Why does the audio suck in the 3rd gen? (Solved)

I don't consider myself an audiophile. When I first got my 2018, one of the first things I noticed was that the audio didn't sound very good.

My previous vehicle was a 2014 civic with the base audio system. It sounded far better.

I added sound deadener to the doors, floor and the rear along with 6x9 infinity kappa components. Something still sounds off to me. Does the head unit suck? Is it the location of the speakers?


::::EDIT:::

- I posted an update on page 6
- @5nahalf - has somemsome instructions on page 7 to make your component tweeters sit flat using a heat gun.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...ck-in-the-3rd-gen.666086/page-7#post-23647406

 

the audio is pretty terrible in my 2020. significantly lower quality than my previous car, which had a lot of complaints about the audio quality on the forums for that car as well.

 

Replace the tweeters with the kicker direct replacements and add the Kicker Key amp. The amp has some sound processing so it makes your speakers sound a lot better. Plus you get more power than your stock head unit. I think you’ll like the results with just those upgrades since you already changed out your front door speakers.

 

Every vehicle ever made with the basic audio system..... the audio sucks complete ass. It’s like that with every manufacturer from my experiences.

 

I started with the kicker tweeters and it was slightly better but it didn't fix the problem. I just added 90csx and still nothing.

Sure the highs are better and the lows are a little better but there is something strange about the sound that I can't put my finger on.

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_108K90CSX/Infinity-Kappa-90csx.html

 

I must be getting older. I think mine sounds pretty good. Then again, when I was a kid, I had a craptastic boom box from K-Mart on the back seat of a CJ7.

 

When you spend 30 or $40k on a vehicle it's easy to complain about something like this.

 

The stock head unit doesn’t have enough to power the aftermarket speakers. (Remember how tiny the magnets were on the stock speakers?) Try giving those speakers some power. I’m sure it’ll be night and day difference.

 

I'll give that a try but it's not going to take me a little while.

 

I just recommend the Kicker Key because you can stash it right under the headunit. I’m super happy with mine. You’ll wonder why you waited so long haha! Good luck with whatever you choose.

 

Do you have the JBL system?

 

If these vehicles came equipped with everything that everyone on this forum thinks a 30k vehicle should come equipped with, it would cost 300k.

Second the kicker key amp. That will clean up the sound significantly.

 

My stock audio sounds fine to me.

 

This. My '16 JBL sounds fine. Zero complaints.

 

Link to this? I'm curious now LOL

 

”Why does the audio suck in the 3rd gen?”

It’s because of those tunes you’re playing, man!


It sounds like your fix will help, I did the Subaru tweeter mod and that helped a lot too.

 

https://www.crutchfield.com/shopsearch/kicker_key.html

Prices may vary between websites but at least read some info on it

 

Same here. Right down to the CJ-7 and box.

Spending money on fine speakers seems like a waste with all the wind noise.

-M

 

Stock audio systems are complete afterthoughts. Engineers leave some holes for speakers and some other guy picks the cheapest shit possible to put in those holes. Even the “upgraded” systems are not even close to what you could get aftermarket for the same or less money.

 

I have a 2018 pro. I don't think the JBL was available at the time for the pro.