Amp / Speaker Questions

I really dont want to replace the factory head unit. I want to keep the truck looking as close to factory as possible. That being said, the sound quality sux. I was thinking about adding an amp and replacing all of the speakers. Will the head unit still cause poor sound quality? Im assuming that its simply the head units low power output that is responsible for the poor sound quality and that an amp would correct this. Am i right or way off base.

Another thing is, I have my MP3 connected to a USA-SPEC DF-TOY which is in turn connected to the head unit. When I use the MP3, I crank the player and the head units volume all the way, and its still very low volume. Will the amp help with this as well? Forgive me, im a complete car stereo amateur.

Also amp suggestions would be welcome.

Thanks,

Ted

 

How much was the SA-SPEC DF-TOY? I'm planning on gettin that specific model or PIE a cheaper 50$ model for AUX plug in then I can play lossless music on my rockbox without burning CD's.

Have you tried listening anything on a studio cd yet? I'm coming across as you only listen to stuff on ur mp3.

I would try some CD's first... REAL cd's brought at a store or lossless burn cds. Then compare the difference between... between the cd/mp3. So i know if i should get that one or not ^-^.

Ted if ur interested I'm planning on getting only sub on my taco.
I don't have the budget( <250) for speakrs haha if you find any nice one tell me.

I dunno but IMO i think the factory speakers are really nice... better then most standard ones.

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/audio-video/2977-planning-getting-amp-sub-factory-audio.html

 

Yeah Ive played CD's. Im not happy with the sound at all.

The DFTOY was $78.00. There are some nice Polk and Boston Acoustics speakers and an Infinity amp that Im looking at.

Ted

 

How does this one look?

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-4Z1Jxbcec4d/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=120&I=108R475A

 

go to best buy and look for leftovers from last year or open box items and make sure to get the warranty. i just installed some infinity reference 6012s and a rockford 250.2 amp and they are insane loud and clear now. i am running them off of an aftermarket headunit but that shouldnt matter too much since your not going for competition style sound.

 

Get hold of a JL Audio Cleansweep for your year model and you can't go wrong. It's an interface adapter that will allow you to get optimal quality out of your factory headunit without line level converting and will allow you to wire an MP3 player correctly. Have an authorized JL Dealer install the Cleansweep.

 

All great advice, thanks.

Ted

 

Will that amp fit under the seat?

Ted

 

well i have never looked at the under seat area of a taco but i have seen that amp and it SHOULD fit under there. if it doesnt there are plenty of other spots im sure you can find to mount it.