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What do you recommend for a budget speaker upgrade?

Discussion in 'Audio & Video' started by Shaggypeach, Jan 30, 2018.

  1. Jan 30, 2018 at 6:42 PM
    #1
    Shaggypeach

    Shaggypeach [OP] New Member

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    Hello all,

    Recently purchased a 14 double cab. I love it. I do not like the idea that I am now in debt and I have car payments but it is a blessing to have a ride like this. I really do not like the stereo though. It is absolute crap. No bass. When I turn it up, treble hurts my ears. I've fiddled with it quite a lot but to no avail. I am a big time Spotify user so bluetooth music is pretty much all I do.

    What do you recommend for someone who is on a budget? I really do not mind the head unit. It is an upgrade compared to what I used to have so that can stay no problem. I do not need loud I just need clean.
     
  2. Jan 30, 2018 at 7:31 PM
    #2
    TXRailRoadBandit73

    TXRailRoadBandit73 YOTAS,RAILROADIN',RÖKnRÖLLN',BEER,MAX/GEMMA

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    None yet
    Check out *********.com
     
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  3. Jan 30, 2018 at 7:42 PM
    #3
    smooosh

    smooosh This place costs me too much $

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  4. Jan 30, 2018 at 9:51 PM
    #4
    Sunnier

    Sunnier Pity the warrior that slays all his foes

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    But... CrewMax only? Do you know if there's any reason this won't fit in a DC?
     
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  5. Jan 31, 2018 at 1:30 AM
    #5
    Tracker

    Tracker New Member

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    :popcorn:
     
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  6. Jan 31, 2018 at 4:03 AM
    #6
    TRDFaux

    TRDFaux Irresponsible Adult

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  7. Jan 31, 2018 at 5:26 AM
    #7
    BTBAKER

    BTBAKER DIFFERENT NAME. SAME JUNK.

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    Honestly, none of that equipment in the link looks very high quality. I would suggest piecing out a solid system if you can afford it. Just replacing speakers will get you minimum gains IMO.
     
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  8. Jan 31, 2018 at 5:28 AM
    #8
    Sunnier

    Sunnier Pity the warrior that slays all his foes

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    You da bomb! :fistbump:


    I'm tryin' to figure out what else I can ask you to research for me.... ;)
     
  9. Jan 31, 2018 at 5:35 AM
    #9
    Sunnier

    Sunnier Pity the warrior that slays all his foes

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    I agree with you! AND the stock audio is so bad, it'd be nice to have an affordable option I could install myself, without splicing and dicing. I'd like to put in premium sound but realize I don't feel comfortable doing it on my own. Especially not while my truck is still under warranty, and I could do something that results in problems. Sometimes plug-n-play is least scary....

    Not sure I'd go this route-- probably more likely if I could hear it in someone else's truck first-- but I love knowing there's this option.
     
  10. Jan 31, 2018 at 6:00 AM
    #10
    Vendeta2k

    Vendeta2k Distinguished Member Of The Cement Club

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    Replacing the speakers will get you minimum gains. The real problem with the factory system is lack of clean power from the head unit. That said several options have been posted so far that would work.
     
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  11. Jan 31, 2018 at 6:01 AM
    #11
    smooosh

    smooosh This place costs me too much $

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    @71_340 has this set up. He likes it but its all what you are going for. If your going for better then factory this would do it. IF your going for the best this would not be it.

    Replacing the system after market or replacing with this will have the same effect on your warranty. None except for the part you replaced. I replaced the whole system so i cant go to Toyota and say my head unit no longer works. I can still go and have everything else fixed though.

    Mine is a total redo but i did a video with a comparison on the factory system, factory head unit with the rest new and replacing the factory head unit also. you can check it out here

    https://www.tundras.com/threads/the-long-awaited-jbl-premium-system-sucks-video.20948/#post-492794
     
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  12. Jan 31, 2018 at 6:29 AM
    #12
    Sunnier

    Sunnier Pity the warrior that slays all his foes

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    Will do!
     
  13. Jan 31, 2018 at 7:13 AM
    #13
    71_340

    71_340 The German

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    I paid right at $1200.00 for my upgrade, it was expensive for what you get but to me it was money well spent because I like the way it sounds now and I wanted to keep my head unit because of the functionality.

    I am fully aware that for just a little more I could have bought a Kenwood navigation radio (my preferred aftermarket brand), new door speakers and a powered sub woofer or amp and sub woofer. It would have been still and easy install but I actually do like the JBL head unit so the OEM AUDIO upgrade was a no brainer in my case. Still, it is ridiculous that we even have to upgrade a so-called factory premium system......Toyota could learn some lessons from any other pick up manufacturer in that department.
     
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  14. Jan 31, 2018 at 7:13 AM
    #14
    Shaggypeach

    Shaggypeach [OP] New Member

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    I sincerely appreciate everyone's input.

    I do not wish to spend on a "complete kit" from someone with parts that have no brand name on them that they ordered from aliexpress. I know for a fact that they have a ridiculous markup. That contradicts with what I am trying to accomplish. I much rather buy a higher quality speaker for that amount of money. I don't know which ones are good though. That's what I am trying to find out.

    I am also not keen on replacing the head unit because if I do, I'd want a good one and that is expensive for me right now. If it is a must, then I guess I will. I have been a programmer for 10+ years, I am certainly not the best but I know enough to assure you that all those android or tesla style head units I got msged about will get slower and sloppier in time and that to me is more annoying than anything else.

    I guess what I am asking is if you were to upgrade your sound and want to do it a reasonable price, what would you do? Again mine is a double cab non JBL so it is pretty much a megaphone quality. I'd imagine it should not take much to have a better system.
     
    Last edited: Jan 31, 2018
  15. Jan 31, 2018 at 7:20 AM
    #15
    71_340

    71_340 The German

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    Problem is that all your speakers are 2 Ohm instead of the standard 4 Ohm, that limits your choices, plus you will need and amp/signal processor which also expensive. There is no cheap way to upgrade a Tundra. Before I bought what I have now I contacted Crutchfield and they recommended some 2 Ohm speakers (forgot the brand, but it was well known) and a powered sub, it was around $700.00. Going that route I would still have the muddy bass from the doors which I hated.
     
  16. Jan 31, 2018 at 7:20 AM
    #16
    smooosh

    smooosh This place costs me too much $

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    You would think but unfortunately it does.
    You have 2 options really. Replace the head unit. Your speakers while not the best will sound allot better.
    Or
    If you want to keep the head unit you need to Replace speakers. Add a Digital signal processor and amp.


    The main problem is the head unit. you have to fix the sound from the head unit with a dsp or fix the signal with a new head unit. Just changing out speakers is not going to get you what you want.

    I know its not what you want to hear but it is what it is.
     
  17. Jan 31, 2018 at 7:23 AM
    #17
    Shaggypeach

    Shaggypeach [OP] New Member

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    Yes this is what I am after. Thank you for this info.
    I've just watched your vid on the other thread. I guess if I can find something that will not look weird to me mounted to the dash, I will give it a go.
     
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  18. Jan 31, 2018 at 7:23 AM
    #18
    ToyotaTundraMike

    ToyotaTundraMike Not A New Member

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    That’s the thing. There isn’t a cheap fix. If there was my truck would be sounding better by now!
     
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  19. Jan 31, 2018 at 7:24 AM
    #19
    smooosh

    smooosh This place costs me too much $

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    Here is mine.

    2FAE8AED-A9E2-467B-8708-736AAFB3DAF2.jpg
     
  20. Jan 31, 2018 at 7:25 AM
    #20
    Shaggypeach

    Shaggypeach [OP] New Member

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    From the looks of it, that seems to be the case. Such a shame that competitors with the same price have way superior systems out of the box. I much prefer the dependability but still sucks a bit.
     
  21. Jan 31, 2018 at 7:26 AM
    #21
    smooosh

    smooosh This place costs me too much $

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    Mine allows the face to tilt. Without the tilt it looks funny because the dash is tilted. Mine allows you to compensate for that so look for that as a feature.
     
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  22. Jan 31, 2018 at 7:27 AM
    #22
    smooosh

    smooosh This place costs me too much $

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    Yha my buddy's GMC Yukon sounds good for a factory.
     
  23. Jan 31, 2018 at 7:46 AM
    #23
    blizz86

    blizz86 New Member

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    In non jbl trucks you can swap out the stock amp and stick something in there that will push more power to your stock speakers. I added a jl powered sub behind my rear seats and put in a separate 400w amp for the rest of the speakers. It sounds pretty good to me after some tuning.. any now i have the option later on to install better speakers all the while using the stock HU. And even then i can do the HU even later for even better sound.
     
  24. Jan 31, 2018 at 7:49 AM
    #24
    smooosh

    smooosh This place costs me too much $

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    "after some tuning" As in with a DSP?
     
  25. Jan 31, 2018 at 8:06 AM
    #25
    blizz86

    blizz86 New Member

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    I did not go with a dsp, but I’m sure it would help. I meant the amp and sub settings and some experimentation with the limited stock hu controls
     
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  26. Jan 31, 2018 at 8:09 AM
    #26
    Danimal86

    Danimal86 Looks clean even when its dirty!

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    Have you set a budget, or do you just want to beef it up a bit?

    For the budget friendly setup (that keeps your head unit):
    AudioControl Lc7i $140
    Pioneer DM-G9605 $200
    Whatever brand you like 6.5" component speakers (front) $150
    Whatever brand you like 6.5" coax speakers (rear) $100
    Find a single sub/box combo $400
    4ga amp wiring kit $40
    Front and rear speaker adapters $30
    Factory amp bypass wiring harness $30

    Thats $1100 (its got a little fluff in those prices, could could easily shave some money).

    There are plenty of build threads of varying prices to get an idea of what you want.
     
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  27. Jan 31, 2018 at 10:14 AM
    #27
    BTBAKER

    BTBAKER DIFFERENT NAME. SAME JUNK.

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    Honestly, I would just save money and do it right. That’s my opinion. I put 1600 into my system and gutted most all of the stock. I sold my stock head unit within a couple days.
    You can piece it here and there and it will improve but if you want some serious quality you need to start from scratch.
     
  28. Jan 31, 2018 at 10:38 AM
    #28
    Shaggypeach

    Shaggypeach [OP] New Member

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    I think you are right. I knew the stock unit is shit but I did not know that it is so bad that you basically have to get rid of it all and start from scratch.
     
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  29. Jan 31, 2018 at 10:38 AM
    #29
    Shaggypeach

    Shaggypeach [OP] New Member

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    Thank you for this.
     
  30. Jan 31, 2018 at 2:20 PM
    #30
    trdlife

    trdlife Toyota Master Technician

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    I did a budget audio build for mine a few months back. It’s came out great and honestly just what I needed. I went will all Rockford I did speakers for all doors, and a small 10 in sub, with a 5 channel amp and and interface harness from *********. Spent $500 total on it.
    6B707FFD-B4E7-4EB5-A509-723B40521732.jpg
     
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