First head unit install

Hello everyone!
This is my first post here
So I have a 2003 toyota tundra limited access cab that I'm starting to work on.
I've never installed a head unit before so I have some questions. I'm thinking I want the sony xav ax100. From the research that I've done I understand I need a wiring harness and maybe some brackets?
I've also seen some of you talk about amp bypass and wondered if someone could explain that to me.
I'm also in the market for new speakers and wondered if anyone had any recommendations for some in the $65 ish range.

 

When you get a harness, scosche, and likely others, makes one that will plug in if you have a factory amp. Make sure to get the right harness. Often, not always the new head unit has brackets included. You can call crutchfeild (i am not affiliated but they are amazing) to see what will plug and play, same for speakers. A quick glance and it looks like that head unit should work, dont hold me to it though.

At $65, you might just keep the factory ones but if you want to upgrade, spend the money on the front speakers. I advise anyone that a free mod to your stereo is to turn down your rear speakers as it creates a better soundstage in front of you.


https://www.crutchfield.com/car/outfitmycar/mycar.aspx

 

I still have the OEM Stereo with a separate XM receiver. Called Crutchfield and the Rep Guy said these would work well with my factory stereo set up. He said they would do well if I went with another stereo Head Unit in the future but probs won’t as my technology is on my phone already.

If you go with a New Head Unit then different speakers may be better suited to that particular unit. Can’t speak for how they sound as they will be delivered on Tuesday. Might get them installed by next weekend.

Rep Guy said to keep the existing Tweeters in place on 2002 Tundra. Going with 4 new speakers. Call them as they are very helpful.

 

I’ve always found better sound when the Speakers are Faded Rear 3 bias IMO. Bass sounds better from the Rear and the Fronts fill in the stuff jumping from the back. Best in this mode when playing Flock of Seagulls.

 

Audio in a vehicle is very hard to do. And your ears know what they like.

The idea of turning down the rear is to create a soundstage in front of you. Like stereo speakers at home. Music isn't recorded in surround sound (most). I get that you can eek more bass out with more of a rear bias. But if bass is covered elsewhere, i.e. subwoofer, then bringing the soundstage front can really change the experience. You will have a defined location of the vocals, drums over there, lead guitar to the left, etc.

Most people think putting money into car audio is to make it loud or a bass-boomer. But you can create something special with a good tune. Many argue that a digital sound processor can take a stock stereo and make it sound better than many aftermarket. Now that is a stretch, esp. as most oem lacks bass and clarity elsewhere. But I guess I am saying, try it out. I think manufacturers have somehow fooled us into thinking that the rear speakers should be loud and we are to be surrounded by sound. But, why does high end home audio not do this? (Again not talking about 5.1)

the deep dive is here:

diymobileaudio.com

 

I am by no means an audiophile hence why I still have OEM speakers. I know what sounds good though and I’ve experimented with your set up. Maybe my front speakers are tired? But the rears have been worked more over the years with this bias. When the front is neutral or biased then I hear nothing from the rear. I like the surround effect you alluded, therefore the rear bias which is actually neutral when the front fills in.

 

Some go with just bass drivers in the rear to add in ambience without any high freq. so that vocals stay fixed to the dash (or hood). The real trick is to get a L-R signal to the rear left and a R-L signal to the rear right and bandpass to just keep upper bass lower mids. Work that all in with correct time alignment and you are in a rock show!

 

Coming from my background, let me give you one piece of advice:

Focus on replacing the head unit first. You'll be shocked and amazed by two things: 1) The added features in most modern aftermarket stereos versus OEM, and 2) The level of power/amplification and sound-shaping qualities of modern head units versus OEM. Literally night and day.

Don't bother with the speakers yet. Focus on the head unit and whatever is necessary to install it. Spend that extra $65 on the head unit, and if you find later you're still unhappy with the sound, figure out what's missing, then buy speakers based on what you aren't hearing.

Just my 2¢, the same 2¢ you'd had to pry out of me with a 6ft bar during my years working in a shop.

 

If you have factory JBL system with amplifier, I would suggest getting new head unit with atleast 2 volt pre amp output and just bypass the stock amp. I would definitely suggest calling crutchfield, they will walk you through different options. they will give you budget options, all the way to all new speakers and adding after market amps.

 

Another vote for Crutchfield. They don't always have the lowest prices, but their research is worth it. They will also include installation accessories for free a lot of the time.

 

Hehehe. Flock of Seagulls.

 

Glad someone gets my humor.

 

Whats even more humorous is many, especially residents of Aussi, would whole hearted agree with you. I remember talk of making this song their national anthem
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=XfR9iY5y94s

Uh. Got my bands mixed up.

 

You raaaa-a-a-a-an, you ran so far awaaaa-aay-aay from the correct artist.

 

You should purchase new 4 ohm speakers if you plan to bypass the factory amp. Imo, retaining the factory amp(s) is a huge waste of the potential of your new unit. I wired my Sequoia both ways and gutting the entire JBL system was the way to go, its not even close. I installed kicker CS65's from best buy and even though these speakers are not super high end, the whole system sounds better than my 2016 Tundra with JBL.

 

My original 2002 stereo sounds better than my buddies 2018 OEM.