Need FACTUAL info on possible stereo upgrade

Okay,

I know I am new here and everyone has flogged this horse to death many times, (yes I searched) however, there has never been a real "factual" response to the stereo issue.

Now, let me layout what I am thinking of doing and what I am looking for...

I am KEEPING the stock head unit...(resale value and simple diagnostics)

I want better sound, and have been a fan of the Pioneer TS series speakers for years and was thinking of swapping out the rears and fronts with the D series (including the tweeters)
I am also considering an amp WITH a possible sub at a latter date.

I have seen ********* offerings.......the speakers are not the highest quality and their sub box will not allow me to drop the seat....not good.
I can find no other company that has FULL plug an play harnesses and mount kits specific to the 15.

All the searching in the world is not telling me if the TT amps are worth a damn, also no one can seem to tell me if adapters are REQUIRED to install better speaks.

Here is what I already have put down as a "to do" list

Use the stock HU
Replace ALL speaks with Pioneer
Install an amp.......no idea who's yet
DYNAMAT/SOUNDKILL the doors and floor at minimum..(how much to use is the question)
Possibly install the steathbox later IF I can still use my rear seat deck

Any FACTUAL help is appreciated. (everyone has opinions, most of them are already in the existing threads)
I am open to suggestions on speakers, like JL audio with JL audio..etc

The last time I did stereo stuff was mid to late 90's when Punch amps were the best and Phoenix Gold were the S**T.

The stock stereo is just fine...with the windows up. I would like something a little more so I can drown out some of this garbage "music" the youth listen too.

Sorry the post is long, just trying to ensure y'all know what I am looking for.

 

Have you seen these guys....

http://oemaudioplus.com/toyota/tcd1600/

 

I did, they only list the 16 for DC.....I know the set up is different inside, not by much, but might be enough.

If I have to run TT stuff then that is what I will do.

The guys at Custom Sound quoted me $1,169.00 for a 4 channel kenwood amp.......the amp is $200 bucks.....Nearly a grand in labor only to know that I WILL need new speaks after that.....Mind you this was no sound matting and major hacking of the wire harness.....

If OEM AUDIO PLUS has 2015 stuff, some one please let me know I have not had any luck finding anything.

 

Sub'd af.

We're in the same boat.

 

Im pretty sure I had the taco tunes box in my double cab 2nd gen and I could fold the seats down just fine.

 

http://oemaudioplus.com/toyota/tcd0515/

 

Thanks,
Did not see a pic or mention of it, I have not talked with TT, I am only going by what is on the websites currently. TT claims that if you fold down the left seat you will damage the sub........

That is not good for me as I have 2 kids and SOMEONE has to haul the kids clothes/toys/sports stuff/whatever.......

The stealth box looks to be the better choice.....but 700 bones WITHOUT an amp is stiff.......that is a lot of diapers and almost 2 months of payments.....for the same price the TT econo kit looks better.....but the Power Bass speakers and the damage to the sub are causes for concern....so is the lack of information on the amps....like life span, true power, heat......oh and QUALITY..

I'm on the fence, I'm almost thinking of just doing the harnesses and mounting plates and then finding other amps and stuff....

 

@Jeffas7

Thank a bunch,

All I found when I was there was 16 to current.....

I think the kit numbers are the same...THEY ARE!!!!

now the big Q.....anyone have this? Is it a good set up for the cash?

 

I have the oem+ in my 14, I've always had great QUALITY sound systems in my vehicles. I've had better sounding systems then this, but for the ease and space it takes up you can't beat it. You won't be rocking any campsites or events but it does sound awesome in the truck. My only gripe is, and this would be with any sub is silencing the rattling. I don't know what you're after, most think bass is king. I don't, I like a balanced sound and this one delivers.

 

I have heard good things, BUT, sound is very subjective.
I will tell you I added speakers first, which was a improvement (honestly the stock speakers won't even work as a paperweight, cheap paper with a tiny tiny magnet) but shows how limitad the stock headunit is, then added a 4 channel amp. Woof, lots of work since the headunit has no pre-outs. $500 for speakers and amp, and Then factor in about $13,000 in labor for my time (that's a joke).
Wish I would of gone plug and play, one and done.

 

Thanks, I have never been after the heart stopping thump of a bass vehicle, I think that is the dumbest thing you can do with music.

My 85 celica GTS had a fosgate 40ix punch amp running ONE punch 12, pioneer DEH-415 head unit, pioneer 5.25 3 ways in the front alpine 6.5 in the rear with 2 amps for those.

The stereo was so well tuned, that the guitar distortion on Type o Negatives Black No. 1 would chase you out of the car if the volume was above 10.

It still had the bass but you heard the highs and mids, not to mention the vocals LONG before the bass hit.

Bass is support, and sometimes lead in music, not the entire score of the track.

I will take your thumbs up under advisement, I am waiting until November/December to do this........( the wife goes back to Japan for 6 months)

 

@Jeffas7

That is why I was considering TT. even if only for the harnesses and mounting plates.
I have built enough wire harnesses in my time that a little hacking of the TT harnesses for a different amp is simple, I was only considering plug an play as diagnostics are MUCH easier....HU stops working.....unplug the aftermarket stuff and plug in the stock stuff, still no work, HU is probably dead.

Same thing I do when I build race bikes.....EVERYTHING has a plug and is easy to switch in the field just for diagnostic reasons.

 

I had a 85 celica GT!!! best system I ever had. Big alpine deck, alpine 2 way 6's in the doors and 5 1/4 2 ways in the back, v12 alpine amp driving 2 fosgate 10's in a sealed box. Everything sounded great in that car; Led Zeppelin, rage against the machine, Ben folds, tool....
Hmm...maybe it was just because I was 18 and my ear were not wasted yet..

 

I swapped out my speakers about two months ago- purchased 92db efficient speakers- two ways in the front Since there is a "tweeter" that looks like a mid- 3 way in the rear. Also mixed speakers material between the two speakers (refurbished JBL and kenwood) My thought was that the different materials have different sweet spots in the frequency range. Not much improvement in volume but a improvement in sound. Decided to add a powered sub this weekend to add a better floor to the sound and more volume. I still wish I had a little more volume so I think the 4 channel amp is probably a good choice but I am $260 into this system- certainly happy for the $$ spent.

 

@Jeffas7

I hear ya on the ears thing, I somehow "obtained" a virus that embeds itself in the middle ear bone/tissue. it causes my hearing to be less than stellar on some days...that and the explosions,gun fire,and air tools for the last 20+ years does not help.

I may not be able to tell Jay Z from 2 Pac, but, I do know if it "sounds" good. just like a proper tuned engine, you can "feel" the harmonics.

Just like a good opera singer....if the hairs on your arms go up......slowly...........it is good, damn good....

 

@Just Dandee

Thanks, I was kinda thinking the same thing, I just remember someone telling me that front to back all the audio SHOULD be from the same company as the components compliment each other..........nice to hear that with experimentation you can come up with a quality system
that DOES NOT need an amp.

the price of 1162.00 is what gets me....I have to "trust" some kid to do a good job of stripping and soldering my wire harness......plus the guys said it was an all day job.....from what I have read here.....3 to 4 hrs to "wire" an amp is usual......

 

I ordered 25sq ft for my sub/amp uprade. 12sq ft did the back wall. 3sq ft covered about 6" of the floor from the back wall. As long as you dont go crazy you should be able to do the doors and critical floor areas with 25sq ft. Ebay stuff works great just make sure to get 50mil or better.

 

@Vereor_Nox

25sq that is all? did you do your doors?

I only ask due to the almost full strip needed to install an upgrade in this truck, I figured that i might as well do the doors, floor, back wall, if I can get there without removing the dash, some or all of the firewall, and MAYBE the headliner......

I was considering 50sq of something NOT dynamat......WAY to expensive for what it is.

 

I did not do the doors. If you are going to cover majority of the doors and the floor then definitely opt for more.

 

I changed my stock radio to a jvc and the stock speakers got way louder and clearer. Entune deck had horrid tuning abilitys and what seemed to be 2 watts lol