2002 Sequoia non JBL Stereo replacment?

I just bought my 2002 SR5 and love it and plan on keeping it as long as
possible. To me the basic stereo sounds sort of dull and not very crisp, no
MP3 support, and I miss having a remote. Thus the factory sound system must
go. I see allot of post but have not been able to fully understand where the
system is lacking.
a.. Is the factory Receiver/head unit the source of this poor sound?
b.. Does the factory speakers have the ability if hooked up to a better
Receiver to come across crisp or do I need to replace those also?
c.. Is there an amp between the factory non JBL unit and the speakers? If
so should I by pass it or run it off the new receiver or another amp?
I planned on starting with the receiver and working my way out to the
speakers. Any experience with this situation would be much appreciated.
Thanks for your help,
Bryon

"Ray O" <rokigawaATtristarassociatesDOTcom> wrote in message
news:9b9ff$4546c919$47c2b532$19218@msgid.meganewsservers.com...[color=blue]
>
> "Bryon" <btp@tds.net> wrote in message
> news:oCz1h.32$jV7.8@newsreading01.news.tds.net...[color=green]
>>I just bought my 2002 SR5 and love it and plan on keeping it as long as
>>possible. To me the basic stereo sounds sort of dull and not very crisp,
>>no MP3 support, and I miss having a remote. Thus the factory sound system
>>must go. I see allot of post but have not been able to fully understand
>>where the system is lacking.
>> a.. Is the factory Receiver/head unit the source of this poor sound?
>> b.. Does the factory speakers have the ability if hooked up to a better
>> Receiver to come across crisp or do I need to replace those also?
>> c.. Is there an amp between the factory non JBL unit and the speakers?
>> If so should I by pass it or run it off the new receiver or another amp?
>> I planned on starting with the receiver and working my way out to the
>> speakers. Any experience with this situation would be much appreciated.
>> Thanks for your help,
>> Bryon[/color]
>
> Do you have audio controls on the steering wheel? If so, you will have to
> look for a compatible receiver.[/color]

Only if he wants to retain that feature. Otherwise, it'll just sit there
doing nothing after the new radio is installed.

"Bryon" <btp@tds.net> wrote in message
news:oCz1h.32$jV7.8@newsreading01.news.tds.net...[color=blue]
>I just bought my 2002 SR5 and love it and plan on keeping it as long as
>possible. To me the basic stereo sounds sort of dull and not very crisp, no
>MP3 support, and I miss having a remote. Thus the factory sound system must
>go. I see allot of post but have not been able to fully understand where
>the system is lacking.
> a.. Is the factory Receiver/head unit the source of this poor sound?
> b.. Does the factory speakers have the ability if hooked up to a better
> Receiver to come across crisp or do I need to replace those also?
> c.. Is there an amp between the factory non JBL unit and the speakers? If
> so should I by pass it or run it off the new receiver or another amp?
> I planned on starting with the receiver and working my way out to the
> speakers. Any experience with this situation would be much appreciated.
> Thanks for your help,
> Bryon
>[/color]


A) Both the head unit and the speakers are the problem.

B) The speakers may not be coaxial, meaning no tweeter. So, there's a limit
to the high frequencies you'll get. However, if you were to install a head
unit with more power, or a new head unit and separate amplifier, there would
still be some improvement in the overall sound, particularly in the
tightness of the bass notes.

C) I can't answer the question about the presence of a separate amp, but if
I had to guess, I'd say probably not. You may be able to find this out at
this web site: [url]http://www.techinfo.toyota.com/[/url] You can buy one-day access
for $10.00, and you should be able to obtain all the info you need. Another
newsgroup, rec.audio.car may also be helpful. Finally, the people at
[url]www.crutchfield.com[/url] are often helpful.

When shopping for a new head unit, don't be romanced by units with higher
wattage ratings. It is not possible to build enough power into a head unit
to create truly good sound. Yes, a unit with 20 watts per channel will sound
somewhat better than one with 5 watts per channel. But, in order to get
above car noise, a really nice sound system will need 50-100 watts per
channel. I'm not talking about being able to drive down the street with one
of those stupid woofers waking up the sidewalks. I mean, just decent sound.
For a decent system in your living room, you'd never consider 20 watts per
channel to be enough. Even the quietest car will have 20-50 decibels of
masking noise from engine, heater, wind and road. You need to get over that
noise.

So: If you want to build the system a little at a time, you *could* pick a
unit that's got more power than the factory unit. Just be sure it also has
line-level outputs for connecting to an amplifier later. Never run the
already-amplified speaker lines to a separate amp.

Ray O wrote:[color=blue]
>
> Do you have audio controls on the steering wheel? If so, you will have to
> look for a compatible receiver.[/color]

Not any more.

My local installer has a device that'll make the controls work with
almost any receiver. It isn't free, but if the receiver with all the
features you want doesn't have Toyota control compatibility, you can
still eat your cake! <G>

See a good local car stereo shop, and I don't mean Best Buy or Circuit City.

"B A R R Y" <beech23pilot@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:VtJ1h.6175$s6.1830@newssvr11.news.prodigy.com...[color=blue]
> Ray O wrote:[color=green]
>>
>> Do you have audio controls on the steering wheel? If so, you will have
>> to look for a compatible receiver.[/color]
>
> Not any more.
>
> My local installer has a device that'll make the controls work with almost
> any receiver. It isn't free, but if the receiver with all the features
> you want doesn't have Toyota control compatibility, you can still eat your
> cake! <G>
>
> See a good local car stereo shop, and I don't mean Best Buy or Circuit
> City.[/color]


Those last two: Butchers.

"JoeSpareBedroom" <dishborealis@yahoo.com> wrote in message news:PwJ1h.4429$ya1.3448@news02.roc.ny...
: "B A R R Y" <beech23pilot@yahoo.com> wrote in message
: news:VtJ1h.6175$s6.1830@newssvr11.news.prodigy.com...
: > Ray O wrote:
: >>
: >> Do you have audio controls on the steering wheel? If so, you will have
: >> to look for a compatible receiver.
: >
: > Not any more.
: >
: > My local installer has a device that'll make the controls work with almost
: > any receiver. It isn't free, but if the receiver with all the features
: > you want doesn't have Toyota control compatibility, you can still eat your
: > cake! <G>
: >
: > See a good local car stereo shop, and I don't mean Best Buy or Circuit
: > City.
:
:
: Those last two: Butchers.


No, Audio Express is the training ground for butchers.

"Watts D. Matter" <qwerty@cox.com> wrote in message
news:KcM1h.5098$or7.3584@newsfe08.phx...[color=blue]
>
> "JoeSpareBedroom" <dishborealis@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:PwJ1h.4429$ya1.3448@news02.roc.ny...
> : "B A R R Y" <beech23pilot@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> : news:VtJ1h.6175$s6.1830@newssvr11.news.prodigy.com...
> : > Ray O wrote:
> : >>
> : >> Do you have audio controls on the steering wheel? If so, you will
> have
> : >> to look for a compatible receiver.
> : >
> : > Not any more.
> : >
> : > My local installer has a device that'll make the controls work with
> almost
> : > any receiver. It isn't free, but if the receiver with all the
> features
> : > you want doesn't have Toyota control compatibility, you can still eat
> your
> : > cake! <G>
> : >
> : > See a good local car stereo shop, and I don't mean Best Buy or Circuit
> : > City.
> :
> :
> : Those last two: Butchers.
>
>
> No, Audio Express is the training ground for butchers.[/color]

None of those around here (Western NY) that I'm aware of. Sounds like I'm
lucky.

"JoeSpareBedroom" <dishborealis@yahoo.com> wrote in message news:TjM1h.4395$Ka1.1856@news01.roc.ny...
: "Watts D. Matter" <qwerty@cox.com> wrote in message
: news:KcM1h.5098$or7.3584@newsfe08.phx...
: >
: > "JoeSpareBedroom" <dishborealis@yahoo.com> wrote in message
: > news:PwJ1h.4429$ya1.3448@news02.roc.ny...
: > : "B A R R Y" <beech23pilot@yahoo.com> wrote in message
: > : news:VtJ1h.6175$s6.1830@newssvr11.news.prodigy.com...
: > : > Ray O wrote:
: > : >>
: > : >> Do you have audio controls on the steering wheel? If so, you will
: > have
: > : >> to look for a compatible receiver.
: > : >
: > : > Not any more.
: > : >
: > : > My local installer has a device that'll make the controls work with
: > almost
: > : > any receiver. It isn't free, but if the receiver with all the
: > features
: > : > you want doesn't have Toyota control compatibility, you can still eat
: > your
: > : > cake! <G>
: > : >
: > : > See a good local car stereo shop, and I don't mean Best Buy or Circuit
: > : > City.
: > :
: > :
: > : Those last two: Butchers.
: >
: >
: > No, Audio Express is the training ground for butchers.
:
: None of those around here (Western NY) that I'm aware of. Sounds like I'm
: lucky.

Yeah you are. Otto Express is a Western states infection.

"Watts D. Matter" <qwerty@cox.com> wrote in message
news:YuN1h.5099$or7.3987@newsfe08.phx...
[color=blue]
> : > No, Audio Express is the training ground for butchers.
> :
> : None of those around here (Western NY) that I'm aware of. Sounds like
> I'm
> : lucky.
>
> Yeah you are. Otto Express is a Western states infection.[/color]

I used to complain about the brutal way my first boss in that business
treated us. But, two years later, I realized it was like the U.S. Marines
boot camp, for car audio installers. (Berliner Stereo, Great Neck NY). My
skills were very much in demand when I moved to a smaller city. Too bad the
pay scale didn't keep up with the needs of adults with families. Rumor had
it you could make MUCH more money in California, but I had no interest in
moving there.

I'd swap out the speakers first - 5 years old to begin with. Then see what
you think. PIE makes an adapter to hoodk up Mp3 player to stock unit.
Aftermarket always look so added on.

"Bryon" <btp@tds.net> wrote in message
news:oCz1h.32$jV7.8@newsreading01.news.tds.net...[color=blue]
>I just bought my 2002 SR5 and love it and plan on keeping it as long as
>possible. To me the basic stereo sounds sort of dull and not very crisp, no
>MP3 support, and I miss having a remote. Thus the factory sound system must
>go. I see allot of post but have not been able to fully understand where
>the system is lacking.
> a.. Is the factory Receiver/head unit the source of this poor sound?
> b.. Does the factory speakers have the ability if hooked up to a better
> Receiver to come across crisp or do I need to replace those also?
> c.. Is there an amp between the factory non JBL unit and the speakers? If
> so should I by pass it or run it off the new receiver or another amp?
> I planned on starting with the receiver and working my way out to the
> speakers. Any experience with this situation would be much appreciated.
> Thanks for your help,
> Bryon
>[/color]

"Wolfgang" <NOwolfXgang_dieterxSPAM@NOXcox.netNOT> wrote in message
news:ylT1h.25744$v81.404@newsfe18.lga...[color=blue]
> I'd swap out the speakers first - 5 years old to begin with. Then see
> what you think. PIE makes an adapter to hoodk up Mp3 player to stock
> unit. Aftermarket always look so added on.[/color]

A lot of aftermarket speakers will be less efficient than the ones which
came with the Toyota radio. This will result in even flatter sound as they
absorb even more of the 3 watts per channel he's probably dealing with.

Drop a "line out converter" into an AMP w/built in EQ and add some good
speakers.

Most factory stereos are built to last, not to perform. As long as the
signal out is clean, you can enhance it.

Many times I have left the head unit in a car, added some good speakers
($100-$250 per pair) that could handle some decent wattage. Dropped in
a good amp with EQ built in ($200 for a Sony Explt for example), and
used a lineout converter ($10) to get it hooked to the head unit. The
result is usually a very good sounding system. It's not near top of the
line, but blows away most factory systems.

Make sure the lineout converter is plugged into a filtered 12V line or
you could get engine whine. You can purchase a filter for about $10.

Now if you want MP3, you can do that via these MP3 to RF adapters
($29-$49). Or you could purchase an amp with aux in and run a line to
where your iPod would normally be located. That line would plug in
like headphones.

Just options. If you do replace the head unit, keep it. They are
almost always worth more at resell than an after market replacement.
Call your local junk yard and ask them how much they want to sell one
for. Never just give it to the installer.

On Tue, 31 Oct 2006 21:09:07 -0500, Wolfgang wrote:
[color=blue]
> I'd swap out the speakers first - 5 years old to begin with. Then see what
> you think. PIE makes an adapter to hoodk up Mp3 player to stock unit.
> Aftermarket always look so added on.[/color]

Not when you do it right! ;)


[color=blue]
>
> "Bryon" <btp@tds.net> wrote in message
> news:oCz1h.32$jV7.8@newsreading01.news.tds.net...[color=green]
>>I just bought my 2002 SR5 and love it and plan on keeping it as long as
>>possible. To me the basic stereo sounds sort of dull and not very crisp, no
>>MP3 support, and I miss having a remote. Thus the factory sound system must
>>go. I see allot of post but have not been able to fully understand where
>>the system is lacking.
>> a.. Is the factory Receiver/head unit the source of this poor sound?
>> b.. Does the factory speakers have the ability if hooked up to a better
>> Receiver to come across crisp or do I need to replace those also?
>> c.. Is there an amp between the factory non JBL unit and the speakers? If
>> so should I by pass it or run it off the new receiver or another amp?
>> I planned on starting with the receiver and working my way out to the
>> speakers. Any experience with this situation would be much appreciated.
>> Thanks for your help,
>> Bryon
>>[/color][/color]

On Wed, 01 Nov 2006 02:12:03 +0000, JoeSpareBedroom wrote:
[color=blue]
> "Wolfgang" <NOwolfXgang_dieterxSPAM@NOXcox.netNOT> wrote in message
> news:ylT1h.25744$v81.404@newsfe18.lga...[color=green]
>> I'd swap out the speakers first - 5 years old to begin with. Then see
>> what you think. PIE makes an adapter to hoodk up Mp3 player to stock
>> unit. Aftermarket always look so added on.[/color]
>
> A lot of aftermarket speakers will be less efficient than the ones which
> came with the Toyota radio. This will result in even flatter sound as they
> absorb even more of the 3 watts per channel he's probably dealing with.[/color]


Well, this is sort of true. I lost a few decibles when I replaced the
factory Pioneer speakers with MB Quarts.

That's what we have volume controls for!

The sound is much better, even with the stock head unit. It already has
MP3 playback, and just lacks a direct input for my XM receiver. But the
PIE adapter will fix that...if I leave the factory head unit in.

On Tue, 31 Oct 2006 12:22:21 +0000, JoeSpareBedroom wrote:
[color=blue]
> "Bryon" <btp@tds.net> wrote in message
> news:oCz1h.32$jV7.8@newsreading01.news.tds.net...[color=green]
>>I just bought my 2002 SR5 and love it and plan on keeping it as long as
>>possible. To me the basic stereo sounds sort of dull and not very crisp, no
>>MP3 support, and I miss having a remote. Thus the factory sound system must
>>go. I see allot of post but have not been able to fully understand where
>>the system is lacking.
>> a.. Is the factory Receiver/head unit the source of this poor sound?
>> b.. Does the factory speakers have the ability if hooked up to a better
>> Receiver to come across crisp or do I need to replace those also?
>> c.. Is there an amp between the factory non JBL unit and the speakers? If
>> so should I by pass it or run it off the new receiver or another amp?
>> I planned on starting with the receiver and working my way out to the
>> speakers. Any experience with this situation would be much appreciated.
>> Thanks for your help,
>> Bryon
>>[/color]
>
>
> A) Both the head unit and the speakers are the problem.
>
> B) The speakers may not be coaxial, meaning no tweeter. So, there's a limit
> to the high frequencies you'll get. However, if you were to install a head
> unit with more power, or a new head unit and separate amplifier, there would
> still be some improvement in the overall sound, particularly in the
> tightness of the bass notes.
>
> C) I can't answer the question about the presence of a separate amp, but if
> I had to guess, I'd say probably not. You may be able to find this out at
> this web site: [url]http://www.techinfo.toyota.com/[/url] You can buy one-day access
> for $10.00, and you should be able to obtain all the info you need. Another
> newsgroup, rec.audio.car may also be helpful. Finally, the people at
> [url]www.crutchfield.com[/url] are often helpful.
>
> When shopping for a new head unit, don't be romanced by units with higher
> wattage ratings. It is not possible to build enough power into a head unit
> to create truly good sound. Yes, a unit with 20 watts per channel will sound
> somewhat better than one with 5 watts per channel. But, in order to get
> above car noise, a really nice sound system will need 50-100 watts per
> channel. I'm not talking about being able to drive down the street with one
> of those stupid woofers waking up the sidewalks. I mean, just decent sound.
> For a decent system in your living room, you'd never consider 20 watts per
> channel to be enough. Even the quietest car will have 20-50 decibels of
> masking noise from engine, heater, wind and road. You need to get over that
> noise.[/color]


I could argue this. In the Supra I have a couple amps, really good
speakers, etc. But the Supra is a 'cruising' car, and the roof comes off,
so decent sound was a must.

But, in my Winter Beater '92 Grand Voyager, I replaced all the speakers;
MB Quart 5" in the dash and Infinity 6x9 in the rear door. Now, on this
vehicle, the amps (Infinity) are mounted to the speakers; they have a
line-level converter built in. I replaced the head unit with a Sony Xplode
that I took out of a car someone traded in; it says 52 Watts per channel,
but the rated RMS output is 20 Watts. In a big, noisy vehicle like an old,
rattly van, this is PLENTY of power to overcome road and wind noise, even
with the windows down!

My advice would be, if you don't want to add an amp, buy a good quality
head unit.

In my 'collection' I have the Xplode that has a built-in 7 band EQ, this
REALLY comes in handy. I was going to trade the van but decided not to, I
traded my LHS, and I pulled the JVC MP3 unit out of the LHS. Since I was
going to trade the van, I pulled the Sony. I replaced the Sony with the
JVC (45 Watts per channel) and it sounds just about as good. I have a JVC
in the Supra, but that has amps, so no comparison. I also have a Clarion
that's OK, and an Aiwa that has the one thing the others don't: a front
panel input for the XM receiver, but since it doesn't have MP3 it sits on
the shelf. It is also a very good unit for CDs and XM, and sounds decent
with it's '3 band EQ'. It's rated at about 35 Watts per channel.

And, the best thing...I got them on E-Bay for pennies on the dollar. They
all worked, and they all sound great.

Hot? I hope not. I was selling the aftermarket radios out of cars we took
in trade on E-Bay and replacing them with Factory units a friend of mine
in an installation shop was giving me! Win-Win!



[color=blue]
>
> So: If you want to build the system a little at a time, you *could* pick a
> unit that's got more power than the factory unit. Just be sure it also has
> line-level outputs for connecting to an amplifier later. Never run the
> already-amplified speaker lines to a separate amp.[/color]