Worth upgrading stock speakers?

I upgraded my speakers ONLY in my 2014 access cab truck. Like you, OP, didn't want to lose the factory HU because I feel it's adequate. Why have 3-way controls w/o 3-way speaker though?! Made a world of difference in sound quality!
You can hear the drums and bass in the 6x9, you hear guitar and cymbals in the tweets. As it should be.

Now, in regards to perceived "loudness", they are quieter than stock, marginally. I only had 2 6x9 and 2 tweets to upgrade though.
I used a Memphis Audio component kit from Crutchfield. I called them, strange I know, to actually talk to a person on the phone these days. But they sent me the adapter rings, harness plugs, and mounting straps for the tweets.

https://www.crutchfield.com/S-T29eKVjVx2F/p_95315PR69C/Memphis-Audio-15-PRX69C.html

 

If I am reading you correctly, you are not satisfied with the way the stock stereo sounds. You won't be happy just replacing the speakers. I went through the same thing. First speakers and then they were not as loud as the originals. Then line out converters and amps. Still not up to par sound wise. Then new head unit and the whole system came together. Take my advice, do the head unit first, then speakers, and then amps and wiring(optional). I think you would be happier that way.

 

Reach out to Mr Marv for audio advise, many years ago I replaced the stock paper speakers with HAT (Hybird Audio Tech) Claruis component speakers in the front doors and HAT mid speak speaker in the rear doors. With that being said I replaced the head unit with a passive (no power) Eclipse head unit, JL Audio slim line subwoofer and a class D JL Audio 5 channel amp. I installed Dynamat in the doors and rear cabin wall. it transformed the sound from night to day.

 

This makes a lot of sense. I've experienced this in other vehicles when upgrading stereo sound.

 

This.
And @Mr Marv is still running his group buy here:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/mr-marv-hybrid-audio-arc-audio-more-2017-tax-time-buy.482018/

 

I dd speakers 1st in my 15'DC. Noticed no change,maybe clearer sound but nothing volume wise. Now,I am hard of hearing so that doesn't help. I then upgraded the shitty Entune to a Kenwood HU. HUGE difference! I can actually hear the music with the windows down @60mph. I bought everything from Crutchfield,$420 total. Was able to sell my Entune for $115, so $305 total for a big sound difference.

 

So after watching this video very closely I still have no idea how to take of the panels

 

Man , lots to think bout , think I will wait till finances allow an check out that new head unit.thanks so much ..all of you

 

Everyone who says upgrading the speakers without the upgrading the head unit will net you no gains is full of shit. The secret is adding sound deadener to the doors. Sure, you'll realize greater sound quality gains with a new head unit and speakers, but just doing speakers and sound deadener will make a huge difference for not a lot of money.

 

FYI i did just speakers and tweeters... sound is SO much better than stock, plenty loud for my tastes and i retain the factory headunit which i rather like in my 2013.

 

Another member directed me to this thread and I actually have a few minutes this morning so I figured I'd chime in.

I have installed countless systems in these trucks using the factory headunit and contrary to some belief there is nothing wrong with the "sound quality" of the factory headunit rather it just lacks some tuning ability. From my experience the factory speakers are the weakest link in these systems and since speakers are what actually make the sound they are the most important aspect of any system expected to sound great.

Next is "proper" installation as "a good speaker installed properly will sound better than a great speaker not installed properly" so if you are just going to slap a new speaker on a flimsy plastic bracket and call it a day you may as well just keep the factory speakers IMO. There is some great advice here especially concerning the deadening of the door and one step further is you need to seal the new speaker to the inside of the door panel mimicking what the factory did in order to eliminate the possibility of back wave cancellation (back wave cancellation will cause reduction in bass). There is a product called Fast Rings to do this or you can do what I do which is to use weatherstripping from any hardware store.

Once installed properly you must also experiment with the phase/level between the new mid/tweeter in order to get the best sound in these non ideal speaker locations.

Also, as mentioned when not using an external amplifier your new speakers most likely will not play as loud as the stock ones due to sensitivity differences.

That said, if you buy at least "good sounding" speakers, install them properly and get your phase/level set to your liking you will have a very good sounding system that just won't get quite as loud as stock. Anything else added will just be icing on the cake ie an amplifier will make it louder or a new headunit with a tuning section will allow you to fine tune.

Almost forgot, if you replace the speakers and it didn't sound much better or actually sounded worse as I have read you either..
a. bought crappy speakers
b. did not install them properly
c. did not seal the back wave from the front wave
d. did not get your phase/levels set properly
e. all of the above

 

Lots to think bout but I think for the bucks I'll go the new and better speaker route cause it ain't that bad as is ..thanks

 

For sure do the insulation as well

 

Im grateful for the help an know the longer I own my truck , this forum will be invaluable. .thank all y'all

 

How do you set your phase levels?

 

Just a question... I've always like Infinity speakers, but it's been a long time since I've done any research... are they any good these days?

 

The stock head unit in my truck was terrible, I have an aftermarket exhaust and I had to turn the volume up to 30 to be able to hear it on the highway. I also wanted XM radio which my stock unit didn't have, so I just replaced it with a JVC from Amazon for $100. It made a big difference!

As for the speakers, to me the stock 6x9's in the front doors sound okay, but those 6.5" speakers in the rear doors sound like shit, like they're in a closed box or something. I'll likely replace the speakers with new JVC's soon too.

 

That's a good lookin head unit, and a great price as well!

 

I have them in my truck and I'm very pleased with them. Good midrange and the tweeter isn't overpowering like some sets.

Front: https://www.infinityspeakers.com/co....html?dwvar_KAPPA 50.11CS_color=Black#start=1

Rear: https://www.infinityspeakers.com/speakers/KAPPA+62.11I.html

These are also 2 ohm so they pull a little more power out of your amp.

 

Phase and levels are 2 different things and I actually should have stated "speaker polarity" and levels. Without getting too technical the best sound is not always achieved with all speakers connected positive to positive and negative to negative so you need to experiment with reversing the polarity to get the speakers to "blend" together better. Also, most component systems come with crossovers that allow adjusting the output level of the tweeter in relation to the mid which is especially beneficial when they are mounted separate from each other.