OEM Audio Plus - Experiences?

After driving a new 3rd gen Tundra, I’ve definitively decided to keep my 2021, and now that I’ve decided to keep it, I want to invest some money into the day to day drivability improvements. First thing I want to improve is the sound system. The factory JBL system is a total swing and a miss. Coming from a 2018 Tacoma with a JBL system that rocked, I was expecting at least the same, if not better performance from the Tundras stereo. I was sadly mistaken. I’m planning on investing into the OEM Audio Plus JBL “Enhancement” system that builds on the existing stereo with new tweeters, sub, and acoustic filters. Anyone here done this before? If so, how do you like it? My biggest question right now is whether or not I want to go with dual subs. I don’t want to invest $1500 and wish I had spent the extra $400 for a little more bass, but I also don’t want to drown out the mids and highs with too much bass. I want something balanced. Any input from people who have gone this route?

 

@james@tech12volts

 

Bump.

Surprised no one has tried this yet!

 

Have you considered a DIY project with other after market subs and amps?
Would not cost as much as the OEM Audio Plus system.

There are plenty of posts here with images and explanations on a semi PNP
process to upgrade your system.

 

This^^^

I just installed my system from him and it is a world of a difference. He had a very good sale on the whole kit. Plus the customer support i got was awesome.

 

I’ve thought about it, I’ve done a ton of audio installations in the past. I even made “car audio installation” my senior project when I graduated high school in 2005. I just like the fit and finish of the OEM audio plus system though. It’s as close to OE as anything I’ve ever seen. I like that it utilizes the factory speakers in a smarter, more efficient way, and I really like the subwoofer box. I think it’s smartly designed. I really don’t want to go the full aftermarket route and rip everything out, build a sub box, etc.

 

What did you install? Do you have any links to others installations?

 

no links unfortunately but i know there are a few guys on here that have the same setup.

2 10" JL Audio subs
6.5" JL Audio components front and rear
JL Audio RD series 900/5 amp

James provided the entune harness and sail panels along with speaker brackets. Everything was plug and play.

 

I like that sub box! Now I have all sorts of questions…
Did you have the factory JBL system?
How is everything connected to the amp, through a line out converter?
Factory head unit?
What did the whole setup run you?
I imagine you’re happy with the sound? I know dumb question

 

Here you go
https://tech12volts.com/shop/ols/products/aot-and-tc-complete-audio-package

 

I have the OEM Auio plus reference 500 system. For the money you spend you can get more if you make your own system. Your really paying for the DIY ease of installation and not having to go through the hassle of piecing together a system. It is wayy better than stock but personally not loud enough for me, for many others the system is definitely enough. Im a 17yo in high school so take that how you want to. If your going to go with OEM Audio plus, go with the 2 subs, some songs you need the extra bass others you dont, thats what the bass control knob is for. Ill try and get some vids of the system and post them sometime this weekend

 

Yeah that’s one area I was a little concerned with was overall volume. I didn’t want to spend $1800 on a kit to find out the volume was lacking.

 

Thanks for all the info. Definitely something I’m going to consider. Seems like a great bang for the buck and has the potential to even outperform the OEM Audio Plus option. I guess my biggest concern for this setup would be overall lifespan since it’s mostly aftermarket, plus I’m not a big fan of LOC. A digital output for the subwoofer frequencies would be far better than piggybacking off the OEM system and then outputting that over an analog output. I’ll have to see if I can get in touch with the guy that sells that system to get his input. Appreciate all the info though!

 

How much do you want to spend on a stereo upgrade? What is the max limit.

Once I know that I will list what I would do.

 

~$2k

 

I have the OEM Audio+ enhancement system with dual subs. I very happy with it. I will say that when I originally installed it one of the subs had a connection problem and wouldn’t stay on. Their customer service was excellent and they promptly replaced it. While waiting for the new sub I rode around with just the one and I felt it wasn’t enough. Having two makes a big difference.

 

Snagged some vids, 2 songs, max volume, max bass control knob. Stock head unit, no sound deadener. Loud and clear at 20-30ft away with all doors open https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1---g9XPQI283PHmdlFzBl-VuvYyAvw__

 

Redline
Let me put some thought into this.
If you are capable of running some wire, Able to solder and watch some YouTube videos you can put together a good system for $2,000.

 

I can handle all that, I just don’t want something that looks like it belongs in a project car. I like a clean fit and finished look.

That looks impressive. The OEM Audio Plus reference system is new tweeters, filters for the door speakers, and two subs, correct?

How is the balance of the overall sound? Is it a good balance of lows, mids, and highs? I’d rather have an overall balanced system with slightly less bass than a system with killer bass but lacking in the mids and highs.

 

i feel it is a very balanced system, but would definitely be lacking bass if you dont get the 2 subs

 

Tundra Stereo List
2021 Crewmax

I would bypass the JBL system.


Sony xav-95oo es $ 998.00 Crutchfield
Crux steering wheel controls and metra dash kit $ 109.98 Crutchfield
Amplifiers
CT sounds CT 80.4ab $ 139.99 CT sounds if you want to save 10-15% CT runs internet sales all the time
CT soundsCT700.1D $ 139.99 CT sounds
Subwoofers Blaupunkt GBW801 8 inch $ 38.99 Walmart
Subwoofer Blaupunkt GBW801-8 inch $ 38.99 Walmart
front door speakers 6 1/2 Silver Flute W17RC38-4 $ 70.00 Madi sound speaker
front dash tweeters Massive Audio original CT2 silk dome 28mm $ 67.99 Amazon
distribution fuse powered MINI anl block $ 25.99 amazon
anl fuse block under hood $ 12.99 amazon
subwoofer box Make yourself mdf , glue, screws $ 70.00 home depot
Sky-high car audio 16 gauge speaker wire $ 23.95 ebay 100 feet cca wire
nvx 20 sqare feet sound deadener $ 59.99 amazon
door speaker brackets make yourself MDF $ 5.00
tweeter brackets in dash make yourself $ 5.00
plastic dip paint for door speaker brackets and sub box $ 10.00
rca cables scosche X2R 12 foot need 3 pair $ 27.00 Amazon
xtc 6 1/2 speaker baffles $ 7.99 Crutchfield
Total $ 1,851.84

So right at $2,000 with taxes

The only tool I would buy that you probably do not have is a LM2020 oscilloscope multimeter. You can use it to set amp gains and see if you are getting any clipping. $78 on amazon. My sub amp is rated for 600 watts at 2 ohms, but was able to get 800 out of it with no distortion at max volume with no clipping at 40hz.

The Sony 9500 es is a Great Head unit it has a lot of tuning features that only can be found in a DSP.
The silver Flute 6.5 speakers and massive ct2 tweeters combo are the best you will ever get for $138 for the set. They are crazy good for the money.
Check out some of the car audio forums on the blaupunkt subs. Probably the best sub for less than $100 out there. One person took 8 of them put it in a t-line enclosure in a extended cab truck and hit 144db. Someone else did 140db with two 10 inch subs. Someone else posted a video with one 8 inch sub and was flexing the roof on a midsize suv. They also say they sound pretty good. I would build the box with 1.4 net cubic feet tuned at 38 hz. There are websites that will calculate port tuning, subbox pro is a good website. 1.4 cf net tuned to 38 hz is showing a 4inch round port 12.83 inches long on their site.


All of this can be accomplished without cutting a single factory wire or any modifications.
The list above will give you the sound quality you are looking for.
Once the box is built the rest of the install can be done is a weekend.

Let me know if you any questions.

 

I forgot to add the 4 gauge wire for the power wire to the amp fuse block. 4 Gauge ofc wire sky high car audio on ebay for $2.49 a foot. Need 20 foot.

The parts list above is what I would use on a $2,000 budget.

If the budget was $2500 I would change a couple things.

If $3,000 I would change a few more things.