Premium Audio Upgrade for less than $250

Mosccat, you will find that sound deadening actually improves the acoustics so much that even at medium volume it will sound louder. This is because road noise is reduced and the front output of the speakers is not getting cancelled by the rear output of the speakers. I know there is an audio term for this but it escapes me currently.

 

Man, I’m not sure about audio mods. Never did it with my WRX. I installed the front speakers and the tweeter this week. Still waiting on the wiring harness for the rears. Definitely notice the difference over stock. But, now the highs and mids and so clear it sounds like the bass is lacking... why can’t I just be happy with how it is? Seriously though, I really don’t want to get an amp and sub. Hopefully I’m happy with just the rears. These Tacoma’s are awesome because of all the aftermarket support but damn what a money pit!

 

Dude is it THAT much better? Another thing for the list...

 

Too old for load music, you sound like my 76 year old Dad.

 

I see that most apply the sound deadening to the metal surfaces but no one mentions doing this to the plastic panels. I have discovered that applying sound deadening to the plastic panels has improved base response considerably. This is what I have been using.

$22 uxcell 315mil 10.76sqft/8mm 40 X40" Car Auto Cell Bumper Floor Sound Insulation Noise Deadener Dampening Mat Acoustic Barrier

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01KAD1ZPU

 

I hear ya, it’s just this HU doesn’t give enough volume when sat in the garage let alone when moving. The speakers need amplification firstly, then I’ll see about improving the sound deadening...

 

Exactly what I’ve been experiencing with my 2020 with the base HU. TBH the rears won’t make any difference if you’re not going to stick an amp into the equation, if anything they will make it worse.

If you don’t want to go deeper into the rabbit hole I’d remove and return the door speakers and stick with just the tweeter upgrade.

I think I’m deciding on keeping the door speakers and amp them with a kicker key180 or 200 amp.

 

seriously? You’re killing me man...

 

I’ve literally just been through exactly what you’re experiencing. I installed the Subaru tweeters first and was really impressed. The door speakers were already ordered and on their way. I was expecting more from the door speakers because of this thread. What I didn’t understand is that the speakers work well if you have anything other than the base HU. The “premium” HU has a small amp built in which is enough to get the door speakers moving, mine (by the sounds of it yours too) the base HU simply can’t power the door speakers enough to get them working properly...

 

Your not wrong. On that note, this is what I've been working on. Not wires yet, just mounted so far. Infinity speakers installed the year before all around. Will have a pair of Infinity 6.5" subs installed under the jump seats(not built yet).

 

Well shit... so the technology package with the JBL system would have been a good route? That would’ve been a couple more grand. I’m really hoping I just accept what I have... I mean, how much for the amp... and sub? Haven’t even looked into it or how complicated the install process is. Starting to wish I never did any of it haha

 

how much was your setup and how many hours of research and install did it take? I hate you btw

 

I would have liked the jbl but here in hawaii u could choose the truck in 3 options... stock... headlights and reverse sensors +$1200... everything +$4800

I understand installing Kicker key180 will do most of what you want +/-$300 inc harness. Fits behind your HU...

 

Thanks man...That’s not too much to keep me from doing it. I’m glad my wife hasn’t said anything about all the current additions to the truck. Wouldn’t happen to have a link to a discussion about the key180 with details would you?

 

The top Alpine amp is for the 2x 6.5" Infinity subs rated at 150w @ 4ohms. The lower Alpine 4x channel amp is rated at 50w @4ohms. I will be powering all 4 speakers the same using the front channel and the rear channel will power a set of Bose tweeters mounted in the upper corners of the rear panel. The sound processor will split the audio so I get low level audio to the 4x channel a MP and a sub channel to the sub amp. I know this might seam extreme but I appreciate good quality tunes. This has been a slow project for sure. Was hoping to finish up this year but it has been delayed due to other priorities. To answer your question, I might have about $1500 wrapped up in all the stereo equipment but I prefer to do this mod myself instead of paying someone to do it. I do acknowledge that this build is beyond the context of this thread but I though I should explain where I'm coming from.
In compliance with this thread, this is the front tweeter mod I did last year. Installed Bose tweeters in the OEM tweeter cage.

 

Wow I appreciate your commitment and envy your dream. Good luck with your project but like you said, it’s too rich for my blood.

 

Complication is 2020 HU, it uses different connectors. I’m still in the learning phase but I believe a harness from taco tunes for the 2018 Camry works.
Some threads for you to look through...
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/kicker-key-in-a-2020-with-8-entune.641008/
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...-to-kicker-key-t-harness-16-19.642415/page-13

It won’t give you bass like a sub but i’m hoping it’ll improve everything to a point that I’ll be happy...

 

Are you planning on doing this? If you are, please reply to this thread so I and whoever comes after me will know if this will finally end the process lol I thank you in advance

 

Yes or alpine amp. Not sure when but hopefully soon.

Check out this thread also... https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...-get-more-volume-out-of-rear-speakers.688623/

 

That's what I used, I can't decide if I like the key or not. I wish there was a way to auto turn it off when the sound is off, the key amp gives a slight hum that annoys the fuck out of me when I have the sound off which I like to do a lot. With the radio on, it sounds a ton better, especially bass and the back speakers.