JBL Premium Sound System W/ Aftermarket Headunit

I have the JBL Premium Sound Package in my '09 Tacoma and Ive been having issues (as everybody else has) with my stock radio. I talked to my dealer and they said after dropping off my truck for the day (for inspection purposes), and after making sure I qualify for the TSB, I will have my headunit in 60-100 days. I really dont feel like waiting that long and Ive also been eyeing some nice aftermarket radios. HOWEVER, Ive heard that going with an aftermarket radio and keeping the stock speakers may distort sound or bring down sound quality.

My questions are:

1. Is that true? Can anyone attest to the statement's falsity?

2. Point me in the right direction for a decent radio (touchscreen please).

Thanks for the help guys.

 

c'mon audio gurus!

 

bump

 

No you wont distort because of the radio...The after market will push more power therefore allow you to turn the volume up higher...and then causing distortion in the speakers...A real basic lamens approach is that sound quality come from speakers audio source comes from the radio...

Also with an aftermarket you can get a better EQ and therefore "tune" it better and with more power and better tuning you will get some better sound quality...It wont hurt your speakers unless you crank it way up all teh time and play it whiel teh speakers are distorting...

 

touchscreen NAV/DVD you can't beat Pioneer for teh price and easy of use...Alpine makes great stuff at top $$ and Eclipse is actually High Quality and Owned By toyota so tehy will fit perfect and you wont need to by a radio harness it will plug directly into any toyota...

 

Oh yeah if you have the JBL 6 disc and Bluetooth etc...may be worth keeping it and upgrading your speakers...It will do 90% of what most basic aftermarket decks will do, and since your speakers are amped power of the deck doesn't matter...But you cant pass up a good touch screen.

 

I've got an old Kenwood DDX-512 that made the JBL system "bump" more and actually took out the distortion that I was hearing with the OEM HU especially when I was listening to burned CD's. The harnesses are another thing though but you could find a deal here or CL/Ebay. I got my HU for about $330 because it was on clearance at Best Buy's when they were making room for the newer models.

I say it can't hurt to try, you can always sell your aftermarket radio if you don't like it. There's always plenty of people here to buy your unwanted junk.

 

Well I just started price searching and didn't really expect to pay $400+ for a good unit. If you guys say the factory radio is almost as good as an aftermarket, I may just stay with it. I'll still have to pay for installation and $500 is alot for a radio IMO. I like offroading and that money may be better spent on something there, that's just my opinion tho.

 

1st of all i am not an Off Roader at all but i think the first thing i would want would be some nice loud rock music...Totally set the mood! Nothing like slinging mud to ACDC or Metallica...lol

Get a set of 6x9 components and a decent 2 channel amp and you will have some sweet sweet sounds my friend..pounding bass and Great highs and plenty of power and ZERO distortion At really loud volumes. You could prob do that whole setup for about $500 and it was make a much bigger difference. Way more bang for the buck.

Online you can find mid level quality speakers like Rockford Fosgate 6x9 Components for about $200
A middle of the road 2 channel amp 200watts or so for about $200
A place like Best Buy could probably install the whole set up for $100-$150 give or take wiring costs

This is what i intend to do...But maybe a deck as well. My 2005 has a 6 disk but doesn't read MP3 or have an aux input...

 

Ok, lets revisit this. Has anyone ever had issues with their sub not working with an aftermarket head unit? Would i need to buy an additional wiring harness to make it work?