Prepurchase question on JBL

I've just started shopping for a Tacoma. I'm looking at a double cab 4WD.

One of my questions is whether the JBL upgrade is worth it. It certainly seems to be hard to find.

Toyota's website doesn't give much detail about the difference between the JBL audio option and the standard 6 disc changer. I know the JBL model adds a subwoofer. I assume that it has upgraded speakers, though I haven't been able to confirm that.

Is the head unit the same on the standard 6 disc changer and the JBL?

Thanks!

 

Nobody ever answered... so I'll at least put this in for anyone who might find this by searching in the future.

From what I could determine, the JBL comes with upgraded speakers, an amp, and a subwoofer. I think the head unit is different also, but I was never able to confirm that 100%.

JBL-equipped models were fairly rare and none were reasonably available with the package I wanted. I ended up buying a truck that had everything I wanted, but came with the standard 6 disc CD changer (option DZ).

To my ears, it sounds just fine. It is better than most of the stock stereos I've heard in other vehicles. I'm sure the JBL is incrementally better, but you won't suffer with the standard. Putting some upgraded speakers in it would probably improve things even more. Maybe I'll do that sometime, but I'm in no rush.

 

Some what new... just bought last weekend... Although I do not know the components of the JBL... I do know it sounds better. I test drove one with, bought another without and there is a noticeable difference. Not a deal breaker for me as I always load in new systems....
I wound locate one with and test drive and see what works best for you

 

The JBL is a great stereo system -- but there are no aux jack inputs for an MP3 player or satellite radio.

Someone I work with spent $2700 on a stereo and my JBL is good as far as sound quality. Now my friend can blast a car that is 20' away -- which I don't need that many watts and am very impressed with the JBL.

For my Sirius radio I will be putting in an FM modulator -- but it would be very nice to have the plug in.

 

I just bought an 08 taco w/ the upgraded 6disk changer. Not the JBL upgrade.

I am unhappy with the sound. I have music trained ears (I'm a musician) plus....I had a Tundra (traded in) that had a JBL factory stock stereo in it that sounded perfection. It had bass, mid & treble control.

I'm dissappointed enough in the taco sound....I'd like to try and figure out what to do. BUT......I am not willing to sacrifice the steering wheel controls.

Do you think the dealership can make the change to the JBL system ?

I have an 06 RAV-4 that has the JBL upgraded stereo. And the sound in it sucks. It sounds like a system intended for thump, thump, thump and highs out the tweeter. But that's not the type of music I listen to.

So.....I would hope the JBL upgraded stereo in the taco DOES NOT sound like that.

Buddy

 

Where did you get this info from? The info I have from when I ordered my DC 6 speed TRD sport with JBL system states the following:

JBL AM/FM/CD w/6 Disc Changer,
$560 10 Speakers including Subwoofer 8 Ch 440W Amplifier Bluetooth Capability Steering Wheel Audio Controls and Auxiliary Audio Jack

 

Hey, I hope that you are correct. Let me re-read the manual. But as I recall -- the salesmen (test drove several Tacoma's at different dealerships) told me that the JBL is 'not blue tooth capable NOR has an Aux Audio Jack'.

I will still say that there is no blue tooth functions nor aux jack for the JBL. If I am wrong -- I will post the new info.

 

You can use an after market stereo and use the steering wheel controls. The adaptor cost me $80.

 

I plan to ask the dealership if they can switch the 6-Cd stereo for the JBL upgraded version.

The sound of the 6-CD version is unacceptable. Not good. Very mediocre. Piss poor almost. Better to order the truck with no stereo and save your money for aftermarket.

BUDDY

 

I just want more midrange than I can hear in the non-JBL 6-disc changer.

 

I understand the feeling.... my 4Runner had a horrendous stereo in it. So I replaced the speakers and unit with Kenwood/Sirius Satellite Radio. The sound was ten times better than factory stock.

My G/F's VW Passat had a 6 disc CD changer as well. We bought the car with that versus the Dynaudio sound system. After I had bought the car -- I wished that we would have bought the upgrade. The 600 smokes for that stereo was definitely worth it -- by far the best stereo I have ever heard in a car.

I used that situation as a learning tool when I went to buy the Tacoma. JBL engineers designed a very nice system that sounds excellent and the 600 bones seemed definitely worth it. I am very pleased with the system -- a Bruce Springsteen or Bob Seger album are awesome in it (kinda dates myself somewhat). I can perform the installs but currently wouldn't have the time -- nor finances to create my own stereo system at this time.

Long story short -- the JBL is very good in the Tacoma but doesn't have the Blue Tooth or Aux Jac. If someone desires those functions -- then it is better to go as cheap as possible on the stereo and then upgrade. Many members on this site have awesome stereo/sub/DVD/Nav systems. Just a matter of choice and $$$$$$.

Hope everyone has a great day.

VIPER131

 

Judging from experience, it's probably the speaker selection and/or placement. I'm just ticked I have to change something.

 

The best advice I can give is get a new headunit, sub and amp and go from there. All factory headunits suck really. My stock speakers sound great amped. Now I hear stuff that I have never heard before and that is on ripped on MP3.

 

I just got my 08 Double Cab with JBL and there is no AUX input, which is part of the reason I'm in this forum. The sound is "OK", but sounds terrible at high volume. I was hoping to integrate it with the products from Vais http://www.vaistech.com/ but the reviews seem questionable and my local dealer is "experimenting" with their first one next week.

 

Ok, so we can all agree that toyota droped the ball on these radios and they all should have had an aux input.

That said. Each and every one of them have a jack in the back to controll an external cd changer. USA-spec among other manufacturers as well make interfaces that make use of that jack.

I can only speak with authority on the USA-spec devices, but I am sure others can chime in on the others.

The USA-spec PA-12toy is an I-pod controll interface. (Plugs into the data port on the bottom of your Ipod, charges it and lets you controll the Ipod itself through the steering wheel controlls.) It also gives you a set or RCA inputs as well for another device such as your satelite radio receiver.
Pretty sure this runs in the $130-$140 range.


The USA-spec DFtoy is roughly half the price, and is just two sets of RCA inputs. Say one for your satelite radio, and one for your non Ipod MP3 player.
This is in the $70-$80 range.

Yes, these things should have been in the trucks from the factory, but $70-$140 is significantly cheaper than a new head unit that is capable of these things.

As far as those of you who dislike the sound quality... You have two options. Changing the head unit or changing the speakers. Either mod by itself makes a world of difference.

Here is what the stock speakers look like out of the truck

So you eather need a more powerfull head unit driving them, or you need higher quality speakers being driven by your exhisting head unit.

I chose the latter of the two options as I liked the look and operation of the factory unit, but either way something does need to change.

 

I bought the 07 TRD Sport with the JBL. It only comes with 7 speakers. 6x9s in the front doors with seperate tweeters. 6 1/2s in the rear doors and the subwoofer. Looks like an 8". I can tell you that the JBL speakers are much beefier than the non JBLs. The magnets are significantly larger than non JBL. I replaced all speakers with MB Quart and was surprised to see the JBL speakers. I initially replaced the factory radio with a Kenwood and it sounded very good with the JBL speakers. Its the JBL CD player that does not sound good. If you have the factory JBL system, just replace the radio with a good one and most of you will be happy. I am currently working on my system and am replacing everything. I just got used to listening to a good set of components. That is why I went with MB Quarts all around. The JBL came with my truck when I bought it. I did not care if it came with JBL or not. I just wanted the Tacoma that came with a hood scoop and it just so happened that the one I got came with the JBL.

 

Factory JBL: Boo

Aftermarket: Yay