Alpine KTP-455U

I am looking at replacing my speakers and do not want to replace my stock head unit. I looked at alternatives for this and determined I will have to install an amplifier. The Alpine seems like a good compromise getting power to the speakers without requiring an install kit and another unit such as an Audio Control LC6i. I am really looking at the most bang for my buck, I would like to go with a more powerful amp, but dont really want to tear up my truck to install an installation kit, and signal procesor, etc. Has anyone installed the Alpine KTP-455U? Where can I find the wiring diagram for the 2012 tacoma? I am looking at replacing my stock speakers with Polk Audio DXI 6500 components in front and the DXI 650 Coaxials in the rear doors. I have compared these to Focal and others and they seem to be good "all around" speakers. I am open to other suggestions. I may at a later date install a subwoofer amp etc but until then want good all around sound with good SQ. Thanks for any info you can provide.

 

Our shop has done many

$328 ktp445u alpine KTP-445U universal power pack

ktp445u's from alpine, its a powerful piece for the money. You will be happy with it i think.

 

Thanks for the info. I am just concerned that the 45W per channel will not be enough to push the speakers I am looking at and they will lack in the lower freq's. I am also looking at the Image Dynamic CTX65CS Components with the CTX65 as back fill. I consistently hear good reviews of these speakers. It may be a while before I can get subwoofer. Will these or the DXI's get better base response than the stockers if I went with the

$328 ktp445u alpine KTP-445U universal power pack

ktp445u, or will I lose the lower freq's from my stock speakers?

Would I be better off getting a more powerful amp such as the Rockford Fosgate

$310 PBR300X4 Punch BRT 300-Watt Ultra Compact 4-Channel Amplifier

PBR300X4 which is 75w per channel? My other option is waiting longer and saving for an Audiocontrol LC6i and an RF P400-4, JL Audio xd400-4 or similar. I would rather not as I dont want to spend so much time and money installing extra gear especially since I will not be replacing my head unit. But if that is what I really need to do to get good quality sound I will go that route and suck it up with my stockers for a while longer.

Thanks for the assistance and opinions

 

This is the first I've heard of that Alpine unit, but it looks like a great idea. Seeing that the Polk's you are lookin at are pretty sensitive, meaning they will sound pretty good with minimal power. I think you'll be happy with this setup as well.

 

Thanks brian, Which AIRSTA is that, Kodiak??

 

If you plan to install a subwoofer later I would purchase a 5 channel amp now. Run your mids and highs from the amp now and all you have to do is install a sub later. Problem is that you wont be able to get the lows you want from a stock stereo. If your going far enough to replace the door speakers you might as well install an aftermarket HU first. That's the best starting point. Then you can expand your system when your ready. Just research HU's to make sure you get the outcome you want later. Choose one with a good EQ.

 

Sacto

 

Joker, thanks for the info. I have not been able to locate an install kit that fits properly on the 2012. I do not want to lose my steering wheel controls or Bluetooth capability, nor do I want to spend money to attempt to return the stock functions. I have considered replacing the head unit, I am just not willing to go that far yet. I will consider the 5 channel amp but I am not sure that I want to go that far yet. I am thinking that if I do eventually go with a sub I will then install a 5 channel amp. Thanks again.

 

I just bought the alpine pdx-v9. It's a great amp. I was in love with alpines old v12 amps this one appears to be built even better.

 

I guess it depends on how much you want to spend. But if I were to recomend a HU I would go with a pioneer avh 4400 or 8400. As far as an installation kit goes, Metra just came out with one but the only way to get it is to order it from a stereo shop. I got lucky and another TW member sold me his. When I purchased my 8400 I ordered an axxess steering wheel interface from *********. Simple plug and play.

I tried to build a system with the stock HU but I wasn't happy with the way it sounded. My pioneer has endless adjustments that allow for a much richer and clear sound. Good luck with whatever route you take. I researched alot on TW before I purchased anything so this is where you want to be if you have questions.

 

Thanks again joker, I appreciate the info.

 

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/audio-video/216522-2012-specific-head-unit-install-kits.html

 

Joker thanks for the link!! mmmm possibilities.... looks like my system design may have to be upgraded. I havent ordered anything yet but here is how it is looking so far
Components Focal Polyglass 165V30/Accesss 165A1/Polk Audio DXI6500
Coaxial Focal Polyglass 165CVX/Access

$119 165CA1 Focal Access 165 CA1 6.5" Coaxial Speaker Kit

165CA1/Polk Audio DXI650
JL Audio XD 700/5
JL Audio CP 108LG microsub
Audio Control LCQ1
I have heard the focal and Polk speakers installed previously and liked all of them for different reasons. If I go with the head unit I will have to down grade my speakers to the POLK's. If I went with a head unit I woud be able to eliminate the LCQ1 so that would help. Thanks again

 

I have Polk 6.5" Db series I got on Amazon for 107$(front door).sony coaxial in the rear door($50 best buy) I have a 5 channel alpine mrv-60 I got on amazon for 209$. Tapped into the rear speakers for the signal at the pillar where it goes into rear door(betweenfront and back door).Amp has speaker level input harness that I hooked to the tapped line. ran new speaker wire from amp on back wall to speakers. The way this amp works is it only needs 2 channels(I used the rears) to get signals to the whole amp. I kept my stock head unit.I did not pay for any extras that I wont use when I do switch my stock out with an aftermarket later. Last thing, this amp has alot of controls to get around alot of the stock head units issues. Not saying better signal or sound than with aftermarket but 20x better than stock and it whales. With the savings maybe you can get a sub like the 8" JLW3 w/jl enclosure(250$) or alpines 8" enclosure($220) or there are a few models (rocksford 10" w thin box $150) that also fit. hope this helps

 

Took your advice, I have the AVH X5500, Polk Audio DXI's front and rear

$328 KTP-445U Universal Power Pack

KTP-445U. I am looking forward to starting the install next week. You have any pics with the Metra kit and Pioneer installed? did you use a

$64 ASWC-1 Steering Wheel Control Interface

ASWC-1 for steering wheel integration? Thanks again for that assist.

 

i just wrapped up the install of my KT-445U, just ran it bridged to the front RF components, it definitely gets loud! i will still have to adjust the EQ on the headunit, but it definitely gets loud enough for me!

 

pioneer 4400, metra kit. aswc I hooked up programmed itself.

 

Beach Taco, when you hooked up your

$64 ASWC-1 Steering Wheel Control Interface

ASWC-1 did it link all functions of your steering wheel, or just your volume/channel buttons? looks good cant wait to get mine in.

 

I'd like to know too. DO all the buttons work or just the raido ones (looking to keep the bluetooth buttons functional as well)?

Nice setup!

 

All the ones on left work(volume+,-, foward, backward and mode). the pickup and hangup dont work. the voice button on bottom right of steering wheel acts as a mute. Hope this helps