3rd Gen SR5 Premium Audio w/Nav

My new Tacoma (mid-August 2023) purchase was a combination of sticker shock and model/color/accessory compromise. The "Advanced Technology" package "premium audio" apparently boils down to the addition of "HD Radio" but with the standard six speaker audio package. Initial conclusion: Toyota advertising plays very loose with the truth.

Since the rear seat is generally vacant except for groceries, a cavernous sound would seem like a reasonable expectation in a double cab. Not looking for ear-splitting power, I decided to adjust the stock audio mode for the best sound to my ear.

Final conclusion: with the fader adjusted heavily toward the rear, I found the "surround-sound" experience that was expected: reasonably cavernous, balanced from all directions.
The SR5 OEM audio system is no slouch. I will continue to watch this forum and look for ways to improve sound quality because I enjoy the technology, not because the OEM system is bad.

 

you may benefit by changing the head unit, or maybe not. I will bee gutting the system and swapping out all the speakers and factory amp, I am debating on changing the head unit at this time, but leaning to swapping it out. Only thing is ms of the head units have been in production for 3+ years, and looking for something newer. May not be the case. leaning towards Kenwood or Alpine floating screen.

 

I'm reasonably competent with P=IE and impedance matching but not all knowing, especially concerning what makes HiFi sound.
My 2008 Jaguar XJ OEM sound is a great example/target.
So quiet the cabin and selectively amplify by frequency?
What OEM parts(numbers?) do you plan to gut and why?
Will you explain the technical details/improvement of frequency, power, distortion, etc. that you hope to achieve?

Thanks.

 

A different head unit may provide a cleaner signal due to better components than the factory unit.
You can also try deadening the cabin to make it quieter.
As, for your last question, better made quality components will make it sound better and have lower distortion. Swapping out the system may not be feasible for some people, but fro me I am doing it. I will be having a three way setup in my design for the front stage and two rear fill along with a dedicated sub.