My SR5 needs a speaker upgrade. (non JBL)

Bought my 24 SR5 yesterday and it is sick! It runs way better than a 4cylinder 4x4 has any right to! Holy cow when the turbo is spooled up it is amazing the acceleration you get from this little motor.

I only wish the speakers were as good as what the engine is. Pretty substandard for a $43,000 sticker price. I haven't upgraded speakers for years in my recent vehicles. I was going to order speakers yesterday on day one of ownership due to how crummy the stock speakers sound. Crutchfield was always the go to find out what is in the vehicle. They don't have information on the 4th gen yet. Went on the innerwebs yesterday and 97% of searches were for the upgraded JBL system in the 4th gen.

So what speakers are in this truck? 6" and 6x9, tweeters
Who has swapped speakers?
Do I need the fancy adaptors to get new speakers to line up? (Black plastic circle adaptors.)
Has anyone bought a 4 or 6 speaker kit, what did you get, fitment, pricing?
Did you do the speakers only? did you add an amp for regular speakers?
Did you do a separate subwoofer? Powered all in one. Big old box with separate amp?

 

I recommend searching the forums...there seems to be lots of info on 4th gen audio upgrades. Here's what I did, and posted about...

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/4th-gen-jbl-replacement.830793/page-3#post-29792194

With general speaker swaps, you may get away without using custom brackets. But if you put in quality speakers, you most likely will need to fab custom adapters. A general speaker swap may not get the sound you are seeking without putting in an amp or DSP. Sound deadening material is a must, then a sub of some sort, IMO.

 

Thanks for your reply. Just read your post and your truck must sound amazing. I am not ready to invest that much at this time. I think your audiophile trained ear is pretty far ahead of mine.

Since you are obviously way more qualified than I this subject I would like to ask you a couple of questions. If I throw 6 good speakers in the otherwise stock system is there anything that will hinder their performance. Seeing all this stuff on pre-tuned amp out put etc. I am trying to get the biggest bang for my buck.

Call it a $1,000 budget. 6 speakers, maybe a powered amp? Sound mat?

 

Yup overpriced basic Tacoma … even with the upgrade version of the stereo it’s still bad … check out crutchfield to replace those stock speakers … even then u won’t get a lot of sound .. just minimal change .

 

Crutchfield was always the go to find out what is in the vehicle. They don't have information on the 4th gen yet.

 

I appreciate you saying I am "more qualified", but I am just another Taco owner that thinks the stock stereo system sux, just like what you've discerned. While I have formal music and ear training, that doesn't make me an auto sound expert...I learned alot from my installer!

Step 1: With all that said, I think sound deadening will give you the biggest bang for your buck. It's amazing what you'll be able to hear when you reduce/eliminate road noise.

Step 2: The next thing I would do is swap out the dash 3.5" midranges with higher quality drivers that add a tad more fidelity range and mid-hi clarity. Stop and listen for a few days. I contend you will get the most bang for your buck with these drivers.

Step 3: If you hear that you need more mid and mid-lo punch, Then swap out the front door drivers with similar higher quality drivers. Stop and listen for a few days.

Step 4: Then, if you still find you need more punch and less mud, swap out the rear door speakers, but I contend swapping out rears will get you minimal to no audible clarity gain. The real gain would be to add a powered sub (Step 5).

If you stairstep into your spend budget you may find you can stop when you are happy with what you've upgraded and not spend your whole wad out of the gate.

Just my 2 pence...

 

If you can't afford, do it in stages...
You need an pac ap4 ty 14...
waste of time to not get a real amp, they can be had for cheap...
Find a stereo shop in your area that knows what there doing...
Alpine R speakers are inexpensive for what they are & Will sound loud & clean....

6.5" alpine r coaxial in your rear doors, or leave them out if your tapped on funds.
front:
complete sets with crossovers, either 2 way or 3 way depending on your budget.
6.5 front door, 3.5" corner of dash, tweeter...


Ground shaker sub box $350 free shipping, under the rear seat 10-12" standard sub, or a 10-12" jl audio tw3d4...
I recommend a 12, but then you need a little larger amp...
You can get a sub for $150-$400...
Lots of deals to be had on some brands as there's a lot of mark-up, local shops, etc, well at least in San Diego...
Talk to local shops, ask for cash deal discounts, etc...
I was getting a $1600 amp for $1000
$2400 speakers for $1600...


pm me if you want to further discuss

I dont know a lot these days but ive always had systems...
I researched this to death recently, look at the end of the thread FotoFisher posted, you will see...
Bob has an album with extensive detailed pics & tips

I suggest avoid the beat-sonic amp at all costs if you want a nice set-up.
The pic for that little box, you can get a real amp...

 

Now that I’m old (63) I rarely crank up the sound like I did in my younger years. The system is adequate for me but I understand people being frustrated with the sound when we spent more on a 2024 Tacoma than I spent on my first house…