2012 Aftermarket Audio and "Party Mode"

[HI808SR5]

Any '12 owners changed out your stock speakers (only)? If so, did it affect the "party mode" feature?

For now I'm content with the audio console, I just want to put in better speakers.

Can someone tell me what sizes are the 8 speakers in a '12 SR5?
Also any recommendations to make/model of speakers to purchase and where to put them in the vehicle for good quality sound?

Thank you.

 

[terra4r]

Not exactly sure where the party mode button ties into the system, you'd have to look at the wiring diagram for that. Replacing the speakers in your system should not disable the party mode function however.

I know the sizes of the speakers are out there, as many have done swap outs. I would do a search: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/61082-aftermarket-stereo.html a few posts down has the size.

 

[ChipG]

Party mode, the pain in the ass

I have done a speaker replacement along with an amp and processor. I kept the factory head unit and all the factory wiring to the speakers.
I found I really didn't get what party mode is trying to accomplish.
I'm waiting on some new 3 way components to replace the the polks in my front doors and dash. I will add new speaker lines to eliminate the party mode and all its relays and switches.

ChipG

 

[HI808SR5]

I have done a speaker replacement along with an amp and processor. I kept the factory head unit and all the factory wiring to the speakers.
I found I really didn't get what party mode is trying to accomplish.
I'm waiting on some new 3 way components to replace the the polks in my front doors and dash. I will add new speaker lines to eliminate the party mode and all its relays and switches.

ChipG

Hi ChipG, I believe the "Party Mode" pushes the bass sounds to the rear and hatch speakers.

Whats your comments/opinion about the infinity kappa 3.5's in the dash?
I'm thinking of Polk 3-way component (tweeters in dash).
Also putting 6.5s in the tailgate, any suggestions on type?

 

[Jtraskell]

Hi ChipG, I believe the "Party Mode" pushes the bass sounds to the rear and hatch speakers.

Whats your comments/opinion about the infinity kappa 3.5's in the dash?
I'm thinking of Polk 3-way component (tweeters in dash).
Also putting 6.5s in the tailgate, any suggestions on type?

If one does a search, I think you will find that "party mode" acutually turns off the hatch speakers.......not sure why, am not sure if I am correct.

 

[RiDE]

My understanding of Party mode was for tail gate use. Turn party mode on and your hatch speakers turn on. Try opening your hatch and turning party mode on/off. You should be able to hear the difference.

 

[terra4r]

I think the object of "Party mode" is to channel the sound towards the back. It will shut off the rear door speakers, keep the front and gate speakers on, and push a lot more sound to the dash speakers. I'm guessing they want the sound to reflect off the windshield to the back where the party be!

 

[Jtraskell]

I think the object of "Party mode" is to channel the sound towards the back. It will shut off the rear door speakers, keep the front and gate speakers on, and push a lot more sound to the dash speakers. I'm guessing they want the sound to reflect off the windshield to the back where the party be!

That makes more sense. It turns off the rear door speakers vs. the hatch speakers. Sorry, memory is going bad with age!

 

[ChipG]

I was kidding

I know what party mode does, and no, it doesn't turn off the rear door speakers. Put your ear next to the rear door to check. It is just a very misguided attempt to make a car more desirable to people who party behind a car.

I'm a stereo guy and party mode does not improve the stereo experience. So, from a stereo / sound stage point of view, Party mode is a joke. My opinion, you can love it, fine.

As for the Infinity Kappas in the dash, They certainly are much better than the factory mids and because Infinity speakers are typically sharp, they will produce highs you can hear. However, adding the infinitys to an otherwise unaltered system is a bandaid.
I prefer a set of component speakers made to work together, with crossovers, not bass blockers, that are designed to create a front stage that sounds like what was recorded. Nobody goes to a concert and sits with they're back to the band / stage.

I spend allot of time in my car and my money went into the stereo instead of wheels and lift kits.

just my priorities

 

[RiDE]

^care to share some pics and specs of your setup? It sounds good.

 

[FactoryRide]

Chip G,

I was getting my wires ran today to hook up my two 12"s and to get my stereo project started off. I am doing all the work myself and have done a few others previously but all have been aftermarket headunits. So what I wanted to was, on the back of the factory Nav unit, I did not see any RCAs on it. With that being said, Is there an aftermarket adapter to get to run the amp to the headunit?

Thanks,

FR

 

[HI808SR5]

Nice Sounds on a budget...

Okay, so I rethought this and kinda have this idea:

In Dash: 3.5 Infinity Kappa
Front Doors: 6x9 Alpine 2-Way Type R or S, maybe even E
Back Doors: Stock
Tailgate: ???? keep stock????

With that above, will I need an amp? If so, what kind and how big (wattage) to power the Infinity and Alpines to sound great?

I'm not one to "party" with tailgate open, so I'm open to ideas of either keeping the stock speakers or low/med end aftermarket speakers.

I'm not looking to spend ALOT on changing the speakers and adding an amp, so all you audiophiles out there, what do you think? or what speakers would you get? if you add an amp and keep the stock HU?

 

[ChipG]

Audio Install Thread

Here is a link to my audio install. It's not finnished, I still have a subwoofer enclosure to build and a set of 3 way components to install. I'm going to replace the Polk MMC6500 2 way components with JL C5 3 way components.
It's the tweeter mounting that's giving me fits. I don't like to cut holes or have showy installs that attract people to the car.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/100453-2011-audio-install.html

ChipG

 

[ChipG]

Adding an amp

To add an amp to the factory HU, you will need an amp with High level (speaker level) inputs or a better way is to use a "Line output converter" such as an Audio Control unit, there are several. The advantage to a LOC is the ability to adjust levels, the output from your HU with the input on your amp.
My choice was the LCQ-1 as it has an equalizer and bass restoration circuit.
There are many LOCs from $50 to $1000 based on features.
Factory head units are matched/equalized to the speakers they come with and typically cut bass as the volume increases. This factory equalization also takes the car interior into account. When you change anything in this designed system, you need some way to adjust your modifications to get the sound right.

ChipG

 

[terra4r]

I know what party mode does, and no, it doesn't turn off the rear door speakers. Put your ear next to the rear door to check. It is just a very misguided attempt to make a car more desirable to people who party behind a car.

it definitely turns the rear passenger speakers off.

 

[FactoryRide]

Just to clarify, but I will have this LOC and that will act as my RCA points, and also a EQ if I go with the LCQ-1? If thats the case, Then I will have my amp to cap to this?

How does this LCQ-1 tie into the factory stereo? I noticed in the back of the nav it had similar to what looked like a ethernet type of connection? Is that where it would plug in at?

 

[ChipG]

Lcq-1

I don't have the factory Nav HU, I have the Other factory HU. The head unit feeds the speaker level signal to the LCQ-1 which converts it to preamp level. Then RCA cables go from the LCQ-1 out to the aftermarket amp. As far as the outputs on the Nav, I don't know. If they are ethernet type outputs, you probably already have a factory amp somewhere.

I had a tough time with the factory wiring. The wiring diagram posted on this site for a 2010 was a help but, there were still polarity and wire color differences on my 2011. My 2007 T4R was a breeze by comparison.

One of the biggest issues is the factory integration. The head unit is connected to other systems like Bluetooth, Speed sensor, Party mode etc. The HU is on from the time you start the car until you shut the car off, even if the stereo is off.

ChipG

 

[FactoryRide]

Alright. Thanks man for all the help!

 

[Randyman...]

Quick FYI Post:

On my '13 SR5, it appears having the "Party Mode" disabled (button "out") simply runs the rear-hatch and rear-door speakers IN SERIES (amp sees an 8 ohm load and spreads the power across 2 speakers per channel), plus seems to insert some passive L/C networks to change frequency response. Party Mode enabled (button "in") seems to pluck the rear-door speakers out of the equation, thus the rear-hatch speakers get lots more power (amp sees a 4 ohm load, only driving 1 speaker per amp channel).

I revamped the entire audio system (I'm pretty serious about my audio ). I initially wired the upgraded rear-speakers to the amp by using the factory head-unit "rear-speaker-wire" connections, and (of course) "Party mode" was still involved with the aftermarket amp (still fed the aftermarket rear-door AND stock rear-hatch speakers in series, or just the rear-hatch speakers if PM is "Enabled").

The "Party Mode" switch only seems to control a relay located elsewhere - so the inividual speaker wires DON'T show up at the dash-mounted switch. I did NOT feel like running new wires to the rear-doors (and deal with running through the door-jamb flex-loom), and I really needed to bypass the party mode and L/C network for best performance. I decided to pull the interior trim panels that separate the front and rear doors, and tapped directly into the rear-door speakers at the harness. Ran from there straight back to the amp. Bypassed all that Party Mode crap!

HTH - Enjoy!