Audio Upgrades

Let's just cut to the chase here!

Initially did the Premium Upgrade for under $250 a while ago and enjoyed it thoroughly...but, it wasn't enough (NO UPGRADE EVER IS ) so now I find myself doing research for a serious upgrade that will cause the next 7.1 earthquake in SoCal (just kidding ).

Listen to music of all genres, but I gotta say my main is electronic (all sub-genres). Feel free to diss, I don't care - it's fun as hell to dance to while suffering through LA traffic. That said, I'm looking for something that gives the music the respect and kick that it deserves.

I like nice things and don't wanna twice! Give me options people. Assume budget at $750-$1000. Subwoofer would be sweet, but I'd also not like to sacrifice cab space (my Search and Rescue gear takes up a lot of it).

Tagging @ChadsPride for shits and giggles

 

(Insert laugh here). I bought a 8" powered sub that fits under the drivers seat. Nothing crazy like a big box, but surprisingly good enough Bass for me. Did that and the Subaru (Kicker) tweeters and it sounds fantastic in there.

I might consider doing the 4 doors someday, but I'm more than content now.

 

I'm running a jl audio micro sub these things sound amazing . They come with a built in amp . It completed the sound I was looking for . You can take it a step up and get the stealth box from jl audio 700 bucks .

 

Just do this and be done with it.

https://oemaudioplus.com/toyota/tcd1600/

 

I recommend you start small. As in tweeter small, by replacing your tweeters. That will give you the biggest bang for the buck right away IMO.

There are some here on TW that rave about the Subaru tweeters and have nothing but good to say about them, and they’re plug & play if you happen to be “that guy”.

I took the hard road and went with the Infinity 075tx series and they sound fantastic. FYI, assembly required.

I could have stayed there, but I wanted some more bottom end without going thru the hassle of a sub because I don’t want to give up any real state inside the truck, so I replaced all the door (4) speakers with Infinity Reference series 9622ix 6X9 for the front and Infinity Reference series 6522ix 6 1/2” for the rear. To save time, (but not money) I went with all taco-tunes mounts.

I also insulated inside door panels with home-cheapo insulation materials and the sound is great with no issues thus far, great bottom end no amp needed either, using the stock HU.

I had/would consider adding and inline Alpine 445U small power amp, but its been over a year and I haven’t felt the need. Also I don’t want to add a load to the factory batt/charging system with a power hungry amp. But just that’s me, I don’t like complications.

As a reference to my build, my T4R limited came with the factory premium sound system which includes a sub and separate amp, and my system trumps it!

Good luck with your build, you’ll find tons of guidance on this forum and some very knowledgeable people eager to help you.

Cheers!

 

While it won't rattle your teeth, I installed this into my truck. Jbl 3 way components up front and 6.5 coax in the rear.

It does need a amp to bring out the bass, but as it sits running on the head unit it sounds pretty good.

http://imgur.com/gallery/hIWqc3o

I plan to install a sub in the future, but I want to get a jbl subwoofer trim panel to build a box behind so it all looks stock.

 

Oh heck yeah, Subaru tweeters was one of the first things I did. I'm mostly looking for speaker suggestions. The Infinity suggestions are awesome - that's a lot of what I'm going for!

 

I did all doors and tweets with the Rockford Rosgate Prime. Used Metra adapters and the ********* wire adapter for the tweets (internal crossover allowed me to wire them online no problem)

This setup runs and sound great off the stock deck with the full range sound. The tweets are definitely more noticeable, but aren’t too high and scratchy.

Easiest install in a Tacoma I’ve ever done. Did the doors in under an hour and the tweets in about 10 minutes once the soldering was done

All for $110

 

not sure exactly what you're looking to get into OP, but i listen to all kinds of stuff, too. and when anything electronic, 80's, EDM, or whatever comes on, my JL 13TW-5 let's me know why i bought it and why i let go all my rear cab space including my bank account. the bass and punch can take you to another realm. and honestly this is nothing compared to my previous setup which had dual 10W7's and stuff.

 

Wish I could find something simple to help with the premium JBL in my 16 TRD OR....
Unimpressed with it especially for upgrade cost of the unit...
Don't need anything crazy but anything would probably be better then stock.

 

isn't this the quandary? unimpressed, yet don't need anything crazy? lol

do what it takes to impress yourself, music is for enjoyment and inspiration. forget about what is or isn't crazy, doesn't matter.

 

Agreed but it's like I cant do a 250.00 dollar upgrade like you can with stock factory unit as the JBL unit is difficult to work with and a total replacement is too expensive which is why I said it would be nice to find a SIMPLE solution..
But yes it's a quandary.. lol

 

I think this whole debate is relative in a sense that different people have different expectations in the music they listen to and through different sources. The quality of the sound from streaming ANY thing sucks. Stream a song and then put in a CD and there is no comparison. The music from streaming, i.e. mp3, is so compressed from the get go it is laughable at best in trying to hear the different ranges from high to low. Some stereo setups are for streaming and that’s it! I would suggest trying diffferent sources of music and go from there. One brand speaker may sound fine for what people are looking for and others not so much.

 

agree. i made a commitment when i was young and a budding audio engineer that i would never let crap equipment stand between me and enjoying the music. then i found bass. oh, and debt.

 

I'd have to agree with you. Now just looking for some vehicle input as opposed to headphones/speakers!

 

TBH almost anything will be an BIG improvement to the factory, there are more great speaker replacements than time to listen or research them all, but that's a good thing lol!

Here's a couple pics of my install:

The magnet difference is HUGE!


And it looks good installed too




Factory



Cheers!

 

One thing you should keep in mind, people who are installing 2 way coax speakers, you now have double the amount of tweeters. Instead of a woofer in the door and tweeter in the dash, you have a woofer and tweeter in the door and a tweeter in the dash.

 

I should mention that I also chose my replacement speakers with good or high power efficiency in mind, just in case I didn't change the HU or add an amp. Not that lower efficient ones are bad, not at all, some sound great but for me, I don't think I'll be adding more power or a new HU I'm quite content for the moment.

Hope that helps
Cheers!

 

Is there any help for the JBL...?
I can't seem to find much.

 

If you've already replaced all the dash and door speakers just throw an amp under your seat and a sub behind the rear seat.

Don't waste your time and money on the little 8" sub/amp combos, you'll only be disappointed.