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Speaker/Amp upgrade

Discussion in 'Audio & Video' started by WinksMcGeeks, Apr 22, 2020.

  1. Apr 22, 2020 at 4:09 PM
    #1
    WinksMcGeeks

    WinksMcGeeks [OP] Member

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    Approximately 5 months ago I purchased my first Tacoma. About a month ago I did my first upgrades (cold air intake and catback exhaust), and I'm very happy with the results. I am now looking to upgrade my speaker system. I am looking to pair this amp and speakers (will buy 2 sets of speakers for front/back doors) https://www.crutchfield.com/p_130GMDX874/Pioneer-GM-DX874.html https://www.crutchfield.com/p_20646CC674/Kicker-46CSC674.html . I am not 100% sure these will work together or if anyone has suggestions to amp/speakers that work well for them. I appreciate any feedback, thanks!
     
  2. Apr 22, 2020 at 5:24 PM
    #2
    5nahalf

    5nahalf I build dumb things

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    You want 6x9 speakers in the front.

    You will loose out on a fair amount of base with those speakers over a set of 6x9s.

    Also there is a tweeter in the dash.


    Whats your budget?
     
  3. Apr 22, 2020 at 6:15 PM
    #3
    WinksMcGeeks

    WinksMcGeeks [OP] Member

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    Would something like this work better for the front? https://www.crutchfield.com/p_109GX9638A/JBL-GX9638AM.html?cc=01&tp=64033

    Would the speakers I have in the original post work fine for the rear as well as the amp? Is the tweeter necessary? If so is there a set you'd recommend?

    As for budget I don't necessarily have a set maximum amount I'll spend on the system, I don't want to go too expensive but I do want quality products that will work for the years to come.
     
  4. Apr 22, 2020 at 8:50 PM
    #4
    5nahalf

    5nahalf I build dumb things

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    Those will work just fine. I suggest you check out some of the other build threads to find some ideas. Some people go simple, some people (like me) end up with digital sound processors, 3 amps, 6 speakers up front.
     
  5. Apr 22, 2020 at 9:18 PM
    #5
    Purpleman

    Purpleman Well-Known Member

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    What is your budget?
     
  6. Apr 23, 2020 at 10:17 AM
    #6
    WinksMcGeeks

    WinksMcGeeks [OP] Member

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    I don’t have a maximum amount I’ll spend, but I don’t want to go too expensive.
     
  7. Apr 23, 2020 at 10:18 AM
    #7
    5nahalf

    5nahalf I build dumb things

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    I think a better question is, how much wiring do you want to do? Are you ok rewiring all the speakers in the car, or do you want to use whats already there.
     
  8. Apr 23, 2020 at 10:30 AM
    #8
    WinksMcGeeks

    WinksMcGeeks [OP] Member

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    That is a very good point. I am fairly new to the whole DIY portion of things. I think if I would be able to reuse stuff like speaker wires that would help me but I think I would for sure have to wire in some stuff for the amp.
     
  9. Apr 23, 2020 at 10:53 AM
    #9
    5nahalf

    5nahalf I build dumb things

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    So for the front speakers, the factory used component speakers. There is a woofer in the door and a tweeter in the dash. The speakers you were looking at are called coaxial speakers. The tweeters are mounted to the center of the woofer. These provide less than great staging as the tweeter is pointed at your legs.

    The best thing is to get a component set, where its a woofer, tweeter and crossover... but there is a issue here with the factory wiring, the wiring goes -
    Radio -> tweeter -> woofer
    you want
    Radio -> crossover -> woofer/tweeter

    So you have to do some changes to the wiring of the tweeter, you can cut up the factory plug, or order a harness for this.

    The simplest way to go about this without cutting up wiring is to get the subaru kicker tweeters, then get a set of 6x9 speakers and cut the wires for the tweeters in the center of them. This will essentially give you a component system that is mildly plug and play.

    A better option is to buy speakers that are made for the tacoma. Focal has a set of nice ones that just plug in and work, they come with the adapters to fit already.
    front
    https://www.crutchfield.com/S-i89lknRA7U0/p_091IS690TY/Focal-IS-690TOY.html
    rear
    https://www.crutchfield.com/p_091IC165TY/Focal-IC-165-TOY.html
     
    Trance93 likes this.
  10. Apr 23, 2020 at 12:09 PM
    #10
    WinksMcGeeks

    WinksMcGeeks [OP] Member

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    Would something like this https://www.amazon.com/Genuine-Subaru-H631SFJ101-Tweeter-Kit/dp/B00PV6F8I2 paired with the 6x9 I had earlier work well and then the first set of speakers I had for the rear with the amp? Looking at the plug/play from Focal, that would work well but looking at the price, I would rather spend more time doing some wiring and save some money than spending that much for the 2 sets of speakers. Since I am willing to do some learning with wiring and I think there's plenty of how-to-guides out there to help, do you think it worth it to just get the coaxial system? I think it may be worth it since I would want to get an amp anyway and I think I'd have to rewire from the factory amp.
     
  11. Apr 23, 2020 at 12:16 PM
    #11
    5nahalf

    5nahalf I build dumb things

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    Speaker quality is usually a direct correlation to price. If your buying sub $100 speakers, they are usually pretty low end.
    <$100 bottom of the line
    200-300 middle ground
    300+ real nice speakers

    So that price your paying for the focal is going to be for middle of the line speakers that are a direct swap.


    The kicker subaru tweeter will work just fine along with the 6x9 you posted. If you want to go that route, read this thread
    https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/premium-audio-upgrade-for-less-than-250.510424/
     
  12. Apr 23, 2020 at 1:30 PM
    #12
    WinksMcGeeks

    WinksMcGeeks [OP] Member

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    K&N Air Intake AFE Cat-back exhaust
    I have actually ended up purchasing using that thread you shared. Last of the items should be in around end of April/beginning of May. I very much appreciate the time/advice you've given me!
     
    5nahalf likes this.

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