Improving stereo sound in 5th gen

surfnturfer · Nov 30, 2012

I have not been able to get decent sound in my wifes 5th gen, I installed Kappas in the dash and that helped some but she is not yet satisfied. What would be the next move? I just left a car audio store blinded with a $1200 estimate. I was looking more in the $500 range. I have not found much through the search other than high end and complicated projects.

Go JayBee · Dec 5, 2012

surfnturfer said:
I have not been able to get decent sound in my wifes 5th gen, I installed Kappas in the dash and that helped some but she is not yet satisfied. What would be the next move? I just left a car audio store blinded with a $1200 estimate. I was looking more in the $500 range. I have not found much through the search other than high end and complicated projects.

What part do you consider "complicated"?

On the other hand, even if you simply upgrade all of the speakers, it will not be plug-and-play. You will have to figure out how to mount them. If you are handy, it might not be an issue. The most important thing I could recommend would be to apply sound deading material to the insides of the doors behind the speakers. You will be able to actually hear what the speaker is putting out. It does get spendy for the material, but is well worth it while you have the doors (and tailgate) opened up.

This does involve removing interior panels. If you are creative, you can use the original speaker frames to hold the new ones. And there are Toyota speaker connectors available so you won't have to cut into the wiring at all.

I have done this upgrade myself. No head-unit replacement or amp, and the system (non-JBL) sounds awesome. My total investment for 8 speakers (Kappa Infinity) plus wiring jumpers, sound deadening, etc was right around $450.

If you need a peek at how I mounted the speakers, let me know, I'll post some pics.

Good luck

OHP · Dec 6, 2012

In my opinion the addition of the Kappas without adding an amplifier to run them is a negative. You have added speakers that require more wattage to run correctly without adding the wattage. That being said...

Typically the most satisfying upgrade to a factory stereo system that customers did was a subwoofer and amplifier to run it. If you are interested in the adding a subwoofer route, I would buy an amplifier that can run the subwoofer and the Kappas that you added. They need power to sound awesome. This scenario would be a substantial improvement to the stock stereo system.

Go JayBee · Dec 7, 2012

OHP said:
In my opinion the addition of the Kappas without adding an amplifier to run them is a negative. You have added speakers that require more wattage to run correctly without adding the wattage. That being said...

You are certainly entitled to your opinion. Yes, the Kappas are "rated" for many more watts than the factory speakers, but, the factory head unit has ample power to drive them. It's also is a matter of your personal listening requirements. I am getting to the age where the "quality" of the sound is more important than the "quantity". IMO, simply replacing the factory wimpy speakers with Kappas was a vast improvement in the sound quality, range, theatre, whatever you prefer to call it. The sound deadening has also contributed to that.

OHP said:
Typically the most satisfying upgrade to a factory stereo system that customers did was a subwoofer and amplifier to run it. If you are interested in the adding a subwoofer route, I would buy an amplifier that can run the subwoofer and the Kappas that you added. They need power to sound awesome. This scenario would be a substantial improvement to the stock stereo system.

I wholeheartedly agree with you that a sub-woofer would add to the range of sound. And yes, the Kappas can certainly take all the power you can give them. However, the OP stated that he was looking for a solution in the $500 range, and sounds like he is not interested in ripping his new rig apart to re-wire it (an amplifier would require this).

In summary: I was simply trying to pass along my experience with a reasonably priced improvement. The solution you have proposed would certainly "improve" the sound quality but the cost would probably end up over $1000. Clearly out of the OP's budget if I read it correctly.

eace:

OHP · Dec 7, 2012

Go JayBee said:
In summary: I was simply trying to pass along my experience with a reasonably priced improvement. The solution you have proposed would certainly "improve" the sound quality but the cost would probably end up over $1000. Clearly out of the OP's budget if I read it correctly. eace:

Just for the heck of it, I went to Crutchfield (most expensive online car audio) and put together a simple subwoofer set up to see what the price would be.

1 JL Audio 10" with enclosure
1 Sound Ordinance 4 channel amp 75x4
Wiring Kit
RCA wires
Line level converter

That's everything except labor to add a subwoofer and amplifier that will run the sub and the Kappas. The total without tax is $363.95, shipping is free.
Install labor would probably push that up to the $500 range. It can be done for his price range but yes it would require removing some trim panels to get the amp installed. Sound quality improvement would be substantial.

Go JayBee · Dec 7, 2012

OHP said:
Just for the heck of it, I went to Crutchfield (most expensive online car audio) and put together a simple subwoofer set up to see what the price would be.

1 JL Audio 10" with enclosure
1 Sound Ordinance 4 channel amp 75x4
Wiring Kit
RCA wires
Line level converter

That's everything except labor to add a subwoofer and amplifier that will run the sub and the Kappas. The total without tax is $363.95, shipping is free.
Install labor would probably push that up to the $500 range. It can be done for his price range but yes it would require removing some trim panels to get the amp installed. Sound quality improvement would be substantial.

Have you included the cost for the other 6 speakers in your estimate? I think that if all of the speakers were replaced and re-wired to an amp, the $1000 mark would be close.

But, hey, isn't this really all about what the OP is willing to spend? And, as I stated earlier, it is all about your personal listening requirements. The OP stated that they were looking to "get decent sound". A very objective term to define. Again, quantity does not equate to quality.

eace:

OHP · Dec 7, 2012

This discussion is probably pointless since the OP hasn't been back since 12/1.

Go JayBee · Dec 7, 2012

OHP said:
This discussion is probably pointless since the OP hasn't been back since 12/1.

I agree....but, maybe if he ever does come back, it will help him make an informed decision.

RAD4Runner · Dec 7, 2012

surfnturfer said:
I have not been able to get decent sound

Go JayBee said:
What part do you consider "complicated"?
The most important thing I could recommend would be to apply sound deading material to the insides of the doors behind the speakers. You will be able to actually hear what the speaker is putting out...
I have done this upgrade myself. No head-unit replacement or amp, and the system (non-JBL) sounds awesome. My total investment for 8 speakers (Kappa Infinity) plus wiring jumpers, sound deadening, etc was right around $450.

I'm with Go JayBee. Upgrading to better than stock speakers would improve quality, i.e, sound would be clearer, crisper. Sound deadening would improve things overall, even if you're not listening to the stereo.

If only bottom end is missing and IF stock HU already has a sub-out, simply adding a sub-amp combo would cost under $500 and not too complicated (satisfies OP's requirements).

Also, OP does not define "Decent Sound". To some it's quality, to some, it's volume or amount of bass you can hear and feel. To people who like ballads/standards it's the clarity of the human voice, etc.

BTW, folks, would you please share what kind of soundproofing treatment comes stock with the newer Trucks?

Go JayBee · Dec 7, 2012

RAD4Runner said:
I'm with Go JayBee. Upgrading to better than stock speakers would improve quality, i.e, sound would be clearer, crisper. Sound deadening would improve things overall, even if you're not listening to the stereo.

If only bottom end is missing and IF stock HU already has a sub-out, simply adding a sub-amp combo would cost under $500 and not too complicated (satisfies OP's requirements).

Also, OP does not define "Decent Sound". To some it's quality, to some, it's volume or amount of bass you can hear and feel. To people who like ballads/standards it's the clarity of the human voice, etc.

BTW, folks, would you please share what kind of soundproofing treatment comes stock with the newer Trucks?

To best of my knowledge, the stock HU does not have a "sub-out". And the OP has only replaced the dash speakers so far. There may be another 6 speakers to replace if he has the 8 speaker system that I have. So add the sound-deadening material at around $120 and you are looking at a $450 bill.
This is just parts...no labor. Now add the $500 sub/amp and you are approaching the $1000 mark.

Soundproofing treatment is non-existant in the doors, there is a very small patch of something inside the tailgate, carpet on the floors, windows that close. Pretty much: none.

Praise the almighty "Party Mode Switch".......

arty:

RAD4Runner · Dec 8, 2012

Go JayBee said:
To best of my knowledge, the stock HU does not have a "sub-out"...
Soundproofing treatment is non-existant in the doors

Tnx for the info, Go JayBee.
A sub out would allow a big bang for buck improvement, but too bad that many stock stereos (unless high-end) don't have Sub-outs, while aftermarket ones that cost under $100 have it, aux and USB ports. I got one for my Corolla that does not have aux in.

OHP · Dec 8, 2012

RAD4Runner said:
Tnx for the info, Go JayBee.
A sub out would allow a big bang for buck improvement, but too bad that many stock stereos (unless high-end) don't have Sub-outs, while aftermarket ones that cost under $100 have it, aux and USB ports. I got one for my Corolla that does not have aux in.

The stock radio does not have to have a sub out to add a subwoofer.

RAD4Runner · Dec 9, 2012

OHP said:
The stock radio does not have to have a sub out to add a subwoofer.

Oh yeah- one can use speaker-level signal. Line-level sub output would just be cleaner.

skeeballcore · Dec 27, 2012

I came here to ask a similar question about my wifes 4th gen.

The sound is all bass and harsh high end, even with a ton of adjustments.

I'd just like better quality sound and wondered if a new head unit with more eq options might help

Vegas · Jan 14, 2013

Go JayBee said:
What part do you consider "complicated"?

On the other hand, even if you simply upgrade all of the speakers, it will not be plug-and-play. You will have to figure out how to mount them. If you are handy, it might not be an issue. The most important thing I could recommend would be to apply sound deading material to the insides of the doors behind the speakers. You will be able to actually hear what the speaker is putting out. It does get spendy for the material, but is well worth it while you have the doors (and tailgate) opened up.

This does involve removing interior panels. If you are creative, you can use the original speaker frames to hold the new ones. And there are Toyota speaker connectors available so you won't have to cut into the wiring at all.

I have done this upgrade myself. No head-unit replacement or amp, and the system (non-JBL) sounds awesome. My total investment for 8 speakers (Kappa Infinity) plus wiring jumpers, sound deadening, etc was right around $450.

If you need a peek at how I mounted the speakers, let me know, I'll post some pics.

Good luck

I would for sure like it if you posted some pics of your install... Changing out all of the interior speakers and doing some sound proofing to get the most out of them....

If you could post pics of your install and if you have time the list of speakers to purchase and also which sound deading you went with.

Thanks!