Question for those who have upgraded their speakers

I don't know a lot about the newer manufacturers. So I usually go with the tried-n-true brands. The newer manufacturers may be great? but you would need to do the leg-work first. Before I would purchase Kickers, I would personally consider brands like Infinity, Polk Audio, Rockford Fosgate, Bose or Altec Lansing. Just my $0.02

 

not an audiofile but ive always been content with kenwood speakers. Anything was an improvement over stock speakers.

 

Ya I know it isn't much. But I admit that I don't know what it is.

I'm only a music lover and not a true audiophile. But I do know that power doesn't = sound quality (unless they are horribly mismatched).

 

No real basis for my opinion. I just think that Kenwood and Sony are just kinda "middle-of-the-road".

 

lol yeah for 30-50 dollars a set i wouldnt expect boston acoustics. Its also my opinion that most people cant tell the difference between 50 dollar speakers and 200 dollar speakers, if all other compoenents are the same.

 

If you're not going to run an amp then make sure to look at speaker sensitivity, aim for 91db w/m2 or higher. 6x9s typically excel in the category. Dont waste too much time, money and effort if you plan to keep the stock headunit as well. Your main enemy in sound quality is the factory HU and the factory EQ tune it has. Without getting into DSPs or at least replacing the HU you'll be limited. That doesnt mean it wont sound good, it just means dont over think it.

Best thing you can do would be to demo some at a store.

 

Only problem replacing door speakers is they might not be as efficient, and could not be as loud as the OEM speakers. Myself I just did the tweeters and added an 8" under seat "powered Sub". Sounds fantastic!

 

From what I her coming from some vehicles, I would definitely have to agree. But, like I said, I'm just a music lover. And I do have a Champagne Taste on a Beer Budget.

 

Thanks.

 

You have to re-arrange the pins in the vehicle connector, but yes: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...plicing-cutting-or-soldering-required.623038/

 

Sorry, still thinking about this one.

I wouldn't have doubted you for a minute it this were the 80's. But I thought that modern HU's were better than that. I was actually thinking: 40w @ 4ch and 60w @ 6ch. Of course that would still put the individual speaker at only ~10w?

 

Im referring to the OEM Hu. I unfortunately never measured the voltage on it to truly know for sure. Speaking in terms of sustained or average watts, most aftermarket typically get around 14w RMS per channel. I know from replacing the stock head unit in 2 4runner and 3 Tacomas now that 14w is more than what the stock unit is at. With no other adjustments the Kenwoods and Pioneer units achieve the same as the stock units 75% volume at roughly 50% volume. I did measure once with a SPL meter and at comparable volumes the Kenwood was about 3db louder. Those arent as accurate as a voltage reading but they put the OE HU at between 50% and 25% quieter, estimated.

So an estimate of ~7-10w. I was being a little melodramatic.

One thing to consider though is that the stock speakers, going of memory here, are 2ohm speakers. The fronts are wired in parallel with the tweeters, basically netting a 1 ohm circuit. One thing people tend to notice after replacing the speakers is needing to turn the volume higher, basically they've increased the resistance and lowered the net power to each speaker. So even though the stock unit is probably around 7-10w it performs comparably to double that if you were to compare the unit with stock vs aftermarket 4 ohm speakers.

It does its job well enough, but basically if you add a HU to the stock speakers you will actually add volume, if you add speakers to the stock HU you will lose volume.

 

Going purely off the specifications here, but here are some 3ohm speakers that all produce 93 db w/m. Lower resistance with greater sensitivity should make them a bit louder. I havent heard the JBL, but I've heard the Infinities in a 6x9 and they're not bad at all.

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_108R6532EM/Infinity-Reference-REF-6532ex.html?tp=105

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_109CT9631G/JBL-Concert-Series-9631.html?tp=105

The Infinity 6x9 actually has a 94db sensitivity.
https://www.crutchfield.com/p_108R9632IM/Infinity-Reference-REF-9632ix.html?tp=105

 

Would it make sense to keep the HU and just add an amp?

 

Yes I had room

 

Everyones needs are different. If you want it to be louder and sound better then yes an amp would be great, just keep in mind the stock speakers wont last long unless its like a 25Wx4 amp.

I really look at audio like a hobby though, want to get a more realistic sound and staging for a whole different experience. What I want isnt for everyone, and its not cheap. So maybe take some of my advice with a grain of salt. If I had to rank in order what I would buy if I was just someone looking for better sound and more loudness it would be: 1. Head unit 2. Speakers and then if you want more 3. Amp and DSP. I know most dont want to replace the stock head unit, so in that case I would highly recommend the Pioneer DEQ-S1000A and the speakers of your choice. The DEQ-S1000a has a DSP/equalizer in it to fix the crappy factory tune and its an amp as well that puts out the same power you'd get out of an aftermarket headunit.

 

I've already replaced the tweeters and have door speakers arriving next week. I'm concerned that the HD won't do the speakers justice. I'm OK with the functionality of the HD, it's the sound quality I'm concerned with. If I go aftermarket, will I still be able to retain the steering wheel controls? What about the factory Bluetooth mic?

TIA

 

No way to retain the factory mic that I've seen, and I've looked. There was a guy working on one, but he gave it up last I heard.

Otherwise, either the

$75 SWRTY-61n Radio Replacement with SWC & OE RVC Retention (for Toyota Vehicles 2012-Up)

SWRTY-61n or the Maestro datalink will allow you to keep all your steering wheel functions. The Datalink costs about 3x as much, but you get some extra display screens on the HU.

There are DSPs you can run with the factory HU if your ok with wire work. The Pioneer I mentioned would have to be wired in either by splicing or buying the correct plugs from metra and making a breakout harness.

 

Thanks. I assume the problem with the factory mic is more than just a bastard plug?

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...aftermarket-head-units-testers-wanted.568415/