Cheapest way to upgrade power in JBL

Hello All,

Just scored a 2019 ORD with JBL. I find the sound adequate for my needs - however, it just isn't loud enough - especially with Bluetooth. What would be the best way to get some added power in that system w/o breaking the bank? New head unit the best bang for buck?

Thank you

 

Gut it and replace everything

In the JBL system, the radio isn’t actually powering the speakers. There is an amp behind the rear passenger seat doing all the work. This amp also controls volume, fade, balance, and EQ. This amp is controlled via a data bus from the radio.

If you replace the amp, you need a very pricey interface to talk to the radio. And with more power, you will blow the factory speakers quickly.

if you replace the speakers, the factory amp won’t be able to drive aftermarket speakers as well and you will actually lose volume.

If you replace the radio, the factory amp is still providing all the power so you won’t see any change in audio power or quality.

 

Yikes. Appreciate the info, but that's a no-go I guess for me. Not into spending 3k-ish on a gut job. Damn. Oh well - Thanks again for the info.

 

IDK how high quality of parts you need/want, but you could likely do the headunit, door speakers, and an amp for somewhere in the $1k range. though that may still be pricier than you wanted.

 

If I could get some solid equipment installed that we dramatically upgrade the current JBL system - for say $1500 or less - I'd be down with that price.

 

Start with a quality set of speakers for the front, sensitivity 92 dB or better. Should only cost 2-3 hundred. That way you can keep the stock head unit until you can replace the power amp(s).

Crutchfield makes it cookbook.
https://www.crutchfield.com/

 

I think it would be pretty easy to stay under $1500 for some quality speakers, headunit, and an amp. Check out Crutchfield, they'll help you find the appropriate parts that will fit your vehicle for easiest install, and will walk you through install if you don't wanna just pay someone else to do it.

I can't speak on the JBL system as I don't have it and never did, but I did all my door speakers, sub, amp, line out converter, and mild sound deadener here and there for just about $1300 after install, and it's a world of difference from the stock sound system.

 

That's great information TT - I appreciate it - Thank you.

 

That's about what the price for it when it's all said and done winds up being.

Quality double din stereo interface - 1000
Quality sub, amp, and sub box enclosure - 1000
Quality speakers, wiring, harnesses, time invested - $500- $1000

It's not cheap but you wind up with some SERIOUSLY good sound and a kick-ass setup as the end result.

I went with Rockford T series tweeters and coaxials, they rock. For the sub I went with a Memphis Mojo M6 8" competition style sub. I then went with two amps, a Skar Audio SK-M5001D monoblock for the sub and a Memphis Marine MXA4.45a compact speaker amp. If you do decide to run a setup remember RCAs ALL AROUND. They dramatically improve sound over line in wiring since the JBL setup runs line in style wiring in stereo style only.