JBL head unit question

hi all, i have a couple of questions for those who had the JBL system and upgraded bypassing the amp and using the JBL HU.
First off, i have a 2018 1794 with the not so good JBL system (upgrade?)
I installed aftermarket everything but kept the HU using the ********* recurve and harneses to bypass the amp, again, kept the JBL HU. It, at the time, seemed like a no brainer to keep all the existing knobs and system adjustments within and around the unit.
I installed a bunch of quality equipment all, JL Audio and Focal, JL tundra sub as well.
That said, the sound is not what it should be. It's super loud and will pound your head off, but it's just not crystal clear, clean or as punchy as it should be. It's just kinda bland, but loud as shit.
I've taken it to 2 installers in my area, and they both agreed, there's something that's not quite as good as it should be considering the quality of upgrades. So, both of them, after going through my setup, concluded it "must" be the HU, bad audio source. Problem is that either would give a definitive "it is the HU" because either have upgraded the Tundra keeping the HU.
So my first question is, has anyone had the same experience of so so sound quality with an extensive upgrade while keeping the JBL HU?
My second question is for the guys or girls who did upgrade everything including the HU, does the maestro Rr (or other) utilize the OEM volume control knob and scan-station knob on either side of the deck, or the "HOME" and "Audio," buttons, or the oem aux input?
Last question, has anyone installed an Alpine IXL 207 or comparable Pioneer AVIC or Kenwood Excelon. Do they fit well and did you use maestro or another brand?
Also considering the Phoenix Android as well but not sure about the signal quality of the audio outputs.
thanks for any help...trying to figure out my next move...

 

Regarding your HU replacement question, there are several on this forum that have reported better sound quality from the stock JBL sound system simply by swapping out the factory HU with the Phoenix HU, without adding after market amps. I just received the Phoenix HU, and will install within the next couple of weeks, and can report my findings as well. I also will be testing the Phoenix HU to see if it has reliable RCA pre-outs...can't find a true consensus on that, and unfortunately the Phoenix HU comes with no instructions (LOTS of trial and error determining proper wiring hook-ups from what I've read on this forum and the Tundra Phoenix HU Facebook page). If there are RCA pre-outs that can be used, I am thinking about replacing the factory subwoofer with Kicker shallow-mount 12" subs and a dual 12" enclosure, and a Kicker amp running at 2 ohms, for more thump. I doubt that even with a better signal coming from the Phoenix HU that the factory sub will put out enough "oomph" for my taste.

 

I replaced everything in my build. You can get an adapter for the kenwood head unit / maestro combo that will allow the use of the factory USB port. I even had my maestro programmed to change the button layout on the left of the steering wheel, as track forward and back should have left and right, and volume up and down should have been assigned this way....not the way Toyota did it from the factory which is ass backwards....

 

From my experience in swapping head units over the years a cheap aftermarket head unit always always sounded better then factory. I think you’ll be amazed at the improvement with a new head unit. The system in the truck even with the upgraded jbl as in my platinum is terrible!

 

You either can do a new head unit (quality one), or go Full processor that a physical persons tunes for YOUR truck. I have the stock JBL headhunt going to ampro4 to an Audison Bit1, Hertz full 3-way active...the sound is Amazing! I'm considering a new headhunt for multiple reasons, but great sound can be had if in the right hands

I see you are in CA, where about?

 

vendeta2k, did you retain the volume and station knobs on the right and left of the deck? what about the home and audio buttons? thx

 

SF

 

I work in San jose and live in concord, if you want we could meet up sometime and try and fix your audio. you can hear my stereo, and i can see what can be done to yours....

 

WhT adds?

 

Jl fix86 + twk + drc200 will solve your problem.......but you are all ready over half way to a top of the line aftermarket deck.
Unless you are really in love with your factory hu, I'd go aftermarket

 

When you install a unit like the kernels dnx, the volume knob goes away. It’s really the only compromise. You will have all the features the junk factory radio has plus more. I just ordered my kenwood HU yesterday. Looking forward to smashing the stock unit.

 

I just picked up a dd1 and found my JBL head unit has distortion at 14. I couldn't believe it did it through the rca and the speaker outputs both gave me the same reading. Double checked my dd1 on head unit it my car and got 27 so the JBL is junk. Quick way to ruin my w7 glad I caught this early!