After market audio upgrade kits?

[Thx_1158]

Some companies like OEM Audio plus and Taco Tunes will develop aftermarket upgrade kits. Anyone seen anything like this yet? I don't want to add a Beatsonic and I'm just looking for a bit more soundstage, clarity and bass. A local audio shop wanted 12K to upgrade the system and If I skipped replacing the speakers, they graciously dropped that estimate to 4k. Crutchfield thus far is not listing anything for the 250 yet.

 

[DarthAckbarious]

I know you mentioned no to Beatsonic, but I installed one and have been pretty happy with the improvement for the price. The install process was easy with their video. It may be worth trying before putting $$$$ into it.

 

[ekkoville]

Regarding the Beatsonic improvement, I chatted with them online the other day and I am skeptical of improvement. It’s not an “amplifier” that replaces the factory amp, it’s a line level amp that, if you’re familiar with AV processors and amps, probably increase line level voltage to the factory amp allowing it to be driven at full power. Example would be an AV processor delivering .5v to the amplifier and the amp needing 1-1.5v to be driven to full power. Increasing the voltage output from the processor will drive the amp to higher volumes, and that seems to be what I have read is happening. The Beatsonic piece isn’t driving the speaker, it’s more than likely just increasing the voltage to the factory amp. In the chat, they said it improves and clarifies the signal, whatever that means. So unless it has some DSP inside, I think it’s just increasing the line level voltage a bit. Just my .02 on it.

 

[mkg]

No idea how Beatsonic technically works.. but my best description would be like the volume is 10-15 points higher than what the stock dial would be.
ie. Normally listen to music at ~25 with stock setup, with beatsonic I would be at 10-15. On the stock stereo you could blast music in the 40s.. no chance Im getting there with Beatsonic. Definitely helpful for quieter music/podcasts etc and everything seems a bit more powerful.

 

[ekkoville]

I think that is what it’s doing. I see the same thing, volume is in the high 30s to 40s sometimes while driving. Honestly it does seem like a worthwhile upgrade just for that reason.

 

[TrailWhale]

Lots of good details in this thread:

Thread 'LC Trim base level stereo'
LC Trim base level stereo

I haven’t done anything yet but I’m considering just swapping the dash L/R speakers to clean up the mid range a bit. (I’m otherwise happy with the LCLC non-premium system)

 

[Guest3885]

I tell ya... if ya want to do it on the cheap, I added Dynamat to all doors and rear lift gate and it made a noticeable difference in sound quality. Not to mention it made opening the doors not feel like I was entering a Corolla.

The only factory sound insulation material we found was a little piece on the lift gate.

1958 trim btw

 

[ultane]

I’m still waiting for someone to make an 8-track tape player for Miss Daisy..