Tech12volts Review

Hey All,

After much research over what to do about the lackluster sound in my 2020 Limited (JBL), I made the decision to go with the complete audio package at tech12volts. I wanted to keep the head unit because I really wanted to keep the interior to a factory look but wanted it to sound much better than the washed-out, low volume garbage that came with the truck.

I had narrowed the choices down to the OEM+ unit and the ********* upgrade. The ********* option seemed a little daunting for my skill, as I wanted to install it myself to keep costs down, though it had great reviews.

IIRC, the OEM+ option seemed to say that it would sound great, but not have significant increase in volume. Plus the cost was around $1100, which was more than I had in my SSATMWDKA (Special Secret Account That My Wife Doesn't Know About). The ********* upgrade seemed higher than that, I think.

So James at tech12volts was very helpful on the phone with explaining to me about his complete upgrade system where you keep the factory HU. He is waaaaayyyyy smarter than me (which is not that hard, really) and knows his stereo stuff. I think he is pretty busy, which I presume is a good thing...it means he has a lot of people seeking his work. Texting him was the best way to get him, and he always called or texted me back in fairly short order, many times late at night and even after I'd bought the system (and even when he was dealing with a child with a tummy ache.)

The system I bought came with two front door speakers, two front door tweeters, two rear door speakers, two rear door tweeters, a new custom subwoofer box, a new subwoofer, a new amp, a new DSR sound processor, and all of the hardware and cables to install it.

I had a local stereo guy install the power cable to the battery. I'm pretty handy, but I wanted the cable to look professionally installed and it has to go through the firewall and be mounted/routed in the engine compartment. The guy did a killer job and charged me 45 bucks.

There are other threads that talk about speaker install, so I won't bore you with the minute details, though I am always glad to answer any questions or PMs from anyone here that needs help doing it as well.

But the doors and the tweeters were easy to do. Don't be intimidated of you are thinking about it. Taking off the door panels was probably more difficult than the speakers, and the doors on panels only take a few minutes each. The tweeters were a tad challenging to install at first, but only because one of the clips are very snug. They are very eay to get to and very easy to put back, even easier than the doors.

Half of the system is plug and play and the other half is not. Meaning, the harnesses he sends you mean you don't have to cut any factory wires when you take out the old amp and install the new. The new harness plugs right in its place. But the other end of the harness has about 8-10 wires that you have to connect individually to the new and the new DSR. But if you follow the instructions, it is not difficult. Plug orange into hole 3, turn screw to tighten, plug blue into hole 4, tighten, etc. That part took me about 30 minutes, but only because I triple checked everything as I went.

That portion sits under the front passenger seat with a mount that comes provided. It fits perfectly.

I took out the back seat to remove the factory sub box. You do have to mount the new SW to the box with provided screws, but it fits like a glove and only takes a minute. The wires are already attached. The new box can even have 3D raised logo if you want, so it looks great.

The new box is bigger, so it is a snug fit, but that is a benefit. The snugness holds it in place, so there is no mounting you need to do. Just connect the factory 2 wires to the outside of the box which is prepped to receive them. The pop the seat back in and you're done.

The new system is LOUD and clear! I could hardly hear the factory system with windows down on the highway. Now I cannot sit inside the truck with the new system on max volume. I tried Rush's Tom Sawyer as my intro song to the new system. The drums and the bass were chest thumping deep without ANY distortion.

I am very happy with the results and very happy with the installation. I almost chickened out and paid the stereo guy to install everything because it has been 30 years since I put in a stereo and speakers. But I am glad I did not. It is/was very doable. No special tools or techniques. And it is a pretty good feeling of accomplishment when you do a nice job on your own mods.

Almost forgot...the DSR has a bluetooth app you download to your phone and you can fine tune your settings for the amp. But it already comes optimized by James for your particular model of cab (if you want.)

I'd highly recommend tech12volts and James if you are thinking about getting more sound while keeping the HU. It saved me money and I love the end product.

Again, feel free to hit me up if I can answer any questions. And if you are in the Williamsburg, VA area, let me know and you can listen to it yourself!

Cheers!

 

I think I bought the same system as you minus the dsr since mine is non jbl. Like you said James helped me out every time I called him. The installation was really smooth and you don’t have to buy anything he provides everything you need down to the screws. The sound is so much better. I definitely would recommend him as well.

 

How do the dash speakers sound? Do you think it is worth the extra effort? I may add them.

 

I second and third this. just got my replacement module for the remote start he has been doing and plugged right in no problem first try. JRT is a real stand up guy. got the shippment even though in the middle of holiday rush. thank you @james@tech12volts!!!

 

Is it difficult to get to it and remove?

 

James is the best
Paul

 

how much was the whole set up?

 

I think it is a little less than a grand. But if you call him and tell him your budget (if you don't want to spend that much), he can recommend what you should buy to get the post bang for your buck. That is what I was originally going to do. I think he'd recommended an amp and subwoofer if I was just going to do one thing.

 

Thanks for the review I've been looking at the 3 options and was leaning towards the OEM I thought the cost looked reasonable, it is concerning that you mentioned they don't say it will be louder. But budget is a concern for me since I've already sunk a lot into my new truck. Do you mind posting or PMing the cost? I have a DC (non-JBL) So I'm not sure if that is going to drive it up or down but like you I want to keep the stock head unit.

 

I’m in the same boat.... leaning oemaudio but this post along with a couple others around has me considering a diy tech12volt upgrade. Will be a DC non jbl as well. All that to say keep us posted if you take the plunge.

 

Is this the system you got?


WHEN YOU PURCHASE THIS PACKAGE WITH EITHER THE DSR1 FOR JBL OR ENTUNE HARNESS NON JBL THERE IS NO CUTTING REQUIRED OF FACTORY WIRING AT ALL.
Package consist of
1 kenwood excelon x802 5 channel amplifier
1 sub knob
1 pair of hertz k170 components front with brackets and sail panels
1 pair of hertz k170 components rear with brackets
2 kenwood excelon x1041 10 inch subs
2 Kenwood kfx x2c dash tweeters
1 Custom sub box for 07 to 20 Tundra CM or DC
4 gauge wire kit and amp rack
2 sets of speaker harnesses for doors.
999.99 plus shipping
if you have JBL and want to keep the factory head unit you will need a dsr1 and that 295 extra for dsr1 and programming
If you have a 14 to 20 non jbl and want to keep the factory head unit you will need an entune harness and loc and thats 49.99 extra

Or

• 1 Custom-built sub enclosure either ported or sealed with amp rack
• 1 Image Dynamics ID-12 12" subwoofers
• 1 Image Dynamics I5800 5 channel amplifier
• 2 pair Image Dynamics ID65CS 6.5" component speakers for the front & rear doors
• 1 pair of speaker mounts for front doors
• 1 pair of speaker mounts rear doors
• 4-gauge wire kit
• 4-channel LOC
• Image Dynamics sub control knob

And is it still going strong?

 

I have JRT dash tweeters (JL C1's and custom bracket)

They come with the PNP wiring harness. Takes about 5 or 10 minutes to install

These !!!

 

@purplenova

I recently installed a 5ch amp, sub, and then James’ Hertz door speaker package. I haven’t touched the dash speakers yet. Would you say changing the dash speakers makes a significant difference? I am imagining they will be drowned out by the other improvements.

I have an SR5, non JBL.

thanks in advance

 

I did the same thing and I just unplugged the dash speakers. Even though the other speakers sound great the dash speakers still seem to overpower the other speakers. I guess because they are right in your face all you hear is ear piercing treble.

 

I installed Kenwood Excelon 2.5" mid's in the dash corners and they blend perfectly with my system. I used Excelon 7" components in my doors and installed the tweets in my sail panels.
5 channel amp, Excelon components in all 4 doors and 10" sub. Sounds fantastic!
SR5 non-JBL but installed Excelon 6906C head unit

 

Anybody ever do a write up on the install process? I got the Tundra kenwood hertz complete audio package from tech12voltz and just want to make sure its hook up right. He says this package in plug and play no wire cutting. I haven't got the package yet just doing some pre-planning to see how long its going to take.

 

Since you have the Hertz components you do have to cut the speaker adapter harness he provides to wire in the tweeters. Other than that there is no wire cutting. Total time for me to install a similar system from him was about 8 hours. Make sure you have all the tools you will need like panel removal tools and such. In order to not wear yourself out on an all day job I would suggest installing the speakers the night before. That way you only have to set up the remaining stuff the next day. You could even set the speakers up well in advance of the rest of the system. You can also save a little time by hooking up the sub the night before and pre-wiring the harness to the amp.

When you cut the nipple to run your power wire make sure you put WD-40 or silicone spray on it to make pulling it through the firewall easier. Take your time and look at videos before you start door panel removal so you know what you are in for. It is real easy to do just take your time.

 

I just got the center channel tweeters (Hertz) from James yesterday and installed them. I was concerned with having too much high end up front but they blend in perfectly!
If you do want a set, contact him directly to order. He may or may not have any in stock.

 

So I got all of my speakers hooked up except the dash speakers and installed the amp etc. But I have not got the power to the amp installed due to not having 4 gauge crimpers to crimp the ends for the amp. anyway when you install the dash speakers do you need to take off the column panel to get the grill off the speakers? And those speakers are not powered by the head unit like the non-jbl's correct?

 

I have the full set of C1's from him. Dash corners and Center as well

 

I'm not sure what you mean by column panel but the dash speakers are powered by the head unit. To get to the dash speakers you just have to pop off the speaker covers to gain access.

 

do you mean the A-pillar (grab handle) when you say "column panel"

The grill lifts up and I think you pull forward (if I remember right) and it pops right off.
You might lose a yellow clip like I did...lol

Not sure on the JBL dash speakers and if H/U powers the dash, mine is non-jbl

 

Yeah the A-pillar. I tried popping it off and it seem like it was stuck on the side where the a-pillar. I know the dash speakers do not come on at all now since there is no amp powered on. Hopefully they will work once I get the power on.

 

on my dash, the side speaker covers are tight against the A-pillar.
it took some gently tugging to get them to pop off

 

So everything installed. Radio, Bluetooth works but Android Auto partly works. And Alexa Entune 3 partly works. There is no audio on either. Is this a common flaw when doing an amp/speaker upgrade?

 

Hey Guys,

I just received my sub replacement for my 2021 Tundra 1794 4X4, that I ordered from James, and it doesn't seem to match what I purchased. This is what I ordered: https://www.shop.tech12volts.com/product.sc?productId=540&categoryId=124
but I only received an empty sub box, no subwoofer. Am I crazy, or should it have came with a subwoofer too? I've attached photos.

 

99.9 % sure you should have got a sub with that. Maybe it was shipped separately??

 

Send James an email. He will get it straightened out. I bought a dual 10” setup from James and the subs don’t come installed in the box so it could just be the sub shipped separately. See if he has another tracking number for the sub.

 

So, I just spoke with James and apparently there was a mix-up on the orders and he is going to send me out a sub for it. Good thing I'm not crazy, LOL.

 

Just for the record:
This does not prove that your not crazy!
Observant, yes, but you still might be crazy.....lol
Enjoy your new truck and system.