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Non JBL speaker upgrade?

Discussion in 'Audio & Video' started by PonyMan, Feb 25, 2021.

  1. Feb 25, 2021 at 4:47 AM
    #1
    PonyMan

    PonyMan [OP] Old Man

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    Would upgrading speakers make enough difference to justify the cost? I’m not trying to go BOOM BOOM down the road just wanting something a little extra beings how the factory non JBL system leaves a lot to be desired in the audio dept!
     
  2. Feb 25, 2021 at 8:44 PM
    #2
    Eleventeen

    Eleventeen New Member

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    I want pretty much the same thing. But after reading soooo many posts about upgrading everything I decided to upgrade the head unit first. The stock non-JBL system is something like 14w per channel and most aftermarket stereos are about 20w per channel. The big difference is now I can hear the music with the windows rolled down. Still needs a little more but I'm going to keep tuning it and if I'm not happy I'll go bigger amp, sub(s), and door speakers. Keep in mind that upgrade is about $1000-1500 depending, but also you will do the install.
     
    PonyMan[OP] and toyofan87 like this.
  3. Feb 25, 2021 at 8:46 PM
    #3
    Eleventeen

    Eleventeen New Member

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    legiz likes this.
  4. Feb 25, 2021 at 8:55 PM
    #4
    TRDFerguson

    TRDFerguson SSEM #99/RGBA #8-ish?/It’s a funny name.

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    The main problem with trying to swap out speakers on the stock system is the stock amp (yes, the non-JBL on most trims has a stock amp under the passenger seat). This amp has a high pass filter in it so the door woofers only get lows and some mids. If you try to throw regular 2/3 ways in there, you’re going to get trash sound. The right way to do it if you want to keep the stock HU is to add a DSP and replace the amp, then you can pretty much throw whatever you want in for speakers. @james@tech12volts has a lot of options that will get you set up with what you need.
     
    PonyMan[OP] and Saltyhero13 like this.
  5. Feb 25, 2021 at 10:04 PM
    #5
    Saltyhero13

    Saltyhero13 Throbbing Member

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    Concur with the above. Speaker upgrade alone won't fix it.
     
    PonyMan[OP] likes this.
  6. Feb 25, 2021 at 10:39 PM
    #6
    1lowlife

    1lowlife Toxic prick and pavement princess..

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    Part of the problem is the stock system uses 6, 4, and 2 ohm speakers to get louder results with less power.
    If you replace those with 4 or 8 ohm (better?) speakers, it may sound better, but not be as loud.

    As much as you may want to keep your OEM HU, the best way to better audio is ditch the stock Entune and passenger underseat OEM amp.
    Replace the HU (using a Idatalink maestro to retain steering wheel controls), amp (I'd suggest a 5 channel), door speakers, and get a sub of some kind.
    I disconnected all 3 dash speakers and don't miss them at all..

    My Focal PS 165FX front door speakers give a great front stage presence without dash speakers.
    Although I did add JBL door sails to my SR5 to mount the Focal tweeters.

    You can say you don't need or want a sub, but you will.
    Even a self powered JL Audio Stealthbox under the driver's seat will be better than nothing.

    There are TONS of threads on audio upgrades on this foum.
    I did all mine myself and I'll admit it took a lot of my time.
    But it sounds great now.

    If I was starting over, I would research @james@tech12volts and look into his Tundra systems.

    Taylors Audio – Custom Car Audio

    For all your car audio and video needs (tech12volts.com)
     
    PonyMan[OP] likes this.
  7. Feb 26, 2021 at 3:56 AM
    #7
    PonyMan

    PonyMan [OP] Old Man

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    Thanks for the info guys!
     
  8. Feb 26, 2021 at 8:18 AM
    #8
    preacher35

    preacher35 RIGHTEOUS MEMBER

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    This. Many members here have debated with themselves about the exact same issue that you are. Some go the "keep the OEM H/U, add DSP, amp and new speakers; some gut the entire system; some try adding a new component (to the OEM setup) here or there, and they are ALWAYS disappointed. I love my truck, but Toyota dropped the ball big time with this crap system in a $50k truck. I took about 3 months to piece together my new system, before completely gutting the OEM crap. Don't go piecemeal on your very expensive truck. Save your $$ and put together a system that you will be excited about every time you climb into the cockpit. And we will be here to help you along the way. Your Tundra is worth it.
     
    1lowlife[QUOTED] and PonyMan[OP] like this.
  9. Feb 26, 2021 at 8:22 AM
    #9
    TRDFerguson

    TRDFerguson SSEM #99/RGBA #8-ish?/It’s a funny name.

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    I agree with this. And I'll say that if you're wanting to do this in stages, start with a good HU, as you'll see a decent bump in sound on the stock speakers, though it still won't be great. But that may be enough for you. Then you can decide if you want to replace the speakers down the road (hint: you will...).
     
    PonyMan[OP] likes this.
  10. Feb 26, 2021 at 8:38 AM
    #10
    Rocko9999

    Rocko9999 New Member

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  11. Feb 26, 2021 at 9:46 AM
    #11
    eick

    eick New Member

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    I did my upgrade in stages due to time constraints.
    Did the doors first with dynamat and new speakers.

    Sounded like ass with aftermarket speakers and the stock amp and head unit. It had less volume than stock.

    Thankfully I didn’t leave it that way long
     
  12. Feb 26, 2021 at 11:16 AM
    #12
    TRDFerguson

    TRDFerguson SSEM #99/RGBA #8-ish?/It’s a funny name.

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    Because the stock amp has a high pass filter and stock door speakers are 2 ohm...
     
    1lowlife likes this.
  13. Feb 26, 2021 at 11:21 AM
    #13
    purplenova

    purplenova Not a new member

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    Pillar Tape, Bullet Liner, 20% Tint, Tyger Star Armor Kenwood amp & AudioControl LC7i Tech12volts JL Tweeters
    I just upgraded the amp and added a LOC. Still running stock HU and door speakers with a used sub and mine sounds great.
    Did it with the long distance assistance from 1lowlife

    Amp Upgrade.jpg
     
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  14. Feb 26, 2021 at 11:22 AM
    #14
    DeesCrewMax

    DeesCrewMax New Member

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    Accutuned Fox 2.5 DSC/2.0 rr, SnugTop Rebel, Alpine Amp, OEM LED headlights, LED fogs, Remote Start, RB20 steps, RCI Skids, 10" BA Muffler, 17" Icon Alloy Six Speeds, 15" Tint, Pro-clip mount
    I'm happier with my Alpine KTP-445u installed. Found it for $150 there are some threads on here that discuss it and even have the wiring model and adapter suggestions spelled out.
    Its NOT a competition system, but it is much improved.

    (edit: to clarify, this is an amp that replaces your factory amp under the passenger seat)
     
    Last edited: Feb 26, 2021
  15. Feb 26, 2021 at 11:49 AM
    #15
    Eleventeen

    Eleventeen New Member

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    nothing. gained CarPlay, with USB attached (like this better than wireless CarPlay), no longer have a CD Player, steering wheel controls (SWC) work as they are supposed to. The Alpine mic that is supplied actually is much better than the stock mic and you can no longer use the stock mic with aftermarket HU, so I mounted it temporarily in the blank switch next to the Tow/Haul button. It was close and I wasn't in the mindset to remove the headliner to mount it in the OEM spot by the overhead sunglasses case.
     
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  16. Feb 26, 2021 at 12:16 PM
    #16
    eick

    eick New Member

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    Yea I know I was just letting OP know what to expect.
     
  17. Feb 26, 2021 at 10:09 PM
    #17
    1lowlife

    1lowlife Toxic prick and pavement princess..

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    As to what you may gain or lose with an aftermarket HU and amp....
    I have a 2014, I think the 2020 use the stock Entune for more than my 2014 did, so keep that in mind.
    Also the newer models use the combination screen more than my 2014..

    A decent aftermarket HU will have;
    22 RMS or so watts output at speaker level outputs
    3 pair of RCA outputs (front, rear and sub) OR (highs, mids, and lows) see below.
    2 way or 3 way speaker/amp setup
    13 band EQ with several memory saves
    time alignment
    SUB levels
    Loudness, bass boost, and other special effects you really don't need if you tune it correctly.
    Well, maybe loudness at low levels..
    Idatalink Maestro or other SW control input
    2 USB inputs; 1 for Carplay/Android, the other for USB thumb drive or charging
    Optional Sirius/XM with an external SiriusXM SXV300 tuner: but honestly Sirius/XM sounds better off the app on your phone running thru wireless Carplay/Android, or a USB input.
    Wireless Carplay or Android

    I like Kenwood and Pioneer.
    I've had both in my 2014.
    Pioneer has a slight touch screen lag and a cartoon like menu, so I prefer the Kenwood.

    A decent after market (I like 5 channel) amp will have;
    separate gains for channels 1/2 (front or high), 3/4 (rears or mids) and the 5th channel (sub or lows).
    Separate crossovers for channels 1/2, 3/4, and 5.
    A standard or optional bass knob, that I and many here will say is a must.
    Some will have speaker level inputs that eliminate running RCA cables from the HU to the amp.
    I'll tell ya, there ain't a lot of room to run RCAs, but it can surely be done.

    Only thing I lost with my Kenwood HU and Maestro was the ability to scroll thru XM preset channels using the XM tuner.
    But since using the phone app I don't ever use my SiriusXM SXV300 tuner.
    I only keep it in case I'm traveling and lose a cellular signal.

    And you'll need to run a microphone for Bluetooth.
    I mounted my Bluetooth mic close to my rear view mirror.
    Works perfectly..

    xgh0kdg1_zpsryzcfwvu_f0c7e94abf1ecdbc40767d8408b91141bd128f1a.jpg
     
    Last edited: Feb 26, 2021
    legiz, Rocko9999 and TRDFerguson like this.

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