Time for an audio system upgrade...

I’ve been thinking that it’s time to bite the bullet and finally upgrade the audio for my 2017 crewmax non-jbl system. The more I look into it, the more I realize just how expensive it could end up being. I am leaning towards replacing the head unit with a non-navigational kenwood receiver (DDX9904s model). Crutchfield has it for $500. Where do most of you members end up buying receivers from? As for the remainder of the system, I plan on contacting either James at Tech 12 volts or Taco Tunes. Will I be happier with a JL package from James (5 channel amp, 6.5” components x 4, and a 10” sealed sub) or a comparable package from Taco Tunes? I was also thinking of purchasing some sound deadening material (possibly soundskins). It can be expensive when covering a large portion of the interior cab. Is it really worth it and effective at keeping the interior quieter? I recently installed the Toytec Boss lift along with Cooper STT pro’s and the interior can be noisy at times. Any input or advice would be greatly appreciated…thanks.

 

Someone posted a day or two ago that they used Fatmat and it seemed quieter to them. They also mentioned that the doors sounded much more solid when shutting them. Did you happen to look at OEM Audio Plus for the sound system upgrade?

 

I've had the DDX9904S for a few months now and like it, esp with its vehicle integration, you retain all the factory features and even gain some extra ones. There is nothing that I miss from the factory unit. Having carplay / android auto essentially makes the HU navi, and is way better than built in navi.

I think $1500 is enough to get you a complete set up, you may not get top tier amps/speakers but its enough to get you a system that is going to sound great. Lots of users here with experience from TT and James. All seem to have good results.

Lots of guys buy Kenwood from Crutchfield, I used my local 12-volt guy who I have a long relationship with and is a kenwood dealer, because local. I also used dynamat on doors and rear wall, it made a difference.

read through the audio builds in this sub-section you will find a lot of guys all use the same components with very little deviation, and have great end results.

 

Fatmat huh...I will have to look into that. I wonder how that compares to other sound deadening products.

I did have a look at OEM Audio Plus but was unsure of the quality of the product.

 

That’s great to hear. It will be nice to retain the majority of the factory features while gaining some extras. It’s hard to justify paying extra for a HU with navigation. It sounds like I may be buying my HU from Crutchfield. Are there any discount codes or good times of year to make a purchase?

I have spent considerable time reading the various threads regarding audio systems etc. I just have a hard time making up my mind with all of the available options. I was looking at spending between $1500 - $2000. I definitely don’t need anything top of the line but I would like to have a great all around sounding system.

Thanks for the input. Anyone else have any more words of wisdom???

 

I've always used Amazon if i can still qualify for the manufacturer's warranty. And in your case, that looks to be an Excelon branded kenwood. Means you need to make sure the seller is authorized to sell those products. To which cruchfield is. The Excelon titled models i think have a respectable 2 year warranty and for $500 thats worth it. Crutchfield's extra services for those who purchase a receiver or similar is impressive and helpful for those doing their own install.

Both have an outstanding reputation. Im kinda bias against JL Audio and it irks me that Rob wont give up the goods on the amplifier manufactures and stuff (maybe he has and ive missed it?). They are both good systems. They are also quite different. You're on you're own with that one.*cough**do it your*cough*self*.

"Sound deadening" in car audio is a rather broad term that is miss leading. I apologize in advance if you are already up to speed with the different materials and applications.

Most of the time when someone talks about "sound deadening" their car/truck they are referring to using the peel and stick type of material. Dynamat, Roadkill, Second Skin, ect.. I love the stuff, but it isnt sound proofing anything. Which is good cause thats not what its made for. It is very effective in reducing resonance, panels vibrating, helping seal up doors a bit , and just all kinds of stuff that in many cases sounds like crappy speakers being played to hard and low.

And Yes, it can be very expensive. The person selling it to you will also go on and on about how you might as well to two full layers on 100% of your vehicle, since 2 better than one right? Matter of fact, that sales person probably couldn't live with the guilt if they didn't then explain how this would be an even better time for the 3rd full layer since you're already getting 2.

Im only kinda joking their. Not to long ago respectable shops where seriously push customers into getting at least 2 full layers of just THAT type of material. Theres 2 more materials that are the minimum one can use for effective "Sound Deadening". Its even more expensive. Depending on the brands MLV (Mass loaded Vinyl), can eat up some budget. Their are a few other materials that are effective in what they do but its not worth going into.

Back to the "Constrained Layer Dampener" (the peel and stick material. Not to be confused with the roofing and similar asphalt based products). This site,
https://www.sounddeadenershowdown.com/products/cld-tiles™
makes some of the best in the business. Its expensive. Thankfully, though, they have the most honest and most effective guides for application out of pretty much all the other brands for free. I use their method for how much and where to use the material i find online for much less. Hell, the owner of the site/business will even take time out of his day and walk you through, via email/phone, the installation of someones else's product. I haven't actually taken him up on that offer but their many who have.

For $29 shipped from a not so known brand i had enough to do both my front doors to the standard i wanted and still have about a quarter of the stuff left. It was able to achieve what i was hoping for and some. My ears are very critical to how my system sounds. Only my system though. I probably imagine half of the things that annoy me when im listening to it so as much as this is worth, alot of those things have been tamed. the ones that i really did hear, and alot of the ones that were caused from a random pen someone left in the passenger door pocket... well worth $30 and some of my time.

 

That's the exact unit I bought and I bought it from Crutchfield. It just recently lowered from $600.

For that price you can definitely have a great system. It's actually a good budget for a system replacement.

 

There is a group buy for Andrioid HU for $550 till august 26th. Might want to look into that as well.

 

I recently installed the System 1B complete kit from ********* and I am very happy with it. the kit was all plug and play and I kept my stock head unit.

here is my installation thread:
https://www.tundras.com/threads/*********-system-1b-detailed-installation-and-reviews.29358/

********* have several levels of kits ranging from about $600 to over $2300. the system 1B is about in the middle.

I didn't add sound deadening when I installed the kit, but I am thinking about adding now. trying to do the sound deadening and the installing the kit at the same time would be 2 full days of work.

 

@Grey Wolf this is how you complain

 

That's no fun....Do I have to file a report???

 

I kept my OEM head unit and had JL speakers and a alpine amp installed and love it . Best $600 investment in my ride ! I may add a sub in the future , but just changing out the kazoos in the doors makes all the difference in the world .

 

Unfortunately not. Maybe next stereo thread

 

Maybe come back to CO Mark...that's a legit complaint!

 

Too much GOOD happening here for me to come back, Matt

 

Yeah...your situation sounds pretty good for you....GOOD is always good...Change of scenery is a good thing sometimes. Nothing wrong with a reset.

 

Not to throw a monkey wrench in here but the factory unit/speakers helps deaden noise from in and outside of the truck cab. Does a jew radio or speakers mess that up?

 

According to Google.........

 

Thanks for the advice everyone. I'll do a little bit more research and then hopefully take the plunge soon!