$2500 Full SQ System Suggestions

[itsZiz]

I'm planning a system, and wanted to see what brilliant ideas/systems y'all could come up with!
I've had a few specific questions before, but wanted to get a big picture look with the expertise available here.


- - - - - Parameters - - - - -
- Keeping stock radio, non JBL, 2021 Toyota Tacoma 4dr
- Stock OEM locations: Door - up to 8" 3.25 depth, Corner Dash - up to 3" diam. (firing up at windshield), can add tweeter to sail panel if needed. NO rear speakers.
- Sub depth up to 5", 1.0 cu ft max (building my own box, don't need to include price in budget)
- Amps under seats (12x8x2 safely)

So, with $2500, what would your build be?


Speakers
Sub
Amps
DSP
Sound Treatment
Wiring


Planning to purchase in 1 month, and want to have all my ducks in a row to do it asap once my bonus check comes in.


PS. I already have a calibrated Umik-1 and some practice with REW.

[Jdunk54nl]

Speaker Amp - ~$700 - Helix M4 dsp amp - will need to get this from a local dealer
Sub - $500 - JL TW3 12" (Sonic electronics has some decent deals on this sub and amp combo in this box As in if you buy the second link via calling them you can get them to throw in the amp)
Sound treatment - $600 - Resonix all the way
Wiring - $200 - I am a fan of Knu Koncept power and rca pure copper wires. Priced right and well into diminishing wire returns

Speakers - $500 - Maybe a audiofrog gs25 wide band (or another wideband) with peerless sls 6.5" and cross them around 300-400hz.


Total = $2500


That is what I would do if I were to build a system today that was a 2 way in a truck.

[itsZiz]

@jdunk54nl thanks for the input. I know sound treatment is important, its just sad to see so much of the budget go toward it.

[BenevolentDictator]

Goes to show how important a piece of the build that is though.....it can make 30 dollar speakers sound like 300 dollar speakers. I've heard it firsthand.

It's like working out...the 80/20 rule, people think it's 80% activity 20% diet but it's actually the inverse of that. Same goes to these installations.....these guys know better than myself but some 32 dollar Silver Flutes could potentially sound much better in a better install than some 'Frogs in a shit install.

I was in the process of giving you some suggestions for your build but I quickly ran out of proverbial money lol. I'll think on it more and revisit.

@jdunk54nl thanks for the input. I know sound treatment is important, its just sad to see so much of the budget go toward it.

[89grand]

This is kind of hard to answer. Most will list what gear they like, but it may or may not be the best for you. Some more details would be useful like is the Tacoma a 4 dr, or extra cab style? What do you want out of the system, SQ and reasonable volume levels, or high SPL with decent SQ? Where are you going to install the sub/subs? Where are you going to install the amps?

I have a 2019 single cab Ram, so space is at a premium, so it dictated my choices to a large degree. If I had a crew cab, I could have chosen differently, although I like my setup. For instance, I went with a JL Audio 12TW1 Power Wedge enclosure. That saved me having to mount another amp somewhere as the amp is built in. If I had a larger vehicle, I may not have used it, even though I'm satisfied with the output. I used a Kicker Key 200.4 for several reasons, one it fits under the radio behind the dash because it's so small, but I was going to use its tuning, until I realized I wanted better sound, so I went with a miniDSP 8X12DL. I wanted to use stock speaker locations, so I used a 6x9 woofer, and wide band dash speakers.

Had someone else chosen my setup for me, I guarantee it would be different than what ultimately worked for me. I think $600 is a lot for deadening. Maybe try just doing the doors really well, and address other areas if needed later. I think you could do wiring for well under $100 if you chose carefully.

[itsZiz]

Added info about the amps, under both seats I have room for 12x8x2. Sub is in the back with the cu ft i listed as well as SQ focused.

[Euphonic]

What about a Musway M6v3 for the amplifier/DSP requirement?

[itsZiz]

What about a Musway M6v3 for the amplifier/DSP requirement?

I havent heard of them before

[Justin Zazzi]

This is kind of hard to answer. Most will list what gear they like, but it may or may not be the best for you. Some more details would be useful like is the Tacoma a 4 dr, or extra cab style? What do you want out of the system, SQ and reasonable volume levels, or high SPL with decent SQ? Where are you going to install the sub/subs? Where are you going to install the amps?

More of this please. If OP is asking what *we* would do, that's easy. But if you want advice on what would make *you* happy, that's really hard without knowing what makes you happy!

I'm not familiar with that vehicle/radio, but will you need any factory integration equipment like a PAC or Maestro unit?
An all-in-one amplifier sounds like a good idea. You could get all 5 channels and a dsp under the seats if it's all one box like the Hertz Jdunk mentioned.
Sound treatments are good too, but $600 worth seems like a lot?

[Jdunk54nl]

Ya, the $600 was just the extra that was left after everything else. I know that was about what I spent to fully cld, ccf, and mlv my truck.