Audio Upgrade Options

[FamousAv8er]

So Im sure this horse has been made into a fine slurry, seeing as the stock audio is garbage. BUT, I would like to know what kind of upgrades some of you all have made. Ive researched OEM+ and others but still not 100% sure what my best option is.

Obviously cheaper is better but so is ease of install. Im looking for something that would replace factory speakers with little to no modifications to the mounts. I am also looking for SUB and Amp locations that dont take up too much of the available room in the vehicle. Lastly I would want to keep the factory head unit.

In a nutshell, what is my best option to keep the factory head unit, increase sound quality. and not break the bank?:deadhorse:


EDIT:
Non-JBL w/ Nav
-keep stock head unit
-change ALL speakers
-possibly add amp

 

[MikeMike5280]

Here's one option: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/194892-focal-690toy-front-speakers-designed-toyota-9.html

I installed these in my 2018 TRD OR and am very happy with the results (everything else stock).

 

[FamousAv8er]

Here's one option: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/194892-focal-690toy-front-speakers-designed-toyota-9.html

I installed these in my 2018 TRD OR and am very happy with the results (everything else stock).

Did you add an amp? Would you consider adding an amp or are you fully satisfied?

 

[97BlackAckCL]

I've replaced all of my stock door speakers with MB Quart X-Line 2 way coaxial speakers and the increase in bass and sound quality is night and day, (I have the 8 speaker premium) I am swapping in 3.5" coaxial speakers in place of my dash tweeters this weekend. All powered off of the stock head unit, I also will be adding a JL 8" subwoofer tapped off of the stock amp, and in a stock JBL subwoofer enclosure. I really want to make the most of my stock amp since I have the navigation and such built in. I have competition speakers and amps in my other car but really don't feel the need for all that in my daily driver, upgrading all the speakers to speakers with real magnets has made quite a significant improvement.

 

[FamousAv8er]

I've replaced all of my stock door speakers with MB Quart X-Line 2 way coaxial speakers and the increase in bass and sound quality is night and day, (I have the 8 speaker premium) I am swapping in 3.5" coaxial speakers in place of my dash tweeters this weekend. All powered off of the stock head unit, I also will be adding a JL 8" subwoofer tapped off of the stock amp, and in a stock JBL subwoofer enclosure. I really want to make the most of my stock amp since I have the navigation and such built in. I have competition speakers and amps in my other car but really don't feel the need for all that in my daily driver, upgrading all the speakers to speakers with real magnets has made quite a significant improvement.

I am currently non-JBL w/ Nav. If I replaced Front speakers, tweeters, rear door speakers, and rear hatch speakers; would It be in my best interest to upgrade the amp?

Also how does changing the amp affect Nav and such

 

[Raingler_Nets]

Here's one option: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/194892-focal-690toy-front-speakers-designed-toyota-9.html

I installed these in my 2018 TRD OR and am very happy with the results (everything else stock).

Did Focals and components up front too in all locations. Nice Improvement. Then amped with 2x Alpine 300w 4/ch and JL 10W3 sub. Still "ok" but not as clean as we prefer for long road treks. Then finally replaced head unit for a night and day change in audio quality. (don't think it would have done much just changing HU out though)
This set up is pretty good. The most discerning audiophiles would want to go a bit better in the drivers and amps than we did but are happy with the quality vs. budget at this point.

If we did it again determined to keep the OE HU I'd probably have chosen this set uphttp://oemaudioplus.com/toyota/4runner/

 

[97BlackAckCL]

I am currently non-JBL w/ Nav. If I replaced Front speakers, tweeters, rear door speakers, and rear hatch speakers; would It be in my best interest to upgrade the amp?

Also how does changing the amp affect Nav and such

If you're non-JBL then you don't have an amp, I just swapped out my speakers and they're powered off the head-unit

 

[MikeMike5280]

Did you add an amp? Would you consider adding an amp or are you fully satisfied?

With these speakers, you need to turn the volume up more to get the equivalent sound output as the stock speakers, but I believe that I have sufficient volume to listen to my loudest, angriest music even on my worst days :drummer:

I have looked at amps online (mostly from TacoTunes), but it would need to be plug and play and live under one of the front seats in order for me to consider it. However, I certainly don't feel like I "need" one. For me, the nice thing about starting with the Focal speakers was that they are plug-and-play and I could give them a try first before deciding whether I needed additional speakers and/or an amp. From what I've read, replacing the rear door and hatch speakers do very little, if anything, for the soundstage that the driver hears. I also looked at the OEM Audio+ option, but I didn't want a sub in the cargo area since that is where all of my camping and outdoor gear goes.

 

[denim]

I was in your shoes a few months ago and didn't want to spend a fortune on the audio upgrades. I replaced the front speakers (door woofer and dash tweeter) with Focal ISS690 - it was the same speaker set as the TOY690 just not plug and play - you have to wire it in. I then added a Kenwood powered sub under the drivers seat. That filled in the lows pretty well for my listening preferences.

What I found was that the sound quality was totally dependent on the input quality - directly connecting your phone vs using bluetooth makes a difference.

The most dramatic change was adding the hush mat to the doors, floors, and roof. Good luck!

You may want to read this thread for some options.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/228799-speaker-replacement-sub-addition.html

 

[Louisiana Overland]

I am non jbl with nav and kept my head unit stock...

Swapped front speakers for focal is690 tou and rear doors and hatch with ic165toy. It was a night and day improvement. For phase two I added an audison bit ten processor and JL Audio 5 channel amp. Its 100wats per channel with a 5th channel at 300 watss for a future sub. It sounds amazing. The processor is under the passenger seat and amp under drivers seat. I used tacotunes plug and play harnesses for amp and processor install. I did not cut even one factory wire.

It honestly sounded great before adding the amp but as you would expect it has really livened it up....still though...super clean.

 

[V2009]

Here is the setup I'm planning to do once I get my TRD Pro ))
Focal IS 690TOY - front doors
Focal IC 165TOY - Rear doors
Sound deadening for front and back doors
Focal RCX-130 - Hatch ( maybe )

Then if I wont be satisfied enough:
Add Clarion XC1410 Compact 4-channel amplifier — 50 watts RMS x 4
and If I still need more bass then:
Add 10" Sub with built in amp from Amazon ( Rockford Fosgate )

P.S Check out these threads as well for more info on sound setup:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/233131-audio-upgrade-3.html
and here:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/194892-focal-690toy-front-speakers-designed-toyota-9.html

:whoo:

 

[2016 4Runner SR5]

5 channel amp, replacement speakers, small sub. How deep your pockets are and how far you want to get into it will determine what speakers, amp, sub, you go with. For now I have JBL GTO speakers everywhere. 3.5 in the dash, 6x9 in the front doors, 6.5 in the tailgate and rear doors. I'm currently building my system a piece at a time and will do a full install when I have it all which is going to be pretty insane. Here's what will be on each side up front once finished. 8 in the doors, paid of 5s in each kick panel, 3 in the dash, 2 in the A pillars. I've also done quite a bit of sound deadening.

 

[bigguy02]

AS of now my plan is to replace the front speakers with ether 6x9 components, or a 3.5” full range driver and an 8” mid driver in the door, and power them with the new Kicker Key amp running them actively. Also going to run a small powered sub under the passenger seat. I’ll also do a fare bit of sound deadening. I might replace the rear speakers, but I usually fade to the front anyways to preserve the sound stage. Nothing fancy, but it should be effective.

 

[Nesseralla]

Help ps posting every place don’t know how todo this

I got a stock 4Runner from my bestfriend that passed away on June 4th 2017 so I’m doing everything he wanted To do to it but he was in the middle of putting a tranny in it and it’s a 95 he was putting a 97 in it but what I hured that they don’t work for other years so I got a parts truck and the tranny still won’t shift outta first gear even if I drop it In low and try shifting it but it won’t and I need help ASAP cause I’m trying to get it to his memorial the parts truck ran and drove fine but it won’t now

 

[katchup]

I got a stock 4Runner from my bestfriend that passed away on June 4th 2017 so I’m doing everything he wanted To do to it but he was in the middle of putting a tranny in it and it’s a 95 he was putting a 97 in it but what I hured that they don’t work for other years so I got a parts truck and the tranny still won’t shift outta first gear even if I drop it In low and try shifting it but it won’t and I need help ASAP cause I’m trying to get it to his memorial the parts truck ran and drove fine but it won’t now

Ughhh?

 

[Nesseralla]

I need help knowing y it’s not shifting

 

[Chelsea#1]

I have the OEM+ kit and couldn't be happier. Based on your initial post, that kit pretty much checks all the boxes.

Its not crazy expensive, I think I paid around $1600

Its not that difficult to install. I've never attempted any kind of stereo install in the past and over the course of a weekend I was able to install the entire system.

I'm not a car stereo pro, so I'm sure there are better set-ups out there (but cost more), but I can tell you that when I turned it on for the first time it sounded so much better than the stock set-up. As well as the enhanced sound quality, it is way louder.

Everything is hidden, except the sub, which fits perfectly into the left side portion of the trunk.

There's no cutting of any wires, the kit comes with a wiring harness that just plugs into the back of the stock stereo, then connects the amp and speakers.

When I was looking into having a stereo done at a local shop, they were quoting me anywhere from $2200 to $3000 and that didn't include speakers for the trunk, they said they would just leave those stock.

I couldn't be happier, I would definitely recommend it to anyone who isn't looking for a crazy system and just wants a nice improvement over stock at a good price.

Customer service was awesome as well.

 

[V2009]

Focal IC165Toy for the hatch ?

I am non jbl with nav and kept my head unit stock...

Swapped front speakers for focal is690 tou and rear doors and hatch with ic165toy. It was a night and day improvement. For phase two I added an audison bit ten processor and JL Audio 5 channel amp. Its 100wats per channel with a 5th channel at 300 watss for a future sub. It sounds amazing. The processor is under the passenger seat and amp under drivers seat. I used tacotunes plug and play harnesses for amp and processor install. I did not cut even one factory wire.

It honestly sounded great before adding the amp but as you would expect it has really livened it up....still though...super clean.

Did Focal IC 165TOY fit well to the hatch? Crutchfield says they dont fit the hatch only for the rear doors. Im planning on swapping them all the same way and leaving stock head unit.

 

[97BlackAckCL]

Did Focal IC 165TOY fit well to the hatch? Crutchfield says they dont fit the hatch only for the rear doors. Im planning on swapping them all the same way and leaving stock head unit.

They're the same mounts in the rear doors and hatch, same wiring as well

I put the same 6.5's and Taco Tunes rear door mounts in my hatch with no issues

 

[Louisiana Overland]

Did Focal IC 165TOY fit well to the hatch? Crutchfield says they dont fit the hatch only for the rear doors. Im planning on swapping them all the same way and leaving stock head unit.

Yes the IC165 TOY will drop right in on the hatch. Plug and play. I didnt even fully remove the interior panel on the hatch since I didnt sound deaden it. I just undid the lower clips to give enough room to get the old drivers out and new ones in. The magnets and weight of the focals is substantial as compared to factory speakers. That added weight PLUS sound deadening mat has caused some who did both to need beefier struts for the hatch. To avoid that I left the hatch out when sound deadening the other doors. Maybe in the future Ill do this but its fine for now.