2014 GX audio upgrade

[taco Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close taco]

I recently bought a 2014 GX and while I'm very happy with the car, the sound is disappointingly shallow, muffled and tinny all at the same time.

I know that there are many sinilar topics already, but most of them are quite technical and beyond my depth. This won't be a DIY job - I'll have to pay an audio shop to do it.

What are my options?

Replace the head unit? (Does "head unit" include the screen? I'd prefer to leave that as is. Is the stock one decent, in terms of sound quality?)
Replace the front speakers? I hear Focal is a good brand?
Is an amp necessary?

I don't want obnoxiously loud music or bone-rattling bass, just clear sound with depth and texture.

Future resale value is of concern, so whatever I do, it has to be discreet. No glowing subwoofers.

I'll probably try Dynamatting the car after my wallet's recovered from the audio upgrade. The Prado is reasonably quiet already but I figure additional deadening can't hurt, especially around the floor and door areas.

[Geoffloz Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Geoffloz]

Hey Taco, we too recently purchased a 2014 GX, and just yesterday I replaced the rear speakers (6.5) with 6.5 Focal.

My reasoning for this was that I actually had these speakers out of another 4wd, and was not letting them go. I intend on replacing the front 6x9 with Focal from Autobahn; as they have the correct speakers for the front, 'plug and play' so to speak. The speakers are not that bad in my vehicle (soundwise), and the only reason I changed rear was so the Focal speakers did not get ruined in storage. The speakers in the rear are so flimsy and are 22 watt... and I think the stock head unit does a great job to get these speakers to sound good!

So, IMO I would go out and buy the Focals and get them installed and you will find a very good sound for $340 ish plus installation. I will be doing this in the future, but atm I have EFS suspension, rear drawers, seat covers etc to be fitted in the next couple of weeks - so need to let the bank balance settle. Kenwood do a (from what I understand) direct factory replacement head unit DDX916WS. That would be another option (as it is amplified), and I had a Kenwood DDX9016DABS unit in my previous 4wd and it was so very good. I did have an amp to go in the vehicle; but it was not needed, nor could I warrant it.

Just thought I would reply to your thread with some info you may use.

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[taco Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close taco]

Thanks a lot! Lots of useful info there.

Sorry about the late reply and the thread necromancy- I lost my account details and then forgot it even existed until today.