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Why Does My Toyota Stereo System Sound Terrible?

05/10/2016 By John Schwartz

One of the popular brand of vehicles we see at Perfectionist Auto Sound and Security is Toyota, and one of the most common questions we get is, “Why does my Toyota stereo system sound so bad?” Sometimes they will follow up with, “My last Toyota sounded much better than this one.” Chances are, they are correct. Let us explain.

The Reason

In the year 2012, Toyota introduced Display Audio radios to the market. These are touchscreen radios that, over the years, have evolved into doing a great job at integrating with your smartphone. The bad news is this radio cost Toyota a lot more money than previous models, and they knew they couldn’t charge more for their vehicles, so they took money from other parts of the audio system.

Let’s use a 2011 Camry as an example. Once you moved from the base model to an LE, the vast majority came with Toyota’s premium-sound JBL audio system. While it doesn’t sound as good as an aftermarket system we sell here at Perfectionist, it did sound much better than Toyota’s basic audio. It played louder and had more bass.

Move forward to 2012 and the JBL system is only available on Toyota’s top-of-the-line vehicle, and it was still an option, not standard equipment. To make matters worse, the speakers used in modern Toyota audio systems are lower quality than previous years, again, done in the name of cost savings.

The Solution

The good news is we can fix these problems. Here are our suggestions for how to make your Toyota audio system sound better.

Start with upgrading your front speakers. You sit in the front of the vehicle, so have us install a better-sounding set of speakers in the original locations. Your vehicle won’t play any louder, but the clarity will skyrocket.

Add a subwoofer. Your stock Toyota audio system is seriously lacking in bass. In fact, when Toyota went to the really cheap speakers, they added an equalization circuit designed to remove bass from the music at higher levels to protect the speakers. It is no wonder you have no real bass in your music. Our team of experts can add a subwoofer to your stereo system, giving you low-end bass that will make your music come alive. And don’t worry – you don’t need a huge box in your trunk anymore. That was the ’90s. We can design and build an enclosure for you that tucks into a corner, taking up almost none of your vehicle’s usable space.

Get some power. Now that you have better-sounding speakers and real low-end bass, you may want your speakers in the vehicle to play louder. When your favorite song starts playing and you crank the volume know, you need power to play your music at louder levels. Perfectionist can add an amplifier to your Toyota factory radio in the dash and give you all the power needed so you can listen as loud as you want.

Upgrade Your Toyota Stereo System At Perfectionist Today!

We invite you to stop by Perfectionist Auto Sound and Security in Anchorage with your Toyota vehicle and get to know us. Our highly trained staff will sit in your vehicle with you and listen as you tell us what you like and what you don’t like about your current stereo system. We will then design and build a solution tailored to your unique needs. Let us show you why Mobile Electronics magazine named us the Top Retailer in the Nation two different times.

You can also contact us here for more information about any of our products and services.

Dodge Ram Remote Starter Installation and Audio Upgrade

04/29/2016 By John Schwartz

A client from Eagle River came to Perfectionist Auto Sound & Security with his 2014 Ram 1500, looking to upgrade the audio system and install a remote starter. Our team looked over the vehicle with him and listened as he explained his goals for the upgrades. We work on lots of Rams in our shop, and when we told him about our Ram package, he chose it instantly.

CarPlay Upgrade

Ram Remote Starter — The Pioneer radio gives the client the ability to play many audio sources as well as access to Apple CarPlay.

We began by replacing the factory radio in the dash with a Pioneer AVH-4100NEX unit that comes with Apple’s CarPlay software. When we introduced him to the benefits of CarPlay in our store, it became a must have for him. Our installers were able to integrate the factory-installed backup camera to show up on the big Pioneer display, which was a plus.

Pioneer Amplifiers

We added two Pioneer amplifiers to the vehicle and installed them in hidden locations – a GM-D9601 that powers the subwoofers and a GM-D8604 to power the front and rear speakers. This combination gave the client over 1,000 watts of clean power, so when he wants to jam, he has all the power he needs.

Audison Front Speakers

For front speakers, we chose the Audison APK165 6.5” component set, installing the woofer in the front doors and the tweeters in the factory locations in the dash.

Hertz Rear Speakers

In the rear doors, we installed a set of Hertz ECX130.4 5.25” coaxial speakers. In our usual Perfectionist fashion, we installed all of the speakers on custom composite speaker adapters and soldered and heat-shrank all connections.

Custom Subwoofer Enclosure

When it came time for bass, we went back to Hertz, choosing a pair of 10” ES250.5 subwoofers in an enclosure that fits perfectly underneath the back seat. Our team created a fiberglass mold for Ram trucks to let us make the fiberglass enclosure outside the vehicle, keeping the smell down and improving the finished product. We covered the enclosure in matching carpet with custom vinyl inserts for a classy touch.

Two-Way Ram Remote Starter

You know every vehicle we touch needs a remote start. In this case, we installed a Compustar RF2W-G9 two-way system with up to 3,000 feet of range. Now the client will always know if his doors are locked or if the vehicle has remote started.

Get In Touch With Us Today

When you are ready to get upgrades on your vehicle, we invite you to contact us HERE at Perfectionist Auto Sound & Security in Anchorage. Let us show you why we are a two-time winner of Mobile Electronics magazine’s Retailer of the Year. Our team will work with you to design and build the upgrades that best fit your unique needs.

Perfectionist Adds Wet Sounds Products to Our Elite Lineup

04/14/2016 By John Schwartz

Spending your evenings and weekends hanging out with friends and family on your boat is a great way to relax. The mobile entertainment experts at Perfectionist Auto Sound & Security know how to make that time even better – with some great music!

Wet Sounds Products

We are proud to add Wet Sounds speakers, amplifiers and electronics to our product solutions for boats and sport activity vehicles. Let’s have a look at what makes Wet Sounds products so great.

Tower Enclosures

Wet Sounds is well-known for their wakeboard tower speaker enclosure systems. The Icon8 offers great clarity and mid-bass performance from an 8-inch woofer and 1-inch titanium tweeter.

At the other end of the spectrum is the jaw-dropping Rev 3-SOME. It includes four 10-inch midrange/mid-bass drivers and an ultra-high-efficiency titanium dome, horn-loaded compression midrange.

Wet Sounds tower speaker systems can be heard clearly at up to 80 feet away without any appreciable loss of detail or quality. They are the perfect solution for water skiing, wakeboarding or a day of tubing.

The new Stealth series of sound bars lets us install big sound in small spaces. They are perfect for compact off-road vehicles, but we can also use them on a boat, a Jeep or anywhere else you need great sound from a compact package. Stealth sound bars are available with a built-in amplifier and Bluetooth receiver, or in a passive version that you can add to an existing system.

Amazing Speakers And Subwoofers

Wet Sounds offers speakers in 6-inch, 8-inch and 6×9-inch sizes. Each offers amazing sound quality and impressive efficiency. This means you get the most sound possible with the least power. All feature a weather-resistant design that includes a rubber spider and surround, Nylas (Nylon and Fiberglass) frame and grille, and aluminum tweeter.

They offer subwoofers in 10- and 12-inch sizes in applications for sealed, vented or infinite baffle installations. The awesome XS-XXX V2 12-inch subwoofer can handle an amazing 1000 watts of power to ensure you can feel the beat even when you aren’t on the boat.

Premium Electronics

Powering your Wet Sounds speakers is easy with their line of amplifiers. The Syndicate, Hydro-Tech X and Sinister series of amplifiers offer excellent efficiency and sound quality. Each can handle the physical beating that electronics onboard a boat must endure.

All of the amplifiers feature an extremely efficient Class D design. When combined with their efficient speakers, you not only get really loud and clear music, but the system also is easy on your boat’s electrical system.

Wet Sounds offers many source accessories. The WS-420 BT is a preamp with a four-band equalizer and built-in Bluetooth receiver. Just pair it with your phone and you can stream your music to your system.

Wet Sounds has a new wireless audio connectivity solution called the WS-A Link S/R kit. Each module can send or receive audio. The A Link allows you to connect multiple systems together when you are rafted together for a real party atmosphere.

The Best Service And Installation

Perfectionist Auto Sound and Security in Anchorage, Alaska, is best known for our fanatical approach to system design and installation. We’d be happy to help you achieve your goal of having an easy-to-use audio system that sounds great.

Want to know more about Wet Sounds? Check out this short video:

For more information about any of our products or services, please contact us here.

Get Ready for Boating Season with Your Marine Audio Experts

03/28/2016 By John Schwartz

Have you dreamt of the perfect rainbow trout or salmon that you’ll catch this year? Is perfecting the new trick on your wakeboard something on your bucket list? Summer will be here before we know it. This means the temperatures will begin to rise and daylight hours will last longer. Longer days are perfect for taking the boat out on the water. What is better than a day spent out on the lake with the sun on your skin and the wind in your hair? These days on the water with friends and family are some of the best each year. Aren’t you getting excited just thinking about it? Your marine audio experts at Perfectionist can help make this boating season even better!

Ready To Rock?

Do you have the proper marine audio system to support your boating adventures? How about a system that you can interface with your phone or iPod for access to all your music? Or speakers that will allow you to crank up your tunes and still have them sound great when you’re cruising at higher speeds? Perfectionist Auto Sound & Security has a team of experts who are ready to make all of this happen for you.

Custom Designs

What are your hobbies? Do you just enjoy a day on the boat socializing? We’ve got you covered. Maybe you enjoy fishing but like to have great sounding music. No worries! Is water skiing or wakeboarding your thing? If you want to be able to hear your music while you do your sport we have everything you’ll need.

At Perfectionist, we understand the ins and outs of marine audio. A stereo in a boat is built much differently from a stereo system in a vehicle. Our team knows all about the effects of water, extreme temperatures, vibrations and power supplies on your marine audio system. You’ll never have to worry about playing your music while docked and then having a dead battery when you start your boat. We will build you a system that you’ll enjoy for years to come.

Reliability

Our standards are set high and reliability is something we stand on. No one wants to be inconvenienced by having to take their boat out of the water and tow it to have repairs made. We understand this, and that’s why our work is done by experts.

Now is the perfect time to give your boat the system you’ve always wanted. When boating season begins, yours will be ready. As we get to know you and find the things you’re looking for in a marine audio system, we will work with you to give you all the volume, bass and reliability you need. This year can be full of the most enjoyable weekends you’ve experienced yet.

Stop By Your Marine Audio Experts Today!

Stop by our store in Anchorage, Alaska, and let the fun begin today! You can also contact us here for more info.

Marine Audio Is Best Left to the Experts!

03/18/2016 By John Schwartz

Your boat is a much harsher environment than your car for an audio system. Here at Perfectionist Auto Sound and Security, we are the experts in designing and installing a marine audio system that will perform flawlessly year after year. Nobody wants the hassle of a system that can’t hold up to the marine environment because it wasn’t designed for it or installed with such extreme conditions in mind. You just want to enjoy your time on the water and having your favorite tunes as a soundtrack for your day. We can make that happen!

Marine Grade Equipment Matters

No matter what source unit you choose, it has to be built to withstand the heat, humidity and vibration that comes from being installed in a boat. Circuit boards have to be specially coated to protect the electronic components from corrosion, and everything needs to be shock-proof to withstand the impact of jumping the wake of another boat or running into some choppy water at full speed while zipping across the lake. We have units specially designed for your boat and offer you the options to play all of your favorite music during a long day on the water.

Designed With Boat Electrical Systems In Mind

In addition to special coatings and being designed for bumps on the water, marine amplifiers have to have some of the most efficient designs available to make the most of the power and electrical system of your boat. We have these super-efficient amplifiers available to power any size system you may want.

Your speakers have to be designed with the same corrosion resistance as the electronics, and face it: They are going to get wet! Marine-grade speakers will take the splashing and keep on playing. We have the finest tower speakers, coax speakers and marine-grade subwoofers to make any boat rock. Keep in mind that you will be dealing with a lot more noise than in a car when you crank up your boat and dash across the water. We will design a system that can keep up! Whether you like the sounds of driving rock-and-roll or relaxing tunes to chill with, we can make both sound loud and clear.

A Very Different Kind Of Install

The most important part of your marine system is the installation. A boat doesn’t have the same type of interior as a car, so routing wires and hiding them can be much more of a challenge. We use stainless steel hardware, and solder and heat-shrink all connections to give you a system that will last for years to come. All of our fabrics, glues and plastics are all designed to handle the extreme conditions in the marine environment. Perfectionist never uses automotive-grade installation products on boats because they won’t last.

Your boat may not have come with factory locations for all of the speakers you may want installed. Special care must be taken to cut new speaker holes in fiberglass and make sure that they will withstand the vibrations of life on the water. Every component has to be mounted with hard pounding at high speed over rough waves in mind – not something to be left to amateurs.

Contact Your Marine Audio Experts Today!

Contact us here at Perfectionist Auto Sound and Security in Anchorage to have your system checked out and upgraded for the summer season. We can make sure that your system is ready to go for a carefree summer of fun and relaxation on the water!