Audio Hiss

Hey Folks,

I just bought my first Tacoma (2019) and when I turn on the audio I get a loud hiss and doesn't sound right (very trebley(?), "s" sounds really cut through). It gets better when I power off the audio but there is still a little bit. Looks like the factory speakers have been replaced with Kickers. Any ideas of where to start diagnosing the issue?

Thanks,
JD

 

Is there an amp somewhere.

 

It doesn't look like it. After doing a little more digging I think that may be the issue. So I am assuming I need to add an amp or replace the head unit?

 

You might have to pull the HU to see if there's a mini-amp hidden behind. Its also a good opportunity to check the condition of the wires and if/how they were tapped.


And it also depends on the speakers. The common types of kickers, when combined with some dash tweeters, can get shouty unless mitigated with DSP or EQ. I just until recently ran a Kicker CS/ Kicker tweet combo. I was happy with it after applying some tricks to it. But I had to apply some tricks.

 

Definitely pull the headunit to check behind it. My Alpine Power Pack (mini amp) gives a very faint hiss that's only noticeable when the truck isn't running and the music is off.

 

Is it a consistent hiss? Or does it change tone with the trucks rpm’s? Regardless it sounds like the previous owner has an amp somewhere in there and is overdriving the inputs. Most Toyota radios have a high floor noise meaning that that there is a constant hiss and the higher the gains in the amp the more noticeable it will be so I would try to find the amp and bring the gains down a bit to make it less noticeable

 

Thanks for all the replies! I will open it up this weekend and see what I can find.