Upgrading the stock audio: dealership or DIY?

Ugh. Sorry guys. I completely skipped the whole Audio forum. My bad...

Good Evening Tacoma World!

Well it finally happened. I said "screw it" and put the deposit down on a 2014 TRD: OR today. Problem is, I should be sleeping, but I'm giddier than a kid on *insert non-denominational holiday*tsmas Eve right now!

Ok, I guess I'll actually get to the topic... I sincerely apologize if this is a dead-beaten horse, and may the forum gods have mercy on me if it is.

Buuuuut...

I ordered a truck with the standard Entune audio. The display is good enough for me, and I don't need the Nav. But I would really like some better sound quality.

Should I:

A: Call up the stealership and beg them to find me a truck with Nav/JBL instead?

B: Ask said stealership to install JBL sound system? (w/o Nav)

C: Ask said stealership to install JBL sound system? (w/ Nav)

D: Install new speakers and a sub myself?

Thoughts? Suggestions? I'm no huge audiophile, so I suppose cost is my biggest concern.

Thanks in advance for your input! This forum has been invaluable in my decision to get the truck.

 

the JBL system is great, but I wouldn't ever pay that much for it if it weren't stock... for 2700$ or whatever the delta is you can do a pretty good head unit, a good 5 channel amp, an 8" ported sub and 4 door speakers and blow the water out of the JBL... I have the JBL nav and it's actually REALLY good but it's not nearly 3k good.

 

Also if you want a GREAT sounding sub for your truck JL makes an amazing stealth box for the tacoma, it's a bit spendy but it has a place for your amp and fits perfectly...

 

Avoid B and C. Dealers typically don't do stereo installs. They send the truck to a no-name independent shop (often with shoddy workmanship) then tack on an easy 30% profit.

 

D! stereo installs are much easier than people think. if you buy products from a decent dealer (personally I like crutchfield cuz I have the luxury of goin to their store) they should include instructions on all the wiring. and panel removal on these truck especially is REALLY easy, I had both my front door panels off just tonight in about 10 min total

 

It comes down to two things:

-do you have the skill and tools to do it right? I built all of my own stuff, from adapter rings to the box and amp rack. It isn't hard, but if you don't have the ability, you'll end up frustrated.

-do you have the time? Conservatively, I have probably 40 hours into my install. Can you stand for your vehicle being in various states of disassembly for that long?

In the end, it's worth it for me because I saved a ton of money (unless you count buying more router bits and jigs), it fits my truck perfectly, and I get the satisfaction of saying I did it myself.

 

JBL system in these trucks are pretty good for what you get. They of course are not the best but they are great for me. I went to the dealership and told them I want EVERY OPTION AVAILABLE for my truck. I don't want anything left off and that's what I got. Came with JBL with NAV and Entune. I couldn't be happier.

Sure there are better aftermarket units out there but mine is stock, looks stock, and is under warranty. It has yet to fail me and comes with a multitude of apps.

 

You can also get excellent navigation systems bundled with the after market head units....

 

X2

If you do go the DIY route I suggest sound deadening. It will add some time to the install, but I just did mine and the difference is crazy. Best $200 I ever spent on the truck. My only regret is not doing it 6 years ago when I got the truck.

 

Was it $200 for the entire cab of the truck? IIRC you have a single cab (correct me if I'm wrong)? I'm interested in doing this just because I like things to be quiet inside the truck. Realizing I didn't buy a Lexus I would still like it and anything between $200-300 sounds like a good buy. Did you use dynamat?

 

http://www.raamaudio.com/

I have a AC

I got package #1, but if you have a DC or want to do the roof it won't be enough. A bunch of guys here are running it so you can do a search in audio and take a look at a bunch of installs.

I just finished up phase 1 last weekend.


the rear now has a ton more but I don't have updated pics


the doors no longer sound cheap and like they are slamming. I used to yell at my passengers for slamming my doors....they never were. Now I can slam them hard and they make zero tin smacking noise, just a solid thud. 20000% improvement over stock

 

Looks good!

Now I have something to spend more money on I'm worse than a woman I swear to christ.

 

I vote for D, I like the DIY options for most things.

I just got Ballistic SSBK Bulk Dampening Kit the other day myself. I'm still waiting for my custom tuned/ported box and 12 to arrive in the mail. I'm hoping wednesday as thats what fedex says, will probably end up installing that on thursday maybe.

 

For the OP- I got the Entune 'Premium' in my 2014 OR DC and was very disappointed with the sound. Had to have it turned up to about 20 for it to be audible, but with the window down forget about it. I kept the stock head unit for the controls and camera display, but replaced the speakers (Polk), added a processor (Audison Bit Ten) and 4ch amp (Polk). Didn't do a sub as I didn't want to lose the storage. The sound is really incredible. If you keep the stock HU, and need a LOC stay away from the Audio Control components (learn from my mistake).

For much less than the $2700 you would spend on the JBL 'upgrade' you can put together a REALLY nice system. There is a ton of step by step information on this site (check out the AUDIO section) and on Youtube to completely disassemble the interior for stereo install and/or sound deadening.

I also went the sound deadening route and its really night and day. In my opinion, the install time to do the deadening makes it cost prohibitive unless you DIY but I found it was really worth it. If you get into the sound deadening, check out Sound Deadener Showdown so you get the right material which makes the biggest difference, I covered a lot more of the truck with Hushmat/Dynomat than I needed to (although it did make a big difference its for dampening vibration, the MLV is what really blocks the sound). I drove the truck around with the interior trim removed and most of the noise is coming from the doors and panel under the rear window (especially the rear seat belt openings in a DC)- these are the place to concentrate.

http://www.sounddeadenershowdown.com/

Good luck and enjoy the truck.

 

Wow guys! Thanks for all of the quick replies. Option D it is!

It seems like I have my work cut out for me by using this forum. As earlier stated, I'm not an audiophile by any means, but I am intrigued by anything that can boost my sound quality on a budget. I live very close to work, and have two backup vehicles, so garaging my Taco for a few days every now and then won't kill me. This sound-deadening thing seems like something I should really look into as well.

Another question for you folks:
By doing all of this DIY work, would I be in any way voiding a new car warranty? Probably a stupid question (based on the amount of blown torque converters from replacing speakers), but I figured it's worth asking.

 

I would go with option A. Personally I don't want a stereo shop pulling apart my new 30k dollar truck, the entune with nav and the jbl speakers with the sub sounds great. But if they won't do that find a reputable car audio shop and hook it up.

 

Keep in mind that the foil backed dampers are only half the battle. While they help deaden the resonance from the door, they do little to combat the high frequency noises. After you lay down the damper, put down a mass loaded vinyl product as well. In the doors, you'll have to use a spray on adhesive. I tired the common 3M Super 77, but it didn't have enough strength to hold the MLV on the vertical surfaces of the inner door skins. Instead, I had to use 3M 08090 Trim Adhesive.

My 2 cents.

 

Don't go to the dealer for anything.

 

A super cheap way to sound deaden is to buy "peel and seal" from lowes online. Smells for about two weeks but I did my access cab doors and my rear bed wall for about $65. Well worth the cost!

And op u can do an install if you use crutch field and take it slow. If I can anyone can