Just another satisfied Tech12volts customer

Like everyone else I was very disappointed with the "premium" JBL system in my 2019 Limited Crewmax. I became a member of this site and started watching a bunch of car audio channels on YouTube like 5 Star Car Stereo, Car Audio Fabrication and Meade916, just to name a few. The head units have really evolved since I installed a simple system in my old 2002 Chevy Crewcab about 12 years or so ago.

Thanks to this site it was clear that James@tech12volts was the man to contact about replacing my factory stereo system. We exchanged a couple of emails and he helped me with some product decisions. I already had a 5 channel amplifier so I got a Kenwood head unit, Idatalink Maestro RR, (2) pairs of Hertz components, ported sub box and (2) JL Audio 10" subs. Here is the haul.
Kenwood DDX9707S
Idatalink Maestro RR
(2 pair) Hertz CK 165 components
speaker adapters for both doors
(2) JL Audio 10w0
ported sub box
NVX VAD11005 5ch amplifier and wiring kit



Everything looked great and I was both nervous and excited to get started with the install. Well, as I was checking everything out, I noticed the sub box was damaged during shipping. I took some pictures and sent off an email to James. True to form, James had a new box shipped out to me the next day. That was a bad week for James because he had 6 sub boxes damaged by Fed Ex. He told me that a review of his camera system showed a rather petite young lady working for Fed Ex who couldn't handle the weight of the sub boxes. He said she would stand up the sub boxes and then let them fall into the back of her truck. Here is a pic of the damage to my first box.



Thankfully, I wasn't in a hurry and I have been doing things in stages. The first stage was to use Kilmat on all the doors. I did this before I got everything from James. I believe the Kilmat made the truck quieter, but I didn't go all out with multiple levels of different materials to tackle sound deadening from every angle. The first thing I did when I got all the stuff from James was install the door speakers since I was waiting for the new sub box to come in. I used the silicone baffles from NVX to provide some protection for the speakers. The Hertz speakers were a clear upgrade from the stock JBL speakers, but clearly needed to be amplified. James sends two types of speaker harnesses (mid bass harness and tweeter harness) to connect to the stock harnesses. I thought I had read that James sends instructions to install everything, but I didn't get any. A quick email fixed that. I didn't know which harness went where. After emailing James I found out you use the mid bass harness to connect into the input of the passive crossover for the front doors and you use the tweeter harness to connect into the input of the passive crossover for the rear doors. Here are some pics of my doors.








Once the new sub box came in I applied Kilmat to the rear wall and installed the sub box at 2 ohms.




I would be lying if I didn't feel a little anxious when I laid out the Kenwood, Maestro and all the wiring. Once again, an email to James got me sorted and I got it all wired up on my desk and ready to go into my truck. The amp install was relatively easy, even pulling the 4 gauge power wire into the truck. The hardest part for me was running the 6ch RCAs through the dash down to the amp. I ran my power wire on the passenger side. I ran the power wire along the rear of the engine and under that foam "beauty panel" under the wiper cowl. I was inspired by 5 Star Car Stereo and made my own fuse holder out of 1/8" ABS.

















This thing is loud, crisp and clear. I've barely turned the gains up and the subs are shaking my rear view mirror and I've got no clipping at over 75% of the available volume. The difference in the amount of bass compared to the JBL system is beyond night and day. James' reputation on this site is well earned. His level of customer service is in my top 3 of all of the companies I have done business with, along with fair pricing of the products he builds and sells.

Buying a stereo system from James is a no brainer and I couldn't be happier with how it turned out.

 

Nice post. You did a great job. I think I will be pulling the trigger on a system with Tech12Volts this year.

 

Clean install!

 

Great job..
I found James after I'd already pieced my system together, but he still gave me input about what I had.
I've always said if I was starting from scratch, he would be my go to for audio equipment...

 

Very nice. Hows are the subs?

 

They sound great. They are getting about 600 watts between the two of them. They easily shake my rear view mirror.

 

Sounds awesome!! I will be looking into this after I have my new Pro for a while. I know what it is like to have a aftermarket sound system. Puts you in a different world. Freezen do you think it would still sound good with one sub? I know it’s big inside the tundra but I have had only one sub in all my installs and that’s all
What was needed. Thanks .

 

Yes, I think it would sound good with just one sub if it's given enough power. The sub box with one or two subs doesn't really take up any useable storage space so two subs was an easy choice for me.

 

Nice write up.. Well done Sir!

 

I think my speakers have broken in and the system sounds great. I do need to improve my tuning skills and work on fine tuning the EQ, crossover and gain settings.

 

James is good people.

Nice write up.

 

Thanks OP! I had no idea someone made silicon baffles like that, would have bought some.

Anyway I'm installing my tech12volts system today, wish me luck!

 

Great work!!

 

Just bought a box from James nothing but 1st class service from him always.

 

You can do it. I saw your thread about wiring the sub. Just take your time and if things start to get frustrating or you start doubting yourself, just walk away and take a short break and reset.

 

Yes sir, some of the best customer service, period.

 

On the Hertz 165 how did you install the component box? did James send you a harness or wire to hook up the component box?

 

Do you mean the passive crossover? Look at the door pictures in my original post and you can see where I mounted them. James sent me all the wire and wire harnesses needed for the install package I bought from him.

 

Looks like it coming together for you. How does it sound with the 2 JL subs? I have been in touch with James but there is a lot of stuff you cannot get as far as audio. It’s looks like it will be awhile before I can do my build. Are you using your dash speakers or just the doors? Thanks .

 

I'm very happy with my entire setup. I really like the JL subs. I am just using my door component speakers because I removed the dash/center speakers.

 

Thanks Freeezen! I’m talking to James about MPK 163’s 3 ways or I might just go with the 2 ways. You can do the either in these pricey speakers.