Advice for $800-1000 budget build?

Truck is a 2015 DC.

On the fence about replacing the HU, if I do, I don't need GPS. I would just need BT phone and streaming, XM Radio. Would like a double DIN. Would also like to retain all factory steering controls.

Speakers, not sure on components or a coaxial 3way. Also seeing conflicting reports on leaving the rear door speakers alone or replacing them as well.

Would like a behind seat 10" sub with box.

Amp, no preference. Same for brand. I listen to a wide variety of music, but appreciate when the sub can get nice and low when listening to rap or similar.

 

$1000 with head unit is rough

even if you don't want GPS...still go for about $450...

There's been a few 10" subs for sale on the forums...can be had for $150.

I don't know about the Double cab sound systems...but audio is really subjective. One person can say it's awesome sound system and the other it's crap. It's sort of like race cars. 50 to 80% more expensive than regular cars for the 10 to 20% difference in performance.

Brand is another thing as well...a lot of folks will tell you brand x is better. I choose JBL because I know the guys that designed them...so it's sort of a personal preference.

The one thing that will really help you that you should try first is a product like MS-8 by JBL. You don't have to buy MS-8 because it's a bit pricey, but get a DSP device that will tweak your factory sound system. You may like it a lot after it's be properly equalized by the tuning software to flatten out the audio band so you don't hear distortion. Then you can use a hi/lo adapter from the factory radio to install a sub/amp for your lows. If you don't want crazy loud.

Me? I have a basic 2014 reg cab radio and it's crappy in terms of audio and interface.... I live with it because I am waiting to get all my other mods to be installed then do the dampening and then the audio system. My amps and speakers I have...just need a little sub to stick underneath the seat or behind the seat. I just go for clarity...so don't care for loud system that can be hear from block away...that was decades ago for me...if I want loud...just go to nightclub...though few have really good sound systems. Good luck

 

Thanks for the info.

I don't really want a new HU, the stock one is fine, but I know almost nothing about the things needed to integrate speakers, amp and sub. It has been a long time since I've been in this world.

I also don't care about being heard a mile away, just want to get some nice clarity and decent volume at cruising speeds. The stock system is just so flat and gutless its awful.

 

A sub will add a lot of volume... but depends on what kind of stock speaker you have and if it's loud enough. Some folks will just change out the stock speaker with better aftermarket and say the aftermarket suck... really the HU is voiced for the stock speaker...that's where the DSP unit will flatten out the distortion and it'll sound better. If you want more clarity and power, then get a hi/lo adapter. It'll convert the speaker wires into RCA cables from the head unit...if the head unit doesn't have RCA out already. From there...you buy a new 5 channel amp or go hog while...really up to you... then go with after market speakers or try the stock if they sound decent enough for you...most likely it won't be... decent pair of speakers will run about $100 to $300... since you have double cab...you'll need 2 pairs, amp, and sub and be within your $1000 limit.

I figured you want advice on which brand and where to buy...but really find a setup from someone you know and audition the setup and see if you like it...otherwise you buy a bunch of speakers and then you are unhappy for spending the $1000 on the wrong gear.

Just get a decent class D amp...they are more efficient, cheaper, and smaller these days.

 

Champagne tastes beer budget...know the feeling. Do it in stages over several years. That way maybe you can go beyond the 1000 limit? Start with a decent pair of front speakers. The issue is if you stay with the stock HU the speakers need to be real efficient. That limits your choices. My suggestion is to get your HU and a pair of front speakers. You can do that for 1000. The SW and amp etc can come later.

 

I disagree with what you stated. A new HU will give more features and better spec, but it's not going to make it that much louder. Also depending on the head unit...does it have the DSP function to equalize the sound in the cab so it does't sound like crap? Most DSP receivers will cost more.

So you suggested getting more efficient front speakers that has better sensitivity....what that means is for the same per watt, it will sound louder. So for the $1000, you get a $600 to $700 head unit and $300 speakers for front and back. Or you can have $300 front speakers and leave the rear stock speakers as a fill in the back???? What about the variety of music the OP wanted including rap? Where's the bass? Most head unit will provide from 22W RMS to 50W peak max in the $600 to $700 range and even above. Because most high end units requires an AMP.

As I stated before, if you just do it stages and get only front speakers and the head unit is not "voiced" for that speaker, even if it's aftermarket, it'll sound like crap. On the response curve, you want the speakers to be flat through the frequency band. The job of the DSP is to equalize (new way) or use an equalizer to flatten out the response. You want a flat response because if the speaker can't handle it...in this case 6.5" speakers can't play low enough down to 30Hz without distortion at high volume or can be heard well enough at low volume. So the inexperience will think the aftermarket speakers are crap.

As I said before...audio is very subjective... some folks can't tell what good sound is because their ear will adapt unless there's a lot of distortion...but if you have two sound systems A and B them...you can tell the distinct differences. A good sound system will leave a lot of detail in from what the audio source was recorded. If you are an audiophile, then it's going to cost money. The best way to go about this is to get the signal from the HU equalized via DSP or equalizer. If the OP is happy with the sound, but wants more boost at the low end, a subwoofer will add a lot of volume...so the 6.5" speakers can be crossed over higher frequency and doesn't have to put out low frequency...less distortion and cleaner sound and the sub will play all the low frequency.

If you want to know what the sound is missing in your cab. Get a good pair of over ear headphones and a good audio source from a known track. Listen to it over and over again from favorite song. Then play it back in your car without headphones... see what bass or high...or what musical instruments you didn't pick up when listening to the headphones.

When I had my BRZ, that sound system sounded awful...especially under the HD radio mode. Under XM and MP3 it sounded a lot better because it had an equalizer and someone on the forum had a pink noise generator and gave some equalizer setting suggestion...it made it sound a lot better. The reason for HD radio being bad is the HD reception sucked in that car. XM was clear as CD/MP3. The BRZ still missed the sub, but clarity, it was pretty good for a stock system. For OP...if you have JBL sound system... look into playing with the equalizer or get a device that will do the DSP to make the sound better and then add an amp. If you'r not an audiophile...what I am suggesting should work out for you.

 

Loc with your stock deck
A 5 channel amp
id suggest the best mids you can afford to start with,
Sub that matches the amps power and that fits behind the seats.
sound deadener on the doors at the very least

Should be with in 1000$ budget