Audio Luddite Seeking Assistance

Hi y'all!

Here's the deal: I really have a hard time understanding car audio, and compatibility.

I have a 2019 Pro with the premium audio package. The door speakers have been upgraded with Alpine S-S69C and Alpine SPE-6000 speakers.

I wanted to upgrade because the stock premium system sucks, and it was just too quiet. I mostly listen to podcasts, but with the road noise, I would have to turn the volume at a ridiculous level to hear. I have dramatically sensitive hearing, so I know that its not just me being unable to hear. I have tried via Bluetooth, USB, different devices, etc.

With having an audio pal replace the door speakers, the sound is worse now. I mean, they are definitely more clear, but as my wife describes it they sound "tingy", and completely out of tune. The volume is also very muted still which is the biggest problem.

I'm assuming that I probably need to upgrade the amp and headunit in order to get balanced and unmuted sound.

That being said, can you all give me suggestion like you would to a 10 year old? Seriously, the technical details of what I need/don't need become blurry on the forums sometimes, and I'm having a hard time deciphering what the best solution would be. I don't want to create a Frankenstein system by ignorantly buying things that may work, or may cause errors later.

I would like to keep the door speakers I already have installed, I would like to keep steering wheel controls and such. . I'm willing to change just about anything else. Im trying to purchase stuff today to try to catch the cyber Monday deals.

Thank you very much in advance!! As a note, I will probably ask what appears to be dumb or obvious follow up questions. But if we don't ask questions on what we don't understand, we will never learn.

 

So you messed with something you don’t understand and had poor results, and your buddy didn’t stop you which means he doesn’t understand either. I’m assuming “Premium” = the JBL system, which means you kinda chose the wrong thing to cut your teeth on.

The JBL system is specifically tuned/configured with the speakers that come with the truck. By just replacing the speakers, not only have you changed the balance of power in the system (by changing the load on the amplifier) causing it to sound more quiet, but you also potentially changed what frequencies each speaker is built to play vs. what the amp is sending to each of them.

You have installed a 4 ohm component speaker in place of 2 ohm speakers with completely different crossover points, ergo probably a giant hole in your audio spectrum. If your buddy didn’t realize and plan this out ahead of time, don’t use him in the future. You should have been looking for a set with a woofer and a mid/high driver instead of woofer + tweeter combination. Even so, finding the JBL crossover points would be crucial so you can verify the new ones work well with the JBL amp's outputs for each.

In short, you chose the wrong speakers to replace your factory ones.

Now, I’m not intimately familiar with this JBL system specifically, but I do know that if I were to start screwing with it, I would definitely plan to have equipment that is capable of summing its outputs into a full bandwidth signal for reprocessing. This is assuming it uses separate amplified channels for front high/low. Which is the case based on information in this thread:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/2020-jbl-amp-wiring-and-booster.642005/

Specifically this information:

What you can do is install a DSP Amplifier after the JBL amplifier, process the signal for a 5 Channel amplifier, and redistribute your audio to the replacement speakers with the ability to tune them, and balance the channels. If you want to keep the Factory stereo and the aftermarket speakers you've installed, that's the shortest route to a remedy. If you are looking at something designed to do just that, fortunately you have a lot of options. Unfortunately, you'll need to figure out the harness connectors for the most simple connection solution, which exist but since I haven't done it, I can't lead you right to it.

Obviously another option is to rip out the JBL stereo and install an aftermarket, bypassing the JBL amplifier. You'll still need to figure out how to either connect back into the harness for all of your speakers (including crossover accommodation) or run your own speaker wires.

The most expensive option would be holy cow replace everything, replacement stereo, Maestro unit, add an amp, add a different sub, add all the power and signal wiring... this is a big project that needs planned out and frankly, scurrying around the internet in one day buying stuff isn't a good way to go about it.

What I would consider FIRST is to re-install the factory speakers (hopefully your buddy didn't perpetrate a hack job inside your doors), return the sound system to OEM configuration and add sound deadening and noise reduction treatments to the vehicle to make it a more quiet environment to begin with. You may find that this is all you needed to do to satisfy your needs to begin with.

 

That last paragraph would have been my first suggestion too! If the road noise it too high, add sound deadening!

 

dolbytone was a bit harsh with his assessment but in general, accurate. The head units in the Tacos are not very powerful, therefore speaker replacement selection is critical. The specs on the speakers you upgraded with require some serious power input in order to sound good. If you don't intend to add some serious amplification I would suggest finding more compatible speakers and resell the Alpines.

 

lol yup, I’m a dick sometimes. It’s tough love though.

 

I am a Luddite, too!!!

 

Really, I appreciate the help. I had enough wherewithal to know that replacing the speaker /may/ not work with the factory amp, I wish my friend would have looked further into it...but I'll cut him some slack. He was struggling during the time, and was WAY overworked to make ends meet. He's a good guy, he just fucked up. Nonetheless, I need to find a better solution.

That being said, I don't like the factory sound anyway. This is my second 3rd gen with this system, and I'm just not happy with it. I don't think it's very intuitive, and the sound differs way too much via different connections and is even more deadened if connected to the Entune app.

So here's what I am thinking of moving forward:

Pick up a 5 channel amp. I don't need an enormous or extremely powerful setup. I'm considering something like the JBL Club A5055 https://www.jbl.com/car-audio/CLUBA...2=false&prefn3=isSupport&prefv3=false&start=1

For the Stereo....I am trying to find a solution that works well for me. I would like wireless apple carplay + retain steering controls/back up cam via a maestro (I assume). I am so far removed from audio that I'm not 100% sure which brands & models are reliable. Suggestions are very welcomed here. I dont need anything fancy or over the top, just wireless capabilities and functional for the long term.

Subwoofer: No idea on this yet.

Sound deadening: I will definitely be doing this!!

I am currently not driving regularly, and won't be for the next 4 months. So this gives me time to work on this before I need to use the truck.
A little more insight into my truck. I upgraded the battery to a 27f AGM battery, and I have a switch pros 9100 wired for aux lights. Outside of the speakers, that's the only electrical work that's been modified.

I plan to just tackle this a little bit at a time, that way I am not rushed when I begin installation...especially prepping the wiring ahead of time as much as I can. I appreciate all of your help!