Looking for advice on audio upgrade

I bought a 2022 TRD Sport Access Cab with basic audio, need I say more? This is my 6th Tacoma and after every purchase I always comment on the poor sound quality when I receive surveys but Toyo never makes any improvements. Yeah, I know the JBL is an option if you want to pay for other stuff that’s included in the premium sport pkg, actually the JBL is not offered at all for the Access Cab. Anyway, I did some research before buying my truck and I found that most people said it’s easier to upgrade the basic audio so that’s what I got. So now I’m here looking for advice on the best way to upgrade the sound; speakers, speakers and subwoofer, speakers/subwoofer/amp? I don’t want to spend a fortune I just want better sound while not going overboard. I’d prefer plug and play so I don’t have to cut or modify the existing wiring.

 

Crutchfield.com. They will sell you what fits with diy connections. Used them several times.

 

You probably need to determine if you want to spend the money and trouble to install and amp and subwoofer. The dash tweeter and door speakers are easy to replace following Youtube videos. Crutchfield will give you adapter brackets, wiring harnesses, and instructions if you buy speakers from them. I would start with that to see how much improvement you get.

 

I can second this. They make things very easy for the average joe like myself

 

It all depends what you'll be satisfied with, lol. If ever I'd do it again I'd replace the stock hu, sound deaden the doors and go from there. But that's just me

 

There is no way out of getting into the wiring harness if you want to add a sub, even something as simple as a hideaway sub will require patching into the factory speaker outputs. Fast, easy, plug & play is to replace your front dash and/or door speakers. There are tons of posts on the Subaru speaker upgrade for the dash and various speaker swaps for the front-doors, including adding component speakers with tweeters in the sail panels. Although the sound will be improved, your new speakers will be held back by the anemic output of the head unit. Also, the head unit sends almost nothing to the rear doors. Set your stereo to a comfortable volume then use the fader control to send all the sound to the back. You will find that the weak output makes the fader act like a volume control. Don't bother changing rear door speakers unless you are willing to add a digital sound processor "DSP" like a Kicker 200.4 or swap the head unit for an aftermarket one. At that point.....you will be doing surgery on your wiring harness. There are lots of guides on this forum, it isn't overly difficult if you have some basic electrical skills.

 

I’m in the process of of this very project. The biggest disappointment I have with my taco is the radio quality. Which brings me to my crossroad:

I’ve replaced the fronts and rears with kicker speakers Kss296 6x9 speakers with the separate 2.75” mids for the dash. I installed the KSC 6.5” two way in the rear doors. Much better sound quality over paper micro magnet crap Toyota put in.
But, still barely any sound from the back doors.

Soooo, 1. I’m now looking at adding the kicker key amp 200.4 (50watts x4) and hoping the DSP can adjust the rear volume or thru the gain control.
Or
2. Just replace the the head unit with a radio that has greater power.

Has anyone installed the kicker key amp and if so how does it perform?

 

Thx for all of the advice, will definitely try the speakers first and go from there. Is there a good HU that anyone can recommend? I’m assuming there are aftermarket HUs that will fit nicely in the dash?

 

Check here for tips and reviews of install to tuning of the Key amp.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/tpp4s-no-nonsense-guide-to-kicker-key-t-harness-16-19.642415/