Audio guru advice

I literally know nothing about aftermarket car audio. Just traded my 2019 Tacoma in for a 22 tundra and sound is quite poor.

Anyway, had two quotes. One was insane at almost 6k and one was a little over 2700 fully installed with sound deadening.

My question of curiosity, since I don’t even know exactly what’s being put in with exact part numbers to reference, is can anyone see if the price is fair ?

The installed did say he’s installing a 6-channel st-x zapco (? Possibly spelled wrong) and jl audio c-2 series front and rear stock speaker replacement (6 speakers total). Sound deadening in doors and floor board.

Thanks for anyone who reads and has any input!

 

You need a plan of what you want out of the system. Are you keeping your head unit? Do you want big bass, wattage and volume. What's your budget.

Speakers are a good place to start. And sound proofing while their being changed is a good idea.

There are other posts to read in TW and Crutchfield is a great source of info and gear with good customer support.

 

www.Crutchfield.com

 

Don’t ever just take an out-the-door price. Get a written quote with line items.

 

I’m honestly not wanting to learn anything specific as car audio will never be my thing. I went in and told the guy I want everything stock with full controls as it came from factory but better quality sound. I’m no bass kicker and I cannot stand rattling noises. The jbl system on my 2019 Tacoma was fine and had very minimal rattling noises ever but the tundra isn’t the same. Right front door panel rattles pretty good.

The sound quality itself is mediocre. Anyway he suggested just a single 6 channel amp and replacing all the factory speakers, add sound deadening, and tune the new setup. Total cost for all would be just barely over 2700.

I will say that the amp he is installing is on Amazon for 599 plus tax shipped free to my door and I was charged 786 for it. Speakers he didn’t specify exactly which ones other than matching sizes with jl audio c-2 series.

Now, before install actually takes place I’ll be asking for exact specs on all equipment. Not trying to be ‘that guy’ but been too many places before to have something done by someone with more experience and get ripped only to find out later that it would have cost much much less had I researched more. Just was curious if the 2700 was a fair price or worth looking into further.
Thanks

 

Will definitely do before install. Thanks

 

Thanks but that website isn’t for an audio novice. Granted, crutchfield can definitely help a novice with his order but to login and expect to know what to get is an endless array of possibilities. Kind of like you wanting info on a new security system installed at your residence and someone typing www.adt.com.

 

Call them. Their customer service reps are extremely well trained and knowledgeable. They are very familiar with working with a novice or “expert”. With all the changes in tech we are always novice.

 

i think the problem is that you're starting a bit too broad:

"i literally know nothing about cars, i went into a dealer and told them i want a car. they gave me two quotes. one was an insane $300,000 for a mclaren, and one was a little over $1,000 for a honda."

the first rule in any purchase is to set a rough idea of a budget. it's also important to set some base rules of what one wants/needs. a $1,000 'honda' could be a variety of different vehicles, but will have drastically different performance and usability characteristics to a $300,000 mclaren. generally, a honda's going to have more seats, and a useable trunk, where the mclaren will have more horsepower and showmanship.

audio is really no different in the grand scheme of things. there's just as many options as there are 'car' varieties. but the same rules apply-- establishing a budget, coming up with an overall idea of needs/wants, and then picking the option that most suits those needs within your price range.

try to better narrow down your goals beyond "audio sucks, make it better", and i think it will all get a lot easier.

 

i really think a local shop is going to be a better option than crutchfield in this case, as the OP is more interested in a turn-key solution. i think the issue is more a lack of project direction than product information.

 

I guess my opinion was unwarranted.

 

No, not at all. I’ll call them tomorrow actually and appreciate the advice. Me
Navigating crutchfield website is useless though as only thing I’d know different is sizes and would have to search to see what size speakers my truck even has.

 

Definitely want a local shop. Basically what I’m getting at is I’m being quoted 2700 for a job that seems a bit much for my desires. The money is less of an issue as quality per dollar basically. Now if it takes 5k to get 10% better sound quality and still have rattles all over then that’s useless. But if I’m paying 2700 and getting no rattles, less road noise, and 30-40% better sound quality then I am good with it.

These numbers are figuratively speaking and I don’t know what ‘percentage’ of quality gain to even expect but would hate to be paying top dollar for Walmart quality I guess is the better way to explain it.

 

A good sound deadening job is both time and labor intensive -- there isn't a fast or easy way to take the interior apart (without breaking anything) and work in the doors, etc so labor will be a fairly large line item in your quotes.

 

makes sense. but to get any of our opinions on what they're selling you for that number, they need to provide you at least a rough breakout of the materials used and labor.

otherwise, i agree. $2700 could be fleecing you for buying the entire install crew beer for the next month to tweak the oem radio a little to sound different, or it could be the deal of a century on a competition-level audio setup.

 

So you have a JBL system it's 2ohm vs 4ohm.

Agreed Specs, and make sure the guy knows what he's doing (be "that guy") it's your truck and cash. Ask questions until you're sure of direction.

I would stick to sound deadening and new speakers just make sure they match with JBL ohm/wattage rating.

No JBL and keeping head unit, I'd choose speakers first than an amp to match speaker specs plus deadening.

$2700 seem alot for what you want out of the system.

Crutchfield is a great place to start.

 

Non jbl system and full speaker replacement, sound deadening, and 1 6-channel amp. I’ve gotta swing by dealer for appointment tomorrow for some minor issues. I’ll stop by afterwards and check with him to get exact part numbers. Ty

 

I am willing to help, going to ask a series of questions to determine what it is to narrow down search. iPhone user? Or android? Screen size, very important as you want to put your backup camera in the head unit. What apps do you use, for me I listen to country and rock so I use Spotify, Pandora, and sometimes sirius through radio and app cause it gives it way better channels through Bluetooth. Now you want a dsp which Kenwood JVC has usually build in and license speakers in truck. Have a dvd player in mine but don't use much so replacing with slightly bigger screen and the maestro rr has alot of features that the truck and you could benefit from. If you need more help let me know.

 

I had a local shop replace my tweets and four doors + make a subwoofer box for two 8in subs. The setup runs off of two amps and uses the stock head unit, no sound deadening. In total it costed $1500. $1200 for the materials and $300 for labor.

 

You should just find a good shop I got a top of the line set up for 3500

Jl stealth box
Focal flax components
Focal flax rear
600w Jl xd600
400w jl400
And ic7 for converter

the sound is amazing I find myself driving my car slowly and more just to enjoy my music. I did all the suspension and fun stuff first and wish it were the other way around