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Inexpensive sound upgrade?

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by techride, Feb 2, 2016.

  1. Feb 2, 2016 at 12:05 PM
    #1
    techride

    techride [OP] Weekend Warrior

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    Wondering if someone can point me in the right direction for an inexpensive sound upgrade option. I have a 2014 sr5 with the entune base head unit and no jbl equipment. I'm not looking to knock my socks off with volume or bass, just better quality all around. Is just speakers a good place to start or is the head unit the weak spot on these sound systems? I'm not looking to spend more than $200.
     
  2. Feb 2, 2016 at 12:07 PM
    #2
    SoCal_Yotas

    SoCal_Yotas Well-Known Member

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    IMO speakers are the first way to go especially speakers that come with a good set of tweeters for the front but also I don't think you'll find all four speakers and tweeters for 200 or at least good ones
     
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  3. Feb 2, 2016 at 12:15 PM
    #3
    Thomas Jefferson

    Thomas Jefferson Keyboard Warrior

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    One can never have too many light bars.
    I did my whole system for 200 and it sounds better than the JBL. I get compliments from people with much more expensive stereos all the time. The biggest upgrade was the sound deadener. If you do all the work yourself it will be about 200. I am still using the stock head unit and it works fine although i'm sure an aftermarket one would sound much better.
    Here's my list:
    http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005JRZPMM?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00
    http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007ZQGZWO?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00
    http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00009QOU5?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00
    http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002BBP7Y?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00
    http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IIC6CPE?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s01
    http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00A0LXRL8?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00
    http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00A0LZHYS?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00
    Plus tweeter adapters from *********.
     
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  4. Feb 2, 2016 at 12:31 PM
    #4
    techride

    techride [OP] Weekend Warrior

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    Sweet, thanks for the links!!!
     
  5. Feb 2, 2016 at 1:35 PM
    #5
    TacomaMike37

    TacomaMike37 Well-Known Member

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    You spend $200 bucks, have the stock headunit and you think it sounds better then a jbl unit with a dedicated sub, really?
     
  6. Feb 2, 2016 at 1:42 PM
    #6
    Thomas Jefferson

    Thomas Jefferson Keyboard Warrior

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    One can never have too many light bars.
    Yes. The JBL speakers are pretty low end when compared to aftermarket audio equipment. Plus the sub is dinky. My setup wont deliver the same amount of bass but deadening the doors/ behind the back seat gives it enough low end punch. My old frontier had the stock Rockford setup and while it delivered more bass, the sound isn't as crisp as my taco's setup.
     
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  7. Feb 2, 2016 at 1:45 PM
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    TacomaMike37

    TacomaMike37 Well-Known Member

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    Yeah because the intergrated amp and lower speak count of the non jbl trumps the jbl system. Sure bro.
     
  8. Feb 2, 2016 at 1:46 PM
    #8
    Championsumo

    Championsumo Well-Known Member

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  9. Feb 2, 2016 at 1:48 PM
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    Capt. Obvious

    Capt. Obvious Fearless Keyboard Warrior

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    The sound output difference between the JBL and non-JBL systems are pretty negligible. The JBL system isn't really that great, and would be easily outperformed by even an entry level aftermarket speaker set.

    Bro.
     
  10. Feb 2, 2016 at 1:48 PM
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    Thomas Jefferson

    Thomas Jefferson Keyboard Warrior

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    One can never have too many light bars.
    It's 6 speakers which same amount of speakers as the jbl just without the sub.
     
  11. Feb 2, 2016 at 1:49 PM
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    NeedmoreTaco

    NeedmoreTaco Garage full of white Toys...

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    I believe you, a quality set of speakers and sound deadening go a long way. Next step is obviously amps and subwoofer but without a good base the bass is pointless.
     
  12. Feb 2, 2016 at 1:50 PM
    #12
    HAVVOKK

    HAVVOKK Well-Known Member

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    Fucking look it up
    :facepalm::smack:
    You clearly don't know a whole lot about stereos or anything related. I'm assuming you have JBL and you think it bumps like crazy
     
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  13. Feb 2, 2016 at 1:52 PM
    #13
    TacomaMike37

    TacomaMike37 Well-Known Member

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    Bumps, you still hanging around middle schools, havent heard that in a while.

    Yeah I have the jbl, its decent. But for a dude to come on here and say for $200 bucks anyone can have a system better then the jbl, well thats is nutty.
     
  14. Feb 2, 2016 at 1:54 PM
    #14
    07Speedway4X4

    07Speedway4X4 Active Member

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    I agree that sound deadening is a great upgrade to create pseudo enclosures in your doors creating more low end punch but with a stock head unit the biggest limiting factor you have is wattage. Either replacing the head unit or getting an amp (preferred) is the biggest improvement you can make to a stock system. Then when you blow up your stock speakers you have an excuse to spend money on nicer ones.
     
  15. Feb 2, 2016 at 1:54 PM
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    Thomas Jefferson

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    One can never have too many light bars.
    I will correct myself. $200 bucks and and about 6 hours of labor.
     
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  16. Feb 2, 2016 at 1:55 PM
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    TacomaMike37

    TacomaMike37 Well-Known Member

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    I agree with the sound deading , that does make a huge difference.
     
  17. Feb 2, 2016 at 2:03 PM
    #17
    HAVVOKK

    HAVVOKK Well-Known Member

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    Fucking look it up
    If you know what your doing yes 200 bux can be a reasonable upgrade to the stock jbl because that so called dealer upgrade is the lowest shittiest jbl speakers with their cheapest head unit and even cheaper POS sub so yes I could go get speakers from auto zone for about 30 bux a piece and sound the same if not better than the jbl. I'm sorry you wasted your money on an "upgrade" wasn't trying to be a dick just letting you know your opinion doesn't matter if you don't know what your talking about
     
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  18. Feb 2, 2016 at 2:03 PM
    #18
    Up2NoGood

    Up2NoGood Well-Known Member

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    What do you guys think would have the best impact (working with $200).

    1) Doing a good sound deadening on all 4 doors

    2) Changing out the speakers

    I would think the sound deadening would provide better results and not chew up the entire $200 either.
     
  19. Feb 2, 2016 at 2:09 PM
    #19
    Shauncho

    Shauncho Embrace your inner Bro-ness

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    I would go with sound deadening first...because with one effort, you get multiple benefits:
    • reduced road noise
    • improved audio quality
    • and very slight insulating factor.
    with speakers you just get...speakers.
     
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  20. Feb 2, 2016 at 2:10 PM
    #20
    Thomas Jefferson

    Thomas Jefferson Keyboard Warrior

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    One can never have too many light bars.
    Deadening is by far the most important. The Tacoma doors rattle like no-ones business. It wont matter if you throw a 3,000 dollar system in there if shits rattling it will still sound awful. I'm not sure the best way to apply is but Ive done it to a few cars now and All i do is trace an outline of the door on the pad and cut the holes a little bigger than they need to be to ensure the right fit. The key is to have the fewest pieces possible on the door. If you just patch it together with small pieces it doesn't work as well. It's a tedious process but it's worth it.
     
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