Factory System Upgrade Order Question

Hello all, I am curious what order I should do my audio system upgrade in? I would like to keep the stock radio (Entune Nav non JBL) but try and get some better sound out of it. I would prefer to do it in steps to spread the $$ out some.

THanks!
DAVE

 

Hey Dave,

I'm also currently going through the same process as you. I already had an old sub/amp setup sitting around so i'm ahead of you in that way already. As i'm doing research on things I need (I like to have everything planned out prior), i've already purchased new door speakers/tweeters, a line out converter, a wiring kit and speaker adapters for the doors. I still need another amp to power the door speakers because the stock head unit can't (or won't do it well). Either way, I have an "audio build" thread you can follow along with because i'm a total newb to this stuff and just trying to self teach from the internet/youtube/tacomaworld.

Edit: I also have a 2014 Entune non-JBL system and plan on keeping the stock head unit.

 

Thanks. I have been doing some reading. Looks like I may get some front speakers first then maybe the rears. THinking maybe sub too. Not sure. A new head unit is not out of the question, but I do like the factory one with the NAV and Entune apps. I dont like the teeny knobs and sometimes the touch screen is a bit sensitive. Overall, feature-wise the OEM one I have is pretty nice.

 

Just be careful with which speakers you decide to get. I went ahead and bought some Image Dynamics components rated at 100w rms each. The factory HU only puts out like 15w... so i've heard just replacing speakers COULD make your system sound worse only because the aftermarket speakers aren't getting the power they need.

 

the factory radio is decent for a moderate install. enough power for me to get 110dB from aftermarket speakers. won't be loud with windows down, but fine for normal listening.

i think the biggest reason people think they don't have enough power has more to do with their cookie cutter approach to car audio. sound deaden at least your doors first.

i am currently running an entirely passive 3 way setup in the front doors all powered off the factory deck [Entune non-JBL]. and it sound pretty good IMO. i can provide graphs if wanted.

 

Thanks. Been hinting of sound deadning, but wasn't sure how much it would help.

 

I did this and it came out great. It can be done. OEM Entune Nav non-JBL with all new speakers and sub. It's not going to win any competitions but I am very pleased.

 

A LOT!!!

I'm doing my truck in stages. Did the doors first (CLD, MLV, butyl rope). That plus MLV on the floors up to the firewall made it feel like a new truck. It really is a huge impact. And I'm not done yet.

 

None, Not at all, total waste of time and money. Sound deadening does nothing to make crap speakers with dirty power sound like anything other than crap speakers. I know lots of people have drank the cool aid on this, but IMHO this stuff is pure snake oil. I am running a $6K system in mine with zero sound deadening. You know why it sounds good? Amazing power and lots of it, and a set of awesome drivers. So to your question I would start with a simple four channel amp that can take speaker level inputs. Run your stock speakers but take it easy on them. Then after a time upgrade to something that can take a bit more power. Lots of options but the cleaner the amp the longer your stock speakers will survive.

Good luck.

 

Total waste? You'll drop 6k on components and call deadening snake oil? Then again, some might call dropping $1,200 on front stage drivers a total waste.

You might not need all that power if you deadened your truck. You're competing with your own vehicle's operating noise, outside noise, and interior resonances. Deadening in my truck made a dramatic difference in a few ways. Actually I've yet to hear from anyone who did it and was disappointed with the effort unless they used like Peel & Seal or some asphalt-based product.

 

Yes total waste, and I used to sell the stuff. Mostly to people that didn't know any better. Some might call dropping $1,200 on a front stage a waste. They wouldn't know what they are talking about, but some might. A great front stage is $5K. You are right in that my system is competing against all the noises you mention, but you know what so is yours. Cause if you know anything about frequency attenuation you would know that at the frequencies you are dealing with, the sound deadening is basically worthless. I used to have a little drum cymbal in my shop with that crap on the bottom of it. People would be all "oh and ah" cause it went from a ting to a thud. Well the ting (high frequency) is all it attenuated and that's not your road noise. Road noise is typically below 1000 HZ and at that frequency it passes right through that crap. So you spend all this money and time putting this stuff in you are certainly not going to stand back and say well that was a waste of time. Your brain wont let you. You are going to hear a massive improvement cause you want too. But get out some tools and measure it, and you would be amazed at how worthless this stuff is. And yes we did that. Don't believe me check out the video of the test they did on crutchfield. Notice they don't hook up the RTA for the after shot. If you talking a comp system and you already running some serious hardware, hey every little bit helps. I mean if you got $20K in, what's another $2K for deadening. Short of that its just snake oil.

OP don't mean to hijack the thread. Just saw you were getting lead down the wrong path IMHO.

 

I totally disagree with the above. The 2016 cab is very noisy, installing sound deadener made a noticeable improvement in my truck and it's not just me, others have commented on how quiet the interior now is. For ~$150 it was well worth it.

 

Some of the stuff out there is total trash, I'll give ya that. But again you're the first person I've heard knock it on the basis that it's useless. I've heard too expensive, too difficult, too time-consuming, too heavy, but never before today heard anyone call it useless. $2k for deadening? So far I've spent $150 on the front 2/3 and don't really need to do the rest, but I will as I can still kinda hear the tires. That might take me all the way up to $300. But hey, if you're happy with no deadening, then that's what counts.

And I don' think this is a hijack at all. OP specifically asked about it.

 

Yes I've seen guys spend that kind of money on deadening. Hoods, engine compartments, undercarriage, you name it. $2K for deadening is actually not a lot. The guys that do it right, the sponsored guys, don't usually go half way. You have not heard anybody call it useless because the people you are talking to are either the ones selling it or the guys who have been suckered by it. Do the testing and not just the "well it sounds quieter to me" do some actual testing and you'll see what I am talking about. If eliminating road noise was as simple as $150 worth of stick on goo Toyota would be making them that way. There not.

I don't know if I would say I'm happy or not happy with no sound deadening. I am content with fact that the majority of my budget went into things that actually produce sound. Signal, Power, & Reproduction, and that is what I'm trying to impress upon the op. Install dollars, (things like wire, cable, deadening) are wasted dollars.

 

$6k on a system and no sound deadening..... "$5k for a great front stage".....

i needed a good laugh today, thanks!

I am glad we have people like you keeping the industry afloat.

 

I'm afraid the testing train has left the station already, but I for one welcome your evidence demonstrating that deadening is hooey - maybe in a new thread eh.

 

don't bother man, this guy is nuts. he'd get $50k in home audio gear and put it all in a concrete room with floor to ceiling glass doors and call it good.

 

I think sound dreading is a luxury item and not really worth the effort. I spent $800 on all new speakers, sub, loc and amp. Installed it myself and my system sounds great... If I wanted to listen to Mozart and hear every piece of the orchestra at low volumes then maybe deadening would make sense. Spend your money on the audio equipment first.

 

thanks everyone for the information. I do appreciate it. Even the controversy. It helps me know what I want to do further research on.

 

Yeah Coma, I don't get it, but if we were all the same we'd be boring

UBYBC - yeah, it's totally a luxury...just like aftermarket sounds. It certainly isn't necessary, but it's awful nice. And I like my classical loud thank you very much

Good to hear you're getting something out of this OP. I don't believe I responded to your equipment needs before, but if it were me, I'd probably start with some decent front components and an amp - with consideration to the future when buying both. Too many unknowns (like budget and timeframe) to go suggesting specific stuff, but your front stage is the most critical.