How to Upgrade Your 2021 Tacoma Sound System
A sound system upgrade can be a major improvement to your 2021 Tacoma and your driving experience—but it could also raise your insurance rates.
Written by John Davis
Reviewed by Melanie Reiff
The stock sound system on your 2021 Toyota Tacoma leaves much to be desired, to say the least. It includes two tweeters on the dash, one 6”x9” speaker on each front door, and one 6.5” speaker on each rear door. Replacing each of these speakers will drastically improve your sound system—but if you really want to step up your audio game, you’ll want to add a subwoofer and an amplifier.
The 2021 Tacoma is an excellent little truck overall. From its rugged offroad capabilities to its modest fuel economy, this pickup is ideal for everyday use and weekends on the trail. However, the stock sound system that Toyota built into your Tacoma doesn’t quite measure up to the rest of the car.
If you want your music to sound as good as your truck performs, you’ll need to upgrade the sound system. Luckily,
Jerry
, the licensed broker
super app, can help with the Tacoma specs and car insurance
savings tips that you need. We’ll go over some of the best upgrade options for your sound system and explain how to save on
Toyota Tacoma car insurance
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What kind of sound system does a 2021 Tacoma have?
The 2021 Tacoma comes standard with six speakers. There are two small tweeters on the dash near the windshield, one 6”x9” speaker on each front door, and a 6.5” speaker on each rear door.
The TRD and Off-Road trims come standard with Apple CarPlay®, Android Auto™, Amazon-Alexa, Sirius XM®, and Bluetooth. An eight-inch touch screen accompanies these features for quick and easy access. The sound system in the TRD Sport trim has an optional upgrade to a JBL® branded version of the above system.
Unfortunately, the 2021 Tacoma’s stock sound system is nothing to write home about. The speakers are muffled, and the bass is almost nonexistent. Because of this, many Tacoma owners choose to upgrade their sound system.
If you want to crank up your tunes in style, it might be time to start shopping for sound system upgrades.
How to upgrade a 2021 Tacoma sound system?
If you’re considering a sound system upgrade, there are generally a few areas on which you’ll want to focus your attention and your cash. A quality custom sound system will typically feature upgraded and aftermarket versions of these three components: speakers, subwoofers, and an amplifier.
Start with speaker upgrades
When you’re starting a sound system upgrade, the first thing you should focus on improving is your speaker situation.
Be prepared to spend a decent chunk of change on these upgrades, as high-quality audio entertainment systems are rarely cheap. And if you’re unfamiliar with electrical wiring and your Tacoma’s internals, you should consider hiring a Toyota professional to install your new system.
As you prepare for your upgrade, you’ll need to decide whether you want to replace all of the vehicle’s speakers or focus your resources on one area of the vehicle, like front or rear speaker pods. Lastly, you’ll need to determine if you want coaxial speakers, which generally cost less, and component speakers, which provide a clearer quality sound.
Here are some quality speaker upgrade options for your 2021 Tacoma:
Pump up the bass with a subwoofer
A quality subwoofer is a key part of any good sound system. You can install a sub in the backseat of your Tacoma, either between the seats or behind them.
However, prebuilt subwoofer box options for the 2021 Tacoma are limited. While there are many subwoofer speaker options, there is only one Tacoma-specific sub-box on the market. If you choose to purchase your sub by itself, you’ll most likely need to buy or build a custom box to fit your car.
For an all-inclusive option, check out the
JL Audio Stealthbox®
for $879.99. This kit includes a sub-box designed specifically for your 2021 Tacoma, as well as a beefy 10-inch 2-ohm subwoofer that’s sure to improve your listening experience. If you’d rather go the custom route, consider building a box to house one of these subwoofers:
What’s the difference between a 4-ohm subwoofer and a 2-ohm sub?
As you shop for subs, you might find yourself wondering what the difference is between 4-ohm and 2-ohm and whether one is better than the other. Well, there’s no truly objective answer to which is better, and different people will have varying preferences.
However, we can say that 2-ohm subs will be louder and crunchier, while 4-ohm subs have a clearer and crisper sound.
Boost the power with an amplifier
Your final—but certainly not least important—upgrade should be an amplifier. This is the component that adds power to your subwoofer. And that extra power means a whole lot more sound that’s sure to turn some heads.
One thing to consider when shopping for amps is how many channels you want. Each channel allows you to power an additional component of your sound system. For example, you can use a single-channel amplifier to power your subwoofer, while you can use a two-channel amp to power the sub and a speaker.
Let’s take a look at some quality amp options for your 2021 Tacoma:
How to protect your 2021 Tacoma sound system—and save on insurance!
A sound system upgrade is a great way to spice up your ride, but it also makes your car and sound system a higher theft risk. Many insurance companies offer
sound system coverage
that will provide additional financial protection. However, one of the drawbacks is the effect it could have on your insurance premium since it will cost more for this coverage.
Luckily,
Jerry
can help with this issue. Jerry believes you should be able to upgrade your sound system and cruise in style without being overcharged by the insurance company. That’s why we’ll help you find the right insurance plan for your situation without breaking the bank. All you have to do is download the app and fill in a few pieces of information—your phone number, accident history, and vehicle identification number—and then Jerry will take care of the rest.
“When we added a new car to our family, we were shocked at how high our current insurer was going to hike our rates. We usedJerryfor some comparison shopping and are now saving around $1000 a year. Thank you, Jerry!” —Darius P.
Compare insurance quotes from 50+ insurance companies with Jerry in under 45 seconds
Compare insurance quotes from 50+ insurance companies with Jerry in under 45 seconds
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What sound system does Toyota use?
Toyota uses JBL sound systems as the premium option on its upgraded trims, including the 2021 Tacoma TRD Sport trim.
How many speakers does a Tacoma sound system have?
Second and Third generation Tacomas come standard with six-speaker sound systems. These systems include two tweeters on the dash, one speaker in each front door, and one speaker in each rear door.
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