Selection help 2019 4Runner

[Cheezledzul 10+ year member]

New to car audio I’d like to improve sound quality but will need to do it in stages. I was once told head units are the first upgrade because it will provide more power to the stock speakers (plus CarPlay is nice to have). Is this true or should I be looking at speakers, sub, amp etc first?

I checked out these units and can’t understand which will provide better sound quality. Except the Sony has a better built in amp I think? I’ve heard Sony isn’t good though. Screen size doesn’t matter, just want improved audio, CarPlay and less freezing/glitching.
Is the higher price tag really improving audio quality over the other units? Could anyone help advise between these units? Thank you!

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_500ILXW770/Alpine-iLX-W770.html

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_500ILXF509/Alpine-Halo9-iLX-F509.html

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_158XAV9000/Sony-XAV-9000ES.html

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_500ILX507/Alpine-iLX-507.html

Click to read more...

 

[mahc 10+ year member]

I've worked on that model. Sound proofing all five doors and adding baffles should be your first move.

As for head units, look for functionalities and expandabilities you want. The sound difference out of the box is probably negligible.

 

[huberoy123 10+ year member]

New to car audio I’d like to improve sound quality but will need to do it in stages. I was once told head units are the first upgrade because it will provide more power to the stock speakers (plus CarPlay is nice to have). Is this true or should I be looking at speakers, sub, amp etc first?

I checked out these units and can’t understand which will provide better sound quality. Except the Sony has a better built in amp I think? I’ve heard Sony isn’t good though. Screen size doesn’t matter, just want improved audio, CarPlay and less freezing/glitching.
Is the higher price tag really improving audio quality over the other units? Could anyone help advise between these units? Thank you!

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_500ILXW770/Alpine-iLX-W770.html

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_500ILXF509/Alpine-Halo9-iLX-F509.html

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_158XAV9000/Sony-XAV-9000ES.html

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_500ILX507/Alpine-iLX-507.html

I started with speakers, and it made a big difference in the sound. Later, I caught the "audiophile bug" and upgraded the head unit to gain USB capability, a backup camera, SiriusXM, and a touchscreen. Upgrading your headunit may not improve how your speakers perform—just my opinion.

 

[Cheezledzul 10+ year member]

I started with speakers, and it made a big difference in the sound. Later, I caught the "audiophile bug" and upgraded the head unit to gain USB capability, a backup camera, SiriusXM, and a touchscreen. Upgrading your headunit may not improve how your speakers perform—just my opinion.

What speakers do you have or would you recommend?
What head unit did you get?
The last time I touched car audio was like 20 years ago on my first car and I remembered people saying speakers won’t do much without a head unit and amp.

 

[Cheezledzul 10+ year member]

I've worked on that model. Sound proofing all five doors and adding baffles should be your first move.

As for head units, look for functionalities and expandabilities you want. The sound difference out of the box is probably negligible.

I have 100ft of havelock wool I was going to use on my van build, been postponed. I sleep in the 4Runner for camping too. Would this work as sound proofing or not worth using it? Honestly may just sell the wool if not.

If I’m going to change out speakers is adding baffles worth doing to the stock speakers? Would speakers be the first purchase over a head unit?

Thanks for the reply

 

[huberoy123 10+ year member]

What speakers do you have or would you recommend?
What head unit did you get?
The last time I touched car audio was like 20 years ago on my first car and I remembered people saying speakers won’t do much without a head unit and amp.

I like the Infinity Reference series speakers. I've also used Pioneer Brand. The technology has improved over the years. I have a JVC KW-M560BT MULTIMEDIA RECEIVER. Try Crutchfield.com. They have a feature where you type in your car make, model, etc., and they will give you recommendations. Also, look at the reviews. Personally, I run all my speakers off aftermarket Pioneer amplifiers. Good luck.