Audio Upgrade Help – Amp/Sub Recommendations + Install Support (Trail Grid Pro Setup)

Hey folks, I’m building out the sound system in my 2022 Tacoma Double Cab (non-JBL) and would really appreciate some help dialing in the amp/sub setup and install details.

Current Setup (All from Trail Grid Pro):

• Head Unit: Sony XAV-9500ES
• Speakers: Full Kicker KS-Series (6x9 front, 6.5 rear, tweeters, crossovers)
• Subwoofer:
  $312 Alpine PWE-S8 120W Compact Powered 8" Car Subwoofer for Under or Behind The Seat
  Alpine PWE-S8 powered sub under the rear driver seat
• Wiring: Trail Grid Pro harnesses—everything came pre-wrapped and plug-and-play, super clean install
• Planning: Adding a JL 10” sub (likely 10W3 or similar) in the cubby behind the rear passenger seat
• Sound Deadening: Going with SoundSkins or Noico on doors and back wall

Goals & Questions:

• I want to power the Kickers properly—looking at 5-channel amps like the JL XD700/5v2 or similar
• I’m after tight, clean, impactful bass—not SPL competition stuff
• I’d like to keep the setup as plug-and-play as possible to match the Trail Grid wiring approach
• Can I keep using my Alpine PWE-S8 and ALSO run the JL 10” passive sub via an external amp? Or is that overkill / asking for tuning issues?

Help I’m Looking For:

• Best 5-channel amp to power this whole setup cleanly
• Advice on mounting location (I have space behind the rear seats and under the passenger seat)
• Cleanest way to integrate power, signal, and speaker wiring without redoing the whole harness.

Thanks in advance for any input! I’m fine doing the install myself—I just want to get it right the first time.

 

If you wanna keep the

$312 PWE-S8 120W Compact Powered 8" Car Subwoofer for Under or Behind The Seat

PWE-S8 you could either have it be under your driver/passenger seat and act as a pseudo “front sub” instead of going all out on a below glovebox build. OR you could HPF at like 60-80hz depending on where you cross your new JL sub and LPF at 120-150hz so it can act as a supplement to the midbass in the doors. I’m doing a very similar thing on my build with the JBL fuse woofer pods under the seats since the mids in my doors HPF at 150hz and I had a deadzone before the sub came in.

Regarding the 5 channel, you can probably browse the DIY Mobile Audio site forums for some ideas. Lots of amp nerds over there.

This channel is another good resource for gear and testing:

https://youtube.com/@raw-cat?si=8dnu6hoz8peJYKmS

 

I don't think you need an amp; the head unit is plenty on its own for the speakers you have.

My setup is a similar trailgridpro Sony head unit, and I made my own wiring kit from components after a bunch of reading on what to use.

I have a pair of the same alpine under seat subwoofers under - one under each front seat. I figured out the wiring on my own, and don't really have a description of what I did ready, or written down, but happy to tell more later if useful.

You may need to flip a bar under the front passenger seat 90 degrees from its original downward facing direction, and add seat spacer blocks - I have knockoffs spacer blocks like the overpriced dessertdoesit seat jackets, and round spacers on the rear seat bolts, to make the subwoofers fit under the seats, plus it a similar view to a 1" lift.

 

He didn’t say exactly which models he has but they still might need to be amp powered since the claimed output is 4x55w