After Head and Stock Speakers VS Stock Head and After Speakers + Sub

Ok, As it says above. Woundering if the Tacoma stock head works good with aftermarket speakers and sub. Ive heard that at high outputs the sound starts cracking. Or is it better to have a aftermarket headunit with with custom output tuning from Low to high range and stock speakers. Is there a way to tune the stock headunit to get better low frequences or is it jsut a "capability" thing. I know its going to be better to have after speakers over head but by how much?

Really my question is, If you have factory head and aftrer speakers and sub how is the audio quality and is there cracking or problems at high outputs?

I have a JVC Arsenal head, thinking of selling it (dont like the touch screen anymore) and putting in Alpine rear speakers and sub on amp (Stock front speakers/tweet and Head). Id rather not spend amymore money then already have invested. Dont reply keep head and buy speakers, Ive ruled that out. Need to get tires soon and am putting in a lift.

Also Alpine, JL or Rockford. Looking at the 2 ($100 range) rear speakers, ($150) 4 channel amp and ($100) Sub. Im thinking JL?

 

The stock unit seems to use some kind of nondefeatable equalization that is volume and vehicle speed dependent. I personally have not heard the stock unit with aftermarket speakers but I do think that this would cause signficant headaches and not sound as good as it could with a better source. Someone who has gone this way should chime in though.

As far as aftermarket unit with stock speakers, I think I noticed a definite improvement but the stock speakers remain weak and you'll probably want to replace everything in the long run. I'd go with a new head unit first though and always have seen the most improvement this way in this and other vehicles.

 

Ya, I alreay have a JVC Arsenal headunit. Dont like the touch screen (too hard to work while driving). Want to know the impact the stock head will have on a set of rear speakers and sub on a amp. Dont want to spend much more money either, would rather trade head for new speakers, sub and amp.

 

Would hooking a sound processor up to the factory head and rear speaker/sub amp be benifitial. The front would stay stock

 

stock HU + after fronts & rears is my plan for the moment. I already have front 6.5in comps and rears plus a JL 300W/4ch amp from my old system, so the install expense is basically new wiring, some dynomat and a case of beer for me and my buddy.

I'll report back once install is complete. sound quality and overall impressions.
I'm not thrilled with the stock hu, but it'll still be a nice to upgrade the stock cardboard 6x9s.

oh, forgot to mention, the JL amp has a high-voltage input feature, so i don't need a signal converter for the stock hu speaker outs. JL manual just sais to cut into the factory harness and put RCAs on the spkr outs.

 

Stock HU is made for stock speakers, wiring etc. Aftermarket headunit = UNLIMITED POSSIBILITIES. Just save your money, start with a head unit, get some subs, then upgrade your stock speakers when your subs can over ride your speakers

EDIT: Why would you want to keep your sound system stock? Sure, the sound is nice but there's always room for improvement!

 

A sound processor works - although I would replace the front speakers and not the rear. I ran an Alpine PXE-H660 processor with the stock head unit and aftermarket speakers in front. Only swapped out to an aftermarket head unit when my wife bought it for me.

 

might be just my opinion, but the stock fronts are the weakest parts in the stock system. they have major frequency response issues, basically very woofy with a range of low frequencies. i'm always fiddling with the bass to adjust. if you do anything to the system, upgrade the fronts. my 2 cents.


i dont disagree that upgrading the HU is important and should be done regardless if you're going through all the trouble of speakers/amp/wiring.

however, given a finite budget, imo you'd get a bigger bang by swapping out the factory speakers first.