Premium Audio Upgrade for less than $250

First post on Tacoma World. New owner of a 2021 TRD OR with the base HU. I upgraded to the Subaru Kicker tweeters and it is a big difference. I have read thru a lot of this thread and it appears that I would need to add an amp to the base HU to get best results on the kicker 6x9 front door speakers. I am fine with just getting to a small, but quality amp that would work well to drive aftermarket door speakers and be able to use the existing speaker wire and harnesses. I do not want to add a sub to the system and would prefer a power pack that might sit behind the dash. I have read about the Key 180.4 and 200.4 but has anyone sorted this and feels like they have the best solution? I am concerned about people saying that they have humming noises when stereo is off and being able to ground the new amp. I'd prefer to stick with what I got than go down a rabbit hole that I can't get out of...
Should this be its own thread? And if I missed something in this thread, my apologizes, this is a big one!

 

Check the Audio forum, there is a huge write up on the Kicker Key amps along with the install and opinions. From what i understand, they are good for the money and the built in tuning feature is really nice. You can also check out 5 Star Car Audio on You Tube as they do some in depth reviews and installs of the kicker key amps. The 200.4 is the newest one out.

This is one of the long threads about it but its for the 16-19

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/tpp4s-no-nonsense-guide-to-kicker-key-t-harness-16-19.642415/

 

Welcome to TW. You just summarized 4400 posts pretty well. I have the Premium HU so I did not add an amp. But yes, a lot of people have installed the Kicker Key amp and have been happy. I would think as long as it's grounded well, there should be no hum. I'm sure someone who installed one will chime in soon.

 

I think that I have it and will likely just monitor these threads for a while. I have also checked out the Pioneer 6600NEX thread. I wish that my truck had the premium audio, as I am sure that I would be happy with just upgrading the door speakers and calling it good. But between the 6600NEX thread, and the Key 200.4 thread, and seeing the level of wiring harnesses and level of integration that may be necessary, I am going to try to just be happy with the Subaru Kicker tweeters. I might also consider the wireless apple car play adapter via another thread.

 

Ok so here’s my setup:
Kicker tweeters
JL C1-690x 6x9 door speakers
Infinity reference 6.75” rear door speakers

and until yesterday:

$220 Kicker KEY180.4 Kicker 45KEY1804 4-Channel 45 x 4 Key Smart Sound Processor Amp 180W Amplifier

Kicker KEY180.4 amp
Kenwood M300.1 mono amp
Kicker 48TCWRT102 sealed 10” subwoofer with passive radiator.

I thought I was going to trade my truck in so pulled the amps and sub this week but couldn’t make the deal work. I ran the the speakers without the amp briefly when I first got them, but this is the first time in 2 years I’ve heard them run just off the stock head unit.

Bottom line, it’s a great upgrade even without the added power! Maybe the speakers broke in or something, but the bass is way better than before. And without the amp, the tweeters are way less shrill. If I were planning on adding an amp again, I wouldn’t get the kicker tweets and the coax door speakers. I think the kicker tweets are very sensitive and are easily overpowered with an amp. I’d just get components from the start next time.

I’m planning on the pioneer 4600 or 6600 head unit, no 4 channel amp, and a bigger sub later. I think it’ll make a nice balanced system with a ton of thump. Don’t let the wiring intimidate you! If you order from Crutchfield they have an option to build the harness for you.

 

Hi, I have definitely gone down that rabbit hole, and I do have white noise/hiss with the volume turned all the way down. I also have the base HU.

On your HU push the balance all the way to the front, with nothing playing turn the volume up. Do you get the white noise sound? If so the kicker amp will amplify that, nothing to do with the ground, just the quality of the HU.

Don’t get me wrong the kicker tweeters, door speakers and amp does sound good... (and I almost don’t notice he white noise) but if I were to do it again I would probably just replace the HU or do just the tweeters.

JMO

 

I can’t get thing to fit! I can’t line up bolts
to rear seat. I got it pushed back as far as it can go. what am I missing ? 2021 tacoma. did it change since 2016?

 

I remember Mr Marv or someone saying I may need to shave that bolt? this is not plug and play.

 

I seem to remember reading someone with a 21 was having issues installing a goose gear seat delete setup.

Can’t help I’m afraid, but you are not alone...

 

fraking took forever to solder. one pin fell out!! stupid taco tones are quality sucks

 

solder speed wire to make harness

 

I have a 2021 SR5 with 8” head unit. How do I know if the full upgrade will be compatible? I absolutely don’t want to deal with an amp.

 

read page 1, first post of this thread. It’ll help you out. Speakers upgrade without an amp will work for you. Its easy and cheap. Kicker Subaru Tweeters, front and rear door Kickers.

 

so yup. it’s confirm. those
kicker rear speakers even with amp is mediocre upgrade
don’t bother. the front kickers 6x9
are nice and worth.

yes I do have a tiny bit of noise with volume set to O. but no hum or hiss on alpine 5 channel amp. it’s due to hi level input. I sold off my audio control lc6i. don’t need extra wires and crap in a tight ass space. i’ll take picture of my amp under the driver seat zip tied to it. perfect clean install.

 

If this has been discussed already, my apologies, I could not find it. While looking at how to sound deaden, I notice some folks do the door skin interior while others put some behind the speaker and then cover the front of the door where the plastic is. Which is the best method? Or is it more of a preference. Thanks

 

honestly not gonna make a difference. it’s just hole in wallet. unless you’re running components and 100watts per channel.

 

lol

 

I have a 2021 myself, and recently did the kicker 6x9, and Subaru tweeter upgrades. I did the 6x9 front speakers first, and they were amazing. On stock speakers I would turn volume up to 42 whereas with the kickers I would get the same sound at volume 25 or so. I then upgraded the tweeters, and literally heard no difference. If I could do it all over again I would just do the 6x9’s because in my honest opinion the tweeters are not worth the money.

 

Wow. I installed the Kicker speakers and Noico sound deadening as described in this post and what a huge difference. I’m so happy! The only thing I’d improve with the original post is this: it gives you the links to the speakers, which I ordered from the link. It also says that Crutchfield includes the wiring harnesses and brackets. After I took my door apart I realized that I didn’t have the harnesses or brackets. They weren’t included. Then it occurred to me that different cars would have different harnesses and brackets and I never told Crutchfield I had a Tacoma - just ordered off the link. So maybe you can say in the post how to get the brackets and harnesses included. It was late on a Saturday and I ordered them from Amazon for about $40. Maybe I could’ve c.allied Crutchfield but I’m not too familiar with the company and just wanted it done. Thanks for the post! What a huge difference! A better life!

 

Another thing I’d recommend adding is to buy additional plastic clips for the doors. The door panels are so hard to get off and it appears that some of the clips are damaged which makes sense because they were so hard to pull off. Having problems reinstalling the door panels and I’m finding that if I replace a clip with one from another panel it works, which of course leaves me short on that panel. Just ordered additional clips from Amazon. Hopefully they work and my panels will fit nice and snug tomorrow.