Major difference btw stock and JBL systems?

[j0esmoe13]

I will be picking up my SE on Monday and was curious is the difference between the stock system and JBL system was significant enough to get the upgrade. I hate the way the stock system looks, so I will prolly upgrade eventually anway.. Just wondering if I should upgrade with the JBL or an aftermarket... thanks

[BuckeyeSE]

Here is a great explanation of the JBL system in the Camry.

http://www.jbltoyota.com/toyota_camry/default.asp

[j0esmoe13]

Thanks, I saw that earlier. But I'm looking for a comparasion between the 2 systems... Is the difference big, or are you just paying for the name (JBL)?

[BuckeyeSE]

When I was buying my SE I never saw any that did not have the JBL audio system. Perhaps it is considered a standard upgrade here in Ohio.

From Toyoto.com:

Basic Audio System Description:
AM/FM CD player with MP3/WMA playback capability, auxiliary audio jack, six speakers and in-glass antenna

JBL Audio System Description:
JBL® AM/FM 6-disc in-dash CD changer with satellite radio capability, MP3/WMA playback capability, auxiliary audio jack, hands-free phone capability via Bluetooth® wireless technology, eight speakers in six locations and FM diversity reception


I'm not sure what the output is on the basic system, but the JBL is 440W, which blows me away. I don't think I have turned it up past 1/3 max yet. I also really like the bluetooth capability. I doubt I will EVER use the CD player, and I surely will never use the full 6-disc capacity.

[j0esmoe13]

Yea, I'm not a CD-guy either- Whatever I get will include XM one way or another... Not being an audio enthusiast I doubt there will be a big difference to me... prolly just the 2 extra speakers and 25-50 watts or so..

[Virus18]

No stock system is going to be better than an aftermarket system, especially for the money. I have the JBL system and while it is decent, it's a far stretch away from great. Bass response is mediocre at best. 440w Maximum tells you nothing, it's RMS power that is important. The JBL system isn't very powerful.

[Aceventura9586]

just so you guys have a heads up, cuz i know alot about audio. JBL is honestly overrated. I personally go with infinity, while it is a little more expensive than some brands, ur getting great quality which is what your paying for. Just to give you an idea, yall know those contests they have where the car doesnt work at all but its loaded with speakers and stuff to win the sound contests? well, a year or two ago this guy had an infinity setup, and he had two infinity kappa series 12" subs and won over all that other stuff people had, which tells you alot about infinity, the clarity is almost unmatched. check them out if you want a good aftermarket system, while the reference series gives you plenty of bang for your buck, the kappa series will make you so happy that you will want to take it in ur house to use.

[Yazovets]

Originally Posted by Aceventura9586

just so you guys have a heads up, cuz i know alot about audio. JBL is honestly overrated. I personally go with infinity, while it is a little more expensive than some brands, ur getting great quality which is what your paying for. Just to give you an idea, yall know those contests they have where the car doesnt work at all but its loaded with speakers and stuff to win the sound contests? well, a year or two ago this guy had an infinity setup, and he had two infinity kappa series 12" subs and won over all that other stuff people had, which tells you alot about infinity, the clarity is almost unmatched. check them out if you want a good aftermarket system, while the reference series gives you plenty of bang for your buck, the kappa series will make you so happy that you will want to take it in ur house to use.

Well in my old Toyota Echo, I had a 10" Infinity Basslink 10" sub + integrated 200W amp (400W burst). That sounded pretty good.

However, between the stock audio and the JBL system in the Camry, I think that it's money well-spent. I enjoy the digital amp's channel separation, and I find that the JBL system in my car is well suited to any style of music.

The Bluetooth feature is worth it, too. I use it a lot. It's too bad it's not available separately for those who don't want to pay for the JBL audio.

I personally make good use of the in-dash 6CD changer, too. With 6 data MP3 CDs, you can basically have around 600 songs. That's about a day and a half of playing time supposing each track is an average of 3.5 minutes long.

[darksparkz]

It's of course going to be better. But all it is just some simple 6.5" components and 6x9 coaxials in the rear. The front speakers are probably worth $100-150, and the rears are $100, so the amp to power them can run $150. It'll be cheaper and better to put your own in, since the JBL system is like $1200 I believe.

The closest thing I can compare to for stock speakers is I have an RX330 with stock speakers and no Mark Levison package. The JBLs on my Camry sounds better, more SQ, so more clear and crisp them the ones on my RX330. It's a nice improvement, but it's not worth $1200 for it.

I got a SE and had the JBL in it, I'm was planning to replace them with better speakers anyways and swap out for an aftermarket navi.

[touringcamry]

Originally Posted by Aceventura9586

just so you guys have a heads up, cuz i know alot about audio. JBL is honestly overrated. I personally go with infinity, while it is a little more expensive than some brands, ur getting great quality which is what your paying for. Just to give you an idea, yall know those contests they have where the car doesnt work at all but its loaded with speakers and stuff to win the sound contests? well, a year or two ago this guy had an infinity setup, and he had two infinity kappa series 12" subs and won over all that other stuff people had, which tells you alot about infinity, the clarity is almost unmatched. check them out if you want a good aftermarket system, while the reference series gives you plenty of bang for your buck, the kappa series will make you so happy that you will want to take it in ur house to use.

JBL and Infinity are basically the same, just different branding.

[jasongg06]

Originally Posted by Aceventura9586

just so you guys have a heads up, cuz i know alot about audio. JBL is honestly overrated. I personally go with infinity, while it is a little more expensive than some brands, ur getting great quality which is what your paying for. Just to give you an idea, yall know those contests they have where the car doesnt work at all but its loaded with speakers and stuff to win the sound contests? well, a year or two ago this guy had an infinity setup, and he had two infinity kappa series 12" subs and won over all that other stuff people had, which tells you alot about infinity, the clarity is almost unmatched. check them out if you want a good aftermarket system, while the reference series gives you plenty of bang for your buck, the kappa series will make you so happy that you will want to take it in ur house to use.

no offense but... from what you're saying, it doesn't sound like you know "a lot" about audio. JBL isn't overrated, it's just that they're more mainstream, they make nice equipment.

[AmanO]

I agree with the "no stock system is as good as factory." I would even guess that the Mark Levinson system (4000$ or more) in a lexus is not as good as 4000$ worth of aftermarket.

I would not get the JBL and spend the money on aftermarket. THen you can sell your factory stuff on Ebay. THats what I did with my 99.

Toyota wanted 900$plus for the factory head unit that only played CD and Cassete. NO input, no MP3. Fuck that. I barely got 100$ for it and the car had less than 40K on it. I yanked the amp out and sold it also.

Another thing I have noticed: Systems with a dedicated lo-freq speaker sound better. All you got to do is look at the frequency response. I bet anything in a camry does not get as low as even a aftermarket 6-9, let along a dedicated sub.

I bet even the sub in the 2nd gen avalon sounds like ass and does not get very low.

[Aceventura9586]

Originally Posted by jasongg06

no offense but... from what you're saying, it doesn't sound like you know "a lot" about audio. JBL isn't overrated, it's just that they're more mainstream, they make nice equipment.

then let me rephrase, JBL isn't necessarily overrated, but with JBL, the range that it offers you, it can seem that you're paying more for the name than the quality. I mean don't get me wrong JBL is great, but I have found that JBL lacks in certain ranges and is not all around even when it comes to low's mid's and high's

[Yazovets]

You people have no reason to complain about the JBL in the Gen6 Camry. You should have heard the "Harmon/Kardon" system that BMW offered as their premium option. I'm not talking about their Logic 7, but what they offered on their previous-gen cars (3, 5-series, X5).

That thing had 1-inch tweeters in the front door pillar, a 3-inch midrange in each door, 6.5" in the front door, and 6x9 on the rear shelf. Amp was rated at something like 320W. And you'd think you'd at least have proper imaging.

By god, I tell you that sounded a like a boombox inside of a cardboard FedEx box.

[watchcrazy]

Comparing the JBL system to the stock system, I would say it is a matter of personal preference. Do you want your car looking factory and have a little better sound? then get the JBL. The bluetooth is definately worth it. For $1000 to me it is not worth it. My previous car VW Passat had the Dynaudio system upgrade ... no comparison, the JBL doesn't even come close. You really have to just go to the dealership and listen to both of them. Decide if you want bluetooth and a 6 disc changer and see if the $1000 is worth it. I didn't want it, but couldn't find the car I wanted without it. I negotiated hard and have removed the entire system. Only thing I have left is the amp, which I am gonna sell.

Go listen to them and decide for yourself .... it is your ears and your $$$$