Replace Aftermarket Paper Speakers But Keep Stock Head Unit?

Looking to upgrade the poor sounding, paper thin stock speakers.
I am NOT wanting to replace the head unit, add an amp or install a sub.
Looking for a good quality sounding speaker that will throw out some bass but i don't want to under power the speaker with the OEM head unit.
What have you installed?
Any info is appreciated!

 

Most aftermarket speakers arent going to give much bass. They’re designed to produce midbass and be paired with a sub to produce the low frequencies. That doesn’t mean there aren’t speakers that don’t produce bass, but your best bet is to replace the speakers, add an amp and a sub if you want quality sound.

 

I plan on doing exactly the same thing, keep oem stock hu and just replace the speakers. Some say that the factory hu only puts out 10w but you know what that may not sound like much but it will be enough. I myself lean on Focal speakers (entry level) and from what I read do sound great with low powered amps...i need to get my adapters, Toyota has some funky 3 bolt mounting system...keep us updated!

 

Just get a decent set of speakers. They will sounds much better than the factory setup. I would look on crutch field and find a efficient component set of 6x9 and tweeters. The 6x9s will have better lows than a 6.5 setup. This isn’t to say you’ll get more bass, but this is as close as you’ll get without a legit setup. If you want legitimate bass then you need a sub as even 6x9s will struggle with anything under 100Hz. Bass or no bass though, a decent set of component speakers will sounds better than the factory paper bs speakers.

if you see your self getting a sub down the road, upgrade to a 6.5” component setup now and add the sub later

 

It can be done and is how many start. It helps to get efficient speakers with the stock head unit. You can sort by sensitivity (efficiency) on crutchfield. Both JL and Kicker offer 6x9 component speakers with sensitivities greater than 91. I went with the Kicker kit and it worked well although I'm sure JL would be just as good.

 

Sorry but you'll be disappointed. You can't drive aftermarket speakers with the headunit and get any appreciable bass output. Won't happen.

If you pick a great speaker that's extremely efficient you MIGHT get a decent improvement in sound quality over the stock speakers, but it won't be much if any louder.

The only way to keep the OEM headunit and add bass is to add an amp and sub.

 

So, this is something that a lot of us did at some point to improve sound quality in 3rd gens Premium Audio Upgrade for less than $250

I am pretty happy with it, it's way better than stock, but... if you're looking for have your and deeper bass, and for your system to be louder, then you might have to look into installing an amp Kicker hideaway- final upgrade to the $250(+) 3rd gen premium upgrade (+Kicker Key 180.4 amp). I didn't do it yet. I've grown to enjoy / tolerate the system the way it is right now. And with all other projects that I have going on, installing an amp is very low on the upgrade list.
One more thing, while replacing speakers, you might want to invest just a little bit more time and money and install some sound deadening in the doors. It won't improve things greatly.

Good luck

 

I went the route above with some experimenting as i didnt find that thread till later.
OP-
First- the subaru tweeters are the first thing you should do. As for some it cleans it up enough. I have this and it cleared it up alot.
Second- the stock 6x9 give decent bass for what they are. and if you have ever held the stock speakers you will understand what i mean.

Third- I had kicker 6x9 DS up front, and 6 3/4" CS out back, and it was clear. Very clear and sounded great. But little no no bass. You need a sub to bring it up or something like the kicker key (also had). The key will really wake them up and it sounds really good.

Basically the "under 250 upgrade" look there. It will keep you from spending unnecessary money and get you only the parts you need.

in short- subaru tweeters, kicker CS or KS (if you want to spend the money) front and rear, and the key. Simple install, sounds awesome.

 

Just add a kicker key or alpine powerpack along with the speakers. I know you said you don't want to install an amp but these amps don't require power from the battery and no cutting of factory wiring. They're powered by the stereo wiring and go inline to the speakers.

IMO that's the only way you're going to get any meaningful bass without a sub or head unit swap.

Here's harness I had to make (took about 30 mins) and after that the amp just plugs right into the factory wiring harness.

 

Is the key something you would really recommend (short of adding a sub) ? I mean, I kinda am considering it, but like mentioned above, I have all bunch of different things taking priority.

To ask in a little bit different way, would adding Key Amp make as much of a difference to this setup, as much as replacing tweeters does to a stock speakers?

 

I bought these. Very very happy with them, the bass is far better than stock and did not diminish like most aftermarket speakers will do.
I paid 189 through a seller offering prime shipping.

Infinity KAPPA-90CSX Kappa 6x9" Two-Way car Audio Component System with Gap switchable Crossover

https://www.amazon.com/Infinity-KAP...ds=infinity+kappa+90csx&qid=1591020068&sr=8-1


I needed the metra 6x9 adapter for the tacoma to mount these speakers, which came to 12 dollars/pair from best buy.

There are also several adapters out there for the tweeter connector and woofer connector that are absolutely worth the cost. (maybe an extra thirty total for front door and tweeters)

Tweeter:

$14 RED WOLF Car Front Dash Tweeter Speaker Wiring Harness for 2008-2022 Toyota RAV4 Camry 4Runner Highlander Scion, 2010-2019 Subaru Forester Factory Speaker Replacement Adapter Connector Non JBL System

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07RMZ4CR6/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Woofer harness is the standard metra one.

There is a radio adapter lead as well that I bought for 30 that basically gives you an extra section of factory wire that you can splice into without hurting the truck harness.

$43 Wire Harness Compatible with 1987-2018 Toyota and 2016+ Subaru (Used for Amplifier or Subwoofer Installation)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07Y2DJFXC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Also, check out carid, they offer the AudioControl ACM4.300 for 205 (msrp 350). Its a much better amp than the kicker key if you can forego the DSP. You will NOT need a LOC, this amp features speaker level in. I typically use this brand in high end home installs, they are very very nice quality.

https://www.carid.com/audio-control/acm-series-4-channel-micro-amplifier-mpn-acm-4-300.html

 

i installed subaru tweeter and infinity reference 6x9s in front and 6.5” in rear doors. the stock headunit seems to drop the bass levels the louder the volume probably to prevent distortion on the stock crap speakers. although it did sound better i wasn’t satisfied and ended up installing a Pioneer 8400NEX and a JL Stealthbox.