Premium stereo tweaks for better / louder sound quality?

[Nedloh227]

I haven’t used Sirius in almost 10 years but since it’s included i will have to test it out and see if it gives better sound. I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s something i have setup wrong.

I have noticed in mine that Sirius XM does play louder than Carplay. I usually have to adjust the volume up 10-15 when transitioning to Carplay.

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[beninbeta]

Mine is lacking as well, even have to turn it up past 35-40 to sound halfway decent. Even at that level the bass is sad.

What sources are you using?

 

[The Dude]

Yea. I’ve got my truck now and with the treble, mid, and bass turned ALL the way up, and the volume past 35, it sounds okay, but it’s about 50 percent of what I was hoping for. The Harman Kardon upgraded audio in the Subaru forester that I traded in puts the Tacoma to shame. My Tacoma sounds as if the majority of the sound is coming out of the little removable speaker in the dash. I guess I’m going to eventually try and get a small amp installed that I can conceal some where without losing my underseat storage, and probably swap out the 8” sub for something like a Rockford Fosgate, or JL Audio, but it’ll really just depend if the magnet on the better subs is too large to fit in the conformal box behind the seat.

Have you checked if the sound coming out of the system is indeed coming from the system, not just the dash speaker? Play something and put your ear to the door speakers, see if ANYTHING is coming out. Also, as a thought, find the amp for the stereo, and check to see the plug is seated properly. I’d tell you where the amp is, but I don’t have a truck yet. With the number of loose plugs reported, what’s one more?

 

[Mykale220]

Have you checked if the sound coming out of the system is indeed coming from the system, not just the dash speaker? Play something and put your ear to the door speakers, see if ANYTHING is coming out. Also, as a thought, find the amp for the stereo, and check to see the plug is seated properly. I’d tell you where the amp is, but I don’t have a truck yet. With the number of loose plugs reported, what’s one more?

it’s coming out of the door speakers and stuff because I can feel the bass on my arm when leaving on the door, it’s just not very loud. I do wear a hearing aid, but I have no issues hearing other vehicles premium factory audio. — I figured the amp was built into the entertainment system, but I’m not sure.

 

[The Dude]

it’s coming out of the door speakers and stuff because I can feel the bass on my arm when leaving on the door, it’s just not very loud. I do wear a hearing aid, but I have no issues hearing other vehicles premium factory audio. — I figured the amp was built into the entertainment system, but I’m not sure.

If you have the JBL system, and it sounds like you do, you’ll have an external amp. I’m the 2nd and 3rd gens it was under the passenger seat. Not sure with the 4th, having power/ventilated seats. Could be near the sub in the back, even integrated on the back of the enclosure.

 

[Mykale220]

If you have the JBL system, and it sounds like you do, you’ll have an external amp. I’m the 2nd and 3rd gens it was under the passenger seat. Not sure with the 4th, having power/ventilated seats. Could be near the sub in the back, even integrated on the back of the enclosure.

Thanks brother, I’ll do some investigating and report back. Other than the lackluster premium audio, I’m loving the truck. It actually has some balls to it. I mean it’s not a corvette. But it doesn’t act like it’s going to explode when you are getting on it. - I have already had a tire blow out though. Sidewall blew out with 700 miles on it. They’re reimbursing me for it, but it’s still a pain to deal with.

 

[nick776]

I got my 2024 Bronze Oxide TRD Sport Premium 4x4 last week and I have also noticed that the volume on Sirius XM is noticeably louder than music via CarPlay. Perhaps it is a software issue with iPhone? It also appears that the sound engineers set the max volume about where the speakers would distort if turned up louder, so I think the lack of extreme loudness is intentional as I do not think the power of the amp would be sufficient.

 

[Miqie]

I've noticed that Sirius is more compressed than when I play music from an app on my phone. Almost the difference between a transistor radio vs. a CD. Definitely won't be buying a subscription when the trial ends.

 

[GMak621]

100% agree with OP. They piped in way too much sound through the portable speaker for some reason. It over powers everything else. You may just want to remove that and go from there. It’ll sound better

 

[Goriders]

I picked up my truck today. Maybe it’s just me but I thought the stereo was more than adequate.

 

[Miqie]

100% agree with OP. They piped in way too much sound through the portable speaker for some reason. It over powers everything else. You may just want to remove that and go from there. It’ll sound better

Too bad the volume controls on the front speaker don't work while it's in the truck.

 

[chounder]

I need to try this, but has anyone e ejected the portable speaker and test the stereo with and without it? I believe the other speakers should compensate with the center channel out. I’m guessing the enter channel is overly biased.

I’m coming from a Bang & Olufsen system in my Audi so this JBL system sounds like an 80’s Walkman

 

[wire4money]

I need to try this, but has anyone e ejected the portable speaker and test the stereo with and without it? I believe the other speakers should compensate with the center channel out. I’m guessing the enter channel is overly biased.

I’m coming from a Bang & Olufsen system in my Audi so this JBL system sounds like an 80’s Walkman

Yes, my center speaker is in my center console. It sounds much more balanced. Also, I installed a Beatsonic preamp. It adds a bit of volume. This system will never compare with the one in your Audi.

 

[dylanaclk]

Got my TRD OR with premium JBL audio last November and the sound system is definitely more than adequate. I love sound systems and loud music, yet I still don’t even go above 25 (I believe 50 or 60 is MAX?)

 

[hoodouken]

At low level volume I don't change/touch the center speaker but if I turn it up I tend to eject the center speaker. Like others mentioned it's so much more balanced at med/high volume without the center speaker.

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