OEM Audio + Reference 450Q vs. Factory JBL System

I get that the JBL system is not top of the line in the Audio world. But I don't see a reason for spending so much on quality Audio for a vehicle that has so much cabin noise. I'm not saying the Tacoma has a noisy interior, its actually fairly quiet for a truck. But if you compare it to a high end luxury car, the Tacoma is fairly noisy inside.

Unless you install sound proofing in all the interior panels, you will never hear the true acoustic beauty of a high end audio system. my 2cents.

 

I agree, which is why sound dampening materials go on all the interior panels, thus why I budget about $300 for that material ... but still, car audio dynamics are shit. Nothing like a properly designed home theater system, but still, if you like having a nice sounding system in your vehicle spending $1500 or so really isn't all that much. Shit, some factory systems in high end vehicles are $2000-3000 ...

I mean, lots of people spend $ on their vehicles, some a lot more than others. I think everyone who modifies their vehicle tries to do so to their own tastes and desires or needs. I'm only going to judge someone who says they modified their vehicle for rock crawling and put 20's on it with 2" blocks for a lift ... there's modifying things the right way, and then there is just doing it wrong.

 

I agree, your going in the right direction. But then you have to look at Acoustic glass to replace your windows. Some 'quiet' ride luxury cars also have double pane side glass.

As for lift kits, I have not found a need yet to go beyond the stock ride height on my TRD OR. Stock truck has been able to handle the trails I've taken it on. Even then, I would probably upgrade to larger tires first.

 

Honestly, if someone is really serious about trails and traction, factory sized MT's will do better than any upsized AT, and yet most people go to larger AT saying it's for off-road performance. Can't we just be honest about it, we all like bigger badass looking tires?

 

With my little off-roading experience, I have found the stock AT's work fine when you drop the PSI to the low 20's. If they start to loose traction, I hit the crawl control button and keep on movin.

 

Completely off topic, I know, but does Falken make truck tires, and if so would you rate them on par with the Michelin's that come on the LTD? I loved my Sincera's on my Camry

 

One of the reasons we made our new WILDPEAK A/T3W a little more on the aggressive aesthetics side....

 

Sincera's are awesome. We actually just launched the Sincera SN250 which replaces the Sincera SN211 that you have, the SN250's are even better in terms of mileage, wet, etc.

Regarding the Michelin's on your Taco, get rid of those and get some ATs

 

OK back on topic. Teaser:

 

Sweet. I just purchased the Alpine inline amp and some JBLs for the door. Think I'm going to send them back and save up for this system.

 

i am leaning very much towards this setup...nothing but good reviews except for the ones complaining about the price. you pay for what you get in this case.

 

I got a chance to hear the JBL, and compared to high end speakers is NOT as good. However, for the average person it is a nice upgrade over stock. No, you wont win any bass contests or rattle the rear view mirror in circles. Its not going to crank so loud the people next door hear it as good as you. Bottom line, Aftermarket is better but JBL works great and is also covered under warranty. I personally will wait until that expires before replacing.

 

Exactly how i see it. Not trying to hack or remove any panels. Did on my last car and ended up replacing everything on the car then selling it for a quarter of what i paid. Lesson learn oem goodness and just enjoy it

 

I went with the JBL package for a few reasons: 1. It was only a $600 upgrade after market will cost at least a $1000+ 2. I'm not in High School no more I don't need to rattle the shit out of all the cars around me. I've always been more of a clarity even playing field kind of listener. My previous set up was 2x Alpine Type R 10" Subs with a MTX 6500D Amp with Alpine Type R 6X9's rears and 6.5 Alpine Type R components up front. I spent some money on this set up, but believe me that shit bumped when I needed it too. But now that I'm 32yrs old I still love my Hip-Hop but I listen to music for me not to show off and the JBL Pack sounds awesome in Cabin. I like that I can crank it and get a great sound and not have the old man next to me at the stop light rolling up his windows. Some of the guys don't believe me when I say it's factory. So really I think it comes down to how much of an audio head you are and whether the music playing is for your ears or the whole neighborhood to hear. just my .02c

 

I'll be honest if Toyota would have made the JBL available in the manual transmission model, I would have probably went that route. But they didnt... I wanted better sound quality, more bass, and more power/volume utilizing the factory head unit, so the OEM Audio+ choice made perfect sense for the manual trans guy like myself.

 

I like the look of that tire, but disappointed to see the 265/75-16 only comes in E load, so it weighs 52 lbs. That's a weight on par with other E loads, but I'm a bit hesitant to put an E load on a mid-size truck. Just seems like overkill. I dunno, I haven't decided what to replace the factory tires with yet ... I want something that is good in the snow though, since we get a bit of that here in MI and it would be nice to not have to run separate tires for that time of they year ... the factory Wranglers are marginal at best in snow/ice, but I've driven on worse.

 

The manual was definitely the right choice. No regrats.

 

So, did you install the OEM Audio+?
How's the sound and how easy was it?

 

I think you have me confused with OP

 

JoeRacer -
We offer both sir!
FALKEN WILDPEAK AT3W 265/75R16 116T (43.9lbs) Ref Item# 28034301