'14 Stereo/Speaker distortion?

I bought a new Tacoma last November after trading in my '09 mainly because I wanted a 4x4 after finding myself stuck a couple times with the PreRunner. I loved everything with the truck, especially the Entune system, however, from the first day I brought it home the speakers have this sort of distortion. Not like blown speaker distortion, just a slight vibration sound that's really noticeable in the higher frequencies like cymbals and what not. It's more prevalent when the volume is up, but I never turn it up far enough to blow any speakers. My '09 had absolutely no problems with the sound, in fact I thought it was awesome for a stock system.

Is anyone else experiencing this? I brought it up to the service department and they "found no issues" but I honestly don't know how they would've tested this. I'm a musician so I kind of have an ear for audio problems and this one gets on my nerves a lot. I don't want to buy an aftermarket stereo since I felt that the last stock system sounded good. I was wondering if installing an amp and running the lines to the existing speakers would help, I honestly don't know a whole lot about car audio though.

Any help is appreciated!

 

It's very annoying to me because I also happen to drive a Lexus which has an amazing sound system and as soon as I get in my truck I cringe at the way it sounds. I don't want an aftermarket HU because the Entune is exactly what I want. I'm interested to see if there are other solutions, or if Warranty would cover replacement of speakers or whatever.

 

Entune + Factory speakers = garbage.

Sorry its not the answer you are wanting, but the stereo systems that come in the Taco's are horrible. ALL of them.

 

What changed from the '09 to the '14 though other than the head unit?? It seems crazy to me.

 

+1 mine does sound like crap.. factory HU and speakers are useless. I used to have a 08 taco it was good until Toyota start putting shitty in a 30 grand truck.
I talked to my audio techie about it.. the best solution is get a better aftermarket HU for 600-800 bucks and speakers to be a happy camper. That what I am going to do next spring.

 

Not a lot. But the HU is not very good, even Entune and the JBL both just don't have good clean output.

Speakers are still paper cone, unless you got the JBL which is nothing to write home about.

You can see if they'll swap the speakers and maybe it did blow. Just don't expect to get the sound you get out of your Lexus.

 

I have had two driver side rear door JBL speakers replaced on my `13 Taco due to fuzzy bass sounds. Mid and high range have been ok.

 

Wow... that's gotta be a first! A musician with a ear for music quality, I would have thought that you would be completely dissatisfied with the sound quality, or the lack thereof. I think that Entune is a step backwards for Toyota. It does have some nice features, I just wish they all worked.

Question for those of you who have had your 2014 doors apart... what does the tweeter look like? Are they paper speakers or dome tweeters? I have a couple of brand new dome tweeters that I have been thinking of installing in my 2014, just not sure it will make any difference.

 

Great! thanks for the info.. a dome tweeter has to sound better than that. Someone recently told me that they had JBL speakers and upgrading it wouldn't help, I found that hard to believe.

 

I've got a 2013 and while I don't have the Entune system, I have noticed that the grills covering the tweeters will buzz at times. Putting my finger on the driver's side stops it. Gets pretty annoying.

 

Stock head unit also has a dsp profile that automatically reduces the bass when the volume level is turned up beyond halfway, then kills the bass when it's on MAX. The amp, which is probably a single MOSFET, also quiets down when outside temperature are above 80 degrees. Maybe I'll take it apart when I finally upgrade.

Paper speakers can actually sound pretty natural and lifelike when they are in a proper cabinet.... But they are shitty and pathetic quality in this truck. First time I've ever seen a speaker with a plastic frame. Just lazy.