[Acuff]

I have a 2009 Tundra and I need a new stereo system.

Honestly, the billons of options on the Net overwhelm me.

If I tell you what I'm looking for, would you mind giving me an idea or two of where to start?

Is it possible to get a whole new system for under $500 -- stereo and speakers?

Ideally, I'd like:

touchscreeen
navigation
bluetooth (for music and hands free calling)
tuner/cd
EASY to use is a must
Loud without distortion is a bigger must.

I appreciate any ideas you may be willing to share.

Thank you.

P.S. Yes, I searched the forums, but very little was recent or a very similar request.

 

[asianflava]

Ha! under $500 for stereo and speakers, the Navigation part alone just blew that budget out of the water. Though you can possibly do a basic CD head and 4 speakers for under $500, don't expect much. A double DIN nav will give all the features you want, but they generally start around $800.

The radio (when it works) is not the greatest. You'll need to replace both the radio and speakers because doing just one won't cut it. The speakers are low wattage high sensitivity speakers designed to work with the low power OEM head. Replacing the head just makes them distort more, and replacing the speakers doesn't get very loud at all.

I'm not sure what you consider "loud" but most head units are pretty much limited to 12W (although they say 25W). You will need an outboard amp if you want "loud".

 

[RRzxter]

It can only be so loud inside a vehicle, before it's just damaging your hearing and you're only doing it to be an attention whooer and not to actually enjoy the music.
But I digress.

Here's another thread to an all-in-one NAV unit for $500.
But you still need speakers.

http://www.tundrasolutions.com/forums/tundra/228217-simplesoft-oem-replacement-dvd-7-touchscreen/

 

[KyleBechtold]

what they said above.. you could get a cheap unit from ebay that you end up hating but for a good nav unit they START at $500+..

even for BOTTOM of the barrel everything you can't get out the door for that..

Bottom EBAY h/u with nav 200-250
4 speakers - 100
amp- 100
wires- 50
dash kit- 25+

and it will sound terrible

 

[quality_sound]

If the HU has time alignment and basic EQ it can sound passable until you add an amp, then a sub, then speakers. Do it in that order. No, you're not going to get it all done for $500, or anywhere in that ballpark but you CAN do it in stages without plunking down a ton of money all at once.

 

[Acuff]

Asianflava -- thanks for the info. Okay, hmmnnn..........with having a smart phone, I wonder if I could let go of the navigation system. I'm not opposed to going over $500 -- that was a guess at a figure. (I have zero knowledge about this stuff and my ususal sources of product knowledge were no help.

When you say "the radio (when it works) is not the greatest," do you mean the stock radio in the Tundra. Speaking of replacing both and not just one or the other -- that's exactly what happened. We replaced the speakers and everything changed -- and not for the better.

What is an "outboard amp" and where is it stored in the vehicle?

Oh, by loud, this is what I mean. When I have a truck full of people and we're hanging out and having a good time, when everybody is singing the lyrics to every song, I want to be able to clearly and distinctly hear the stereo over the people in the truck. Does that make sense?

Thanks again.

 

[Acuff]

RRzxter, I don't want it to be so loud as to damage my (or anybody else's) hearing. But the volume on the stock system is pretty wimpy. See my note above to Asianflava about what I mean by volume.

I'll look at that thread.

Thank you.

 

[Acuff]

Kyle,

Okay, so if I move the budget to $750 -- do you have names, brands, models that might help me get started? Something that will sound great?

Thanks a lot.

 

[Acuff]

Quality_Sound,

What is an HU? What is time alignment? I think the speakers are the biggest problem. The stereo was wimpy before changing the speakers, but at least it worked. So, could I do the stages plan by getting the speakers first? If I did that -- stages -- what order would you say to do it? And, when you say nowhere in the $500 ballpark, what is the ballpark?

Thank you.

 

[Acuff]

Here's another thread to an all-in-one NAV unit for $500.
But you still need speakers.

http://www.tundrasolutions.com/forums/tundra/228217-simplesoft-oem-replacement-dvd-7-touchscreen/

I had seen that thread previous to posting my questions. Unfortunately, because it got so few responses -- really just more questions -- the thread itself was not helpful at all. Sigh......

 

[Scott d]

Oh, by loud, this is what I mean. When I have a truck full of people and we're hanging out and having a good time, when everybody is singing the lyrics to every song, I want to be able to clearly and distinctly hear the stereo over the people in the truck. Does that make sense?

Easy fix. $7 at Home Depot for a roll of duct tape and you won't have this issue anymore....

By the way, "HU" is head unit. It's what you referred to as the stereo itself. An outboard amp is an external amplifier you'd hook between the head unit & speakers. Like an amp you'd buy at Best Buy or any car audio store and mount behind the seat, under the seat, on the back bulkhead, etc. If your system is stock you probably don't already have one unless it's a JBL system, and if so I think it's incorporated in that big black plastic box behind the driver seat with "JBL" on it.

 

[asianflava]

Here are my specific recommendations. I actually have a Pioneer but this is similar and priced well.
Kenwood DNX7180 Navigation receiver at Crutchfield Outlet

There are many options for speakers for the most part, you will need adapters because the stock speakers aren't a standard size. They never say that 6x9 speakers fit but they will (I've done it) with the proper adapter. The standard size would be a 6.5in like this (still needs adapter):
Polk Audio db651 6-1/2" 2-way car speakers — for 6-1/2" and 6-3/4" openings at Crutchfield.com

By reading your responses, it seems that you may be confusing loudness with sound quality. In the OEM system the speakers are a compromise they don't really do anything well, that is why better systems have large and small speakers. A properly tuned system doesn't really sound loud, when you try to talk then you notice how loud it is.

BTW: the stock radio is a big POS. Mine died in 3 months, you'll see threads from others that had the same thing happen. My screen shows random stuff on the screen (it looked like Klingon) and wouldn't do anything. Dealer replaced it under warranty but I took the replacement out the same week and installed a Pioneer DVD/NAV.

 

[quality_sound]

Yep, Kenwood and Pioneer will be your best bet. I don't think Alpine's offerings are in your budget. Start with that and we'll worry about the rest once you can afford more upgrades.
I haven't looked at Alpine's domestic stuff since I ordered my HU. I had to get it from Hong Kong. It's a long story.


Sent from my iPhone using Autoguide

 

[Acuff]

Thank you for all the information -- it is helpful. (I haven't yet moved on this as I had life stuff I was dealing with.)

Would you buy local/retail? If so, what would be the one or two places you would go?

Or would the Internet be your first stop? Going to check out Crutchfield, but are there others any of you would recommend?

Thanks!

 

[cheapskate]

I have not bougth stereo stuff in years, but I still have my old school fosgate punch 45 amps. Not cheap o ones like I hear they make now. Point is I would keep my stock stereo and speakers and put these 2 amps in along with a removable sub. Those 2 amps would pound all day long and make any stereo sound great. The stock stereo's are probably better than they were 20 years ago so I would still do the same thing today. Maybe one of these guys that has more experience than me now can tell me if I am missing something here but I say just get 1 really good amp to start. You can get a hell of a good amp for a few hundred bucks. If you dont find it has given you enough or the sound is not as clear as you would like it, then try changing the speakers or adding a second amp to power a sub to give you the extra base if you want it. Just my 2 cents.

 

[asc08]

Thank you for all the information -- it is helpful. (I haven't yet moved on this as I had life stuff I was dealing with.)

Would you buy local/retail? If so, what would be the one or two places you would go?

Or would the Internet be your first stop? Going to check out Crutchfield, but are there others any of you would recommend?

Thanks!

I would definitely check out Crutchfield, if you are installing it yourself, they include the mounting kit, wiring kit and very good instructions. Their prices are good, and they have a tech support staff that you can call if needed.

 

[Acuff]

I have not bougth stereo stuff in years, but I still have my old school fosgate punch 45 amps. Not cheap o ones like I hear they make now. Point is I would keep my stock stereo and speakers and put these 2 amps in along with a removable sub. Those 2 amps would pound all day long and make any stereo sound great. The stock stereo's are probably better than they were 20 years ago so I would still do the same thing today. Maybe one of these guys that has more experience than me now can tell me if I am missing something here but I say just get 1 really good amp to start. You can get a hell of a good amp for a few hundred bucks. If you dont find it has given you enough or the sound is not as clear as you would like it, then try changing the speakers or adding a second amp to power a sub to give you the extra base if you want it. Just my 2 cents.

That's good information. Since starting this thread in July, I've decided to keep the stock stereo for now. I know I need speakers, so perhaps I'll start with an amp and new speakers.

Thank you!

 

[Acuff]

I would definitely check out Crutchfield, if you are installing it yourself, they include the mounting kit, wiring kit and very good instructions. Their prices are good, and they have a tech support staff that you can call if needed.

Thanks a lot!

 

[jcole]

That's good information. Since starting this thread in July, I've decided to keep the stock stereo for now. I know I need speakers, so perhaps I'll start with an amp and new speakers.

Thank you!

You probably want to start with the head unit first. Yes you will still be stuck with the stock speakers but when you decide to get an amp and speakers having the aftermarket head unit will make things much easier. Stock head units usually do not have RCA outputs to hook to the amp. It can be done with a stck head unit that does not have RCA outputs but you would be much better off with an aftermarket one.

 

[jcole]

I have not bougth stereo stuff in years, but I still have my old school fosgate punch 45 amps. Not cheap o ones like I hear they make now. Point is I would keep my stock stereo and speakers and put these 2 amps in along with a removable sub. Those 2 amps would pound all day long and make any stereo sound great. The stock stereo's are probably better than they were 20 years ago so I would still do the same thing today. Maybe one of these guys that has more experience than me now can tell me if I am missing something here but I say just get 1 really good amp to start. You can get a hell of a good amp for a few hundred bucks. If you dont find it has given you enough or the sound is not as clear as you would like it, then try changing the speakers or adding a second amp to power a sub to give you the extra base if you want it. Just my 2 cents.

I have been out of the car audio loop for a long time too. I can remember back in the day when MTX amps had way more power than they were rated and were the best for the money by far. RF speakers were king at the time too.