2012 Tacoma stock head unit. What speakers?

Hey guys I have a 2012 I'm looking to install speakers in as the stock ones I can't seem to hear with windows down going 70. When I try to crank it up I get distortion on the far end. I'd like to have the Tacoma looking as stock as possible and would like to keep my stock head. It is not a touch or nav screen but just regular controls.

I'm not opposed to installing a cheap amp somewhere as I may get a cb with speaker later on for pa. Anyone know what some good speakers are that I can buy to install myself? I'm guessing I'll save money by buying the speakers off a website and installing it myself.

Also no subwoofer please. I have an access cab and don't have room for it.

 

With the power output of the stock HU you are very limited as to what you can buy that will get loud and not distort. Pioneer makes a component set that works well with the stock HU. But don't expect it to be night and day difference. You'd be better off ripping out the stock HU and getting an a new one that uses the stock speakers vs replacing the speakers and keeping the stock HU.

If you are interested here is a link: http://www.crutchfield.com/p_130TSA1605/Pioneer-TS-A1605C.html

I've found these on sale for 60$ at times.

 

Thanks for the info. Anyone else?

 

I put in some infinity speakers in my 2013 (see my link in the signature) and it got louder, but still not good enough for windows-down on the highway. Adding an amp starts this proccess - if I add an amp, I will need to add a line out converter (to change the from wires to RCAs and refine the sound for amplification). At that point I decided there are too many decks out there that will make the system much better sounding. I started with about $200 in speaker upgrades and ended with $1,500 in upgrades (granted I decided to go fancy with the deck and amp and do all the sound deadening). A person could do it for a lot less money. In the end, you cannot really see a big difference looking at my deck vs the factory model.

 

i have a factory touch screen that came out of a 13 tacoma if you are interested

 

Alpine makes an amp for factory radios that bumps power up to 45 watts a channel. I've never used one but I've seen them in the store. For the money it costs I'd just put an aftermarket radio in though.


http://www.alpine-usa.com/product/view/ktp-445u/

 

I have a 2014 and keeping my head unit. I just purchased JBL's, the GTO series. They have great reviews and are designed for low power (high sensitivity ratings 94ish) Once i get them next week I will install and post a thread here.

 

Thanks for all the responses. Anyone know if it's worth it to upgrade to the touchscreen for the added wattage? Or would I simply be better off getting aftermarket touchscreen

 

An aftermarket touch screen would be a much better investment. The factory touch screen units still have some nasty DSP among other undesirable 'features' (or lack thereof).

 

If you look on page 3 of my build page you will see what i have. Used an Audiocontrol LCQ1 which allowed me to equilize everything and get line outs for my amp. Also kept all stock control from the stock jbl entune headunit. All speakers are powered by the amp, so the headunit power output doesnt matter. Everything sounds great and crystal clear even at high volume levels with no distortion.

 

This has a lot to do with how much you are willing to spend. You can get a great system for not a lot of money.

 

This is well said.

I do tons of stereo installs and people always ask me the same question.

"What should I put into my tuck/car?"

My answer always is "how much are you wanting, and willing, to spend?"

I've learned that $1000 seems to be most peoples budget for a 'high quality sound system'. Which is just the tip of the iceberg for some other people.

 

One of the things that you should do is do some hands on research with the equipment you want. Talk to friends see what set ups they have. Go to local audio shops and listen to the sounds of the speakers. It does make a difference. I just this past week replaced my entire audio system that I had revamped two years ago. I didn't do enough research the first time around. I bought what I thought was good equipment, but it never really produced the sound I wanted no matter how I adjusted it. I went with a kenwood ddx371 head unit for it's all around versatility. Puts out 22 watts rms and that is pretty good for most head units. The sound is very adjustable with this deck. You have many options to impact the sound quality. The ddx371 ran me $300. It replaced a pioneer 3300bt. Nothing major was wrong with the pioneer. If I were going to run a four channel amp for mids and highs and one for a sub then it would be great. However it is not as good as the Kenwood so out it went.
I replaced the front door speakers with a set of infinity primus 6 1/2 inch components. While I think they sound great, some people may not like the tinny sound that they produce. The best way to describe that sound is it sounds like the voices are slightly muffled and they are singing into a can. I have adjusted that out for the most part but I am still playing with the sound from the deck to get it to where I like it. They sound way better than the alpine component set I replaced.
The rear door speakers were pioneer 2 ways and I suggest staying away from pioneer speakers. Not saying they are bad. Only that you have many better options for similar cost. They were replaced by a set of kicker 6 1/2's. For the same amount of money I spent on the pioneers two years ago, the kickers I have now are a night and day improvement.
I wanted some low end bass so I added a kicker hideaway. I don't need truck rattling bass just something to fill out the sound. If I turn it up you know it's there. It has some ass to it for an 8 inch speaker. I had to mount mine behind my back seats as I have a double cab and I did not want it under the seat blocking the air vents. I have the ability to turn the subwoofer off from the Kenwood head unit so that when my kids are in the backseat it does not bother them. This was very easy to install and it sounds great. The kicker hideaway is not cheap. They retail for around $300. I bought a refurbished one off Amazon for $200 and it looks brand new. Works just fine.
One of the cheaper mods you can do to improve the loudness in your truck is to fill the space between your door frame and door panels with foam where the speakers are. When you take the door panels off you will see what I am talking about. The area/pocket that surrounds the speaker has some empty space. Go to Wallmart(I refer to it as Satans grocery store) and get you a roll of 1 inch foam from the arts and crafts section. It's about $15. Cut out sections of the foam to fill the area inside the door panels around the speakers. It takes two layers for each door so two inches was good enough to fill the open space. What this does is direct the sound from the speakers into the cab of your truck instead of some inside the doors and some inside the cab. Made a big difference. This is gonna ruffle some feathers, but what I did as a sound deadener is put some of the self adhesive weather foam called frost king from Home Depot all along the frame of the doors. Makes a difference. Not as much of a difference as using a high quality sound deadener but I wasn't willing to drop that amount of cash.
Sorry to high jack the thread. Just trying to help you out.

 

Hey all thanks for the information. I'm just wanting to upgrade just enough to be able to hear my music with the windows down going 70. I think drak hit on what I was looking for. Basically I'm looking to spend the minimum amount to hear my music, not anything fancy or bumping and grinding while keeping it looking stock. Sorry audio enthusiasts but I like keeping my eardrums intact ; ) thank you all for the responses. I'll be getting to work on this shortly

 

Noslow100, great post and some helpful information. For me going to stereo shops and stores and listening to speakers did not help at all. Most sounded worse than my factory speakers due to the fact they are playing car speakers in a large room with a huge sub it sounded good but its not realistic considering a small truck is so much different.

The foam you talk about doesn't it interfere with the operation of your windows?

I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of my JBL GTO's. Might have to give that hideaway sub a look at if my bass is not satisfactory.

 

To piggyback off this thread, I'm looking to do exactly the same thing. Does anyone has opinions of Pioneer TS-A1675R 3 way speakers to replace all four stock door speakers?

Not looking to add an amp for the door speakers. I replaced stock speakers in my last car and it made a pleasant difference. My only concern is that I actually think the stock speakers are pretty decent in the truck (I know the notion is crazy). I'm hoping its cause I got used to the paper speakers in there.

What do you guys think? Is it a waste to replace them?

I'm thinking I might put in the small Kenwood KSC-SW11 behind the back seat too as well.

Edit: spelling and grammar

 

The foam does not come in contact with the window at all. Once you take the door panel off you will see exactly what I mean. The window stays between the outside portion and the middle frame of the door.
The only thing that you can try to take away from going to sound shops is how the speakers sound. The difference between the brands. Kickers sound different than JL Audios. That is what you try to hear. It is difficult because the set ups most shops have are not set up well

 

Pioneer speakers are ok. That's as far as I will compliment them. For years I used pioneer speakers because they were an affordable option. I will not buy them ever again. They don't suck but for a similar price tag there are better options out there. I can tell you I have been thoroughly impressed by the kicker cs series. They have a full range of sound. The bass they produce is not gonna rock the truck but it sounds good and doesn't sound like it is trying too hard to produce low end sound.
The problem with the stock speakers is that they sound like crap with an aftermarket radio. Never had luck with only swapping out the head unit and leaving the paper speakers.

 

Okay thanks, How exactly did you hook up your hideaway sub to the head unit? I have a stock 2014 Entune. One power and ground I assume. I wonder how I can tap into the head unit.

 

Sub'd