The $700 System For 3rd Gens

OK... So I have two pals with Tacomas and audio mods. The first has the well known $250 upgrade with Kicker CS speakers, Subaru tweeters, and an additional 180.4 Kicker Key amp. It sounds worlds better than stock and frankly, I'd be happy with it. However, the highs were a little tin-can'ish for my ears and I was a bit worried about ear fatigue.

My next buddy has the full on OEM Audio system minus the sub. It sounds even better than the above, but the cost put me off.

As I was trying to figure out which way to go, I found a deal on eBay for a set of Focal Factory replacement speakers - ISO690TOY and ICTOY165. These are discontinued and retailed for over $300 a pair when new. However, if you search eBay there is a seller in Germany selling the 690 pair for $166 delivered and the 165 for $150 delivered. I decided to give it a shot.

These are factory replacement, so I bolted them in after doing a little sound dampening in and on the doors. Easy install and the sound was pretty great. At lower volumes, it beats the Kicker CS speakers pretty handily and does so without the tin-can'ish highs. BUT, these speakers aren't as efficient as the Kicker CS speakers and when you turn up the volume to "hell yeah" levels, distortion creeps into vocals pretty quickly.

To combat this, I decided to add a Kicker Key 200.4 amp that I got off eBay for $179 delivered. With the aid of a taco burrito "add a sub" harness for a Carolla (I have a 2021 Tacoma), and an amp install kit I already had, plus some soldering... I was ready to go...

The sound is absolutely fantastic. In fact, to my ears it's better than the OEM Audio system in my buddies truck. It's warmer... with more accurate highs, tight mids, and adequate bass. Plus, it gets A LOT louder. It really is a great sounding system... I was thinking I would probably add a kicker key 500.1 and a JL sub at some point, but I don't think I'm gonna now...

But what about value?

ISO690TOY - $166
ICTOY165 - $150
Kicker Key 200.4 - $179
Harness - $35
Sound deadening (I did Noico 80 mil on about 90% of the outside of the doors and about 50% on the inside... Plus, some closed cell foam on the inside of the plastic door cards) - $175

Total Cost all in: $705

My buddy said he had close to $600 in his OEM Audio system and I would definitely do it my way again rather than go that route. I just think my system sounds far better for only $100 more.

Comparing this to the standard $250 upgrade is tougher. If the highs on that setup don't bother you, it's a no brainer - go that way. But if you like a warmer sound, this Focal setup with a kicker 200.4 seems really hard to beat.

 

I was contemplating those same speakers on eBay from Germany as well. I had them in my 4Runner powered by an amp and they were great. How long did it take the speakers to arrive from Germany?

 

Do you have a link for those focals? Wonder if they are direct fit for a 2010 DC?

 

really quick. Like a week.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/For-Toyota...tt-RMS/193683437593?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Focal-IS69...1-Pair/392825322778?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

 

Has anyone ever installed the tacotoons image dynamic ctx65 coaxial and the image dynamics ctx65cs/id65cs components/tweeters in their Tacoma?

 

Just a suggestion BEFORE you part with your hard-earned $$$...check the link below regarding purchasing Focals from Amazon or Ebay

https://www.focal-america.com/support/

I have (as well) chosen Focal IS 690 and IC 165 as fresh speakers for my new Taco (+) a Kenwood x302-4 amp.
good shopping and ENJOY!

 

well this just burst my bubble as i was thinking of going with a set for my fronts.

 

Aww sorry GRNT4R...I wouldn't want anyone to get burned! I'm not sure of the co$t at Crutchfield or other "approved" retailers but the folks I'm working with (locally) I was able to get a fair price...

 

Looks like Crutchfield is roughly 200 more than the link the OP posted. About 369$ a set

 

That is a wallet ouch for sure...!

 

Oh boy....

Mine sound fantastic and nothing on the boxes suggest they are fake using Focal's description on their website, but still...

Sometimes it doesn't pay to be cheap. I'm gonna yank my door panels and investigate.

 

Im thinking of a similar setup with an alpine ILX 650 headunit and their Backpack amp which i think is 50x4 or 100x2. Then maybe a small 8'' sub in the rear

 

yea, like I said not trying to rain on anyone's parade...just a wee bit 'o caution! Heck if they work, then they work and you've got $$ in your pocket! Heck, it's all magic to me anyway...

 

True, I wouldnt doubt it if the speakers are made in germany and assembled in the US

 

Looking at the ad again, the seller is an audio shop based in Germany so they probably are legit Focal speakers but like we all said, the price is super low. It really would be a great price if it wasnt for the $50 shipping. Once you tack on shipping, you are pretty much saving $100-125 a set which is still a good savings.

Does the OP @AtomicRyan have any install pics

 

I got free shipping on mine. I see he added shipping recently. I didn’t take any pics.

 

well dang, you got a deal. i will email the seller to see if they will honor that again. Do the come with separate cross overs and where did you end up mounting your crossovers if so