Best speakers for Tacoma (front)

I would either leave the speakers alone and just install a sub, or replace the speakers and add power. Otherwise I didn't find just swapping the speakers to be worth the effort or money.

 

I wasn't willing to add a amp, I wanted to stick with the stock head unit. I also didn't want the complexity of components. I wasnt sure I wanted to deal with the rear door speakers as I noticed they basicly dont do much, and to make up for it Id need to install a amp. With the goal of just improving clarity, cleaner Bass, and maybe just a bit louder in mind I went this route:

DS18 tweeters and Infinity Reference 3 ways in the front door


https://www.crutchfield.com/p_108R9633IM/Infinity-Reference-REF-9633ix.html?tp=105

I've now heard the DS18 and Subaru tweeters in the same dash one on each side, I like the DS18 a bit better. Sounded just a bit more clear and took more volume before it became distorted to my ears. For tweeters they sounded like they had more depth. Either one sure beat the stock ones by a large margin.

I originally had Kickers in my cart but then talked to one of their experts on the phone. He pointed me to the three ways even though I balked. I was told that these would make a marked improvement, and they did. In the future I may add a small four channel amp and replace the rears at the same time. But for now I'm happy with how it sounds.

 

The DS18 tweeters are in my cart on Amazon since stumbling upon another thread last week, have been looking into front door speakers to upgrade as well, gonna be following..

 

Pretty much on the same page. This is one of the first vehicles I've owned that I where I didn't replace the head unit right away. I kind of like the OE stereo so I'm going to leave it for the time being. I did put ScreenProTech film on the face... no more fingerprints and I swear the screen image is clearer and brighter now.

I like the DS18 tweeters and I put two-way Infinity Reference speakers in the front doors. It sounds pretty decent now. I have some Rockford Fosgates for the rear doors, but with their low volume (7w vs the front's 10w I think) I might just skip them. I am going to install a powered sub though. Haven't settled on which one but I think that'll round it out for now. Not a window shaker, but all-in-all it's a pretty good compromise IMHO.

 

I did the DS18 tweeters also, & recently installed Kicker door speakers, very impressed;

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...3rd-gen-today.399305/page-13250#post-29002738

 

I used Kicker KS midrange in the dash and two way 6x9s in the front doors, along with sound deadening mat in all 4 doors and behind the rear seats. My HU is a Joying Android unit for CarPlay. I’m extremely pleased for what I spent. I’ll probably put KS in the rear doors as well, but I’m not sure it will be noticeable.

 

I went with the Subaru tweeters, Kicker KS in the front and rear. I then bought a harness and wired the front to the rear speakers as there is so little power to the rear from the H/U. So now, it is a 2 channel system. It sounds better to me. I do not want to loose the H/U functions so I will keep the radio. As everyone stated here, that is the weak link in the stereo system and should really be upgraded. Sooner or later, I will put an amp under the passenger seat.

 

I went the kicker route. Kickers CS 6x9 in the front doors, CS 6.5 in the rear doors and the Subaru tweeters in the dash that's a significant upgrade but still I felt like there wasn't enough power to drive them. So later I installed an Alpine power pack. The kicker key is simular to that but a little more expensive and has a few more adjustment options. The amp really added punch.
I'm working on adding in a powered sub I have laying around from a previous vehicle that should complete my set up.

 

Since you changed out the head unit, the rear door speakers should make a difference. It's the OE head unit that has a lower wattage going to the rear door speakers than the front... for some mysterious reason.

 

FWIW there are a few of the newer aftermarket head units that are iDatalink-ready or have it built in. They include all of the same vehicle and personalization info/settings that are available on the OE stereo. I like having that as well, so if I do upgrade one day that's probably the way I'll go. Prices are coming down but they aren't cheap.

 

What are the JBL folks running for front speakers and tweeters?

 

I just got the DS18's on Friday, hope to install next weekend, will let everyone know what I think once installed.

 

It’s all fun and more fun when you can install something without causing more damage.
I want that THX feel, even when the engine is running and the rpm changes up and down.
No aftermarket exhaust will ever make its way into my truck again due to the sound that comes from them.
Looks like you got what you wanted out of it!
I really want to add some power to the rear speakers.
There’s like 1 watt of power coming from them. I can imagine your truck sounding like a crystal clear music box inside.

 

Great job not losing any. Thanks for sharing!

 

It’s hard to find a plug and play for these trucks with the non-JBL and updated interface/harnesses. After doing a ton of research I found a plug and play harness that has been posted on this forums a Few times.

 

I wouldnt rule out an exhaust... just have to pay to play unfortunately. The lower end ones sound terrible but the more premium offering (Corsa and Borla) sound pretty good

 

Check out Trail Grid Pro. They have a plug and play Kicker Bundle that I got a little while ago. I have the stock head unit in place and non JBL (since no matter how much you option a MT you cant get it)

 

Memphis audio makes a plug and play speakers for the tacos as well as kicker.
I’m going Memphis and ordered the Sony 6000 receiver from trail grid pro.

 

I also feel like this is in my future, I did quite a bit of reading regarding this upgrade and it seems like the budget/user friendly option to go with in this situation.

-Tom

 

I ran the tweeters for a couple years with everything else stock. They were an easy upgrade and they removed a noticable amount of "mud" from the sound. It won't knock you out of your chair, but it's a noticable improvement.

They're also super easy to sell in case you decide you want to do a little more in the future.