Is it true that Entune system does not allow for aftermarket speakers?

Alright so I'm getting ready to upgrade my speakers and add a sub and an amp. Will I need anything else to hook up to the factory radio? I've got TRD OR with Entune premium (no JBL).

 

Don't know if this helps, but I have done a ton of research on Toyota Entune systems and the best options for upgrading the stereo system to something worthy of an audiophile without spending a fortune. I have a 2017 Highlander SE, but it suffers from the same limitations that the Tacoma does.

First off, you need to understand that Toyota has designed your stereo head unit to "detune" the frequency and output of the speaker channels so that their low quality stock speakers sound better and are not as easy to blow. If you want to have true quality sound, you are going to have to install a line output converter such as the Audio Control LC6i or LC7i. This will restore the sound frequencies that your factory head unit has removed/dampened. For the best possible sound, you will need to install quality speakers of your choice (everyone's ear is a bit different) such as JL Audio, JBL's, Kickers, Pioneer, Kenwood, Alpine, or Infinity that will fit in your vehicle and that have enough RMS Wattage handling capability to handle whatever aftermarket amplifier you use to power them (Example: 75 Watt RMS Speakers should be paired with a amplifier that puts out 75 or more RMS watts/channel). Also, be sure to match your speakers resistance (which varies from 1 - 4 ohm, read the specs on your speakers) with the ohm output rating that your amp provides. Most of the amps out there will work, the differences between them are: 1) How well they dissipate heat and whether they have fans or passive heat dissipation. 2) How high their signal to noise ratio is (higher is better and I like amps with >90dB S/N Ratio). 3) Be aware of the amp's frequency response. Subwoofers need the low range of frequencies such as 5-300Hz, whereas your main speakers need full range 5-50kHz. 4) You want as low a Total Harmonic Distortion as you can get, really good amps have around .05% THD at rated power. Modern amps also come with built-in crossovers and gain controls to help you clean up and tune your system to your personal tastes. I am going to list a couple of different installs as examples of what would work with my Highlander and probably would be just as awesome for any Toyota:

Inexpensive Option 1: Audio Control LC7i Line output converter ($180), Front Speakers 2 - Pioneer 6.5" TSD Component Speakers ($195/pair), Rear Speakers 2 - Pioneer 6.5" TSD Coaxial Speakers ($125/pair), Subwoofers - 2 Pioneer 10" Subwoofers ($170/pair) plus enclosure ($115), Pioneer 9605 - 5 Channel Amplifier (4 x Channels at 100 watts RMS, 1 Subwoofer channel at 500 watts RMS)($225). Miscellaneous cables/supplies ect. average about $135 and labor about $400. Total: about $1600 with tax.
More Expensive option 2: Audio Control LC7i Line output converter ($180), Front Speakers 2 - JL Audio C2 650 6.5" Component Speakers($250/pair), Rear Speakers 2 - JL Audio TR-600 CXi 6.5" Coax Speakers ($100/pair), 2- JL Audio 10W1V3 10" Subwoofers($300/pair) plus enclosure ($115), JL Audio XD700/5 - 5 Channel Amplifier (4 x Channels at 100 watts RMS, 1 Sub Channel at 300 watts RMS)($570). Miscellaneous cables/supplies ect. average about $135 and labor about $400. Total: about $2100 with tax.

Hope this helps.