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Premium Audio Upgrade for less than $250

Discussion in 'Audio & Video' started by bshammer0, Sep 14, 2017.

  1. Dec 31, 2020 at 6:14 AM
    #4341
    destin_meeks

    destin_meeks I used to fix people's crappy stereos

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  2. Dec 31, 2020 at 12:06 PM
    #4342
    kauaihunter

    kauaihunter Well-Known Member

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    Kicker speaker upgrade Tint Trimmed air dam Taco Tunes amp and sub 275/70/17 Wildpeaks
    It definitely sounds better than stock, I did the tweeters first and that made the highs much better in my opinion and it is a noticeable difference to me. The Kicker 6x9’s put out better bass that’s for sure. The receiver just doesn’t have enough to drive the speakers but it is an improvement over the paper factory speakers as far as sound goes. I ordered an amp and subwoofer from T tunes. That should make a world of difference.

    The only thing I had to do with what Crutchfiled supplied was to trim out the rear speaker adapters to accept the Kickers. Just used a hack saw blade and it was easy.
     
  3. Jan 3, 2021 at 2:38 PM
    #4343
    Chep

    Chep Member

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    Just installed the Kicker speakers on a '21 TRD OR non-JBL. Definitely sounds way better than stock. Just the tweeters alone already made a huge difference. I also added around 18 sq. ft. of 80 mil Noico sound deadening. I thought I was going to have to add an amp and subwoofer but this is plenty loud and enough bass for me. The bass actually rattles the door trim sometimes. I might go open it up again and tighten things up or add some foam or sound deadening on the inside of the trim.
     
  4. Jan 5, 2021 at 9:09 AM
    #4344
    boston23

    boston23 Well-Known Member

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    Hey guys, i ended up returning the kicker door speakers because folks said my stock HU (sr5) would not have enough power to make the new speakers sounds great.

    Months later and I am still unhappy with the truck’s sound quality.

    Can yall recommend an amp that isn’t too expensive and will allow me to start upgrading the speakers? I’m new to messing with audio systems. What’s a good value amp?
     
  5. Jan 5, 2021 at 10:52 AM
    #4345
    mlr69

    mlr69 I had a savings account before I joined TW

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    I have the Premium HU and am very happy with this Kicker speaker upgrade. But to answer your question, seems a lot of people like the Kicker Key amp for the base HU and these speakers. It's in the "Products Discussed in" section at the bottom of this page.
     
    Snaeper and boston23[QUOTED] like this.
  6. Jan 5, 2021 at 2:17 PM
    #4346
    kauaihunter

    kauaihunter Well-Known Member

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    Kicker speaker upgrade Tint Trimmed air dam Taco Tunes amp and sub 275/70/17 Wildpeaks

    Put in the Kickers and an amp. :)
     
    boston23[QUOTED] likes this.
  7. Jan 6, 2021 at 9:54 AM
    #4347
    Dank Donkeh Luvver

    Dank Donkeh Luvver Well-Known Member

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    Any decent alternatives to the kickers? Putting in the tweeters soon and starting to shop for door speakers. Is it worth the ~$170 for the Kickers? Or could I find something similar for $100-125?
     
  8. Jan 10, 2021 at 6:39 PM
    #4348
    BikTko

    BikTko Member

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    Completed this today on my 20 OR DC. I’m very happy with the result. For the price the improvement in sound is awesome!

    Took me about 3 hours but I took my time and had plenty of beer and football breaks. Can be done much quicker. The bracket for the 6x9s from Crutchfield was a little off when connecting the speakers to the bracket so I had to mess around with them a bit and drill my own holes in a couple spots. It just plastic though so was pretty easy. Everything else fit perfectly and was plug and play.

    As others have mentioned the rear speakers are a little underpowered. If you’re looking to save some more money you can get by without them. The improvement isn’t that drastic for the rears.

    Highly recommend doing this!
     
  9. Jan 10, 2021 at 6:51 PM
    #4349
    kauaihunter

    kauaihunter Well-Known Member

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    Kicker speaker upgrade Tint Trimmed air dam Taco Tunes amp and sub 275/70/17 Wildpeaks

    Yes the back speakers are really underpowered. The tweeters and 6x9’s do make enough of a difference to make it worthwhile in my opinion. My amp and subwoofer is supposed to be here on Wednesday. That should give the rear a much needed boost.
     
  10. Jan 15, 2021 at 5:48 PM
    #4350
    Bob1971

    Bob1971 Well-Known Member

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    So did you amp and sub come in? I just upgraded everything to kicker and I think I could use an amp. I am not great at the harness stuff and I would love a plug and play set up. Any help would be appreciated.
     
  11. Jan 15, 2021 at 6:38 PM
    #4351
    kauaihunter

    kauaihunter Well-Known Member

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    Kicker speaker upgrade Tint Trimmed air dam Taco Tunes amp and sub 275/70/17 Wildpeaks

    Yes, my amp and sub came in on Tuesday. I will probably start on the installation tomorrow, should be able to finish it on Sunday since my brother in law wants to come and help me, he’s an audio/electronics freak. I’ll take some pics and will let you know how the “plug and play” i got works out.
     
  12. Jan 16, 2021 at 7:56 PM
    #4352
    kauaihunter

    kauaihunter Well-Known Member

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    Kicker speaker upgrade Tint Trimmed air dam Taco Tunes amp and sub 275/70/17 Wildpeaks

    Took all day but the plug and play worked. I took my time, made a store run and a lunch run. Removed the door panels which I didn’t need to do. :annoyed: The old directions/amp model requires it for tuning. Now they provide tuning wires to plug into the amps output instead of tuning at the unplugged door speakers. Not in any of the videos or directions....:confused:

    The videos and tuning instructions need to be updated. It’s more specific to the pre-2020 and 2021 models and before they had a sub amp and door speaker set up and now the newer 5-channel TDX10005 doesn’t have a dedicated video or instructions for tuning. Or at least I couldn’t find it. The subwoofer box is definitely tight in the back to the driver side back seat.

    Gonna send TT an email and see if they can confirm if I used the right info. I had to turn off that Beep on the head unit, it always annoyed me and I didn’t know it could be turned off. The beep was so loud after the amp install it was ridiculous and the volume knob setting made no difference.
     
    Last edited: Jan 17, 2021
  13. Jan 17, 2021 at 9:43 AM
    #4353
    mcrosier1286

    mcrosier1286 New Member

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    TRD GRILLE W/Raptor Lights, updgraded speakers and interior lights
    Just purchased for my 2021 SR5 pretty excited to see the difference. The stock speakers aren’t great does anyone know if the 8” screen with Sirius radio like I have has more output than the 7” entune radios?
     
  14. Jan 18, 2021 at 9:03 AM
    #4354
    kyle_pierre

    kyle_pierre Active Member

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    question related to the original post... So this is done on a third gen. I already understand that the Subby tweeter upgrade is not plug and play for second gens. But my question is: I have a 2014 with the entune head unit. I understand that upgrading the door speakers if you have the touch screen entune is worth it (in third gen); but I am wondering if it is the same for second gens with the entune unit.

    I am basically curious to know if I am going to run into the "aftermarket speakers in stock HU is worthless" because to me when people say "stock" it is unclear if they are categorizing the entune unit as "stock" too.

    Any thoughts?
     
  15. Jan 18, 2021 at 10:17 AM
    #4355
    mlr69

    mlr69 I had a savings account before I joined TW

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    2" ToyTec/Eibach Pro Sport Lift Kit -SparksParts.com 3/4" ToyTec Front Top Plate Spacer Kit -SparksParts.com SPC Performance Upper Control Arms -SparksParts.com Nitto Ridge Grapplers 285/75/17 (34") -SparksParts.com 1.25" Spidertrax Wheel Spacers -SparksParts.com Hypertech Speedometer Calibrator -hypertech.com Predator Tube Steps -SparksParts.com BAKFlip G2 Tonneau -SparksParts.com OEM Rubber Bed Mat -SparksParts.com OEM All-weather Floor Liners -SparksParts.com Gentex Frameless Mirror with Homelink @RJP869 Subaru/Kicker Tweeters -amazon.com Kicker Door Speakers (x4) -crutchfield.com Radio Knobs @Tacowiede Vehicle OCD Glove Box Organizer -amazon.com ‎JoyTutus Center Console Tray -amazon.com FormulaOne Pinnacle Window Tint -SparksParts.com ACDF Horn Kit @BartMaster1234 Total Tail Light S1 Kit @MESO ECT Button Relocation Kit @Tacowiede Minimalist Key Fobs @MESO Ultimate Map & Dome Lights @MESO Fortin EVO-ALL Remote Start w/Cell Module @jmeitz Coin Bucket with Lid @MESO GermesLab Camera Control System @FreshMexicanTaco Natika Front View Camera -amazon.com VLEDS LP Reverse Light System -vleds.com LIFTd Customs Fuel Cap Cradle @JIMMEISTER OEM Power Tailgate Lock -SparksParts.com OEM 2022 Limited Grille -SparksParts.com OEM 2022 Limited LED Headlamps -SparksParts.com LED Headlight Conversion Harness @daveeasa Headlight Trim Plates @MESO OEM Door Sill Protectors -SparksParts.com Diode Dynamics Elite Fog Lights @memario1214 Fog Light Backlighting PNP Harness @daveeasa
    The Entune head unit IS stock. The confusion is, there are there are four different versions of the Entune head unit: Audio, Audio Plus, Premium Audio, Premium JBL Audio - all are stock. This thread is specifically for the "Premium Audio" Entune head unit.
     
    Last edited: Jan 18, 2021
    kyle_pierre[QUOTED] likes this.
  16. Jan 18, 2021 at 11:42 AM
    #4356
    kyle_pierre

    kyle_pierre Active Member

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    I appreciate that. So with that being said. And again I have a 14; how does one determine which version they have?
     
  17. Jan 18, 2021 at 1:30 PM
    #4357
    mlr69

    mlr69 I had a savings account before I joined TW

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    Not sure about Gen2, but a Gen3 Taco HU will have a faceplate ID number located bottom-right or bottom-center of the faceplate:

    510103.jpg

    510103 is one of the Tacoma Entune Premium Audio ID numbers. If your HU has a faceplate ID, Google it and see what comes up.
     
    Last edited: Jan 19, 2021
    mosccat likes this.
  18. Jan 20, 2021 at 7:03 AM
    #4358
    CoronaTaco

    CoronaTaco My original 1991 Toyota Pickup Truck!

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    has anyone done any order or installing on 2020 2021 in past few days?
    still debating on harnesses... $75 dollars for plastic parts!! $200 gets me a freaking amp!! should i wait for harnesses from METRA?
     
  19. Jan 20, 2021 at 7:15 AM
    #4359
    mcrosier1286

    mcrosier1286 New Member

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    TRD GRILLE W/Raptor Lights, updgraded speakers and interior lights
    I am installing on my 2021 this weekend
     
  20. Jan 20, 2021 at 7:20 AM
    #4360
    CoronaTaco

    CoronaTaco My original 1991 Toyota Pickup Truck!

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    where you at?i m in california...can you document the wiring? videos etc?
     

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