2021 JBL Plug N Play replacement options...

New to the forum, new to Tundra. Brought home a 2021 TRD Pro last Saturday. Everything is pretty great, except the completely awful audio system. My wife's 2015 4Runner sounds awesome, why 6 year old technology isn't in a $60k Truck absolutely baffles me. It's an embarrassment to JBL, and Toyota.

Now that I've gotten that out of the way, LOL.

I'm looking for a plug n play replacement for the speakers and sub. I don't mind the HU and like to keep as much stock looking as possible. I've wandered across what appears to be 3 options, I was wondering if anyone has opinions on them or any other suggestions.

OEM Audio+ has a dual 8" subs at 200w option that appears to replace the stock sub, sub amp, new tweeters, and some filters for the door audio. Looks like $1450 shipped to me.

Taco Tunes has a full package single 12" sub at 350w replacement sub, sub amp, door speakers, door tweeters. $1711 shipped.

Tech12Volts... After some work around the site it looks like $1394 + shipping for replacement everything. Dual 10" subs.

It doesn't appear any of these solutions address the 3 dash speakers, do they just not work after?

I'm tech savvy enough to do the change over, can follow instructions, etc. I don't need my neighbors to hear me coming from 5 miles away, but I think I should feel my music at least a little (wow how underwhelming the stock "Premium" audio is). I really just want good bang for my buck with little hassle.

Thanks everyone for what you do around here. Some of these threads are just amazing the information in them.

 

Hi, Congrats on your new ride... After much research I went the Tech12Volts route.... Great company to deal with... One thing to keep in mind is that is you are going to keep the factory head unit you will need a

$320 Rockford Fosgate DSR1 8-Channel Interactive Signal Processor w/Integrated iDatalink Maestro Module

Rockford Fosgate DSR1 processor to integrate the factory head unit to any after market amp. Tech12 volts sells them also, but they are hard to come by due to the supply chain problems... The dash speakers in most cases are abandoned which is just fine... You will not miss them one bit!!! You can wire them in, but it take a bit more wiring with limited return...

 

I'm not familiar with all of those packages; do any of those options include a DSR-1 or similar converter? The stock speakers are fairly flimsy and part of the problem but just upgrading speakers may not do the trick. The stock head unit works in conjunction the JBL amp to control volumes for cues and such. It also has a feature that attenuates the bass at higher volumes; its been described as a speaker preserving mechanism.

 

Yup. Both the Taco Tunes and the Tech12Volts have the DSR1 in the pricing. The OEM Audio+ does not as they are not replacing the stock amp and basically just augmenting the signal it already makes. Good to know. I'm leaning toward the Tech12Volts setup at this point. Gosh, a 80's "Boombox" with a tape adapter would be better sounding at this point.

Yup. Both the Taco Tunes and the Tech12Volts have the DSR1 in the pricing. The OEM Audio+ does not as they are not replacing the stock amp and basically just augmenting the signal it already makes.

 

I'm not quite sure how the OEM Audio+ is set up to manage that. Are they having you rewire all the speakers back through their booster/amp?

With most one amp setups you'll likely loose your center dash unless you are going to run two amps or have it share a channel with the other speakers somehow.The other problem is finding space for everything.

It does have a little bit of a dead zone without the center but it sounds fine. If you run filters you may find room inside the doors if you don't want to go under the seats or some other location.

 

I totally agree. Went from a 2014 Lexus LX and 2015 GS350 w/ Mark Levinson stereo to this JBL system, which blows in comparison even being 6+ years newer. But, I've been reading some threads about how replacing the head unit has "woken up" the JBL speaker. So, the speakers may be solid, but the head unit may be the problem. Check out this thread - https://www.tundras.com/threads/review-thread-pioneer-dmh-wt7600nex-pioneer-dmh-wt8600nex.71017/. If the HU blows, then replacing the speakers still might not get you to the sound quality you're looking for.

 

Oh, and Alpine actually makes a touch screen receiver to replace the factory specifically for the Tundra - https://www.crutchfield.com/S-R0kjuT1Q4aJ/p_500ILXF3TN/Alpine-Halo9-iLX-F309TND.html. I know you wanted to keep it as close to stock as possible, but something else to consider.

 

What I gather from their instructions is that they are just modifying the signal to the door speakers (using the factory JBL amp) and then using the speaker wires going to the sub and converting them to line level and then going into their own amp/sub combo.

I'm way less interested in this setup due to the price point for what I'd be getting. Clearly the Tech12Volt system is the best bang for the buck.

The OP in that tread said his speakers were first replaced by a Tech12Volts system and then later the HU was added. I'd much rather go this route honestly as I'd prefer to keep as much stock as possible until I can't stand it. I'm thinking a good all around speaker setup is probably the better first step. That said it sucks to have to pay $300 for the DSR1, money that could just go to a new HU. The only way I'd go with a new HU is if I get to keep all the factory buttons and microphones.

 

I went with the OEM Audio Plus system. I’m extremely satisfied with it. Crisp clear sound with plenty of bass. I’m a musician so sound is important to me. I don’t need to shake the neighbors windows I just want clean audio through all the ranges and volumes. This system gives me what I need in a vehicle audio system.

 

Did you do the single or the dual sub? This was a JBL replacement? Do you at least get a little "thump" now? Bass player, so I'd like to feel a little bit of my music.

EDIT: Took a while for the image to show up. Thanks!

 

IMO You can get decent sound out of the stock head unit with a DSR, its not award winning stellar but fairly good. The main complaint I see is the level of adjustments on the EQ and the radio reception. From what I understand you could override the first issue and opt to make your adjustment on you DSR. I didn't go this route so someone else will have to tell you how feasible this is.

 

Dual subs. Plenty of thump. Shakes my mirrors and can feel the kick drums.

 

Good to hear. Thanks for the data point. Of the 3 systems, it's probably the least invasive of them as I wouldn't be replacing all the door speakers and appears to keep the dash speakers.

 

Absolutely. Thats one of the reasons I went with it. Also, with other systems some have reported “humming” issues and audio cutting out while using maps, and other minor issues. I wanted to keep mine as stock as possible to avoid any potential issues such as those.

 

Welcome to the forum. @BenAZ has an OEM+ system for sale, though I don't know where you're located or if he's willing to ship: https://www.tundras.com/threads/az-classifieds.3658/page-22#post-2180009

Also, I really hope your screen name is from this

 

Good look’n out. But that system is for a double cab, non-JBL stereo. It won’t work in the OP’s truck .

 

Ah. Yeah I guess I should read the details lol.

 

The firmware release 2.0 for the Tundra has resolved all the quirks about the DSR1. As far as the EQ, the DSR1 has 31 bands that can be adjusted. I am not using the center channel, but I did eventually do the dash sides to raise the sound stage. @tech12volts provided the adapter to add the dash speakers, as the stock wiring is dash sides and door tweeters before any changes. I am one of many who have appreciated working with James on a system. Yes he has kits on his website, but in talking with him he can offer a wider choice of solutions.

 

No worries, it's too far away from me anyway. Shipping would be a killer. Considering how deep I am into the truck itself, I'm OK with paying retail. LOL

 

Good to hear. I did send an email to their info@ email address. Like I said, I'm not looking to destroy my neighbor's ears, just a clean sound, some thump, and ease of installation.

 

Cool. This info will help out a lot of members.

 

Makes sense to me! I look forward to hearing what you go with. I have a 2021 Platinum and will need to do something about the sound. Hopefully I can steal your setup

 

I went poor man's route with my audio upgrade as I couldn't justify spending upwards of $1,500 for audio.

With that said, I was able to keep my stock head unit with the following:

• Rockford Fosgate 12" shallow sub
• Precision Power 5 channel amp
• 4 gauge amp wiring kit
• Audio Control LC7i
• Audio Control ACR1
• JBL amp wiring harness adapter from Auto Harness House (https://www.tundras.com/threads/tundra-audio-wiring-harnesses-jbl-and-non-jbl.43781/#post-1122525)
  • This will allow you to keep the factory amp and add the aftermarket amp downstream and pump the signal to the speakers.
  • They also sell replacement amp wiring harnesses if you are replacing the stock head unit and stock amp.

I followed this thread to get the general directions: https://www.tundras.com/threads/tundratex-2016-crewmax-audio-build.7394/

For the amount I spent on parts (around $600) and the 4 hour self-installation, the truck sounds fine with the stock speakers and the added subwoofer. All four doors and the subwoofer are powered by the aftermarket amp. The dash speakers and tweeters are powered by the stock amp. I tuned with my tinnitus plagued hearing to my liking and it's just about right for me.

The variable will be the music source. For me, Spotify is typically good across all the music I listen to (alternative rock, EDM or pop), but over the air radio has really muddy bass from the stations I listen to in the Phoenix metropolitan area.

 

When running the DSR with an aftermarket amp do you pull the stock JBL amp? Or does it have to stay for functionality?

 

Yes you pull the JBL amp...

 

Thanks.

 

Yes you pull the amp. From what I remember the DSR needs a cable that handles the signals that would normally go to the JBL, it basically tricks the head unit the amp is still there from what I understand.

 

Overall I think the JBL system sounds pretty good. It was just lacking some low end bass. I got with James at Tech12volts and we started with simple plug and play sub swap and it sounds way better. We installed this 10” Rockford Fosgate sub to replace the stock one. It’s also sized for the existing amp under the passenger seat. To this day I’m still very happy with my decision. It sounds great and I was able to keep the original head unit so all of my truck features are still there. The whole thing cost me less than $250

 

Since I started this thread and now there is activity...

I decided to go full out. Replacing the head unit Monday and then the rest in October. In for a penny in for a few grand.