Car Stereo Gurus ???

[Burrr]

Ok guys, I got some great info regarding radar detectors.. thanks!

I'm looking to upgrade the Wifes car stereo system. Its a fairly new Toyota SUV and the stock stereo sounds so-so.

What would be the first thing to upgrade? Volume is OK, could probably use more bass and more clarity. I'm hard of hearing, so it sounds fine to me. She loves to crank the tunes when she travels, she even gets me to sing with her ie. car karaoke

Whats first? speakers? amp?
The rig has an input for an audio jack that looks like headphones.

I hate pulling off dashes and door panels, they never go back together quite right for me so I'll have a shop do the work.
If I go to an auto audio shop should I let them order the parts or show up with my own?

 

[ickyrica]

Ok guys, I got some great info regarding radar detectors.. thanks!

I'm looking to upgrade the Wifes car stereo system. Its a fairly new Toyota SUV and the stock stereo sounds so-so.

What would be the first thing to upgrade? Volume is OK, could probably use more bass and more clarity. I'm hard of hearing, so it sounds fine to me. She loves to crank the tunes when she travels, she even gets me to sing with her ie. car karaoke

Whats first? speakers? amp?
The rig has an input for an audio jack that looks like headphones.

I hate pulling off dashes and door panels, they never go back together quite right for me so I'll have a shop do the work.
If I go to an auto audio shop should I let them order the parts or show up with my own?

If you have a local guy you can trust take these questions to him. If not consult a place like crutchfield.com with the same questions. There are different options depending on what you have for a vehicle

But yes, more bass is always needed!

 

[ickyrica]

I like factory styling with the extras.

You can have clarity and bass without a new deck. If she wants something different that is always an option. Plenty of products out there or whatever she is into.

 

[MCFC]

I'd go with new speakers depending on the make and model of car and what sound package it has. Most newer vehicles already have descent receiver with built in amp but if your speakers are trash that's just what it will sound like. Most newer vehicles also come equipped with descent speakers but tend to blow out after a year or so. That's been my experience atleast.

 

[Perrin Aybara]

I don't really know much about newer cars, but generally your head unit and factory speakers are the first things to replace. Most factory head units are underpowered and won't do aftermarket speakers justice due to their increased power needs. Again, I've never owned a car newer than 1998, so I'm not up to date on the specs of new setups.

For high end aftermarket speakers (especially when subwoofers are involved) even the high end head units don't have enough power and they'll require an amp. If you go with subwoofers they'll definitely require an amp as well.

The real question is how much do you want to spend?

 

[Burrr]

Its a 2011 car model and these newer rigs have big stereo units... not the kind that just slid in place like back in the day.

I figure I'll improve it a little bit at a time. I'm thinking a couple hundo in parts and a couple more in labor for this first round.

 

[JackSmooth]

4 new speakers at 100watt each and an amp to supply plenty of clean unclipped power to them will be night and day. From there you can go about adding a sub or two. I've done everything to my own vehicle 4 speakers, 2amps, 2 15" subs, and am even in the process of fiberglassing a custom center console.

And I'd go in having a good idea exactly what type and brand you want because I used to work at a shop and they will push certain things on you that can be obtained for much less money.

 

[Burrr]

What brands are currently a good value?
I've had good luck with Sony on most things?

was checking out crutch field, but not sure what brands to avoid and whats gtg.

It's been 20 years since I tricked out a car stereo

 

[Kinetic]

I'd start with a double DIN aftermarket head unit with a touch screen, if you feel like spending the extra for one. If you have a backup camera, it'll come in handy.

After that, decide how much room you want to devote to a box/speakers. You won't be building a competition system, so you can get away with two decent 10" speakers and a good amp. It'll save space in the back for cargo.

Honestly, I wouldn't upgrade the door speakers just yet. Your head unit will probably have 150-200 Watts to power those speakers, which is plenty loud.

 

[Burrr]

The car does have a back up camera, but we hardly ever use it. its covered in snow and ice half the year,

As far as features of a head unit, I think music quality would be number one.
I'll have to research to see what else is on those things.
Music ID would be cool.
GPS she uses alot, but it sticks to the windshield.

dont even need a cd or dvd player, just cable or bluetooth to an ipod

 

[JackSmooth]

What brands are currently a good value?
I've had good luck with Sony on most things?

was checking out crutch field, but not sure what brands to avoid and whats gtg.

It's been 20 years since I tricked out a car stereo

Don't order from crutchfield unless you want to get raped on prices.
Most of the time your local dealer will have prices 100x better than what you'll find online. You can even haggle them down.
Brands:
Pioneer
Bose
Alpine
Memphis
Infintiy
Jl (overpriced but good quality like the apple of audio)

 

[Perrin Aybara]

Assuming the head unit is up to par some decent aftermarket speakers would be a good buy. Alpine and Infinity made phenomenal speakers. There's also smaller, in dash amp options that can provide a little boost over factory if you're not trying to go all out yet.

The Crutchfield website will tell you what sizes you'll need for your particular vehicle, but don't buy from them. You're probably looking at $100-150 a pair for some mid level speakers of whatever sizes your vehicle requires. Those in dash amps are around $150-200.

@JackSmooth is right, don't go unprepared. Figure out your speaker sizes and come up with some ideas and run them by us or a knowledgeable friend before you go to the shop.

Personally for head units I like Alpine and Panasonic. Subs I'm fond of Memphis Audio, but Kicker and JL are pretty killer, too. Amps I like Memphis Audio. Speakers Memphis Audio, Infinity and Alpine.

 

[JackSmooth]

@Perrin Aybara can't go wrong with Memphis subs. Got two of them in a single can blow thru. The truck can't handle it lol roof, and doors get treated like they're foil.

 

[Burrr]

looks like front doors are 6x9s and the back doors are 6.5 rounds
they take some sort of adapter to mount to toyota

 

[Perrin Aybara]

@Perrin Aybara can't go wrong with Memphis subs. Got two of them in a single can blow thru. The truck can't handle it lol roof, and doors get treated like they're foil.

Back in 2004 I had an all Memphis setup in an old TownCar. Memphis Tweeters, door and rear deck speakers with crossovers. Memphis 480 watt amp for the speakers and an 1100 watt Memphis mono amp pushing two 15" Memphis subs in a vented box. Capacitor and high end wiring for everything. Panasonic head unit. DVD player with flip down 15" screen in the back.

I miss having that so much. I'm in an old Buick now with factory everything and using an FM transmitter to play music from my phone. Leaves a lot to be desired.

 

[Perrin Aybara]

looks like front doors are 6x9s and the back doors are 6.5 rounds
they take some sort of adapter to mount to toyota

It seems like they'd be in opposite places, but I've never owned a Toyota. Shouldn't need an adapter unless you're mounting different sizes that factory though.

 

[JackSmooth]

I miss having that so much. I'm in an old Buick now with factory everything and using an FM transmitter to play music from my phone. Leaves a lot to be desired.

Once your ears hear that high quality of music it's hard to enjoy anything less. Every stock system I listen too I can't enjoy because I'm constantly critiquing it lol

 

[GainzvilleMayor]

Sounds like you need to replace all your speakers.
Check out Focal if you want that Hi-Fi quality.
If that out of your price range I love the Jk audios. Any of the series would be fine.

Then if they are out of your price range go for the pioneer Kevlar series reasonable price.

Personally I would work on the door speakers first then worry about subs

 

[MCFC]

I'd start with a double DIN aftermarket head unit with a touch screen, if you feel like spending the extra for one. If you have a backup camera, it'll come in handy.

After that, decide how much room you want to devote to a box/speakers. You won't be building a competition system, so you can get away with two decent 10" speakers and a good amp. It'll save space in the back for cargo.

Honestly, I wouldn't upgrade the door speakers just yet. Your head unit will probably have 150-200 Watts to power those speakers, which is plenty loud.

OP stated he just wanted a little more clarity and bass...not be the next malibus most wanted lol.

@Burrr What is the source of your audio? Bluetooth via what app? If it's Pandora or any other shitty streaming service then it's gonna sound like shit whether you have a 100 or a 4000 dollar sound system. Pop a cd in there and see how it sounds and go from there. You want to listen for any buzzing or popping noise coming from your speakers. Use your balance and fade to isolate each speaker. If they are blown or just sound shitty WITH a good audio source You will most likely be fine with aftermarket speakers. Your 2011 PROBABLY already has a powered receiver but you may want to double check.

IF they sound fine clarity wise THEN opt for a sub. A single 10 or even an 8 in a fancy box that can redirect the airflow to make it sound deeper should be plenty.

 

[Burrr]

We'll listen to MP3 from an ipod or phone almost exclusively. Current system just uses a head phone jack to connect the ipod to the stereo.

It seems like that would be a weak link in the whole sound quality department.