Anyone else not happy with the JBL performance in their Tundra? - Toyota Tundra Forums : Tundra Solutions Forum

lksyotas · #1 (**permalink**) 12-13-2006, 06:02 PM

I am just curious to what you guys that have the JBL 8 speaker option think about it. I have it in my new DC and am not one bit happy with it. To me, the mid range and bass are terrible almost like they don't exist. I have the bass turned all the way up and it still is non existent. I traded my '03 ext. cab Tundra in for this new DC and the old stock '03 non JBL stereo sounded a lot better. Much deeper bass and mid range. The JBL does have decent highs for a factory system, but again the rest has a lot to be desired. Not to mention that it is almost impossible as I am finding to upgrade the radio without gutting the whole system and starting over. I would love to put my Alpine head unit in but it appears that it will not be the case from previous threads I’ve read. I almost wonder if I have a defective amp or something. Any comments welcomed. Thanks for looking...

phanham · #2 (**permalink**) 12-13-2006, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lksyotas

I am just curious to what you guys that have the JBL 8 speaker option think about it. I have it in my new DC and am not one bit happy with it. To me, the mid range and bass are terrible almost like they don't exist. I have the bass turned all the way up and it still is non existent. I traded my '03 ext. cab Tundra in for this new DC and the old stock '03 non JBL stereo sounded a lot better. Much deeper bass and mid range. The JBL does have decent highs for a factory system, but again the rest has a lot to be desired. Not to mention that it is almost impossible as I am finding to upgrade the radio without gutting the whole system and starting over. I would love to put my Alpine head unit in but it appears that it will not be the case from previous threads I’ve read. I almost wonder if I have a defective amp or something. Any comments welcomed. Thanks for looking...

When I was testing trucks, seemed to me the non-JBL did have a little more bass than the JBL. May have just been the trucks I looked at, but was enough for me to decide to spend the money in other areas and get the non-JBL (I keep bass set at -2 otherwise it washes out the music in my truck).

lksyotas · #3 (**permalink**) 12-13-2006, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phanham

When I was testing trucks, seemed to me the non-JBL did have a little more bass than the JBL. May have just been the trucks I looked at, but was enough for me to decide to spend the money in other areas and get the non-JBL (I keep bass set at -2 otherwise it washes out the music in my truck).

Yeah, I remember I kept the bass in my old '03 around 2-3 as well. Otherwise it overpowered the other frequencies. Now, the JBL bass is turned all the way up and doesn't sound anywhere near the old stereo. Go figure...

RedPearl2006 · #4 (**permalink**) 12-14-2006, 09:04 AM

I have had no problems and I love the sound and power. But what do I know? I am an old rock'n'roll/metal guy. I like the bass low and the treble high. . .

lksyotas · #5 (**permalink**) 12-14-2006, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedPearl2006

I have had no problems and I love the sound and power. But what do I know? I am an old rock'n'roll/metal guy. I like the bass low and the treble high. . .

Hey I agree with ya on the music style. I love my classic rock and 80's metal. But besides the highs mine has no lows or even good mids. I might go back to the dealer and ask to hear another one and see if it is the same as mine. Could be something wrong with the crossovers built in. Who knows...

chas3 · #6 (**permalink**) 12-14-2006, 10:00 AM

I have an 05 DC with the JBL and have had a few problems with Sirius radio
I have to keep the volume off becuase any volume causes crackling in the
tweeter, I can not use FM Conveter it sounds terible luckly it has the tape
player so I have to keep it plugged in any one else having these type of
problems?

rbashaw · #7 (**permalink**) 12-15-2006, 12:55 PM

I will defeniately NOT purchase it again. The sensable thing, in my opinon, will be to purchase an aftermarket setup. In all of my previously owned vehicles, I've always put in my own system. This time, I figured I'd try the top end factory option, and not have to deal with any aftermarket sound. To my dismay, I'm sorry I chose that route. It's not bad enough that I've ripped everythig out yet.... but it has been crossing my mind!!

morgaa01 · #8 (**permalink**) 12-16-2006, 06:38 PM

I was not happy with the sound. Added the VSE sub woofer (one made for the Tundra DC) and replaced the speakers with Polk DB650s. It sounds lot better now even though the amp is average at best. I'm looking to replace the factory HU with Eclipse or Pioneer Nav/DVD as soon as the prices start to drop early next year when new units are announced.

Replacing the speakers is probably the easiest thing to do to improve the sound.

joelrog · #9 (**permalink**) 12-18-2006, 12:20 AM

Totally agree that the JBL is weak, considering its $450 "value". A couple of my cd's play with ample bass, but how many times I have checked to make sure bass wasn't turned down.

helopilot · #10 (**permalink**) 12-22-2006, 10:28 PM

I put in a pioneer Z-1 unit. It seemed to have unlocked the JBL systems potential. It has plenty of base and really rocks.

A couple of stereo shops said I could only upgrade by bypassing the JBL amp. This is BS. There is a digital adapter or interlink called a toyo-01 or some like that. You can do a search on this forum. It works awsome. It ran around a $100. The installed here in town had one in stock. I also had bought one on E-bay.

I popped for a high end unit, but I bet with the digital interlink and any good head unit the JBL will do great.

My .02