Budget for New Stereo

Want to get a new sound system and want to know what is a realistic budget. Headunit including Car Play, Speakers and Sub. What should I budget for parts and install?

 

Entry level budget at least 1k for that. But you might not be happy with budget stuff.

Do it in stages, as there may be things you dont need to swap. I would start with speakers, then add a amp for those speakers. Then add a subwoofer if you need it. Last do headunit.

For my system, I paid nearly 1k for just speakers and amp. Im very happy with the results, bass is strong, and the headunit works just fine. When I move to add a subwoofer, Im looking at at least another 500. If I went with a new headunit, I would want something that can do everything the stock can do, plus more... so at least 500 for that.

 

Depends on your goals and needs. Do you use the nav a lot on the oem head unit? Is it important to keep.

You can replace the speakers with the Kickers that most do here for around $300 total out of pocket. I would recommend more power though. You can build an amplified system that keeps the stock head unit with a sub for around 7-800. Adding a sub can be done for as little as 150 more if you dont mind it taking up cab space.

I would recommend replacing the head unit though. The stock one has poor equalization, and noticable power roll off to low freq. bass at above 20-25 on the volume knob. More noticeable when you add power. The issue though is a nav head unit will set you back 8-1000+. If you can live without nav you can do speakers (no amp) with a head unit for 7-800 and the sound will be better quality than just amplifying speakers off the factory head unit. It wont get as loud as a 50W amp system but for most that wont matter as it will still get plenty loud.

 

My Trim is SR5 so I dont even have Nav. I simply want the system to have more bass and sound better. Stock system is a bit weak.

 

I was in the same boat as you... but wanted to keep my OEM headunit to ensure all the controls etc. worked. Here is what I bought:

• Focal component speakers for front (open box @ crutchfield). ~$125 Focal ISS 165 6-1/2" 2-Way Component Speakers
• Focal speakers for rear (open box @ crutchfield). ~$125 Focal RCX-165 6-1/2" 2-way Speakers
  
• 10" Kicker sub (open box @ crutchfield) ~$100 Kicker CompVT 43CVT102 10" 2-ohm Component Subwoofer
• Line out converter (open box @ crutchfield) ~$100 AudioControl LC6i 6-Channel Factory Integration Unit
• 5 channel JBL amp (open box @ crutchfield) ~$250 JBL GTR-7535 75W x 4 + 350W x 1 Car Amplifier
• Sound deading material for the doors (Amazon) ~$60

I built a 3/4" MDF box for my sub, ran all new speaker wires from amp to doors, and used speedwire from the back of the OEM headunit to the line out converter. All in for around a thousand dollars and sounds great for me.

 

Stock head unit on the SR5 provides even less power than the TRD models. I personally would replace it. Aftermarket units from Pioneer or Kenwood are great and provide ~20-25w RMS. The stock units have to be close to <10W, although I never measured them.

The head units range from 250-400 for decent models and I'd recommend getting the metra harness which will run about 150ish with all the needed wires and mounting parts. After that if you want to keep it cheap go with the kickers in the front doors to start. Just my two cents.

With just that you'll at least notice an good jump in loudness, you'll be able to feel the bass, although not like a sub.