Radio fader plays the front speakers or back speakers but not both

True, and that is my dilemma. I sold the Ford (36000 miles) and went back to Tacoma because I knew it would be long term reliable and I sold my travel trailer so I didn't need the bigger truck any more. I'm going to have to get used to the performance stuff and grit my teeth with the radio until either Toyota does right or I have to invest in new gear to replace the new gear I just bought. BTW, I switched to Ford for the exact reason you said, newer, up to date technology, power vs. economy, etc. Switched back for long term reliability.

 

Bcjammerx. Fader all the way back and tiu hear back ( muffled ) and one notch forward from all back and you no longer hear the back speakers from the front seat, its all front. Bottom line, I have had back speakers in vehicles for the last 45 years that worked to my satisfaction but now I have a new truck that cost more than my first house and I cannot fade it to hear all of the speakers. I shouldnt have to spend a dime to make it work properly, Toyota should make it right.

 

Rears sucked in mine too but regardless I spliced an underseat 8" powered Sub with my rear speakers,(behind the HU) and just replaced the Tweeters and my system sounds really, really good now. Didn't replace the door speakers, nor didn't find a need to.

 

You've gotten good advice about the sound system. On our non-JBL stereo I replaced the dash tweeters with plug-and-play

$80 DS18 PRO-ST OEM Subaru/Toyota Upgrade Bullet Compression Tweeters with Crossovers 1.9" - Car OEM Tweeter Upgrade Kit for Many Subaru/Toyota Models - Replacement for H631SFJ101 and H631SFJ100 (Pair)

DS18s (after returning Kickers which made little difference) and the front door speakers with Infinity Reference (left the back speakers alone since IIRC they only receive 7 watts), put sound deadner on the inside door skins and it sounds SO much better. This is the first vehicle I've had in decades that I didn't replace the OEM head unit. I figured I'd replace the speakers if I replaced the head unit anyway, but I'm good with the stock one for now. Will probably add a reasonably priced powered sub for a little more oomph one of these days.

EDIT: I meant to mention that all four speakers do play at once. However if I try to make the rears equal the fronts it sounds terrible. I like a "full effect" myself, but like others have said the rears are almost silent by comparison. Not sure why the engineers thought that was a good idea. As others have said, it can all be resolved, but it would take a little time and some investment depending on expectations. So if you set the fader all the way to the rear and hear nothing, then I'd say something's wrong.

Also felt the same about the gear hunting right after I bought it. Came from two Tundras and didn't expect V8 power, but the constant shifting was unacceptable to me. The wife's RAV4 V6 would run circles around it. After doing some research I took a chance on a performance tune from OTT and couldn't be happier now. There's no more accelerator lag, punch it and it gets up and goes, engage the ECT and it's a rabbit plus the gear hunting is gone. Runs the way I expected it to (and should have from the factory IMHO). Had I not had the OTT tune the dealer would still have it and I'd be back in a Tundra... but I'm very happy with how it performs now. More here:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/overland-torque-tune-ott-by-overland-tailor.759590/

Getting around 18mpg with mixed driving. Understand that the computer's "learning curve" will take a little while to get the mileage to a reasonable number based on driving habits.

There are days when I do miss the full-sized Tundra experience, and I may go back in a few years, but for now, this 'lil Taco is a great, fun, dependable truck.

 

Big Twin…. I have the exact same concerns with my new 2023 Tacoma dble cab. Seen by dealer. Service advises says it doesnt sound right but no codes or upgrades. It was also compared to a new Tacoma on the lot. Same issue. I took mine to 2 different audio shops. Both say not enough power to the rear speakers. I’m not looking to blow the doors off the truck, or shake the windows of the next car, I just want a nice sounding system in my vehicle. I have opened a case with Toyota Corp.

 

Just a mild point - You and I have the previous generation entune radios, prior to the carplay units. They are completely different. The older (2016-2019) units put out slightly diminished sound to the rears, while the newer ones (based on feedback I have read) seem to put out greatly diminished sound to the rears.

I currently run a small four-channel amp, aftermarket speakers, a small powered sub, and a little bit of sound deadening. It made a humongous difference all around, and happily got me from the bare minimum to a "hey, this isnt half-bad" sound quality. Enough that I quite enjoy the music for less than 1k invested.

I am not going to hop in on the great fade debate on this thread though.

 

Add an amp
It will sound way better
Auto harness warehouse has a plug n play plug for the kicker Key amp. You won’t even look back after that
If you want to go one step up put in some kicker speakers ( inexpensive )
One more step a powered sub under the seat
Now we are talking

 

WinTu, or anybody, "how do I open a case" or otherwise take this to Toyota?

 

Don't waste your time. Its operating as designed, even if the design sucks.

If you can't stand it, upgrade it or trade it, and use your limited time on something more enjoyable.

 

Open a case for what ? A radio . I was in the install business at one point. I’ve changed something radio wise on every vehicle I owned . This is not really what I would call a problem. I think it would be called a annoyance maybe . Change the system …. I did and now it kicks ass

 

Bigtwin…. Call 1-800-331-4331, Toyota Corp. I believe it is the #7 prompt. Lots of questions from them which is good. It will be forwarded to the dealer where you purchased the vehicle. They are required to reach out to you to see if there is a fix. If not (which I got), then it goes to the area rep. (Im there now). If nothing, then upward in the corp. It is a go from there then. Seems like such an easy fix for them instead of me having to spend my own cash on modifying the system. For all the naysayers, this is how recalls are started. Cheers!

 

I just faded mine to be 1 click from full rear. That allows the rears to be heard (when I set the head unit to volume 40+) and the fronts as well without overpowering. I have the DS18 tweeter upgrade. Not sure if I like it better than everything faded at “normal” since I don’t really notice a difference, other than the head unit volume being much higher instead of loud being in the high teens/low 20s.

 

I've had my truck for three weeks, and I only just noticed this fader issue. It is weird quirk, but am happy it's not just me.

 

This weekend, I was in my wife's Subaru Outback, and the audio system in that car is superior to that in the Tacoma. More volume was heard in the rear channels, and I admit to it sounding better.

I haven't tried this, but I believe each potential radio source in the stock head unit has it's own, independent set of settings. Maybe it sounds acceptable (I admit not great) because I always use Android Auto? In other words, I wonder if someone sets their audio settings for FM, but then uses neither CarPlay nor Android Auto, but Bluetooth to play music... Worth a try.

 

Stftaco…. I tired that very thing before it went back to be checked by the dealer. No difference in sound from any source. Good idea though. Thank you.

 

I think a relatively inexpensive solution to put more power to the rear speakers might be a tiny amp that could fit behind the radio, with a wire harness that took the output of the rear channels of the head unit at speaker levels, then provided amplifier output to be placed onto the harness wires feeding the back speakers. Conceptually a DIY for under $150.

A harness that could be hacked I'm sure it's available via AliExpress, perhaps Amazon, or eBay. That would be preferable to cutting the cars cable harness feeding the speakers. Shouldn't be much.

However a better idea would no doubt be doing what others suggest and purchasing a more capable HU. You have to make sure it retains steering wheel controls and the other features of the original radio. That's going to cost considerably more.

 

FWIW: in this thread I posted the Stereo w/NAV, and wo/NAV connector pinouts. Neither are the JBL - these are the lower two Entune offerings I believe.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/20-23-anytime-front-backup-camera.781376/page-2#post-27948369

This looks like the harness I would use for my Stereo with NAV.

$14 RED WOLF Add AMP Amplifier Subwoofer Speaker Wiring T-Harness Radio Stereo Plug Connector Compatible with Toyota 2018-2022 Camry RAV4 Tacoma Corolla Non-JBL System

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09DTY8PMD?smid=A1LAPRHCR7XHF0

I'm not saying this is the 2channel amp I would use but, there is this:

$58 Power Acoustik VA2-1400D Vertigo Series 1400-Watt Max 2-Channel Class D Amp

https://www.amazon.com/Power-Acoust...d4c-4777-9bc0-4513d670b6bc&smid=AL7M8HPAOP1U6

or

$70 Pioneer GM-A3702 2-Channel Bridgeable Car Amplifier – 500W Max Power, Class AB

https://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-GM-A3702-2-Channel-Bridgeable-Amplifier/dp/B01KKHT4YU?th=1

or

Kicker 43DXA1252 Car Audio 2 Channel Stereo Speaker Amplifier 250W Amp DXA125.2 (Renewed)

https://www.amazon.com/Kicker-43DXA...sprefix=class+D+2channel,aps,79&sr=8-33-spons

My point, if you wanted to boost just the rear speaker volume, this might be a valid / cheap path.

 

I just purchased a 2023 Tacoma at $45K and my rear speakers perform the same during fade. I didn't have this issue with my 2022 Tacoma. It's amazing that many of you make excuses for this defect. This is not how your speakers should be working and for you to suggest that I spend more money on a new system is not acceptable. I get it's not a big deal but it's still a problem that should be fixed.
If you have this problem go to the dealer and complain. I have a 2022 Toyota Sennia mini van that doesn't have this problem and it sounds great. My recommendation is that you take the time and write a letter to Toyota. If I do that I will post it here and all you need to do is print and mail. Think about this.. you just spent $40-$50K on a defective truck, what will you let our government get away with when they take all of your money out of the banks? If we all work together we protect ourselves.

 

Understand the frustration, same here. But it's not a "defect" it's, for whatever reason, a "feature". IIRC there's 10w delivered to the tweeters and the front door speakers, while only 7w is delivered to the rear speakers. It's designed that way. Why? Your guess is as good as mine. Write all of the letters you want, maybe they'll have the stereo manufacturer change it in future year models (maybe they have in the 2024s?), but don't expect anyone, especially your local dealer, to do anything about it. First world problem IMHO.

Welcome BTW!

 

Looking to find out what speakers I have stock in a TDR Sport 4 door? size and wattage?