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

I’m so confused planning Audio upgrade

Discussion in 'Audio & Video' started by Acaps, Jan 19, 2020.

  1. Jan 19, 2020 at 3:04 PM
    #1
    Acaps

    Acaps [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 4, 2020
    Member:
    #40761
    Messages:
    35
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    Tundra Platty 2020
    So I’ve read many of the posts in the audio threads, watched the Taco Tunes and other utube videos, also checked some other audio forums. I understand that if you have the JBL system (which I do in my 20’), and want to keep the factory head unit (I do), that you cannot simply replace the factory amp and upgrade the speakers/sub. I know there is a need for processing the signal, but some say you need to keep the factory amp, add a processor, then run that to your new amp. I thought you could pull the crappy JBL amp, add a processor (ie. DSR1, AC LCQ1, or the TacoTunea EzCurve) then run that to the new amp.

    I’m curious what you guys have done and found good results with keeping/pulling the factory JBL amp.

    For reference this is what I was looking to do:
    Hertz components, Mille Pro up front, lower grade in back. JL audio 5 channel amp, sound processor (undecided on model, though I did have an LCQ1 in my old rig and liked it). JL audio sub (holdover from previous truck).

    This keeping or pulling the JBL amp question is really the thing I’m unclear on.

    Thanks
     
    Rica25 likes this.
  2. Jan 19, 2020 at 3:10 PM
    #2
    Danman34

    Danman34 New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 19, 2018
    Member:
    #19579
    Messages:
    2,231
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Danny
    Vehicle:
    2018 White Tundra TRD Sport
    You’re going to be pulling the stock amp if you’re installing a new 5 channel amp.
     
    Rica25 likes this.
  3. Jan 19, 2020 at 5:31 PM
    #3
    Acaps

    Acaps [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 4, 2020
    Member:
    #40761
    Messages:
    35
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    Tundra Platty 2020
    That sounds logical to me, and that’s exactly what I did in my last vehicle with great success. The confusion comes when some claim that you need to keep the stock amp as well when adding an aftermarket amp -something specifically required by this particular JBL system in the Tundras. Trust me when I say I hope this is not the case, and new amp and processor will do the trick.
     
  4. Jan 19, 2020 at 6:17 PM
    #4
    Danman34

    Danman34 New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 19, 2018
    Member:
    #19579
    Messages:
    2,231
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Danny
    Vehicle:
    2018 White Tundra TRD Sport
    @james@tech12volts I may be wrong. But James can answer any and all of your questions.
     
  5. Jan 19, 2020 at 6:56 PM
    #5
    Double Aught

    Double Aught New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 25, 2015
    Member:
    #1231
    Messages:
    39
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2018 Magnetic Grey 1794 Edition CM 4wd
    I have been doing similar research and I have found that the factory H.U. and the factory amp are linked, as in you can't just replace one and not the other. And the factory sub box and woofer is another weak link and replacing them will improve the system. I have a thread going about the OEM+ upgrade to factory JBL equipped Tundras. Do yourself a favor and price out a complete system upgrade and see where you end up, cost-wise. I don't have it in my budget to do that. YMMV
     
  6. Jan 20, 2020 at 7:04 AM
    #6
    Shark Bait

    Shark Bait Not new anymore

    Joined:
    Jan 21, 2019
    Member:
    #24892
    Messages:
    170
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    David
    Vehicle:
    2019 Platinum
    I replaced the factory amp with a DSR1 and added four Kicker amps under the rear seat. Two tens behind the seat, 3.5” in the dash, 6.75” w/ 1” tweeter in the front doors, 6.5” w/ 3/4” tweeter in rear doors and a 6.75” sub under the drivers seat. All Kicker speaker components and new speaker wires ran to all pieces. I retained the factory head unit. 2,800 watts total.
     
    Pacifico and CavalryCrew602 like this.
  7. Jan 20, 2020 at 7:53 AM
    #7
    Acaps

    Acaps [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 4, 2020
    Member:
    #40761
    Messages:
    35
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    Tundra Platty 2020
    Wow that’s quite the system. So you were successful adding the amps and the DSR1, without retaining the factory JBL amp? That’s what I am looking to do
     
    Shark Bait[QUOTED] likes this.
  8. Jan 20, 2020 at 7:58 AM
    #8
    Adam

    Adam New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 3, 2017
    Member:
    #10039
    Messages:
    952
    Gender:
    Male
    I did DSR1 and a new amp courtesy of James(along with all speakers and a 12" sub). Nice thing is he preprogrammed the DSR1
     
  9. Jan 20, 2020 at 8:30 AM
    #9
    Shark Bait

    Shark Bait Not new anymore

    Joined:
    Jan 21, 2019
    Member:
    #24892
    Messages:
    170
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    David
    Vehicle:
    2019 Platinum
    Yeah, omit the JBL amp and put the DSR1 in its place.
     
  10. Jan 20, 2020 at 8:59 PM
    #10
    james@tech12volts

    james@tech12volts tech12volts.com INNOVATIONS IN AUDIO ! Vendor

    Joined:
    Feb 5, 2018
    Member:
    #24700
    Messages:
    254
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    james
  11. Jan 21, 2020 at 5:27 AM
    #11
    Acaps

    Acaps [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 4, 2020
    Member:
    #40761
    Messages:
    35
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    Tundra Platty 2020
    Adam, did you also pull the factory JBL amp? How were your results?
     
    Adam[QUOTED] likes this.
  12. Jan 21, 2020 at 2:56 PM
    #12
    Adam

    Adam New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 3, 2017
    Member:
    #10039
    Messages:
    952
    Gender:
    Male
  13. Jan 21, 2020 at 4:28 PM
    #13
    jdh564

    jdh564 New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 23, 2017
    Member:
    #10458
    Messages:
    27
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jeff
    Atlanta, GA
    Vehicle:
    2017 Crewmax Super White 4x4
    I can second this. James is very helpful in this department.
     
  14. Jan 21, 2020 at 6:22 PM
    #14
    Acaps

    Acaps [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 4, 2020
    Member:
    #40761
    Messages:
    35
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    Tundra Platty 2020
    That sounds like quite the system...very nice - I am a huge fan of JL amps and subs. James is getting some great feedback from you guys who have used him, I’ll have to give him a call and jump on that DSR1 if he recommends it for my situation. I am also very interested in Hertz Mille Pro components, they consistently get very good reviews on all the sites I’ve checked.

    I’ll probably try and build this system a little on the slow side - after buying the new truck and slapping some tires on it, I gotta be smart with the truck upgrade budget.....but really can’t stand that JBL setup much longer. I’d rather get good gear slowly than jump on an entire setup that doesn’t really do it for me (ie Taco Tunes).
     
  15. Jan 21, 2020 at 11:29 PM
    #15
    james@tech12volts

    james@tech12volts tech12volts.com INNOVATIONS IN AUDIO ! Vendor

    Joined:
    Feb 5, 2018
    Member:
    #24700
    Messages:
    254
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    james
    SMART MAN!! Shoot us an email we can help you put together a quality system with quality parts tech12volt@gmail.com
     
    Kung and AZTundra like this.
  16. Jan 22, 2020 at 1:10 AM
    #16
    Twinky

    Twinky Keep the shinny side up!

    Joined:
    May 18, 2018
    Member:
    #15437
    Messages:
    892
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Chris
    Kemah, Texas chillin on my ChrisCraft 480
    Vehicle:
    07 double cab work horse
    Stereo upgrades: -HU, Pioneer Mvh bs501 -Tweeters, Peerless(vifa) XT25SC90-04 1" Dual Ring Radiator s in custom pods. -Mids, Silver Flute W17RC38-04 6.5" Wool Cone Woofer. -Subwoofer, American Bass XR12. 2.3^3ft tuned @33-34 hz. -Tw Amp, Old School 2ch Sony. -Mids Amp, Old School Autotek Sx275. -Sub Amp, Old School Memphis 16-pr1.1000 -Zero gauge big 3. 0 and 4 gauge copper runs to amps.
    The dsr1 is a great sound processor. It can integrate with you current head unit if needed and it has a lot of tuning abilities and its not crazy expensive like the audison, helix, and mosconi.

    The hertz Millie's are damn good speakers too. If you already are leaning that direction then do it. There's plenty of good offerings that you could rack your brain over, and all would make you happy, so might as well make it easy on yourself since you won't be disappointed with the Millie's.

    Definitely get in touch with James's. He's earned an amazing reputation here at the forums.
     
  17. Jan 22, 2020 at 4:02 AM
    #17
    Cfincke

    Cfincke Mall Crawler but capable

    Joined:
    Jul 7, 2016
    Member:
    #3797
    Messages:
    1,977
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Chris
    San Antonio
    Vehicle:
    2014 Tundra 1794 CM 5.7 4x4 sunset bronze
    5.29s, Auburn LSD, 37x12.50R18, Icon coilovers and shocks, SPC UCA's, Tech 12 Volts sound system, Enve Grill
    I have had my system with and without the factory JBL amp.
    First setup - headunit > factory jbl amp > JL Fix86 > JL amps > speakers
    Current setup - headunit > DSR1 > JL amps > speakers
    I prefer the DSR1 as my factory amp was adding a slight hiss sound even with no audio source. Once James confirmed the DSR1 worked in JBL tundras, I ordered it.
    I have JL C5 speakers in the front doors, C3 in the rear, JL dash tweeters, 2-JL 10w1 subs in a T12V box, JL HD 750 and RD400 amps, floor doors and back wall are fully dynamatted with over 110sf of material
    90% of my system came from James at Tech12volts, I picked up the HD amp locally from a member and I had so much left over power cables and speaker wire from past vehicle systems I did not need those (I buy in bulk or excessive amounts sometimes)
     
    Last edited: Jan 22, 2020
    phogallen likes this.
  18. Jan 22, 2020 at 4:25 AM
    #18
    Fishin1981

    Fishin1981 New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 12, 2017
    Member:
    #6328
    Messages:
    137
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2015 tundra limited crewmax
    Pop and lock, esp storage, access lorado, front tints
    Just amazing with all the threads like this over the years Toyota wouldn’t have done something at the factory to avoid all of this. I’d love to upgrade my system but $900 is a little much for me right now.
     
    Bigboitundra likes this.
  19. Feb 7, 2020 at 12:01 PM
    #19
    cowilcox95

    cowilcox95 New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 25, 2019
    Member:
    #26701
    Messages:
    86
    First Name:
    Lance
    Vehicle:
    2019 Quicksand Tundra Limited
  20. Feb 7, 2020 at 1:01 PM
    #20
    KeetAz

    KeetAz New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 8, 2019
    Member:
    #28820
    Messages:
    196
    Gender:
    Male
    Gilbert AZ
    Vehicle:
    2020 SuperWhite PRO
    Does JUST replacing the amp with the DSR1 make a sound difference? Might upgrade the speaker later on down the road, but wouldn’t mind a quick easy bump in quality.
     
    newguy likes this.
  21. Feb 7, 2020 at 3:01 PM
    #21
    Cfincke

    Cfincke Mall Crawler but capable

    Joined:
    Jul 7, 2016
    Member:
    #3797
    Messages:
    1,977
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Chris
    San Antonio
    Vehicle:
    2014 Tundra 1794 CM 5.7 4x4 sunset bronze
    5.29s, Auburn LSD, 37x12.50R18, Icon coilovers and shocks, SPC UCA's, Tech 12 Volts sound system, Enve Grill
    The DSR1 is only a processor, you would still nees an amplifier after the DSR1 to power the speakers
     
    Toyotoholic likes this.
  22. Feb 7, 2020 at 4:56 PM
    #22
    CTPlatinum

    CTPlatinum New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 26, 2019
    Member:
    #40344
    Messages:
    97
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2020 Tundra Platinum 4x4
    None Yet
    You don't replace the amp with the DSR1. You use the DSR1 to process the signal to get a flat signal so you can add another aftermarket amp.
     
  23. Feb 7, 2020 at 5:09 PM
    #23
    PWMDMD

    PWMDMD New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 4, 2018
    Member:
    #21332
    Messages:
    561
    Worcester, MA
    Vehicle:
    2020 Tundra Platinum
    My plan is to get in on the current group buy with tech12volt and replace all the speakers with PnP speakers. I also grabbed the 10" sub that's PnP with the JBL system.

    Not going to be the best system in the world but it should be an improvement and all these upgrades are relatively easy to DIY. Yes, I'll probably update the amp later but I want to see where this gets me.
     
  24. Feb 9, 2020 at 5:24 PM
    #24
    Acaps

    Acaps [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 4, 2020
    Member:
    #40761
    Messages:
    35
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    Tundra Platty 2020
    Bought the gear from tech12 and had it installed yesterday at a local shop, here is what I went with:

    Hertz MillePro 6.5 components up front
    Hertz Cento 6.5 components in rear
    JL RD 900/5 amp
    DSR1 processor
    Amp rack, speaker brackets, maestro harness, sub power knob and a 4 gauge amp power pack
    I had an older JL audio 8” slim sub that I am using (my next step is definitely to upgrade this, probably with Tech12 custom box and two JL 10 inchers)
    Used some sound deading, Nico stuff I got off Amazon.

    It took the shop nearly 8 hours to complete the install. Initially they had the front left and right dash speakers powered from the amp as well. They were way overpowering, my guess is they’re a little more efficient than the Hertz speakers, so their volume was too loud - definitely drowned out the Hertz. We decided to unhook all the dash speakers for now.

    The Hertz components sound fantastic. I really had to learn (and an still learning) how to calibrate the system with the the DSR1 via my IPad. Made a huge difference, I still have some tweaking to do, but definitely headed down the right path with the calibration. The sound is clean and powerful. Major weakness is the bass. I do plan on getting dual 10’s and sound deading the back wall. Shouldn’t be a major job, I’ll definitely do that myself when funds allow for the sub purchase.

    Overall it’s really miles better than the JBL system that came with my 2020. Night and day difference. Granted it’s not cheap, but I spend a lot of time behind the wheel and truly enjoy good audio.
     
    AZBoatHauler and purplenova like this.
  25. Feb 10, 2020 at 2:59 AM
    #25
    _SP_

    _SP_ New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 21, 2018
    Member:
    #17224
    Messages:
    125
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Shawn
    Vehicle:
    2014 1794 Edition
    de-chromed
    Is the DSR1 Bluetooth? I watched a quick video. My AudioContol 6.1 1200 watt amp is is also BT and DSP. also cabe be controlled my Mac iPhone android PC whatever. Im trying to decide that DSP to set to Flat and what one to do my Tweaks on. I had to spend 100$ one the Moduel on the AUdioControl amp to make so I can adjust settings on the FLy. But if the DSR1 is the same way im might return the amp add-on and save 100$. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cj9T47VkPZ8

    James said having 2 DSPs is not a problem. I jiunda felt like I wanted my money on this amp but its a great amp from what I read and heard and its just fits under the passenger seat even with he JBL amp that getting removed for the smaller DSR1. I made my own bracket for mounting. I work in a sign shop and have access to many tools and scrap 1/8" aluminum.
     
  26. Feb 10, 2020 at 3:26 AM
    #26
    james@tech12volts

    james@tech12volts tech12volts.com INNOVATIONS IN AUDIO ! Vendor

    Joined:
    Feb 5, 2018
    Member:
    #24700
    Messages:
    254
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    james
    the problem with just using the audiocontrol amp is you have to leave the JBL amp in the truck and that is where all the bad signal comes from.The head unit as actually damn clean before it gets to that POS amp .DSR1 is set via bluetooth by phone or tablet. But I will give anyone some advice when buying from us . The dsr1 is 270 and then there is drop down box to have us preprogram it. That 15 dollars will save you hours of headaches. Trust me on this https://www.shop.tech12volts.com/product.sc?productId=569&categoryId=124
     
    LogCabins likes this.
  27. Feb 10, 2020 at 8:46 PM
    #27
    Acaps

    Acaps [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 4, 2020
    Member:
    #40761
    Messages:
    35
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    Tundra Platty 2020
    The DSR1 is a pretty cool unit, using the Bluetooth and the app on my iPad the tuning/tweaking options for the sound are amazing. I’ve been playing with it for the past couple of days, and am learning as I go. Still some advanced tuning stuff I don’t completely understand, but working on it.

    I can tell you this, the Hertz, JL amp, and DSR1 combo are pretty impressive - clean, detailed, and as loud as I’d ever want it to be. Like I said, the sub upgrade is in the near future, really looking forward to that. I purchased everything from Tech12 and very happy with the set up.
     
    phogallen and valut like this.
  28. Feb 10, 2020 at 10:41 PM
    #28
    MJoeP

    MJoeP New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 29, 2019
    Member:
    #37987
    Messages:
    233
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Joe
    Texas
    Vehicle:
    2016 Tundra 1794
    2016 Tundra 1794 DiamondBack ATV Tonneau Cover 7" BDS Lift 20" Fuel Krank Wheels 37X13.50X20 Toyo Open Country M/T

    I did not read through everyone's replies, but I have just completed upgrading my 1794 with JBL exactly the way you want to do yours.

    Before I added any electronics I Dynamatted the whole truck, excluding the ceiling. The door were done both behind the glass and just behind the door panel.

    I ditched the factory amp, installed 2 amps, 1 for the sub, and 1 for the speakers. Upgraded the front speakers with Audio Focal ES 165 K2, then for the rear speakers I went with a 3-way Audio Focal ES 165 K3 (comes with 3 speakers). I used the mid sized speaker in the left/right speaker spots in the dash and disconnected the center dash speaker. The other speaker and tweeter were installed in the rear doors. I installed a custom box and 2 10" subs behind the seat. Kenwood XR601-1 400Watt single channel amp powers the subs. Audison Prima 8 CH Amp with DSP. The Marantz representative programmed the DSP powers the other 10 speakers (2 dash, 4 door, 4 tweeters). It took him about 6 hours to program it. He used a microphone set up in the center of the truck, made a digital image of the cab, then programmed each channel according to how/where I wanted the sound focused from (ie. I wanted it to sound like a music hall where the band was in the center of the dash, and playing directly at the driver). I was not disappointed and am completely blown away.

    He said my truck is one of the best systems he had ever heard. The shop owner has a complete Alpine system in his car (paid for by Alpine to advertise) and he and the Marantz Rep says it sounds better than the Alpine system.

    Sitting in the driver's seat, it sounds like a concert is being played from right on top of the mid dash speaker and directed straight at the driver. From the other seats it sounds fantastic, but from the driver's seat, WOW.

    So.....it can be done and with you keeping the JBL head unit with tremendous results. One big plus, coming from the stereo shop is that the JBL has "digital" output so even at max volume there is zero distortion from the head unit.

    I'll take a look in my truck later and update with the brands of the subs.
     
    Last edited: Feb 10, 2020
    phogallen likes this.
  29. Feb 17, 2020 at 2:09 PM
    #29
    IBJC

    IBJC New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 2, 2020
    Member:
    #40654
    Messages:
    126
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2020 tundra sr5 crewmax Cavalry Blue
    I'm kind of a noob so excuse my ignorance but why not run the three ways in the front and just run the one wire to the crossovers
     
  30. Feb 17, 2020 at 7:25 PM
    #30
    cowilcox95

    cowilcox95 New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 25, 2019
    Member:
    #26701
    Messages:
    86
    First Name:
    Lance
    Vehicle:
    2019 Quicksand Tundra Limited
To Top