Center Dash Speaker Upgrade

What manufacturer and model of center dash speaker replacement do you guys recommend?

 

I would contact tech12volts, James Randy Taylor, they have direct plug n play JL O believe for non JBL

 

JL Audio C7 or Audio Frog GB! I have the C7s now. Spent weeks doing any research I could find.

 

2014-2021 Center in a non-JBL is a 8-ohm dual voice coil.
It gets the signal from the side dash speakers.
I don't know about the JBL.


I replaced mine with a 4" Focal when I had an MS-8 DSP with a center channel output.
I've long since ditched that DSP.



But I currently run my audio system with all 3 dash speakers disconnected..
They muddy up the front stage presence of my Focal door speakers..


@james@tech12volts sells a twin tweeter replacement for the center dash and you can get it prewired..

07 to 20 TUNDRA CENTER CHANNEL TWEETERS (tech12volts.com)

 

Hey @1lowlife - am I understanding you to say you have a DISCONNECTED Focal speaker in your center dash? You need to sell that, boss!
I just hooked up component tweeters (with crossovers) at the corner dash locations and I can’t begin to describe the difference in audio brightness. Made me want to try and get a quality midrange for the center, but I don’t want to interfere with the newfound audio coming from the tweeters. CarAudioFab said to leave the center disconnected, replace the corners and move on. Sounds like you’re confirming their recommendation, except… you have everything up top disconnected, ya?
Tempted to do the tweeter deal from @tech12volts for the center, but I’ll get the sub installed and see where I might be missing out. Thanks for the ideas!

 

I sold that 4" Focal 6 years ago, along with the JBL MS-8 and an Alpine 4 channel amp.
I never could get a decent calibration out of the MS-8.



A good set of front door components eliminates the need for a center, or any, dash speakers..IMHO

Just a nice set of 2-way components with the tweeter in the door sail and a good sub..

 

I

Is that the JL Stealthbox? If so, would you it’s worth the $1,500 new price they’re asking for it? Also, what amps are you running now?

 

I purchased some JBL 3 1/2” speakers and placed one in there. It really took away from the front speakers (Alpine Type R components). I removed the center channel speaker and put it back 3 or 4 times. It just took away from the front soundstage and currently I don’t have anything for the center. I haven’t heard a setup with the tweeters from Tech12volt, but ended up doing away with a center channel speaker for the reason I said above.

 

I should’ve updated this post, sorry guys. I disconnected the center dash per Mark at CarAudioFab and OMG, what a world of difference! I’m contemplating moving the tweeters from dash corners to sail panels as recommended by @1lowlife - I’ll just have to see how my time pans out after installing the other half of my system (amp and subwoofer). Currently running with factory amp bypassed (straight off the Kenwood head unit’s internal amp) and it is already crisp and amazing. With a little relief from the honey-do list, hopefully I will be blasting some Steely Dan, Joe Bonamassa and a little Mozart as a road test this Sunday. So excited!

 

Does the center ruin the sound coming from the dash? I currently have Infinity Reference 3.5" in the left/right dash and stock in center.

 

I’d disconnect that stock center speaker and run it for awhile, easy enough, ya?. For sound testing, I highly recommend:
Whole Lotta Love (Led Zepplin)
I Got The News (Steely Dan)
Or, if you must just pick one… my favorite sound test track:
https://youtu.be/P3WD202LouI

 

That amp isn’t very powerful or clear… I’d be surprised if it could run a sub. There’s a link out there for a guy on YouTube who shows you how to bypass it and keep the wiring to the doors working in a more conventional fashion. If memory serves, the wiring from that non-JBL factory amp is set up so all the high frequencies go to the dash and the mid-range and bass goes to the doors. Either way, I think you’ll need a new amp.

 

There is a harness, but it's pretty much to totally bypass the OEM amp to replace it with an aftermarket amp..

Toyota Entune Amp Upgrade for Tundra and Tacoma (autoharnesshouse.com)



There is another harness that is specifically designed to do what you need, just an extension of speaker wires for you to tap into, but it goes behind the radio.
You'd have to run your sub leads out of the dash..

Add a Subwoofer to 2018+ Toyota - Speaker Signals (autoharnesshouse.com)




You could just use Posi taps on the rear speaker wiring of the under-seat amp for a minimal intrusion of the OEM wiring.

Your underseat amp rear speaker wire colors and pin numbers off the amp.

 

https://youtu.be/3pYxcfGxdP0

 

If you are just replacing a stock speaker/stereo setup I would just use the Crutchfield tool to find a reasonable coax speaker that fits and call it a day. Anything more isn't going to improve it unless you go the full upgrade route with amp.

 

He explains in that video why he was adding those bypasses to circumvent the separation of high and low frequencies. Hopefully it helps, buddy. Ultimately you have to decide how crisp and loud you want your music and cost is exponentially related to that desire.

 

-Remote color at the amp?

It should be the light green wire



-I plan to use black and yellow from the diagram, this bueno?

I think that is correct.
Those would be the leads into the amp, probably a cleaner sound than connecting to the output of the amp to the woofer speaker.
But you're only getting the left channel, red and white would be the right channel.
I don't know how the wiring goes on the powered sub boxes, I've never used one..




-Posi taps, I just cut the black, yellow & mystery remote wires, twist with the leads from the amp/sub combo on one side, then oem wire in the other side? Never used those before.
With Posi-taps you don't cut your OEM wire at all.
The cap of the tap tightens down and pierces the wire.
if you ever remove them, simply place a small piece of electrical tape around the OEM wire.
Toyota wires are pretty small, so make sure your tap makes a good connection.

https://youtu.be/93JYQc1bG20

Crutchfield is a great place to get products and help.
They have great customer service and an awesome return policy.

Good luck..

 

Will someone please tell my wife I'm amazing?

You're welcome.
I really don't know that much about car audio, but I know a little about the Gen 2.5.

This is what I ended up with., replacing the OEM amp with a 5-channel Alpine.
Replaced all the speakers, except the dash, I disconnected them, and added a sub box.




If you don't mind the stock HU, I think a boost in the low end with a powered sub box will probably fit your needs..
You might even find one to fit under the driver's seat..
Good luck..