Premium Audio Upgrade for less than $250

I’ll probably add a subwoofer but I’m open to options besides kicker. I’m also looking at the Rockford Fosgate, Alpine, Infinity, Kenwood and JBL powered 8 inch subs. They’re all priced at $300 except for the JBL which is $250. Specs and reviews are damned near identical too.

 

Kills me that companies like boss can legally get away with calling it an 1100 watt amp, or saying it will do 825w RMS. Complete lies. But people keep buying and they keep selling.

 

Thanks for this suggestion, however I noticed the speakers on sale at Best Buy are a different CS model from the OP. Is there really much of a difference between the models?
Also does Crutchfield always throw in the harness adapters and speaker mounts? Seems like a great deal if that's the case with Crutchfield.

This whole speaker upgrade is becoming too much, I'm now looking into the Kicker K series versus the CS models.

IDK what to do!

 

Crutchfield sends everything you need (mounts, harnesses) with the CS front and rear speakers. I paid $80 for the fronts, $60 for the rears, and $90 for the tweeters (tweeters from Amazon), plus $8 for the recommended tool set. The OEM video and a couple TW write-ups were all I needed. The sound is sooooooo much better. The best $230 I could have spent.

 

Yeah, that's the thing, if you have some time, and want to save some monies, I guess you could wait on a sale.
I bought and installed tweeters first = big difference! I was very happy with that simple upgrade.

Then I bought Kicker speakers on sale from Crutchfield (they came with all the adapters), and Noico mats from Amazon. Some half a year later, I finally installed the speakers, but half-assed the Mats.... I did only lower part of the doors - it still helps to drown out road noise, but I guess if I'd go all the way up, it would make way more difference. I still have to do the rear panel behind the seats.

Now, there is an improvement after replacing the rest of the speakers. Hard to say if they are louder... Maybe, but that's a maybe. Seems that bass is cleaner, but not as deep as on original speakers, which is is very surprising! What's for sure they produce way clearer and crisper sound. Best I can explain is, bass is not drowning out the vocals, so you can enjoy the music a bit more.

 

Would someone mind sharing all the part numbers with links for this complete audio upgrade? I have an 18 with JBL Entune. I want to replace all 6 speakers with Kicker and also add an amp (why Kicker over Alpine?). I prefer to not cut the factory harness so please include any additional adapters or harnesses. Thanks guys/gals!

 

First page

 

Well I feel like an ass. I always go to last page. Thanks!

 

Are there other dash speaker options other than the Subaru Kicker?

What about Kicker 43CSC354?

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_206CSC354/Kicker-43CSC354.html?tp=96&avf=N

I'd prefer a direct drop in solution and I know the Subaru fits it exactly. Do others not line up to factory screw holes? I guess my issue is the smallest speakers are the most expensive but if it's the best solution, then that's what I will go with.

 

I may be remembering this wrong, but I believe this upgrade is for non-JBL systems. Read the first few pages of this thread to make sure...

 

FYI - The Subaru Kicker tweeters won't work with the JBL system. The connectors are completely different.....and system itself is wired differently from the regular Entune.....for example, the tweeters aren't wired in series with the front door speakers on the JBL like they are for the regular Entune.

 

It’s not just the mounts not lining up, but the 3rd gen Tacoma’s use a new connector that plugs into the tweeters, and then continues on to the door speaker. So you can absolutely add whatever tweeters you want, but you will have to fab a mount (or buy one) as well as cut/splice your wiring harness (or buy the ********* harness)

And as others mentioned above, this will NOT work for the JBL system. You have a few other options though. PM me for more info if you’d like some tips

 

Installed the tweeters today and the sound is so much better!

Also didn't have a 10mm wrench that fit for the tight angle of the tweeters, made this simple job a frustrating one but got it done.
Will look into the door speakers when I get more money...

 

How did you wire your harness for your set up? Did you anchor behind head unit or under seat?

 

I ran it under the passenger seat... was going to so the hideaway under the driver seat but haven't got around to it and not sure I need it honestly with the amped speaker setup.

I was thinking about behind the dash but there isnt a ton of room back there and under the seat is still hidden and convenient.

 

Hahaha I same thing happened to me, it’s a very weird angle for the one on the back.

 

I'm going to unwatch this thread now. I just removed the Kickers from the rear doors and replaced them with Morel Tempo Ultra 602 Integras. Before I go, one thing of note:

The insides of our doors are wet! When I removed the Kickers from the rear doors, the kicker sticker on the back of the magnet was wet and peeling off....

 

I realize you have a 3rd gen, but is a bracket required for these? I already replaced the other speakers, and they all needed mounts.

 

The inside of basically all vehicle doors gets wet. Condensation when it's hot/cold with the heat/AC on, rain water when you roll the window up or down, condensation on the glass itself.

 

WTF? How long did you have them installed for?