Gen 3 stereo upgrade

Going down the road to upgrade the sound system in a new tacoma. I hear a lot of noise and distortion through the stock speakers and don't want to amplify a bad source. Has anyone added anything to the existing head unit and achieved a decent sound? I've already ordered parts to add an amp or 2 and began construction on a box for 2 10" woofers. Any input on the signal out of the factory head unit would be much appreciated.

 

Sub'd

 

Yep!

Very happy with it and glad I didn't wait for the jbl. I spent about the same money for a MUCH better system.

Added: JL Audio 3way door speakers, JL Audio Sub Box w/ 10" Sub + Bass control knob, LOC & an Alpine Amp.

No comparison at all to how the stock system sounded.

 

What LOC did you use?

 

Wow I bet it sounds awesome ... do you have a components list you can share and/or where you got them? Did you do it yourself? I didn't wait for JBL either and was hoping an aftermarket solution would be great.

 

I had a shop do it. I've never done it and I wasn't about to experiment with a 40k+ truck for
my first audio install.

I used Extreme Audio here in Va. and everything about the place was TOP NOTCH! The knowledge
they have and the service they provide really surprised me, I've never dealt with people like that with
anything I've purchased. I'd never go anywhere else and would recommend them to anyone.

I don't have the speaker models in front of me but all speakers were JL Audio
and the 4CH. amp is an Alpine MRV-F300. Sound is awesome man, I spent about
$900 for everything out-the-door.

 

Where in VA? I am near DC.

 

Richmond.

They have 2 locations, one on Hull St. and one in Mechanicsville.

ExtremeAudio.org

 

Could you take pictures of the sub box and where it's located. I was looking into doing something just like this.

 

It's pouring here now and will be all day. It's a standard sub box and fits snugly/just right
behind the drivers side back seat - storage bin was removed on that side. The top comes
right to the hook on the back wall, they didn't have to cut anything, only remove the plastic
storage bin.

 

Good to know. I will drive there if I know they do good work. Hard to find a good shop. When you get the specs with model numbers could you post them up? Thank!

 

I tossed all the boxes dude. Just give him a call and ask what he put in
the Taco install this past Saturday - after like 60 emails, he'll never forget me.

Mike Bartells
Extreme Audio, Inc.
804-559-3589
www.ExtremeAudio.org

I have found ZERO complaints about these guys. The owner Mike B. is a walking encyclopedia of audio
knowledge. He answered countless emails from me and if they can please my ocd ass there is no
one that should have trouble. The other nice thing is he gave me exactly what I wanted, never tried to
oversell me or talk me into components I did not need or that were over the budget we spoke of.

Aside from the incredible sound - I didn't even know they were in my truck when it was finished and
that to me was HUGE!!! Nothing out of place, no damage, nothing other than a bumping system.

 

Just sent him an email.... Well a generic one to their email address. Thanks man!

 

anytime man. I'm sure he'll get it.

 

Hey blkbelt42. I actually just created an account to ask you if you ended up keeping the factory head unit. I am also in the richmond area and I have talked to HOWE audio off midlothian turnpike for my 2014 WRX and they quote me almost $2500. It seems outrageous based on your $900 you spent.

Also please post pics when you have time! I would love to see the setup!

 

hell yes! The factory H/U in our trucks syncs up with so much of the system I did not want
it changed out and really saw no need to plus I like it. Go talk to Mike @ ExtremeAudio dude,
he'll get you straight.

What were you having done to the WRX for $2500?

 

Exactly what I was thinking. I didnt want to lose all the features. Did you go to the one on hull street or out in mechanicsville?

I was getting 2 10" alpine type R subs in an enclosed box, new alpine speakers, and they said a new head unit was necessary. Still $2500 seems ridiculous.

 

Hull, it's the new one next to the Harley Dealer on the right past Genito. Seems like allot but it
depends on what you were getting. I would have attempted this on my own but for a few hundred
bucks, decades of knowledge and a top-notch install it was a no brainer for me to use them.

 

I wouldn't spend $2500 on that, hell i wouldn't spend 800$ on that

 

Awesome, I know exactly where that is. Thanks for the recommendation man. I will swing by later to talk to him!

Precisely why I did not either haha