What do I need to do to get more volume out of rear speakers?

Totally know what you mean, I just really do not like all the volume coming from the front. I don’t need/want a thumping system, just want to be surrounded and not front staged...

 

I can see this working but the base 8” ‘Audio’ HU is the least powered of them all.
Apparently there are up to 4 different HU in the Tacoma... Audio, Audio Plus, Premium & Premium JBL.

 

You will basically be running the speakers off the Key and using the speaker outputs as inputs, going through some sound processing. The calibration uses pink noise and a microphone to set delays and level the sound (output and equalizing). It may not totally negate the factory tune, but definitely improves it. Just follow the instructions!

 

Interesting!

 

I have an 18 dcsb with the non jbl HU. Im pretty satisfied with the sound for now, and understand what you are saying.

BUT. I just installed the Sony xav-ax7000
Dbl din unit in my sons Sti. It is a high power (built in amp etc; no, it isnt the same as a dedicated amp, etc for the hardcore guys...) and will even throw 50 watts at a smaller enclosed subwoofer. I am impressed with it. May be a good option. You will still need an axxess type device to use steering wheel controls, and run an amp wire to battery for continuous power to deck, so a little bummer there. I am not an installer or hardcore audiophile. Just my 2cents. The screen is nice and supports the rear camera. It was a helluva long day getting it all in though.

 

• Just get one of these use the signal from your speaker wires then u adjust output that goes to your amp .

 

It is tempting to swap out the HU because i don’t need much of an amp, i think the kicker key amp is the most cost efficient way to get me where I want to be...

 

I dealt with the same low volume issue with my Entune audio Plus Head Unit, I just recently purchased an Entune Audio Premium (non JBL) and installed Kicker tweeters, 6x9 Kickers in the front doors and 6 1/2" Kickers in the back doors, all this was done by a Stereo tech except the head unit swap. I still wasn't happy with the fullness I was getting with the sound so I discussed a fix with the stereo tech. I don't want to rattle the doors anymore, but I want the fullness in the sound, he added an

$290 alpine KTP-445U universal power pack

alpine KTP-445U power pack, provides 4 channel 50 watt rms. The difference was night and day, but now it's like the drivers side isn't loud enough, he has even scratched his head on this. Anybody else ran across that problem?

 

I threw an Alpine Powerpack behind my HU and the volume went up a lot. If I wanted my rears louder, I could easily just use the HU settings to fade towards the rear a bit more.

 

Thanks for your input guys, from what I understand the kicker calibrates the out put to try and even out the sound (ie more volume from the rear specifically).
As it stands right now I can move the fader to the rear but the sound gets muddy and volume is poor - with your alpine you have enough power to even the front/rear volume whilst keeping the quality sound?

 

Thats what I have is the Alpine Powerpack thats mounted under the HU, but left and right sides are definitely out of balance, I can increase the balance to the left, but the left speakers begin to sound muffled, like there is a ground out somewhere!

 

So I finally managed to find time to install the Kicker key 200.4 amp to my truck. I'm pleased to say that it has definitely improved the system to probably around 90% of where I'd like to be.

I have to move the fader 3 clicks from the rear most position, this gives me more of the sound stage that I wanted. I get considerably more volume from the rear now and it has more of a surround feel that I was aiming for.

I believe the headunit is causing me most of the grief that I'm experiencing. If my truck wasn't new and I were to do it all over again I would probably just swap the headunit out for something that has better amplification. If my truck was like the earlier 2016/17's & did not have Apple CarPlay as standard then swapping the headunit out would make more sense...

 

Amp it and add a sub....

I'd also put in a hu.

And sound deaden.

Do it. Do it all. Mmmm. Music

 

I’ve been wearing hearing aids since I was 35, mostly from loud music. Playing in bands and loud AF any other time. Be conscious of the decibels. You have a crossover?

 

Thanks! I hear you, I’m in my 40’s now and just wanted better clarity. The speakers gave me that but were severely underpowered by the base HU.

I don’t want to be spending more money but am now googling how a crossover can make my life better...

 

Did you notice the amount of white noise when music isn’t playing increased? When I installed my kicker key the white noise got A LOT louder..even with the gains set to a minimal level.

 

Maybe check that the polarity on the left speaker isn’t reversed (+ and - hooked up correct).

 

Initially I set the gains too high and did get some white noise, turned them down and no problems since...

On a side note I wish there was a quick way to get to the tre/mid/bass screen. I’m finding depending on the song I need to tweak the bass up or down fairly regularly...

 

I agree with the radio interface.. Sucks that it's burrried a few layers down. Things are much nicer once you go full sub and sound processor to get a a flat signal and bypass all the factory EQ "settings' to offset the laughable stock speakers. I'm finally just about done with my setup finally.. Just debating on another monoblock amp for the subs I installed.

 

I know this is a old thread but here's what I think might help...

Swapping out oem speakers isn't enough. The cheap oem speakers are more efficient and take little to move them. Maybe they are 2 ohm vs aftermarket 4ohm. You need more power to drive a 4 ohm speaker they'll barely move with a stock HU. Put a set of 4 ohm speakers on a home stereo that pushes 8 ohm. You'll see how much louder the 4 ohm speakers are than the 8's.

As for front staging I think It really blows, I'm use to the old cars that put all the power at back on the rear deck windshield, and then some fillers at the bottoms of the front doors. Nothing was directed at your ear, a full sound!

What I have tried to do is lower the tweeters to - 3db on a component set up, and fade to the rears a bit till I notice the sound listening position lowers from your head down to your chest area.

You can achieve even more if you have a amp set up. Back off the fronts and turn down the highs, and do the reverse to the rears, turn up the levels.

The 2nd gen Tacoma had it right. Tweeters on the front doors, not on the dash. The windshield is not our friend here.

Just my thoughts