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Best way to improve stereo and speakers.

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by 907TRDSPORT, Aug 23, 2011.

  1. Aug 23, 2011 at 1:46 AM
    #1
    907TRDSPORT

    907TRDSPORT [OP] Member

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    My 11 Sport Taco with the sounds system and the little sub in the back doesnt get very loud.. If i got a double din and hooked an amp to the stock speakers and subs, would that improve loudness and clearness??
     
  2. Aug 23, 2011 at 1:51 AM
    #2
    MountainEarth

    MountainEarth Well-Known Member

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    I've heard if you replace the 4 front door speakers, and install an amp between the stock deck and the new speakers, it makes a big difference. At least that's where I'm leaning.
     
  3. Aug 23, 2011 at 2:50 AM
    #3
    84Hilux

    84Hilux Well-Known Member

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    The problem is that the stock speakers are a bit of a joke. You would want to upgrade to a decent set of component speakers to take the power your amp would provide.

    I am selling a set of JL audio components already in adapters if you are interested. Nice bright highs and surprising bass. Won't turn your truck into a boom box, but it will be able to thump pretty good. Only need about 75 watts to run them.
     
  4. Aug 23, 2011 at 3:22 AM
    #4
    Blackshirts

    Blackshirts Well-Known Member

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    Stuff
    it's true. take one of your doors panels off and see.
     
  5. Aug 23, 2011 at 4:01 AM
    #5
    Wallygater

    Wallygater Well-Known Member

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    Yeah the magnet is about the size of quarter:p
     
  6. Aug 23, 2011 at 5:39 AM
    #6
    mwtaco

    mwtaco Well-Known Member

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    hated the sound on my 2007 stock head unit. dull, muted, soft.

    well, i changed just the head unit and kept the stock speakers and no amp. it is unbelievable what a huge difference in sound quality there is. you should try that first and see if that does it for you. i'm lovin the sound now.
     
  7. Aug 23, 2011 at 8:51 AM
    #7
    06SR5canada

    06SR5canada Well-Known Member

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    new speakers, amp and headunit. the stock stuff is a JOKE, just like toyota's paint
     
  8. Aug 23, 2011 at 8:58 AM
    #8
    chris duby

    chris duby This is where I write something clever

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    Just by changing your head unit it will make a huge difference. That's all I have done for now until I get the funds for my sub and amp. I will probably even keep the door speakers and just use the HU's crossover to block the bass from them.

    Also, it sounds like you have the JBL system if it came stock with a sub.
     
  9. Aug 23, 2011 at 8:59 AM
    #9
    colder

    colder Well-Known Member

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    A new head and stuff would be fine, but I hate that it looks so hokey and... "1980s aftermarket", in the photos I have seen.
     
  10. Aug 23, 2011 at 9:14 AM
    #10
    UglyKid2

    UglyKid2 Meat Member

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    They are toys, not even fit for a $20 boombox. I kept the factory headunit, replaced the 2 front speakers and tweeters, added an inexpensive amp and attached a powered subwoofer to the wires leading to the rear speakers. I'm happy with it and I've had people tell me they can't believe how good it sounds with the factory headunit. It doesn't get stolen either, lol.This all cost me about $300 all told. If you replace the headunit you still need an amp anyway to get a decent sound IMO.
     
  11. Aug 23, 2011 at 9:18 AM
    #11
    textoy

    textoy Well-Known Member

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    i kept the stock HU and changed the speakers(Pioneer) and added an amp Kicker). Nothing very expensive but it sounds light years better. I had it done and price was just under $600.00.
     
  12. Aug 23, 2011 at 9:23 AM
    #12
    Fodder4U

    Fodder4U Well-Known Member

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    So what do you use to hook up an amp to the factory deck?
     
  13. Aug 23, 2011 at 9:39 AM
    #13
    Jon850FL

    Jon850FL is Lurkin'

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    panasonic speakers and a kicker amp for $600, sounds like a rip off.
     
  14. Aug 23, 2011 at 9:53 AM
    #14
    TheGloryFades

    TheGloryFades Well-Known Member

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    It also said he had it done so I would assume a good portion of that was labor cost
     
  15. Aug 23, 2011 at 1:47 PM
    #15
    UglyKid2

    UglyKid2 Meat Member

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    I found a schematic on here and hooked up the speaker wires coming out of headunit to amp then the output of amp to speakers. There's some really good threads in the audio section about this.
     
  16. Aug 23, 2011 at 1:50 PM
    #16
    Zombie Runner

    Zombie Runner Are these black helicopters for me?

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    oil change...
    lol I didnt even know panisonic made car speakers :confused:

    swap the HU first and go from there.
     
  17. Aug 23, 2011 at 2:12 PM
    #17
    Fodder4U

    Fodder4U Well-Known Member

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    That is very bad for an amp as the speaker wires coming from the deck are amplified already. You should not run lines like that INTO an amp. Hence why I asked what you used.
     
  18. Aug 23, 2011 at 2:18 PM
    #18
    textoy

    textoy Well-Known Member

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    doesn't "sound" like it to me.

    my mistake-should have said Pioneer.
     
  19. Aug 23, 2011 at 2:19 PM
    #19
    Us3r

    Us3r Reading...

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    very correct.

    The speaker wires coming from the head unit are amplified. So having that go directly to an AMP is a no go. You'd want a aftermarket head unit with pre outs (rca plug thingies). Those are designed to be directly plugged to an amp. Run stock radio speaker wires to existing speaker wires for the car/truck. If you want to amplify the speakers, than use the pre outs and not speaker wires.

    Be surprised what a quality head unit can do to a stock sound system.

    quality of sound processor and etc has a part in sound quality. After market over all is better imho
     
  20. Aug 23, 2011 at 2:53 PM
    #20
    907TRDSPORT

    907TRDSPORT [OP] Member

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    alright sounds good.
     

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