JBL option worth the money?

Hello Everyone, Im looking to buy a new 2011 DCSB 4x4 TRD Sport. Whats your experience with the JBL audio system option, is it worth the extra money? Thanks.

 

I love mine. Some say it doesn't sound very good but I think it sounds just fine and I'm fussy when it comes to audio equipment. The hands free bluetooth works perfect with my blackberry. I like the integrated steering wheel controls. I would purchase it again.

 

Most folks just go aftermarket, the speakers are really lousey in these trucks.

 

If you ever want to upgrade the head unit the JBL upgrade makes it tough to do so with out rewiring the entire sound system. I bought my '08 used but if/when I buy again I will avoid this option in fact it might even be a deal breaker for me. I put a new head unit in last summer and was able to find an adapter for power, remote, and ground. I had to re run all the speaker wire though. I would avoid it if I was buying new unless you plan on just leaving it stock anyways then of course it will sound better than stock.

 

If you are a sound guy the jbl won't cut it. If you are the type of guy that thinks a factory system sounds fine then the jbl would be a nice upgrade.

 

if you tell us the price difference between non jbl and jbl we can tell you what you could get after market that you would probably enjoy a whole lot more.
With my experience getting upgraded audio from the factory isnt worth it because eventually you will have to upgrade to aftermarket, and the upgraded factory stereo isnt nearly as easy to upgrade as the basic factory stereo.

The stock radio sucks so plan to upgrade, but its really easy to install a new head unit. I guarantee you can do it yourself

 

i say get the trdoffroad package instead

 

I love mine. I used to be a stereo guy. Every vehicle I have had I put aftermarkets in. However, I plan to keep this one stock. Had that in mind when purchased. I wanted it for the bluetooth. Works great and sound is plenty good for me, but I'm not into the the big stereo's anymore. So it really depends on what you plan for it. The only thing that I hate is the head unit itself. It does have a lousy display.

 

JBL is worth it !
Pretty good system w/ bluetooth

 

IMHO the only plus is the steering wheel control for the bluetooth.
JBL does not hold a candle to my AVIC-X920BT.

 

I second that I went from 07 non-JBL to 11 JBL. Much improvement. The stock stereo sucks if they havent made any improvements since 07.

 

IMO I think it sounds great !!

 

The door speakers of the JBL sound great, and they stay impressively clean even when you crank it way up. But IMO the JBL sub sounds like absolute garbage. It distorts and sounds like a swine on crack if you crank it up even a little bit.

If you have the wherewithall to upgrade the sub, then you'll have a great sounding system with the JBL deck and door speakers. It's relatively straightforward to upgrade the sub and tie it in to the factory JBL system. Check out my sub thread that's linked in my build thread (see my sig).

 

Thanks for the replys.

In my current truck (Dodge Hemi Sport) I have a very expensive aftermarket system installed - all top of the line MB Quart speakers and amps, custom JL audio sub, Pioneer Nav head unit. The system was never installed properly and never reached it's full potential, and never put out the quality sound I was looking for. So my new truck I wanted to stay factory, nice and clean. Hoping achieve good clear quality sound.

 

I have the JBL and to be honest it sounds amazing compaired to the stock system. If your not a audiofile then the JBL is a great system.

 

If you're going to do serious audio upgrades in the future, then I would go stock. I used to work around this stuff and most premium factory systems are a pain to upgrade. If you want a nice way to bridge the gap between base factory and full blown aftermarket, I think the JBL is the way to go.

 

I went down to a car audio store to talk about getting more volume (i'm old and deaf and drive with windows open)

1st thing, apparently the JBL system isn't very aftermarket friendly. If you got the JBL and wanted to tweak it, it's a little more difficult.

2nd thing. The speakers in the truck are pretty good for normal use. The expert, and yes he was quite expert, rated them 6 out of 10. He said, and like I said, I felt he was quite knowledgable, that anything you pick up at best buy would not be worth replacing them with. For someone like me, just a new head unit with a few extra watts would do fine and the speakers are, in his opinion, quite capable of handling it.

Third thing, You never get better radio reception than with a factory radio. If you listen to radio, that's important right? So swapping out for an aftermarket head unit might not be right for you if you were into radio and that would mean getting the best unit available would be the best bet.

Lastly, I have trouble with the volume in my truck. Like I said, I just want to listen to talk radio with my windows open and I can't. Not on the highway anyway. When I feel like rocking out, the stereo doesn't get to that level that I want. Maybe the JBL is a bit louder. Don't know. The stock stereo is what.. 20 watts? I rarely ever turn the stereo down past 55 (about 4/5-7/8 max) or so, usually it's at 60-max (63 is the highest number) when I'm traveling over 45 with the windows down. I have, according to the doctor "average" hearing but I am an old metal head.

 

I really don't listen to super loud head banging music. But if I'm playing Dire Straits or some stones... I like some volume. A good clean system will allow you to still carry a converstion with the passenger.

I think the JBL is about $1,100 more if I'm not mistaken.

 

I think it all depends on what type of person you are. I am an audio guy so the JBL system was not for me. I bought my 2010 barely used and it had the JBL system on it. I have chosen to upgrade my system to really high end audio equipment. If I was a person that was use to factory systems or mediocre after market equipment than it would be very satisfactory. I do recommend that unless know exactly how to install your stereo equipment correctly than have someone that knows what they are doing install it. You will like it way better and by properly I don't mean watching a video on the internet. It is just plain stupid to buy high end equipment just to have it improperly installed.