Toyota, we have a problem and it’s your Radio!

I believe the most underwhelming feature of the TRD Pro is the JBL Radio! I just traded in a 2015 Sequoia Platinum and the JBL in it was descent. This radio is far from descent. Are there any possible solutions versus replacement? I’m interested to know!

 

I believe replacing the head unit is gonna give you the biggest bang for your buck.

 

Contact @james@tech12volts
He makes upgrade systems that use a DSP, aftermarket amp and speaker replacement, to upgrade JBL systems..

TUNDRA AUDIO PACKAGES (tech12volts.com)


But as @SLA10 suggested, a HU replacement is the ultimate way to go.
As well replacing your OEM amp, door speakers, and sub (and enclosure)
A decent setup will not have any need for the dash speakers..
@james@tech12volts can help you with that as well...

Also a ton of audio upgrade threads on the forum...

Welcome to the forum..

 

OEM Audio

https://oemaudioplus.com/toyota/tcm/

*********, originally started making templates for Tacomas, now they make their own amps.

https://*********.com/product-category/toyota-tundra-audio-products/crewmax-audio-products/

 

I used to really be into the car stereos, now I just listen to my TRD exhaust.

 

I like to have the best of both worlds. I love the sound of my Z06 exhaust but I also like my upgrade on my Vette. I will like my TRD pro exhaust but if I don’t care for the JBL I will be upgrading that system. But it sounds like I will have to do what I did in the past to a lot of my Toyota trucks. Upgraded the whole system. It’s not cheap. But worth it.

 

Bahahahahahaha

 

Thank you to all for the replies, recommendations and contact info. This is a great forum and I’m glad I found it!

 

yeah, the sound system sucks in my 2020 Pro.. I do not get it.. The JBL system in my 2001 Highlander was great.. Why go backwards? For now I too will be listening to the exhaust channel.. Much better mid range.. LOL

 

I installed the OEM Audio Plus dual sub system in my Pro. Pretty straight forward plug n play system. Extremely happy with it.

https://oemaudioplus.com/toyota/jup14cmt/

 

Agreed...lol

 

Very nice!

 

If I do my whole system I’m leaving my headunit in. I have been dealing with the same audio store for 20years. I know the owner and installer. Chris told me most installs now everyone wants to keep there oem headunit and change everything else out. I have a lot of faith in my installer to do a awesome system with using the factory headunit. They do a lot of competition shows.

 

If only Toyota offered a radio delete credit, that would be cool.

 

I'll highly recommend Tech12Volts as well. I just replaced everything but the head unit and it sounds absolutely phenomenal. Installed everything in my driveway, including Kilmat on the doors, rear wall, and under the carpet.

Only thing I kept was the stock head unit, which still sounds surprisingly good, with the new components and DSR1 w/ James' tune. Browse the audio subforum and you'll see a lot of build threads with plenty of really good info, mine included.

 

I will have to check out your build Thomas!! If I do my system I will probably get my subwoofer box and DSR1 from James. Not sure yet on speakers and amp.

 

Price it all out from James and know that you CAN install it yourself. I’m clueless with electrical and never felt overwhelmed doing mine. It will blow your mind how far your money goes compared to the car stereo shop.....even one you’ve got a relationship with.

 

Thomas is your install in your 21 Pro? Any issues with the DSR1 working off the factory headunit?

 

I agree with you to a point depending on your situation. First my schedule with work I’m to busy with doing a install myself. Second my audio place the owner does not have a problem with me getting other stuff and have them install it. I just prefer to have them do the work since they been doing it along time. Just works better for me.

 

I don't know how much better the OEM head unit can sound. It puts out such low power, and doesn't have shit for adjustments that you need with aftermarket speakers and amps.

 

Yeah I know what you mean George. Without talking with my audio guy. Possibly adding a processor to keeping the factory headunit for more adjustments to make it sound better. Maybe someone will chime in that knows more. I won’t know more till I get to talk with him. But I’m no hurry. Still don’t have the truck yet. Lol.

 

My fear with that is its a deep rabbit hole man, before you know it, you figure might as well do this, might as well do that, then suddenly you got few grand in.

 

I kept my OEM headunit with a DSR, Amp and speaker upgrade and it sounds great.

 

Yessir! I work shift work, so my schedule isn't always accommodating, but I ended up with 2 days free and clear to get mine taken care of. I only lack the rear door install and sound deadening, at this point. No issues at all with the DSR1 incorporating with the head unit. The only thing I've noticed, is when using Waze, I miss the first second of a notification. I believe this is just latency, as the front dash speakers ONLY work when waze is run via CarPlay, and I don't want them used at all with respect to music. It doesn't bother me, at all, but it may bother some.

I also grabbed some Hertz components and an Amp for the 2014 truck, from James as well. My son is taking over that truck, and 2 of the 4 factory speakers have gone out.

James is phenomenal with a budget, and never pushes you anywhere you don't want to go. He makes recommendations and suggestions, and was great to work with. If you have an installer you trust (I do not), and they don't have a problem with you bringing in equipment, I'd happily order the equipment from James and pay the local shop a flat rate for install, if thats the route you prefer.

 

Thank for the info Thomas!! The nice thing I’m in no hurry to have this done. My audio place is great to work with. I have been doing this along time. I was not planing when I first got my 2020 4runner Pro I was leaving the system alone. It now going to trade in it don’t sound like the JBL is as good as in my 4runner. I will probably wait for a while to make sure I decide to keep my tundra Pro since I seem to trade up with my Pro a lot. And that’s only because of the trade in value. But buying this is really leaning me towards keeping this. My last big install which I was not doing to my C7Z06. I did a full complete audio build in my C5Z06. Everything I had my installer do they were blown away in C5Z06. Sound deadening with new headunit amp speakers sub. The owner said I could have put my car in audio competition that’s how good it sounded. I miss that system but the car cannot compete what I have now. Thanks again.

 

You got that right! Lol

 

yeah the 2nd gen jbl in the tundra is the most useless factory upgrade audio system ever put into a toyota. heck my 2014 4runner and our 2016 tacoma jbl system were better than this waste of money. we have to crank the bass to 10 on the headunit and then crank the bass on the spotify app to get any bass out of this system.

if you test just the bass on the headunit, there is none coming from the subwoofer behind the rear seats.

edit: i have tested other jbl units in other tundra's and its the same result. i even had it taken into to have them check the system and they say its normal. i have to agree its normal if you compare all the jbl units are doing the same thing and doesnt output any bass at all. but if you compare it to other toyota model jbl units, its a joke up and down the model years.

 

Both the OEM Audio Plus and the Tech12Volts systems seem like really good options.

@FISHN43 How much was the dual sub package? It only shows $999 for the single sub.

 

Just had James install a full system in my Sequoia. It sounds amazing and James is great to work with.