Preferred mid-priced speaker brand?

Is there a mid-priced brand of speaker that is recommended? I am starting my journey down the rabbit hole for an audio upgrade. I already have the Sony 9500 HU and just the non-JBL factory amp under the seat with factory speakers. I am just looking for a nice rich sound all around. I plan to replace all 4 doors speakers and a single 10" behind the rear seat.

Alpine, JBL, Rockford, or is there a "sleeper" brand that is nice and wont break the bank.

 

Under $200 for the fronts as example (cringe?)

 

Will the odd shaped 6x9 replacments sound as good as a round speaker? (not that I could probably tell the diff anyway)

 

CDT has a pretty good sale right now....

the Stegs in my doors were a bit above that $200 through the source i found.

 

If you go to crutchfield.com they have the kenwood 6x9s components that are rated for 100 watt rms and come with a 2.5" mid range to replace up in the dash for around $225 msrp for the two pairs. Currently on sale for $173 ($55 off.)
https://www.crutchfield.com/p_113XP6902C/Kenwood-Excelon-KFC-XP6902C.html?tp=105

Or you could get a slightly cheaper 7" that is just as good for 80 watts rms and comes with a nice bright 1" tweeter for the dash. MSRP was $200 and now they are $150 on their website.
https://www.crutchfield.com/p_113XP184C/Kenwood-Excelon-KFC-XP184C.html?tp=105

Really good options if you enjoy mid-bass. Would definitely recommend sound deadening the doors if you decide on these because they definitely bump! (I have the 7" components)

Edit: I'm currently running mine strictly off of my Kenwood 908S HU but am about to upgrade to a 4 channel amp to run a full active front stage. Could definitely leave it how it is and be happy but I'm looking to go all out with my truck because I drive it everyday

 

I would take cdt above all the big name brands listed if you can swing it. However you’re probably going to want to replace the amp. Have you considered looking at tech12volts. They have a lot of great packages with speakers and amps that will probably do everything you want. Website isn’t anything to write home about but he has some great packages with everything you need.

 

The Rockford fosgate r165/r169 set is nice for 165.00… but they are not sleepers anymore. I paid $30/$40 per set in 2019 (so $70 for all four).

 

Memphis audio is a highly underrated and affordable speaker

 

Here is a quote I received from my audio guy based off what I requested. $2800 installed. I already have the Sony 9500 HU in my non-JBL SR5

 

For under $200? My Focal components were North of a grand 6 years ago

 

that’s absurd……you could do everything they’re doing easily. It isn’t hard. And there are plug and play adapters

 

the taco tunes preconfigured premium kit is $2100 alone?

 

I guess I am saying that because there are a lot of ways to skin this cat - prepackaged kits, source separately, self install vs a shop, etc. If you have the know how and desire to do it yourself you could likely source all of those components or similar products for much cheaper and do the install yourself. If you want the ease of choosing and to hire someone to install it, that’s probably right around the going rate. I chose to install myself, source components individually and spend the leftover money that I would have spent having someone else do it on other mods

 

Focal has some that are plag and play. I have Rockford currently. I previously had Pioneer prior to those. Infinity is good too.

 

I try to do everything I can myself as I like it done right, but that is getting more difficult as I get older. For whatever reasons I am having a hard time getting excited about doing this project . I am a systems admin by trade but tuning the amps and making sure things are right intimidates me a bit. I have a lot more research and pricing to do yet though too.

 

agreed on the CDT AND tech12volt.....

personally i would focus on front stage but maybe minimalist SQL set up with this....
https://www.cdtaudio.com/cdtnew22/products/sets/wideband/wb-systems/wideband4b.php it's $250 but i think the other $50 spent would be worth it..... I've totally joined the good wide band/ mid-woofer can satisfy 99% of listeners desires club.....

they also have several of their coax on sale for decent price......

the source i got my Stegs from were right around $200 set shipped from europe...... i think James can/could do them for about the same $ and they are great for the money....

you could also piece together something reasonable.... using a wideband like the unity8 and Dayton or SilverFlute mids...... and likely do so around or under $200.....

 

Where do I find the packages and such from tech12volt as they don't have much on their website?

 

You can email james at tech12volts and let him know what you are trying to do and your budget.
He should be able to suggest some upgrades for you.

And on another note.I have a 2016 SR5, so you and I have probably the same exact oem system.
I installed an amp under the pass seat and a sub behind the rear seat,with James JL audio dash speakers.
Still running factory door speakers and HU and Im happy.

All the PNP wiring info can be found on this site and its easy. "That factory AMP under the seat, HAS TO GO"
If you have a shop do the install, do not allow them to "TAP" the factory harness to and from that POS AMP under the seat.
There are PNP harnesses for really cheap that will work with your truck.

Im not even a novice at stereo installs, just found all the info on the web and this site and did my own install.
Took the truck to my local shop so they could adjust the amp and gave them $50.00

There are many more here that can provide valuable input. Im sure they will chime in

Not a professional install to say the least but, its all contained under the seat and a couple of bolts
and 2 disconnects and it out in one piece.

 

james is always crazy busy so do be surprised if it takes an attempt or two to get him.....

i'd also say if you're on the Tundra Facebook group James is doing hi annual toy/food drive giveaway for a full system. $20 a pop..... you never know....... i personally buy $100-200 worth despite having a "done" but never done system.......

 

Low end focal speakers are terrible
I put a set of the focal IS series in a mustang. They are hot garbage

 

I just picked up the full plug and play JL Audio system from @tech12volts and it was $1700. Kit comes with everything you need including speaker brackets, screws and sail panels for the front doors and the entune bypass harness so you do not have to pull your radio out. All i bought was dynamat and the sound is fantastic.

 

Focal ICU 165's or Infinity Kappa 63XF or the similar priced Alpines?

 

CDT has this amp 1/2 price. GTG or not?

https://www.cdtaudio.com/cdtnew22/products/components/amps/acd5ch.php

 

These speakers ?

CDT Audio Cl-6ex 6.5" Coaxial Speakers

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001MSTA0A/?coliid=I3DOW27N1OLOMG&colid=2V0YR6O9PVV71

 

Iowa

1 What is your goal for the stereo upgrade. Clear? Loud? Both?

2. What is your max budget? You already have the sony 9500. That is a fantastic head unit by the way

3. What is your skill level and general knowledge with car audio?

4 How many hours are you wanting to put into this?

My equipment list in my crewmax
Headunit jvc z1000w
Amp 1. Sony xmgs4. Tweeters and 3.5 inch
Amp 2. Sony xmgs4. 6 1/2 door speakers
Amp 3. Sony xmgs100. Rf subs
The sony amps great for what they cost.

Dsp. Zapco dspz8

Speakers.
Stereo integrity tweeters
Stereo integrity m3 carbon 3.5 inch mid
Stereo integrity tm65 in the front doors
No rear door speakers
Subwoofer rockford fosgate two 8 inch subs behind the rear seat.

Stinger 8000 rca cables
New speaker ran to all speakers so


I used a local shop to build the box. I could have done myself but chose not to.
Everything else on the install I did.

If you have any questions on how to work around the tundra system let me know. It is not hard.

Once I know your budget I will tell you what I would go with.

 

Odd shaped 6X9?
Most of the vehicles I've owned in my lifetime had 6X9s.
From my 1969 Ford Fairlane to my 1982 Camaro..
If you are not doing a sub, and you will want one later, a 6X9 will give you better lows than 6.5 round speaker..

And stop looking on Amazon to buy speakers.
At a minimum shop at Crutchfield.
They have the best return policy around, even if you installed them.

If you have a local shop or Cartoys go there and listen to what they have, you don't have to buy them there.
Although I did that, heard my Focal Flaxseed components and bought them on the spot.
I had no intention of buying $500+ front door speakers.
But after hearing them, I had to have them.

And remember this, a decent set of front door components (if you ditch the OEM amp) will give a great front stage presence allowing you to omit the 3 dash speakers.
Also the rear doors are just audio fill, and no one in the back seat cares about high fidelity.

 

New design sort of. I think I am going to go with the Focal 165 FSE 2 ways with the tweeter in the sail panels. Any benefit to going to a three way speaker and putting the 3 inch in the dash by the a-pilar?

 

Alright, this is gonna be a little more expensive, but i HIGHLY recomend the AudioFrog G60S component setup. They are top knotch and produce a really warm sound. If you listen to a lot of techno then these probably aren't the speakers for you. Volcals on these are so nice.
They are going to be a little more pricey, but damn they are nice. I used them with the included crossover (passive setup) and now i ended up adding a dsp and now run them without the crossover in an active setup with an audiofrog 2.5" for a 3-way (giggity). I'm very happy with them.

I bought mine from James at tech12volt when he ran a sale on them a few years ago. There's also a guy on DIYMA that is a authorized reseller that sells for much less than crutchfield. I can message him, or give you his screen name if you want to reach out.
https://www.crutchfield.com/S-r4wa2LNQFA7/p_898G60S/Reviews/Audiofrog-G60S.html

 

Got a link to the fb group? I'm down to throw some into the toy/food drive.

 

1. Do not buy the focal FSE
In fact do not buy any component speakers that include a crossover. You are paying for something you do not need.

The sony 9500 has all the crossover settings that can run a fantastic 2 way setup. you do not need to spend money on a factory crossover that comes with speakers.

You will be doing yourself and the sony 9500 an insult to buy a set of component speakers limited to their crossover.

You can get a set of stereo integrity tm 65 on sale for $229. You will not do better than this speaker for this price.

Then get a set of stereo integrity m25 tweeters $199


2 Unless you are going to run a separate dsp I would not try to run a 3 way setup.


3 I would put the tweeters in the factory dash locations first to see how they perform.
If you do not get them to sound like you put them in the sail panel