Premium Audio Upgrade for less than $250

Most people probably wouldn't notice a difference. If I already had the 6.5" speakers and liked them, personally I would just get the Metra adapters and use them.

 

I have an extra cab. My system has a $89 Pioneer deck, $69 Pioneer 2 way speakers in the doors, a generic sub box for a 10" sub with a 12" sub bolted in. No amp. The deck has MOSFET outputs which means it's bridgeable. There is a lot of adjustability in that deck and it sounds great. Both windows rolled down on the freeway and I only hear semi's road noise and a few mud type tires driving by. 6 years and still rockin like day 1. I have 36 years of professional experience btw.

 

It's 2 foam chunks that pop in and out super easily, they come with the truck. I took them out temporarily to lay sound deadening inside the door

 

anyone have experience with this and second gens?

 

The tweeters I know are NOT a direct swap, but with the right mounting brackets the 3-way/2-ways should work in the doors. Search "2nd gen" on this thread and you'll see all the commentary about what does/doesn't work in your truck.

 

I am looking to upgrade my speakers as well. Already bought the Subaru tweeters, but haven’t installed them yet.

I’m looking at the KS series to replace the door speakers - for the front 6x9 there is a 2 and 3 way...which one should I get?

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_206KSC6904/Kicker-44KSC6904.html?tp=105

Or

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_206KSC6930/Kicker-44KSC69304.html?tp=105

I assume these will work for the rear:
https://www.crutchfield.com/p_206KSC6704/Kicker-44KSC6704.html?tp=105


Will these work well without an amp for now? I’ll eventually add the Kicker Key amp, but don’t really have the funds at the moment.

Advise today would be appreciated, as crutchfield has a sale the ends today. I placed an order for the CS speakers, but I’m seriously considering cancelling it and getting the KS instead.

I’m in the car a few hours a day, and I’m not unhappy with the stock speakers but I know it can be a lot better.

 

If you’ve already got the Subaru tweeters, definitely cancel the CS and get the KS. The Subaru speaker is the KS line

As for 2 way vs 3 way, I’d go with whichever you can get cheaper. Ultimately, after installing dozens of both pairs, my ears not convinced there is any sound difference between them.

Without an amp, expect to lose a bit of mid-bass and low end at first until the speaker has a while to break in. You should gain a good amount of clarity in the highs though.

If you can spare the cash, grab some Noico sound deadening material on Amazon and throw a few pieces on the door panels while you have them taken apart. This will help keep some of your bass response, and make it sound even better once you get an amp in there.

 

That’s what I was thinking. It says the 6.75” are for the fronts only, same with the 6x9...I guess I’ll have to buy the $20 adapter to make the 6.75’s work in the rear.

 

Yeah they kind of screw you over with that. You definitely need the adapter for the front and back, but for some reason they refuse to believe that the 6.75” fit. One member said he called them and tried to get them to throw it in, assuming it was just their computer system not knowing any better. And they told him the tweeter stuck out a bit too far and would hit the door panel. I posted a video to that showing that I have at least a ¼”, probably closer to ½” of space between the door panel and the tweeter for the KS 6.75”

Go to Best Buy and grab them, and have them price match Amazon or somebody

 

I got the CS order cancelled, and got on the chat and had them swap out the bracket on the 6.75’s for the correct one to fit on the rear doors.

Crutchfield has always had pretty good customer service, glad they were able to swap out the brackets.

Now the waiting game begins.

I also ordered the Noico sound deadening.

 

Is there a post or a thread with a solid diagram of how the kicker key gets wired in? I’m probably just going to go ahead and buy it instead of waiting.

Looks like I need

$8 Metra 70-1761 Radio Wiring Harness For Toyota 87-Up Power 4 Speaker

Metra 70-1761 and

$13 71-1761 87 - 94 Toyota Vehicle Harness

71-1761 harnesses.

These two will splice into the Key’s harness for a plug and play solution where no factory wires need to be cut, right?

I’m reading other threads but it seems to be a lot of mixed information how to wire it all together correctly..

 

Yes, those two parts. And if you have a 2nd gen, you’ll need to extend the wires a bit to reach over the top of the glove box. There is basically no room behind the radio in 2015-earlier years

 

Nah, superior 3rd gen w/entune premium (non-jbl)

 

That is a good question. Another question. Why did Toyota eliminate the 6x9 from the rear panels after the 1st gen?

 

Some people believe the 6x9 is an abomination and produces inferior sound because it is not round. I can't answer the Toyota question.

 

Added a Planet Audio amp to my Kickers door speakers today and it is amazing how much nicer they sound now. Almost makes me think I could get away without adding a sub now.

 

I went and replaced the stock speakers yesterday with these and these both ordered from Crutchfield (Can't recommend them enough). Speakers came with the adapter bracket and the harness so that it would be plug & play with the Tacoma. I have a 2018 SR5 Double Cab, and I don't notice any problems with the stock HU driving the speakers.

I installed sound deadening behind the speakers as well, though not up into the entire door like I have seen other people do. It stops the vibration well enough for me. I can barely see the side mirrors vibrate on the most bass heavy songs. I would say it is worth it though, especially if you like a lot of bass. I don't understand how people can say they don't notice a difference. It was night and day to me with the new speakers, especially with the clarity of the bass. Overall the sound quality is much clearer all around.

 

Would you mind adding a link to the KS speaker line to which you're referring? I'm seeing different DS,CS,KS lines, but I'm confused. I have the Subaru Kicker tweeters on order.

Oh, and I have a 2019 TRD OffRoad, w/ the JBL system, double cab, long bed--if that matters.

Thanks.

 

If you have the JBL system, this thread unfortunately isn't the one for you. The tweeters wont work in the JBL system, and the other speakers listed are 4ohm and the JBL system likes 2ohm speakers

 

I think this upgrade works best with the non-JBL -- not even sure it works with the JBL without a lot more trouble (I don't recall anyone posting in this thread that has done it with the JBL system, might search within the thread for JBL).

I *think* the different levels go up in quality and price from CS -> DS -> KS.