1. Welcome to Tundras.com!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tundra discussion topics
    • Transfer over your build thread from a different forum to this one
    • Communicate privately with other Tundra owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Will changing my door speakers make a difference with stock head unit

Discussion in 'Audio & Video' started by W27, Jul 31, 2020.

  1. Jul 31, 2020 at 11:37 AM
    #1
    W27

    W27 [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 15, 2019
    Member:
    #24547
    Messages:
    40
    Gender:
    Male
    2014 non JBL with center speaker system. When I first got the truck I added 2 JL 8” subs to the stock system. The sound has been acceptable. The reason I ask is I have to pull my drivers door panel off this weekend to replace a bad actuator for the door lock. I was thinking while I’m already in there, it wouldn’t be that much more work to upgrade the front door speakers. I think I remember reading a long time ago the problem was more the stock head unit/amp. I don’t want to change the stock amp or HU. Should I upgrade the speakers while I’m in there, or not worth it with stock components?
     
  2. Jul 31, 2020 at 11:41 AM
    #2
    Danimal86

    Danimal86 Looks clean even when its dirty!

    Joined:
    Aug 29, 2017
    Member:
    #9321
    Messages:
    4,721
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Daniel
    Sacramento, CA
    Vehicle:
    2017 White Tundra SR5
    It'll be an upgrade from the paper cones that come with it, and the fact that in your case those paper cones are 6 years old. Might as well throw some in.
    I wouldn't expect a night and day difference, but it'll sound better.
     
    W27[QUOTED][OP] likes this.
  3. Jul 31, 2020 at 1:01 PM
    #3
    ezdog

    ezdog New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 1, 2020
    Member:
    #43363
    Messages:
    2,719
    Gender:
    Male
    Gateway To The West
    Vehicle:
    2001 RCLB V8,4WD 2015 RCLB 5.7,4WD
    Of course there will be a change,likely for the better but I know for sure that when I only upgraded my stock head unit with a newer better OEM head unit it also made a pretty huge difference with the stock speakers too!

    I just wanted Sat built-in so I found a stock HU with the Sat receiver and it is a lot better than the stock SR HU that came with the truck.
    I also got a slightly larger screen in the newer unit and they are not too pricey when found used.
     
    W27[OP] likes this.
  4. Jul 31, 2020 at 4:30 PM
    #4
    robabeatle

    robabeatle New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 14, 2020
    Member:
    #47947
    Messages:
    826
    Gender:
    Male
    AZ
    Vehicle:
    2002 Tundra 4x4 LTD AC
    Bilstein 6112 & 5160, Katskinz, audio upgrades
    I'd be a little careful with just changing the speakers. It very well may be a nice upgrade but new speakers may have different spec, like sensitivity which if lower would require more power to drive them and ultimately sound good. If I was only upgrading one of the two, I'd pick the HU first over speakers. But just go ahead and do them both. Come on! :D
     
    TS1794, 10TundraSR5 and W27[OP] like this.
  5. Jul 31, 2020 at 4:51 PM
    #5
    19TurdPro

    19TurdPro New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 27, 2019
    Member:
    #33771
    Messages:
    897
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2019 Tundra TRD Pro
    I believe the OEM speakers are 2 ohm, so if you replace them with something of a higher impedance it most likely won't sound as good. Something to keep in mind.
    There is a difference, but it's not like "whoa, that's night and day".
    I got that when I replaced the head unit. The speakers, not so much.

    What is the reason you don't want to replace the HU?
    If you did it would really wake your speakers up, and your subs will sound a hell of a lot better.
     
    W27[OP] likes this.
  6. Jul 31, 2020 at 6:32 PM
    #6
    W27

    W27 [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 15, 2019
    Member:
    #24547
    Messages:
    40
    Gender:
    Male
    I’ve got so many projects going on right now, I really don’t want another. Last summer I went all out on my other vehicle changed the head unit, amps, subs, all speakers, customized trim panels, dynamite everything etc. It was a giant pain in the ass.

    I was planning on trading the truck in this year on a new body style 2021. Now that they pushed it back I’m trying to hold out for what I hope will be an updated 2022 released next year. I’ve had the truck over 6 years now. I did a bunch of mods when I first got it, but currently just ready for something new. If I change the head unit I will go top of the line everything and it will turn into a big expensive project.

    I appreciate all the comments. It kind of sounds like what I suspected, being the head unit is the weak link. Which means I can change the actuator and leave the speakers alone.
     
  7. Jul 31, 2020 at 6:41 PM
    #7
    DCB500

    DCB500 New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 4, 2019
    Member:
    #27085
    Messages:
    907
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    David
    Oklahoma City
    Vehicle:
    2019 Tundra SR5 TSS Double Cab
    Wheels, sound system, antenna, tailgate letter inserts, Grill/Hood Bulge, Exhaust, Leather
    You can get decent speakers for $150 a pair, maybe less but your still going to get junk sound out of the factory HU....I wouldn’t change the speakers out if not changing the HU as well.
     
    W27[OP] likes this.
  8. Jul 31, 2020 at 6:42 PM
    #8
    shawn474

    shawn474 Lego connoisseur

    Joined:
    Jul 23, 2019
    Member:
    #33569
    Messages:
    2,111
    Gender:
    Male
    MoCo, Maryland
    Vehicle:
    2019 Cement Tundra crew max TRD Off Road
    If you change the amp and put 2 ohm 6x9’s in the front doors it will greatly improve your sound and do so on a budget. I did that and the rear speakers with a pancake sub and stock head unit and it sounds MUCH better. I didn’t need to blow the doors off or deafen the passengers and it gets plenty loud.
     
    W27[OP] likes this.
  9. Jul 31, 2020 at 6:56 PM
    #9
    Jbehredt

    Jbehredt Burgeoning member

    Joined:
    Nov 30, 2019
    Member:
    #39342
    Messages:
    681
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jason
    Westminster, CO
    Vehicle:
    2020 TRD Pro DC White
    Off topic I know but some sound deadening will go a long way. I did it a few days before I did my full install. Was shocked how much better the doors sounded. Killmat on the outer skins and Soundskins on the inner.
     
    W27[OP] likes this.
  10. Jul 31, 2020 at 7:03 PM
    #10
    DCB500

    DCB500 New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 4, 2019
    Member:
    #27085
    Messages:
    907
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    David
    Oklahoma City
    Vehicle:
    2019 Tundra SR5 TSS Double Cab
    Wheels, sound system, antenna, tailgate letter inserts, Grill/Hood Bulge, Exhaust, Leather
    I did soundskins on the inner and outer....definitely made a difference.
     
    W27[OP] likes this.
  11. Aug 1, 2020 at 2:21 AM
    #11
    preacher35

    preacher35 RIGHTEOUS MEMBER

    Joined:
    Nov 20, 2016
    Member:
    #5284
    Messages:
    557
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Adam
    Texas
    Vehicle:
    2018 MGM Platinum Crewmax 4x4
    My 2 cents: if you do not want a "project" and you do not want to pay an installer to do the "project" for you, I wouldn't even waist your time or money until you are ready to at least swap out the h/u and/or add amps. Reason being, the OEM h/u (and OEM amp if you have it) just do NOT put out enough juice to properly power upgraded speakers. They can barely power the OEM crap speakers. Upgrading your speakers will be a waist of time for negligible gains. When you are ready to get serious, you are going to want to, AT THE VERY LEAST, soundmat all 4 doors & back wall, and add amp/s.
     
    W27[OP] likes this.
  12. Aug 1, 2020 at 2:43 AM
    #12
    shawn474

    shawn474 Lego connoisseur

    Joined:
    Jul 23, 2019
    Member:
    #33569
    Messages:
    2,111
    Gender:
    Male
    MoCo, Maryland
    Vehicle:
    2019 Cement Tundra crew max TRD Off Road
    You can get a plug and play harness to remove the stick amp and replace with a more powerful one. It makes a huge difference. It isn’t necessarily a project but will take some time to do running a power wire to battery.
     
    W27[OP] likes this.
  13. Aug 1, 2020 at 7:41 AM
    #13
    1lowlife

    1lowlife Toxic prick and pavement princess..

    Joined:
    May 4, 2016
    Member:
    #3296
    Messages:
    7,944
    First Name:
    DADA
    THE GREAT STATE OF TEXAS
    Vehicle:
    2014 MGM DC SR5
    I'd run stock speakers with a decent aftermarket HU instead of better speakers with the stock HU.
    Since you already have the subs, a decent 5 channel amp to go with your new HU.

    You can keep it plug and play and put the stock stuff back in when you trade or sell the truck.
     
    W27[OP] and panicman like this.
  14. Aug 1, 2020 at 9:01 AM
    #14
    DCB500

    DCB500 New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 4, 2019
    Member:
    #27085
    Messages:
    907
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    David
    Oklahoma City
    Vehicle:
    2019 Tundra SR5 TSS Double Cab
    Wheels, sound system, antenna, tailgate letter inserts, Grill/Hood Bulge, Exhaust, Leather
    I wish I had known this from the very beginning when I started my audio upgrades, mainly about the plug and play harness at the amp location under the seat because it was cut when my first amp was installed. Now that I have rebuilt the harness and used the adapter literally everything in my system is plug and play. The only wires that I have run are the power wire from the battery, a remote wire from the radio, and the RCA’s. I could probably put my truck back to the stock system in about an hour, door speakers and all. So if you want to upgrade in the mean time don’t let the fact that you may get a new one in a year stop you...just do the install correctly in this one and take it with you when that time comes.
     
    Last edited: Aug 1, 2020
    W27[OP] and panicman like this.
  15. Aug 3, 2020 at 3:02 AM
    #15
    jwatt

    jwatt I heart men

    Joined:
    Jan 10, 2020
    Member:
    #40985
    Messages:
    1,301
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jack
    Oregon
    Vehicle:
    Salsa Red 2007 Tundra DC @91k.
    7" BDS Coilover Suspension Lift/BDS UCAs/XB LED Headlights/Nitto trail Grappler tires on Black Rhyno Armory wheels
    Agreed. Head unit first, but actually, speakers too, so actually do both in tandom. The difference is night and day.
     

Products Discussed in

To Top