better sound on the cheap?

[cstutz]

I've been thinking about improving the sound in my 4th gen SR5(2008), but am on a pretty tight budget. Ideally I wanted to do new speakers and an amp, but I don't have the skill to install the amp myself and the fees at Best Buy are crazy for an amp install.

I think with Crutchfield's instructions I can install some 6-3/4" 3-way speakers in the front and back doors on my own (probably Rockford Fosgate r1653, $55/pair).

Then the plan would be to find a new deck at Car Toys/Best Buy that qualified for the free install ($99-140 range) and delivered a little more power (~22W rms) than the stock (non-JBL model).

That would leave me with some better speakers with about double the power than I have now for about $250 when all is said and done. Is this plan too cheapskate and doomed to fail?

 

[Clemsonfan15]

My advice is to save up some more money. Don't buy cheap equipment now just to regret it later.

Don't get anything installed at Best Buy or Circuit City.

You should get a component set for the front and a two way for the rear.

 

[li_runner]

Sound can be had for cheap, however that is only if you install it yourself. The real costs are had in the labor associated with proper instalation. I feel you have it backwards, I would first change out the head unit, this would deliver more power to the existing speakers (that are not all that bad), then I would just add an amp & small subwoofer. These 2 items would most likely make you happy (without spending a lot more). If you add speakers first they will not sound better because the stock head unit/amp is not going to be able to power them properly.

I say this because I did it, I added a Eclipse AVN-6620 to the stock speakers and found they had more in them with the additonal power added. The 2nd step I took was a bit more aggressive but, I have done a few of these now.

Oh, and yes $250 is doomed to fail, sorry. Within that budget you are better staying stock, the quality is better than the equipment you can purchase for that amount.

 

[cstutz]

My gut has been telling me "you get what you pay for," but my tightfisted brain has been trying to persuade me otherwise. Your reply makes a lot of sense, maybe focusing on the head unit for now and then saving up for quality speakers/amps later. Can a novice like me install my own neck deck, or should I stick with Car Toys (I've had a lot of people tell me to avoid best buy)?

 

[Clemsonfan15]

You should be able to do it. It's not hard at all as long as you can crimp or solder wires.

The head unit will make a big difference.

 

[chaz]

if u dont have much $, u can replace the stock sr5 hu with the scion hu, it plugs right in & is at least better than ur stock unit, Toyota - 4Runner . org Forum - Search Results

 

[cknsls@adelphia]

if u dont have much $, u can replace the stock sr5 hu with the scion hu, it plugs right in & is at least better than ur stock unit, Toyota - 4Runner . org Forum - Search Results

I put the Scion T-1807 head unit in my '05 Sport Edition and the improvement for the price point (about $50.00 on ebay) was well worth it.

It's plug and play and if you following the directions on the link provided you can do it yourself.

If you have a real critical ear-you are going to have to spend more!

 

[snwboarder919]

since i had the money i went ahead and did the deck, amp, and subs, but i still have the same stock speakers. they still sound good for right now so im not going to bother replacing those until they blow.

i would defiantly go with the new deck first though! it makes a huge difference plus you can get one so you can connect your ipod to it, if you have one of course.

also when i was getting all mine priced out, car toys was the most expensive out of anyone, and that was for the install! luckily there was a place here in colorado that did a $1 install on the deck and all the wiring for the amp for only about 150 bucks. so maybe you should try looking around a little more and see if there are any sound/ car audio shops in your area that will do it for cheaper. :banana:

 

[SurfToy]

Sound can be had for cheap, however that is only if you install it yourself. The real costs are had in the labor associated with proper instalation. I feel you have it backwards, I would first change out the head unit, this would deliver more power to the existing speakers (that are not all that bad), then I would just add an amp & small subwoofer. These 2 items would most likely make you happy (without spending a lot more). If you add speakers first they will not sound better because the stock head unit/amp is not going to be able to power them properly.

I say this because I did it, I added a Eclipse AVN-6620 to the stock speakers and found they had more in them with the additonal power added. The 2nd step I took was a bit more aggressive but, I have done a few of these now.

Oh, and yes $250 is doomed to fail, sorry. Within that budget you are better staying stock, the quality is better than the equipment you can purchase for that amount.

This is also the route I'm going. Have a Kenwood DDX514 with Sirius and Ipod add-ons waiting to go in (just waiting on the steering wheel control adapter). From everything I've read, the upgraded HU will make the stock speakers sound much better, so those can wait. Later down the road, new speakers, amp and small sub to round out the package.

And if you can crimp a wire and handle a screwdriver, you should be able to handle the installation yourself.

 

[15boomin]

cardiscountstereos.com free shipping over a hundred dollars and everything is reduced alot um intall yourself and thats at least 100$ saved i installed my headunit myself in my 2nd gen no prollem

 

[TalonTsi13]

Install

I would go with a head unit first. You can install it your self if it comes to that. It is easy. You should not even have to cut any wires. They make wire harness adapters fro like $30 bucks that just plug right up to your stock wire harness.

As for a sub and amp... you could install that on a Saturday in about 4 hours. It is not as hard as you might think. I installed my 12in P2 about two weekends ago.

If you have any questions about wireing anything up just ask or PM me. Good luck and a Getting a Head unit first is your best bet for the money!