Stereo upgrade question- Amp related

+1. I just went through this process last weekend. Sound deadening took longer than the speaker install but WELL WORTH the effort. The cab is more quiet, doors sound totally different when closing, and the sound quality is much better.

 

Thanks for the advice guys. Blew my budget out of the water lmao... Ordered JL XD700.5 and Pioneer 10" D series sub and box for behind the rear passenger seat. Mounting the amp under passenger front seat. Got the kicker doors in tonight, it sounds great as-is but black friday won me over. All in for 1k, minus wiring kit for amp and sub and some sound mats. I'll report back with impressions once everything is hooked up.

 

Looking forward to the differences after you install the amp.

Black Friday also won me over and I've got Infinity Reference speakers on the way with some door insulation. I'll install those first and waiting to see if Crutchfield drops the prices on the Alpine amp I've been eyeing for Cyber Monday.

 

Did you get the alpine amp?

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/trying-to-identify-power-and-ground-for-22-non-jbl-radio.786055/

I did. The install was straightforward and definitely worth it. More clarity and volume. I noticed the scratches of guitar strings in a song that never really appeared in the Tacoma's factory speakers but did when I have ear buds or listening to the same song with my home stereo.

I lost bass and volume when I only had the head unit driving the Infinitys. They sounded cleaner but I honestly wouldn't upgrade speakers alone without adding power because the benefits aren't significant to my ears.

Now that have the Alpine Power Pack I'm pretty happy. I may consider a small powered sub down the line but right now the 6x9's and 6.5's provide enough mid bass for what I'm listening to. Even the rears are pushing out great volume with the gain set to maybe 20% and fronts set to 0%.

The volume at 20 sounds like almost 30 before the amp.

Glad I put down sound deadening in the doors when I installed the speakers because I can turn the volume up pretty loud and it stays clear and rattle free.

Only issue is figuring out a slight hiss when the radio is off. Also plan on adding sound deadening to the back wall and thar should hopefully keep my satisfied for a while.

 

The common answer to reduce hiss is to dial down the gain. I'm not sure if there is a viable trigger wire for when the HU is on but music is off.

 

The front is set to minimum but it's still doing it. It only bugs me because I looked for it and now I know it's there. Also get a little pop from the speakers when turn the truck on and off. Otherwise in normal driving even with the radio off I don't notice it.

I've tried a handful of ground spots including the factory one by the battery and behind the radio with no change. Power is straight from the battery. I'll need to call Crutchfield when I have a day off.