Kicker combo from trail pro

Looking to just upgrade the speakers on my 22 OR. I saw the kicker combo with the KS speakers are on sale. Was wondering if anyone has run these alone with the stock non JBL head unit. What were your experiences with it and was it worth the upgrade

 

I just installed that exact package earlier in the week.

It is totally plug and play, no cutting or splicing of wires.

My old ears aren’t what they once were, but they sound marginally better than the stock speakers, but I knew that going in. That’s why I’m also in the process of installing a Kicker Key amp to go along with the new speakers.

 

So sound quality wasn’t mind blowing with just the upgraded speakers

 

@Offroad Taco 2022, no, the speaker upgrade, by itself, is not mind blowing.

 

I have this setup, and it is marginally better than stock without adding an AMP.

 

The same as my experience.

 

Yup, agreed. Most aftermarket speakers you get will need an amp to wake things up.

I ended up using components in the front, using a Kicker Key in bi-amp mode (2 channels to the front woofers in the doors, 2 channels to the front mid-tweeters in the dash) and I run the rears off of the HU since my dog doesn't really care what it sounds like back there. Love this setup.

I tried the Kicker Key with the Kicker tweeters and upgraded door speakers, but ended up with way too many tweeters and the sound stage was crap.

 

I had the same experience. The Trail Grid Pro kit was great, but my opinion is pretty much the same, marginally better by themselves. I did also swap out the head unit after a couple of weeks, and the sound has improved more, but I'm also thinking about an amp now as well.

 

I added the Kickers, and it was a little better.

I upgraded the head unit to a JVC with just 20 watts, and it is a most noticeable difference.

Also plug and play if you buy the harness from Crutchfield.

 

If you plan on an amp upgrade down the road they will be amazing. I have all kicker speakers in my car and they take an incredible amount of abuse.

The big problem with this upgrade is the 4ohm speakers. The factory amp will not push these to perform like they should.

 

i have these and upgraded the head unit to a alpine the sound is alot better and i don't have a amp BUT the damn tweeters seem to over power the rest of the speakers i need to figure out how to turn them down damn near makes my eye twitch lol. I'm not big on audio stuff but i have to figure this out.

 

Well thanks for all the replies. Based on the responses I think I’m gonna continue to save my pennies and fork up the money for the JL audio speakers

 

What amps would work well with the stock head unit?

 

So the speakers alone are not a game changer. BUT AFTER, I intsalled a cheap Kenwoon 5 channel amp 45w x 4, plus 300w x 1 under the drivers seat and the JL Audio 10" sub specifically made for the acess cab tacoma (this was the most expensive part) and those speakes shine. ITS NOT a little change, my friends that spent 4K+ plus are pist that my sound system is as good or better then theirs at only $1980. I bought eveything through Crutchfield when on sale (which is multiple time a year) and just looked at what I needed to create that kit from the package i saw online.
If anything it give you a great place to start knowing at least this is part is done and ready for future upgrades and then just slowly add on.

 

Replacing the dash speakers with a coax made a noticeable difference for me in soundstage. I tried DS18 tweeters up there and lost all voices. Changed to the coax and loved it.

I added the kicker CS to the front doors and noticed a significant improvement in bass response. This wasn’t what I would consider mind blowing or audiophile grade, but at least now there was SOME bottom to the music. (Admittedly did significant sound deadening at the same time).

Installing ANYTHING in the back doors has been a waste of time with the factory head unit.

Kicker Key 200.4 is on the way. I’ll try it on the back doors first. Will probably Bi-amp each door eventually.

Available volume levels are currently still disappointing. Hopefully the amp(s) will change that.

For $250-ish in speakers (minus sub) the sound is significantly better than stock, but still not acceptable as an end goal.

 

I’m installing a Kicker Key 200.4 amp.

 

I keep on seeing the kicker key amp as the common choice. I’ll start looking into it

 

It is the preferred amp if you are keeping the stock head unit.

 

I’ll second this. I ran just the kickers for a short while with the non JBL stock head unit. I also installed the Subaru tweeters. I wouldn’t waste my money for the minimal audio improvement. I was planning a head unit upgrade however, and the Sony unit with built in amp really brought the speakers to life. Since, I also installed a small Fosgate sub woofer and now I’m more than happy with the sound and performance.

 

I’ll start looking at amps or look to upgrade the speaker selection