Beat Sonic Plug & Play Amp

I’ve been researching options to upgrade my audio while keeping the factory basic entune head unit my 2019 SR5 came with. Just came across this option and wanted to get some advice.

https://www.beatsonicusa.com/collec...-pin-stereo-connectors?variant=44580018487447

Here are the specs of the amplifier:
-Maximum output 45W x 4ch (4Ω)
-Compatible impedance 4-8Ω
-Input sensitivity 0.5-5V
-Frequency characteristics 15-80kHz (+0, -1dB)
-Total harmonic distortion 0.01% (1kHz / 4Ω)
-Power supply DC12V (minus ground)
-Power supply voltage DC11V ~ 15V
-Current consumption 0.2A (when there is no signal)
-Fuse used 15A
-Audio input AUX level (RCA)
-Speaker level (supports high level input)
-Dimensions 96 (W) x 40 (D) x 113.5 (H)
-Weight 420g (main unit only)

I also emailed Beat Sonic and they said the RMS is 23W at 14.4V per channel. My question is will that be enough power to push a decent set of after market 6x9 front components and rear 6.5 coaxials? A few speaker options I’m considering are the Alpine S2-S69C, Kicker KSS269 & JL Audio C1-690(with matching 6.5 coaxials for rear door)

I know there are more powerful mini amp options out there(Kicker Key & Alpine KTP seem to be very popular). But creating a harness myself scares me and the plug and play of this unit is really appealing. Just don’t want to waste my money on the amp and speakers if 23W RMS isn’t enough power to see the benefit of the new speakers. Thanks for any advice or info.

 

Guess I should have mentioned, I have an access cab and want to keep the amp behind the head unit.

 

The unit you linked won’t work in a ‘19. The Tacoma didn’t get that connector till ‘20

 

On their website you select what make, model and year you have. One of the options is the 14–19 Tacoma.

 

Ah gotcha

It’s basically putting out the power of an aftermarket radio. I don’t personally think that’s worth $300, when the Key install is so easy.

 

I think I’m going to have to agree with you there. Sounds like the 23W RMS might not get the most out of a decent set of new door speakers. And after reading through tpp4’s guide a few more times making the harness doesn’t seem as daunting. I think I’ve settled on the Alpine

$200 S2-S69C - Next-Generation S-Series 6x9 Component Speaker Set

S2-S69C & Alpine S2-S65(trail grid pro has a plug & play bundle with some high quality speaker adapters) and Kicker 200.4. Do you think these would make a good pairing?

 

Had those in my wife’s car several years ago. I liked them. I love silk dome tweeters and I’m sure you’ll be happy with them

 

Just for clarification, the OP is referring to the new Alpine "S2" line of speakers, which have only been around a little over a year. I think/hope they provide a noticeable improvement over the previous generation Alpine "Type S" speakers.

I'm planning to get the Beat-Sonic Encore amp for my factory JBL system in a couple weeks. Once I've had some listening time, my plan is to purchase either the Alpine S2 speaker bundle or Kicker KS speaker bundle from Trail Grid Pro. I assume both the Kicker and Alpine amps the OP mentioned will be more powerful than the Beat-Sonic (since it's only 23w RMS)... If I didn't have the factory JBL system, I would likely go with either of those two options...but I'm stuck with the JBL system for now, so I'm going with the Beat-Sonic for the plug and play aspect.

 

I installed the Beat-Sonic Encore Alpha amp (model#: ENA-2T3) yesterday in my truck with factory JBL. I was skeptical that it would have much of an impact on-top of the factory JBL system, but the difference is very noticeable in my truck. All of the speakers play louder with more clarity, including the factory subwoofer. The 6x9 front door speakers and sub now hit pretty hard for a factory system, and the dash speakers are much more in-your-face with added detail that was lacking before the Beat-Sonic install.

For reference, I've owned many cars with both base-model and "premium" factory factory sound systems as well as several cars with complete aftermarket systems (head-unit + amps + speakers + subs).

I still think the factory JBL speakers should be upgraded at some point, as they've always sounded a little "muddy" to me... But overall, I'm very happy with the BeatSonic Encore amp and can definitely recommend it for JBL equipped trucks. My guess is that the BeatSonic amp may have a more noticeable impact on JBL trucks since the JBL amp is now receiving a better/cleaner signal to drive the factory speakers and sub.

Also, for those wondering, the installation on a 3rd gen Tacoma is VERY easy and can probably be done in 20-30 minutes with little to no mechanical experience. The hardest of the installation is choosing a spot for the new BeatSonic amp so it won't rattle behind the dash.

 

Do you remember what you set the gain controls at?Contacted Beat Sonic and they recommended setting both front and rear at the 12 o'clock position for the 2024 JBL system.Many videos I;ve watched shows them being set at 2 o'clock in front and 12 o'clock in rear.Any input will be appreciated

 

On my 2023 (3rd gen) with factory JBL system, I set the front gain to about 2 o'clock and left the rear at 12 o'clock based on Beat-Sonic's YouTube videos. However, the 2024 JBL system might respond differently compared to the 3rd gen JBL system, so I'm not 100% sure on your truck.

Per their YouTube videos, Beat-Sonic says to set your volume to "the loudest normal listening level", then turn up the gain until you hear distortion, and then back it down slightly from there. I did not hear any noticeable distortion at my loudest normal listening level (~30-32), but I don't listen to my music as loud as many of you (I normally have kids in the truck with me). For me, 2 o'clock on the front gain at 30-32 volume was loud enough for now. 3 o'clock sounded great too, but I didn't need or want to push things too hard since 2 o'clock already has the factory speakers and sub pounding and thrashing harder than they probably should.

After further testing, the other thing I noticed is the rear gain doesn't appear to have any impact on the volume for my rear door speakers. I've read conflicting comments across different forums regarding the rear gain on the Beat-Sonic Encore amp. I believe the rear gain control might only work properly on non-JBL trucks.

On a GR Corolla Forum, I read they're having the same issue with the rear gain not doing anything. One user shared a Beat-Sonic rep confirmed the rear gain on the Encore amp (when installed on JBL-amplified vehicles) is actually only changing the volume for things like voice directions, warning beeps, etc. and not changing the volume for music to the rear speakers.

 

Yah,I sent Beat Sonic an e-mail and they said they recommend setting the front and rear both to 12 o'clock for the 2024 JBL.Kind of confusing because I've watched a couple of their install video and they recommended 2 o'clock in front and 12 o'clock in the rear.Oh well,I will play with it when it arrives, just ordered yesterday.Thank You so much for your input,I really appreciate it