I’m almost 99% percent sure it doesn’t have an actual dsp! On the other hand I am super familiar with the audio control dsp amp as well as the other amp which is JL Audio vxi series. These are very powerful and amazing full processors inside the amp.

 

It's amplified, maybe producing a whole 10-15W per channel though. It's not comparable to the power output of an external amplifier. Also the front channel is wired in parallel so even at 15W it would be distributing closer to 7W to each speaker.

 

Thanks

 

I'd also recommend replacing the front speakers alone first. If it sounds loud enough and good enough then decide on the rears. If you're like me it will sound better but it will still need too much volume adjustment to sound really good. In that case just get an amp. I'm running 50Wx4, I'd suggest looking for something closer to 70-80W per channel since the fronts really do need a little extra due to their wiring.

I have the 6.75" kicker CS in the rear and use them for fill, they put out decent bass, I'd recommend them. For the fronts I'd look around before going straight to the Kickers and I'd really recommend listening to speakers in person. Hearing them in person is really important. The fronts matter more than the rears for sound quality.