Upgrade speakers in DblCab?

guess this will be turning into an "upgrade your audio" thread soon.

 

Went through the same process. Wanted to keep the stock HU and upgrade speakers, etc. Started with speakers knowing I would install an amp. Because you have a DC, you have some better options on location of the amp. In my AC I didn't want to lose a lot of space. You can check what I did here: http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/audio-video/332211-did-you-keep-factory-hu-but-upgrade-rest.html In either case, you'll be surprised on how it sounds once you do it. I can have my unit at 24 on the highway and it's plenty loud.

 

What model # hu?

 

This looks like a great option.
hmmmm

 

Alright I have to step in to this and get you going in the right direction. In order to do so I need to ask some questions.

What are your goals for your stereo?

How much are you wanting to spend?

Do you have any experience with electronics?

What kind of music do you listen to?

Answer those and I can give you a very good idea at where you need to be headed.

Now, on to correcting miss information in this thread.

First off, speakers are not the source of good sound. The head unit, aka "the source" is the source of good sound. Without a good head unit that can send a clean signal through the rest of the system then it won't matter how good the rest of the system is as the source of the sound it flawed.

Second every amplifier on the market with the exception of rare units like the Butler Tube Driver amps have MOSFET's. It means metal oxide semi-conductor field effect transistor. This is what the electronics industry used to replace tubes.

Third, bigger speaker wire does not mean better conduction of a signal. The only reason that bigger speaker wire would be needed is if the amplifiers are sending enough current through the wires that there would be a risk of degradation, aka melting. 18awg speaker wire can take a load of 16 amps before worrying about degradation. Using P = I^2 * R (power = current squared times resistance) a 100w amp will send 5 amps to a 4 ohm speaker, well within the 16 amp limit of the wire.

If you have questions please do not hesitate.

 

I respectfully disagree. It's all about the speakers. If you upgrade just one thing it should be speakers, and if upgrading the system all other upgrades should take into account the needs of new speakers (wiring, amp, hu)

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Crutchfield

Crutchfield #2

 

you missed the point...

 

Not in our trucks. New speakers of any size through the stock HU will sound really weak. I put 6x9 Alpine S speakers in the front and I had no bass - the HU wouldn't drive the woofers. A new HU or amp will be needed.

Now I haven't played with an Entune truck but I doubt they decided all the sudden to pump a lot more power to those little paper speakers.

 

Replacing the stock speakers is the first inexpensive step in upgrading your audio system. Choose efficient speakers so your stock HU can still be used. Myself, I have my speakers done along with sound deadener. The JBL's sound much much better. This is just my first step. Next up is a JBL amp. I am still trying to figure out the best way to hook it up and where to put it....lol

 

As stated earlier, there are adapters that will allow the steering wheel controls to stay functional w aftermarket headunits. They are relatively inexpensive and easy to install.

Where in the northeast are you? There are plenty of members here who are willing to help out.

 

No matter what you decide, do it yourself. It is really, really, really easy.

 

pmd don't waste your money on a jbl amp. There are much better amps out there in a similar price range.

Anyone in Augusta, GA until August and South Bend, IN after August 1st I am more than willing to come help will any audio needs.

 

Give me some ideas on an amp. Want 5 channel and not such a big footprint.

 

JL Audio 500/5. I love mine. Google it and Sonicelectronix will price match whereever you find it the cheapest.

 

I am western Mass.

 

It is so interesting. I would say that no two people have recommended to same thing. That is why this is so confusing.

 

OK let's start with PMD since that is much easier to answer.

5 channels to look at by price:
Alpine PDR-V75 $499
Kenwood Excelon XR900-5 $499
Arc Audio XDi 800.5 $519
Helix Blue B Five $549
JL Audio XD 700/5v2 $599 (can be found cheaper b stock)
Alpine PDX-V9 $799
JL Audio HD900/5 $999

There are other brands at higher prices and other amps at lower prices, however if you are not getting more than 50w x 4 for the full range portion of the amplifier then there is no reason to buy a 5 channel amplifier as most head units will put out 50w x 4. The other factor involved is how much power you want for your subwoofer. That can greatly change the price or make you want to go to a 2 amp setup.

DrFunker

I am going to break down a number of options starting with an expensive all inclusive options first and then lowering quality and components from there. So lets start big and see where it takes us. Remember that installation is not cheap, however Tacoma's are INCREDIBLY easy to work on and I am sure there are lots of people who are willing to help. These also do not include any wiring that might be required to go with it such as RCAs, power, and speaker wire.

#1 $3326
Nav - Kenwood Excelon DNX891HD $1200
Front - Hybrid Audio Clarus C61-2 $629
Rear - Hybrid Audio Imagine I61-2v2 $299
Amp - Arc Audio KS900.6 $799
Sub - Arc Audio Black 10V2 D4 $399

#2 $2321
Nav - Kenwood Excelon DNX691HD $825
Front - Hybrid Audio Unity U61-2 $399
Rear - Hybrid Audio Imagine I61-2v2 $299
Amp -

$720 Arc Audio XDi 850.5 - Arc Audio 5-Channel 850W RMS XDi V2 Amplifier

Arc Audio XDi 850.5 $519
Sub - Image Dynamics IDQ10 V.4 D4 $279

#3 $1907
Source - Kenwood Excelon DDX 8901 $650
Front - Hybrid Audio Imagine I61-2v2 $299
Rear - Hybrid Audio Imagine I61-2v2 $299
Amp - Arc Audio XDi 850.5 $519
Sub - Image Dynamics ID10 V3 D4 $140

#4 $1377
Stock Head Unit
LOC - Audio Control LC6i $120
Front - Hybrid Audio Imagine I61-2v2 $299
Rear - Hybrid Audio Imagine I61-2v2 $299
Amp - Arc Audio XDi 850.5 $519
Sub - Image Dynamics ID10 V3 D4 $140

#5 $1097
Stock Head Unit
LOC - Audio Control LC6i $120
Front - Arc Audio XDi 6.2 $199
Rear - Arc Audio XDi 602 $119
Amp - Arc Audio XDi 850.5 $519
Sub - Image Dynamics ID10 V3 D4 $140

Those are a few examples of systems that you could put together. Clearly you can mix and match pieces pretty easily, however there are brands that I would stick to at the lower price levels. I am a big proponent of Arc Audio and Hybrid Audio Technologies in case you didn't notice and that is based off of experience. I have run JL, Focal, Audison, Hertz, Rockford Fosgate, Arc, and Hybrid in my vehicles over the years and I currently run Hybrid speakers, JL and Arc amps (both being replaced when I get more money), and a Morel sub. As far as the nav/source units the big 3 of Alpine, Pioneer, and Kenwood are what I would stick with Kenwood is my preference but each has their own merits. If Eclipse was still around I would recommend them but sadly they have gone the way of the buffalo. If you want another person to talk to about stuff MrMarv, ItalynStylion, zrwhat, or craigFLA would be good choices in the car audio world.

Please ask as many questions as you need to and make sure you have a defined goal of what you want out of your system before starting the project.

 

Wow! Thanks Kyle.
Let me digest this a bit. I will be back.

 

Pioneer 3500 bhs. I really like the head unit. Helped the stock speakers....but they still sound like crap.

 

Not anymore http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_1174_JL-Audio-500-5-SPECIAL-OFFER.html